People | 7 |
Bedrooms | 3 |
Bathrooms | 3 |
Property type | cottage |
Minimum Stay | 3 - 4 nights |
Our lovingly renovated Fisherman's cottage is in the picturesque village of Balintore, Easter Ross. 8 1/2 has been extended to offer luxury holiday accommodation. Situated in the historic centre of this Highland village, the cottage retains its original charm yet comes with modern facilities and offers a real Scottish Highland home from home. The cottage is located on a quiet side street and is an excellent place to relax while you explore the Highlands. The charming village pub and hotel are just a short walk away. Accommodation is on two floors and the property has views across the village to nearby Nigg hill. Outside, there is a large rear garden with lawn, barbecue and seating.
This partner has demonstrated and is committed to fast response times, the best rates, and a great guest experience.
8 1/2 John Street is run by Christel Johnstone. Her husband, David, works away and renovated 8 1/2 over two years. David was born in the village of Balintore and met Christel when she owned one of the local hotels. They married several years ago and still live in the village.
Christel Johnstone purchased this cottage in 2010
Balintore is one of the Seaboard villages situated on the east coast of Ross-shire, in the Scottish Highlands.
Over looking the Moray Firth, Balintore was a traditional fishing village. The centrally located harbour is just a minutes walk from the house.
The peaceful village location offers essential amenities and is an ideal base for exploring the Highlands.
Although Easter Ross is a remote rural area the city of Inverness is only 40 minutes by car.
We have lived in Balintore for many years and love the area.
Centrally located in the picturesque village of Balintore, Easter Ross, 8 1/2 is a recently renovated fisherman's cottage, extended to offer 3 bedroom luxury holiday accommodation.
The cottage is situated in the centre of the village but is also minutes from the beach, harbour and open countryside.
The newly renovated and extended cottage offers the character of a traditional cottage with the convenience and luxury of contemporary fittings and design. There is full central heating, a modern kitchen and bathrooms.
After spending a day at the beach or on long country walks, take an evening stroll to the local pub for your nightcap and a chat before settling down in front of the log burning stove for a snooze.
8 1/2 is an ideal base for exploring the Highlands.
"Staying at 81/2 John St was like a home away from home. We had everything we needed and it was very comfortable. We will definitely return to Balintore and recommend this as a holiday home to anyone. Thank you Christel and David for making our stay so enjoyable." Chelsey Tunbridge, Kaitlyn Parrott, Kailah King and Kat Mercer, Perth, Western Australia. July 2011
"We spent so happy days in this house during the marriage of my sister. We also had so good sunny weather and a wedding ceremony at the lighthouse like in a fairy tale. We wish you many gentle guests in this house and that they spend as luck days here as us." - Gabriela and Robert Maettner, Ulm, Germany, August 2011.
"For the wonderful days which we spent here on the occasion of our daughter's wedding we would like to thank you dear David and dear Christel cordially." Mr & Mrs Maettner, Darmstadt, Germany, August 2011
Wonderful tardis of a cottage set in the Highlands that far exceeded our expectations!
3 big bedrooms, 2x big bathrooms and a great en-suite.
Massive, well stocked kitchen and utility room and a cosy living room with a log burning fire.
Owners were lovely and helpful, area was nice and quiet and literal 2 minute walk to the beach.
Only issue we had was the Wi-Fi wasn't working but this was down to BT (BT engineer admitted this to us) and the owners done their best to try and have it fixed in time for our arrival. Turned out to be a blessing as meant we weren't all stuck on our phones! :)
Will definitely look to return!!
Luxury doesn't even describe this beautiful cottage. This home comes complete with everything you could ever possibly need while on vacation...heck it has more here than at my own home ! It is so much better than a 5 star hotel BY FAR. Plenty of room for us (family of 6 with 4 teenagers), cozy, comfortable, every amenity thought of in advance. We wanted for nothing while we were here. The scenery here was simply breath taking..words cannot do it justice. We are coming from Maryland in the United States, and could not have been more pleased with everything!! The town's people and neighbors were the loveliest, warmest people.
Christel is the consummate host, a kind, loving, warm person who goes above and beyond to make sure your vacation is one to remember! We will be taking a piece of Tain and Christel with us in our hearts back Home! We would NEVER STAY ANYWHERE ELSE and will be back next year!
Thank you so much for everything Christel! We love you!!! ❤
Fondest wishes... and see you next year,
The Priddy's
Three of us booked to stay over Christmas. We arrived to find the property festively decorated, including a lovely tree (and one or two treats besides). Christel made us very welcome and was on hand if we needed to ask any questions. The house has been beautifully restored to make it a warm, spacious and well-equipped home. Balintore has a busy Spar and a chemist with nearby Tain providing supermarkets and other facilities if needed. There is a lively inn just a few minutes away. Balintore and the surrounding area has much to offer by way of walks, scenery and history. We thoroughly recommend this property. Thanks Christel (and David) for making our stay over Christmas so pleasureable.
We loved staying here! The house was lovely and had everything we needed. The nearby beach was great - we saw dolphins on the first day. This was a great location for exploring north and exploring Inverness.
We really enjoyed our stay! The town has a small shop and a great restaurant! All our needs were met! Christel's
visits were a treat! We really enjoyed getting to know her! Hope to visit again soon!
Really well appointed cottage with tremendous amenities. Host Christel was wonderful. A lovely experience.
Coast/Beach:
Sandy beaches less than 5 minutes walk from the cottage. There are also beaches at Nigg, (10 mins by car), and Portmahomack (15 mins by car). Further afield beaches can be found at Golspie (30 mins) and Dornoch (20 mins).
Travel:
Balintore is 40 miles from Inverness airport, 36 miles from Inverness rail and bus station and 7 miles from Tain. Trains and buses are available from Inverness to Tain or Fearn (3 miles) and there is a local bus service from Tain to Balintore.
Distances:
The cottage is in the village of Balintore. Hilton and Shandwick are villages adjoining to the north and south of Balintore and are easily reached on foot (approx 5-10 mins). Tain 7 miles. Portmahomack 6 miles. Dornoch 17 miles. Inverness is 36 miles.
Further Details:
A-Z.
Birdwatching - Good birdwatching at the RSPB nature reserve and hide at Nigg Bay (4 miles) star species include lapwing, redshank, pink-footed goose, widgeon and pintail. The area also has large colonies of sea birds, buzzards are a regular sight and red kites are now breeding in the area.
Cash machine - There is a cash machine in the village shop available during opening hours. There are also four major banks and 6, 24-hour cash machines in Tain.
Children very welcome.
Eating Out -Saint Duthus Hotel Tain – good pub grub (7 miles).
Greens Market Restaurant (7 miles away).
Grocery delivery - Tesco, Asda, and Lidl in Tain. Tesco and Asda Shop n Drop delivery available.
Pictish Trail - Balintore lies at the heart of the Highland Pictish Trail – The Clach a’ Charridh or Shandwick Stone is at the edge of the village and traditionally the stone of sorrows marks the place where the unbaptised infants of the village were buried. There is another stone in the Old Church at Nigg.
Post Office - There is a PO in the village.
Sculpture -Mermaid of the North and the Balintore Sculpture Park – see the 10ft bronze statue the ‘temptress on the shore’.
Walking - Coastal walks from Balintore extend several miles north to Rockfield and south to the North Sutor. Many more walks are available a short drive away including forest walks at Auldie Burn, Tain and Tain Hill.
Wildlife - Dolphin watching at Nigg with boat trips from Cromarty.
Day trips from Balintore.
Dornoch – beach, golf course, cathedral, museum, cafés and restaurants, Dornoch Jail Gifts – 25-minute drive.
Golspie – Dunrobin Castle and gardens, beach and forest walks – 50-minute drive.
West coast beaches and mountains – 1 hour 30 minute drive.
Orkney Islands – day sailings – 2-hour drive to ferry.
The Black Isle – dolphin watching cruises, golf course, wildlife farm, cross-country mountain biking trail – 40-minute drive
Inverness – Aqua-dome leisure pools, restaurants and live music pubs – 45-minute drive, shopping centre.
Rental Period | Minimum Price | Additional Nights | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Event Price | |||
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2018
1 Mar 2018 -
30 Apr 2018
3 night minimum stay
|
£223
for 3 nights
|
From
£74
|
£520
|
|
|
||||
2018
1 May 2018 -
30 Jun 2018
3 night minimum stay
|
£261
for 3 nights
|
From
£87
|
£610
|
|
|
||||
2018
1 Jul 2018 -
9 Sep 2018
4 night minimum stay
|
£397
for 4 nights
|
From
£99
|
£695
|
|
|
||||
2018
10 Sep 2018 -
30 Sep 2018
3 night minimum stay
|
£261
for 3 nights
|
From
£87
|
£610
|
|
|
||||
2018
1 Oct 2018 -
31 Oct 2018
3 night minimum stay
|
£223
for 3 nights
|
From
£74
|
£520
|
|
|
||||
2018/19 Festive Season
19 Dec 2018 -
7 Jan 2019
4 night minimum stay
|
£400
for 4 nights
|
From
£100
|
£700
|
|
|
||||
My Standard Rate
3 night minimum stay
|
£214
for 3 nights
|
|
£500
|
|
|
||||
Fees | No additional mandatory fees |
Booking Notes:
See owners website for offers.
Your booking is secured with £100 deposit.
Full payment is expected 28 days before arrival and a refundable housekeeping deposit may be taken against possible damage and non-return of keys. Payment can be made by all major debit and credit cards via PayPal offering increased security to our clients.
Changeover Day:
Our usual changeover is Saturday and you would be expected to vacate the property by 10am. We can, however be flexible regarding changeover and will endeavor to accommodate your needs.
Bookings of less than 5 nights may incur a £30 Short Stay Cleaning supplement.
A Winter Heating supplement of £30 may be charged from 1st of November to the end of February
Notes on prices:
We aim to be flexible with our prices and encourage you to contact us with your requirements.
We welcome any number of visitors from 1 to 7. Ask us about possible discounts for partial occupancy.
Visit our website for full pricing details and Special Offers... http://www.balintoreholidayhomes.co.uk/