Ronay Island

Print

History and Background:

The island of Ronay lies in the middle of the Outer Hebrides, between North and South Uist. It consists of 597.17 hectares of wild country which abounds with birds and wildlife from deer, otters, porpoises and seals to golden eagles, falcons, woodcock and grouse. The surrounding sea is full of mackerel, salmon, scallops and cockles. Sheep were removed in 2004 to allow the flora to return to its natural state and to increase the deer population. The island has 9 lochs providing some brown trout fishing.

There are ruins of numerous crofts, an old druid temple and a nunnery and the present house is situated on top of the site of the old inn. Nearby is Rossinish, where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed and on nearby Benbecula are ruins of what is said to be the oldest university in the United Kingdom.

The House:

The house was built in 1964 by the present owner’s parents and restored in 2005. It faces south looking over the bay which can be reached in 5minutes by boat from Kalin harbor on the mainland. The house is powered by solar panels and the heating by a charnwood stove. A generator is used to power the dishwasher and washing machine.

Details:

• 5 bedrooms (two with super size King beds , two with King size beds and one with twin beds).

• 3 bathrooms

• Separate WC

• Fully equipped kitchen

• Sitting room

• Dining room

• Children’s room (which has two sofa-beds)

• 2 Fireplaces (sitting room and main bedroom)

• The rent of a boat and the hiring of a cleaner can be arranged.

• Mobile coverage from the house can be intermittent but there is always cover a few yards up the hill. There is no landline.

• Smoking and pets allowed

Activities:

On the island:

-Exploring the island. Lochs, bays, old croft ruins, cave dwellings, golden eagle and falcons nesting (Please be careful of their nests, and remember that tampering with their eggs is illegal). Picnics over island to explore the ruins, collecting mussels and scallops, swimming in shallow sea, 3 km by 2km to explore, highest point 110m.

-Shooting - In season and with prior arrangement with the owners

-Red deer stalking (last count about 200 head on the island) – a stalker will accompany guest at all times

-Grouse and woodcock – there is limited grouse and woodcock shooting.

-Shooting wildfowl, snipe and grouse on neighbouring North Uist can be arranged

-Cooking local produce – Kalin harbor is the landing point for lobster, Dublin bay prawns and scallops – all can be purchased directly from the fishermen or from their cooperatives. Cookery classes from a local experienced chef can be arranged to make the most of the stunning local produce.

-Boating to St. Kilda and the islands.

-Surfing – there is good surfing on the white beaches on the north and west shore of North Uist

-Brown trout fishing in the lochs and sea fishing from the shore

-Walking

-Riding – various riding schools offer the possibility of exploring the islands

-Diving for scallops, prawns and exploration of shipwrecks.

LOCATION:

Nearest pub Carnish Inn (15mins)

Various hotels on North Uist including Langass Lodge and Loch Maddy Hotel.

Airport on Benbecula (Daily Flights with British Airways and Logan Air etc.) from Glasgow and from Stornaway).

Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Uig to Skye to Loch Maddy; or Oban to Loch Boisdale.

Kalin harbor is 20min drive from Benbecula airport and 30min from Lochmaddy.

Transport can be arranged from Kalin to the lodge and/or hire of a boat.

Guests will be taken over to the lodge and shown how everything works.

A local guide with a boat can be hired for excursions on a daily or weekly basis.

For more information, please use the inquiry button on this page or call:

Tel: 0034 972490197 Mob: 0034 649 223 693