We aren’t renting the house out for 2025. There will be an update shortly.
Short term let license: ESO 1232F
Our lovely cottage is right next to the sea in Brevig Bay, where you can spot otters, seals and a variety of birds including golden eagles. Enjoy breakfast watching a stunning sunrise, or a BBQ as the sun sets over this beautiful bay. Swim off the rocks, or launch a boat or kayak from the jetty in the bay.
This cosy cottage has a log burner and window seat in the vaulted sitting room which overlooks the bay, and radiators throughout the house. Very well equipped, there are three bedrooms , a dining area, utility, and shower room. Appliances are mainly Miele, AEG etc. Outside there is space to BBQ plus a seating area. A gate leads directly onto the peninsula where there are numerous walks. Car parking is available approximately 50 metres from the cottage.
* Spacious lounge with books, games, TV, DVD’s
*. Well equipped kitchen with electric hob and oven, dishwasher, microwave and toaster
* Dining room
* Utility with washing machine, tumble drier.
* Bedroom with twin beds
Upstairs there are two bedrooms, both with double beds and a shower room.
The island is ideal for walking, cycling, bird watching and beachcombing. There are numerous beautiful beaches including Seal Bay where there are often more seals than humans to be seen! Try kayaking in Castlebay, visit local uninhabited islands such as Mingulay to see the puffins, or take the boat to the castle in the bay.
You might like to buy fresh fish which lands daily on the island, eat on The Deck, or go for a curry at the excellent Cafe Kisimul on the harbour. The bus, which takes you around the island is a two minute walk from the house.
17 Reviews on “House by the Sea”
Lovely lovely cottage with spectacular views of the bay. Living room is large and comfortable with window seats to watch the seals play in the sea. House looks to have been redecorated recently which gives it a fresh clean feel unlike some holiday homes which can feel a bit dated. That being said it doesn’t feel too ‘new’; there’s a lot of character about it. The friendly owners, who intend to retire here one day, clearly love the place as much as we did, it’s so well looked after. We will return!
We stayed here over New Year 2016/17 and had also stayed in May 2016. We almost hesitated to write this review however, as we would like it to keep it a secret!
If you need to switch off/relax completely/get it away from it all etc-this is the place for you. It is unlike anything you will find in mainland UK.
Try it, but don’t tell anyone else.
House by the Sea is in the most idyllic location right on the water and we have had the most wonderful, relaxing and fun holiday here. We saw otters and seals in the bay, swam off the rocks, visited all the islands in our boat, caught crabs and fish and had a really great holiday. The house is perfect – beautifully done up to reflect its sea location and most comfortable. A real gem on Barra!
A really lovely cottage which accommodated three couples without any sense of being crammed in. Everything you needed was there and everything worked. The owner couldn’t have been more helpful. Fabulous views across the bay and an enchanting few yards’ walk through the garden to otters and seals. We managed to take a lovely photo of the cottage from across the bay – almost at theend of rainbow.Hope it uploads.
What a beautiful cottage in an absolutely stunning location. We stayed for 1 week in July with 2 young kids and it was perfect. Situated right on Brevig Bay it’s perfect for exploring the shore, watching the seals and otters play on the rocks and even a swim if you can brave the cold water. Well loved house with so much character.
We stayed here September 19-23rd and it was a lovely short break, picturesque location, good facilities and a great base to explore or just simply relax
We have just returned home after a wonderful week staying at House by the sea! The cottage is really well equipped and deceptively spacious! When we weren’t out exploring Barra and it’s beauty we spent time relaxing in the large, bright and airy living room. We’d light the fire in the evening and spend time enjoying the views from the window seat. This cottage is dog friendly too which meant the whole family had a great time! The whole family spent an unforgettable week here and we will definitely return.
The location of this cottage really made our holiday, stunning views over Brevig Bay, with plenty of wildlife to entertain us. The house is large and spacious with modern appliances in the kitchen. There was a good supply of bedding and towels. Communication with the owners was good throughout.
What a wonderful well equipped, comfortable cottage with stunning views. Rain or shine the surrounding views did not disappoint. What a beautiful island. A hidden treasure.
This cottage is an absolute gem! The location is perfect! By the sea tucked away and everything we hoped for. The cottage is spacious and very well equipped. Clean. The lounge with the window seat and log burner was stunning, comfy and perfect for relaxed evenings as well as for gazing across the bay.. made all the better when watching 2 otters out the window not to mention eagles and seals.
Communication with the owners was very good and nice to arrive to goodies too. Lots of information on Barra in the cottage. Hot water plentiful. Towels, bedding and everything to make it feel like home for a week
A special place!
My family and I are just back from a fabulous week’s holiday on Barra staying at House by the Sea. We honestly couldn’t have picked a better house or location. House by the Sea felt like home, it had everything we could need and more.
It’s well equipped, nice big kitchen/ dinning room meant we could easy make family meals and eat them altogether, the utility room was great, washing machine, dryer. We managed to get the washing outside as well.
A very spacious livingroom, nicely decorated with great views into the bay from both huge windows. My favourite was the window seat, I would stretch out and watch the seals and the otter mum with her 3 cubs daily playing in the bay or on the rocks right outside the house. ( 6 ish in the morning, sometimes through the day then in the evenings, sat for 3 hrs on Friday night watching them. We eventually lost them after dark).
There’s a lovely log burner in the livingroom, which we didn’t need to use and heating throughout the house. The rooms afe all a good size with plenty of storage and two bathrooms, one with a shower and the downstairs one a bath.
There’s plenty of information about the island in the writting desk in the livingroom, lots of books to suit all, DVD’s and games also. There’s a picnic bench outside to admire the views from and enjoy the sunshine.
The beaches are stunning, all the little bays with crystal clear water water took my breath away every time I saw them. Watching the planes land on the beach then playing on the sand dunes on the beach across the road from the airport was one my many highlights of my holiday to Barra.
Vatersay is only a short drive away with yet again stunning beaches and plenty of history. The boat trip to Mingulay is great day out, stunning yet again.
Joan’s Barra Pizza is definitely a must, best pizza I’ve ever had and the fruit scones at the postoffice tearoom were lovely.
We had a lovely holiday and would definitely stay at House by the Sea again.
A lovely house to stay in. Spacious with a wonderful light sitting room. We loved the window seat looking over the water and being able to be so close to the sea whatever the weather. Absolute magic.
House by the sea is the most beautiful place to stay, perfectly situated with lovely views, we saw seals and otters everyday from the living room window. My children aged 3 and 4 absolutely loved the cottage, they found toys and games which kept them entertained. Everything seemed to be catered for and it felt so homely. They loved hunting for crabs on the rocks outside the cottage, spotting the otters and the amazing beaches everywhere on the island. My 4 year old named it ‘house by the sparkling sea’ best holiday ever!
Just returned from a fabulous few days in Barra, staying at the House By The Sea. A wonderful mix of wildlife, natural forces, island life, beautiful beaches, ever changing skies and the sea as a constant backdrop. A trip made very comfortable by staying at the House by the sea, complete with clearview stove, large well equipped kitchen and all in a fantastic location, quite literally by the sea.
No need for TV – just look out of the window!
June 2021 – We had a wonderful week at House by the Sea. Idyllic location from which to explore the island walking & boating. Brilliant spot to watch the wildlife in the bay (otters, seals, Oyster Catchers…). Also a lovely cosy place to retreat from wild weather too! The kitchen is well equipped and a lovely big airy sitting room, ideal for games and holiday reading. Would love to come back one day. The Solleveld family.
Thoroughly enjoyed a 2 week stay in House by the Sea. The location really made this holiday for us, with great views across Brevaig Bay and plenty of wildlife to keep us entertained. Good communication with the owners throughout. House was spacious, had good quality kitchen appliances, and good provision of bedding and towels. Overall, good value for money.
Gorgeous cottage with amazing views! We stayed in October 2021 and it was really nice to have wood burning stove going inside, made our stay really cozy and special. Cottage was really neat and had everything we needed. Very much recommend and hope I get a chance to be back!
Thank you for your lovely review Ieva! I’m so pleased that you had such a good holiday,
Best wishes
Chris
We had a week here at the end of May 2022 and were lucky to have stunning weather. The house is spacious and comfortable and the main sitting room with the big windows is fabuolous. We spent hours just looking out and trying (unsuccessfully sadly) to spot otters. We did see seals, dolphins and a basking shark and lots of birds and even heard the corncrakes.
Brevig is a great location for exploring Barra , a walk up Heaval for the amazing views, dinner in cafe Kisimul , the west coast beaches and trips to Vartesay and Mingulay where we saw hundreds of puffins, are some of our highlights.
We will definitely return
We stayed in September for the 3rd time and had a peaceful, relaxing, special time. This year the weather was quite amazing, with bright sunshine every day and at one point I actually had to come inside to cool down.
This cottage is special in so many ways, but it’s the location right next to the bay that is most unique. Once you’ve stayed, you will be travelling home thinking about your next visit.
And when you do get home, you will be itching to tell friends and family all about it..