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HAUNN: TOECHTAMHOR, EAST, MIDDLE and WEST
All 4 Haunn cottages (Toechtamhor, East, Middle and West ) changeover on Saturdays. Guests will be invited to arrive after 5pm on the Saturday afternoon at the beginning of their holiday and must depart on the Saturday morning by 10am at the end of their holiday. The Haunn holiday cottages are situated 2 miles down an unmetalled farm track from the public road, and one mile from Treshnish Farm. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from the farm to Haunn, along the track through fields with 4 gates to open and close. This distance marks the difference between the Treshnish Cottages and those at Haunn, as it creates a feeling of stepping back in time and of being away from the world - except that it is only three miles from civilisation in the form of the hotel at Calgary serving delicious meals in season! A place of adventure and quiet, Haunn, means 'harbour' and refers to the natural harbour cut into the cliffs half a mile beyond the present settlement. East, Middle and West ‘blackhouses’ were originally homes to crofters (MacDougall, Maclean) who wrested a living from the sea and from their crofts. The Port at Haunn was their landing place, dependent on calm weather for getting the boats in and out without damage. There is a ruin of a small 'byre', behind Middle, which would have been for the animals and the stone walls beside the cottages would have kept the stock away from the 'kale-yard'. By 1945 the last original family of Haunn had moved to Dervaig. They have been popular holiday cottages since the 1970’s. The Haunn properties have all been carefully renovated and beautifully restored in keeping with their history and their exceptional situation. The ‘blackhouses’ are small simple, yet charming cottages, even the recent addition of electricity brings little change to their uniqueness. In keeping with their original character, these do not have T.V.s, washing machines or microwaves. If you feel drawn to Haunn but would prefer some mod-con facilities and more spacious accommodation than the ‘blackhouses’ have to offer, why not consider Toechtamhor, the fourth Haunn cottage. This comfortable bungalow, is set back above the track shortly before you reach the end of the route at the ‘blackhouses’, and also affords outstanding sea views. The peace and quiet at Haunn attracts wildlife such as red deer, which come and graze nearby; otters, which are often seen on the shore, and you can sometimes spot a hen harrier or a golden eagle from a cottage window. In early summer, orchids (common, butterfly, fragrant, frog, marsh and small-white) can be awesome in number, part of a rich diversity of flowers present and thriving in the carefully managed fields around the cottages. In the Phone Room at the Farm (where the Treshnish cottages are located), halfway between Haunn and the public road guests are welcome to use the Payphone, our satellite broadband (via an Ethernet cable), a washing machne and an extra deep freeze - all are there to be used by both Treshnish and Haunn guests. |
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Toechtamhor, (Gaelic for 'big field'), sits in its own enclosed garden on a raised knoll, 100 yards before you reach the ‘blackhouses’ at Haunn. Access to this glorious spot is along an unmetalled farm track. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from the public road, passing through Treshnish farmyard on the way. It is a truly peaceful spot and the extensive views from the large double glazed windows provide opportunities to view the scattering of Hebridean islands out at sea, or watch red deer, eagles and sometimes hen harriers without leaving the cottage! This cottage was renovated recently and now benefits from solar hot water (supplemented by electricity when needed!). The eco-renovation included using locally sourced untreated timber cladding on the new bathroom extensions, sheep’s wool insulation in walls and loft space and natural paints throughout!
The spacious open plan kitchen-living room with its outstanding sea views forms the heart of the cottage. The fully fitted kitchen area with gas cooker, microwave, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine also has a dining table with chairs; the restfully decorated sitting area has comfortable sofas set around the welcoming wood burning stove. There are games, books and a CD player. The livingroom is floored with lovely warm coloured reclaimed maple and kilim rugs.
bathroom has traditional terracotta tiles. The second bedroom has twin beds (as well as a comfortable day-bed with full size adult single mattress) and an attractive painted wooden floor and rugs. It has a terracotta tiled en-suite shower-room. The large grassy garden is stock fenced but within the spacious garden there is an unfenced small burn running down from the hill. |
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EAST BLACKHOUSE, HAUNN: sleeps 2 + 2
The bedroom has a king sized bed (made locally using reclaimed English oak and pine) with an adult sized single ‘day bed’. This room, with wooden floor and rugs, gives access to the ceramic tiled bathroom with shower, W.C. and washbasin (making East more suited to single family occupancy).
There are outstanding views over Treshnish Point from both living room and bedroom. East shares its fenced garden and washing line with the other 2 ‘blackhouses’ but has its own table/bench.
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WEST BLACKHOUSE, HAUNN: Sleeps 2 + 3
Both principle rooms have views out to sea and have wooden flooring with rugs. West shares the grassy garden and washing line with East and Middle, but has its own table/bench. |
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MIDDLE BLACKHOUSE, HAUNN: Sleeps 2
Middle is situated between East and West, with glorious views across the herb-rich fields to the hills of Ardnamurchan beyond the (hidden) Sound of Mull. There is an inviting rock opposite the cottage where guests often sit with a glass of wine to enjoy the evening light! Recently and cleverly renovated to retain its ‘blackhouse’ character whilst providing comfortable accommodation for a couple, Middle has a restful open plan kitchen-living room into which you enter from outside.
There is a sitting area around the wood stove, and a dining area with Welsh Dresser and kitchen table. The bedroom, with craftsman made double bed and ample clothes storage, and the ceramic tiled bathroom with shower, W.C. and washbasin are each accessed from the living room. The bedroom has a lovely painted wooden floor whilst the livingroom has the same reclaimed beech flooring as both East and West have. Middle shares the garden area and washing line with East and West, but has its own picnic table/bench. |
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This site last updated September 2009 |