Alona Croft Cottage

Alona is an old Gaelic word meaning exquisitely beautiful, a description which clearly applies to our delightful cottage and its idyllic surroundings. Alona stands just a few yards from the famous Cockle strand beach (Traigh Mhor) with its vast bay of white sand fringed by turquoise sea. It is here that the daily plane from Glasgow lands on the beach.

Traigh Mhor is seperated from an even more beautiful beach by a narrow isthmus of land, largely made up of sand dunes. This beach Traigh Eais, is a wide expanse of pure white sand stretching for over a mile, lapped by Atlantic rollers.

Alona is the perfect place to stay on Barra. It is situated in the hamlet of Ardmhor in what is generally considered to be the most beautiful part of the island.. Ardmhor is conveniently located just one mile from the Eriskay ferry and a similar distance from the airport and Northbay. Northbay is the second largest village on the island and is home to an excellent hotel, The Heathbank, which has a public bar and serves meals to non-residents.

We have fully renovated the cottage with new furniture, flooring and fittings in every room. The work has been completed to a very high standard throughout as can be seen from the photographs.

The cottage can accomodate four people in two bedrooms – one double with a king size bed and the other with two single beds. It is ideal for a family of up to four.

The accomodation comprises the following-:
* Unlimited fibre broadband.
* Lounge – two settes, a wood burning stove, television and DVD.
* Kitchen/dining room – halogen hob, built in electric oven, fridge with freezer compartment, washing
machine, dishwasher, microwave, dining table and four chairs.
* Bathroom – curved shower bath, toilet and washbasin.
* Bedroom 1 – King sized bed with 1500 spring mattress and duvet.
* Bedroom 2 – Twin beds with duvets

Alona has been substantially rebuilt and is highly insulated. It is very warm and cosy and proides the opportunity to stay in an authentic crofter’s cottage whilst enjoying the comforts and mod cons of the 21st centrury.

We have over 40 years of experience in visiting the islands and know them almost as well as many of the locals. We have prepared a comprehensive guide of what to do and what to see on Barra and neighbouring islands such as Vatersay, Eriskay and Mingulay and are in the process of compiling a library of local books and DVDs. If there is anything that you wish to know about the cottage or the island, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have applied for a Short Term Licence under the Scottish Governments new Licensing legislation and our provisional number is ES00677P.

Our terms (inclusive of all linen, towels and electricity) are-:
£575 in July
£525 in May, June and August
£475 in April and September
£400 October to March

Special terms apply to Christmas and New Year
Bookings will normally be Saturday to Saturday but it may be possible to vary this on application, particularly in early and late season. Alona is a non-smoking cottage and we are sorry but we cannot accomodate pets.

We have been letting the cottage for twelve years and everyone that has stayed there has loved it and has provided favourable feedback. The following are just some of the comments that we have received-:

‘We found the cottage lovely warm and beautifully looked after and had a great week. Many thanks.’

‘Just a note to say that we thoroughly enjoyed your lovely cottage. You have done it up beautifully and sympathetically and it made an excellent home from home.’

‘I can see why you bought the cottage and it must be a real thrill to have it. I wish you many happy times there. I feel very lucky to have found a place to retreat to and very much hope to be back soon.’

‘Just to let you know that we had a very enjoyable time at the cottage. Everything was perfect and the bed was extreamly comfortable. You are very lucky to have such a lovely spot.’

‘Fell in love with the cottage the moment we saw it. A true home from home. The fire especially. Spotless, charming but with all mod cons, even found the hairdryer on the first night. All in all a fabulous experience, totally chilled, great scenery and pace of life’.

‘Loved the cottage and the way that it is done up in colours of sand and sea. The cottage is terrific, fully equiped and very coimfortable. How many holiday homes have a sea eagle fly by in the morning’.

‘Your homely cottage is well placed at the north end and so comfortable, the kitchen is the best self-catering one found yet. We have to come back as there is so much more to do’.

‘I have enjoyed my break and staying in the cottage. It felt quite like home’.

‘Alona cottage is first class. Cosy bed, loved the fire in the evening and a well-equipped kitchen. Many thanks for your beautiful cottage’.

‘The cottage is lovely and in a great location, not too far from Castlebay and close to the beaches near the airport’.