Guests say
The Old Smiddy is a charming cottage praised for its peaceful riverside location and snug atmosphere. Guests enjoy the local wildlife and walking areas, though some improvements are suggested for facilities and comfort for larger parties.
The property was noted to have a musty smell upon arrival, but improved after airing out. The dishwasher issue suggests a need for better cleaning, but no other major cleanliness concerns were mentioned.
The cottage's location is highly appreciated for its tranquility by the river, proximity to walking routes, and wildlife sightings, making it an excellent base for exploring the area.
The snug is a highlight, but comfort is compromised by a low ceiling on the top floor and a slippy wooden floor. The musty smell and cold bathroom also detract from overall comfort.
Facilities are adequate with some issues noted, such as a small fridge, noisy plumbing, and maintenance needed for the dishwasher and cooker. The property is well-equipped but could benefit from updates.
While guests appreciated the provided walking route recommendations, there is no mention of gifts or welcome packs to assess thoughtfulness in terms of extra touches or hospitality.
About this property
The Old Smiddy is a characterful, 19th-century stone cottage sitting along the River Ewe, with the gentle sound of the water running past a constant..
Ground Floor:
Living room: 32" Freeview Smart TV, Woodburner
Kitchen: Electric Oven, Electric Hob, Microwave, Fridge (Small Freezer Compartment), Dishwasher, Washing Machine
Living room 2: Open Fire
Bedroom 1: Double (4ft 6in) Bed
Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 2: Kingsize (5ft) Bed
Bedroom 3: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds.
Oil central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Initial fuel for open fire and wood burner included. Highchair.. Enclosed front garden with courtyard and garden furniture. 2 dogs welcome. Private parking for 2 cars. No smoking. Please note: The rear garden is steep and not really usable for guests.. The Old Smiddy is a charming old blacksmith’s cottage, built in the late 19th century, around 1880. The owners have restored the property incredibly well and have created a wonderful holiday cottage, lovingly furnished with guests’ comfort in mind. This detached home being situated beside the river is truly magical, and being only a short walk away from the coast (a couple of minutes at most), the property has the best of both worlds. River and sea are right on your doorstep, offering both adventure and relaxation depending on your preference.
Upon entering the property through the courtyard garden at the front, you are greeted by a large hallway with a spacious double bedroom off to the right, which boasts a river view and is the ideal choice for the less mobile. The bathroom is at the back of the property and has a shower over the bath, great for a hot soak after a busy day. The kitchen is spacious with a table and a great place to cook up hearty meals after long days exploring coast and country. Also leading off from the hallway is a small living room/snug with an open fire, leading through to the main living room, with its vaulted ceiling and cosy wood burner with door leading into the garden. The large living room is a fantastic space for the family to gather and enjoy some downtime together. Upstairs are two further comfortable and spacious bedrooms, a king size bed and a twin room, each boasting views out across the River Ewe.
Staying at The Old Smiddy you will immediately know you have made the right choice. It’s exactly what you want from a Scottish Highlands holiday cottage. You will find the National Trust Inverewe Gardens just a mile away, or if swimming is your choice of leisure, the swimming pool is only 600 yards away. Being based in Poolewe is a gift, it is such a wonderful area rich in flora and fauna, landscapes, history, and a warm and welcoming community. Beach 5 miles. Shop 300 yards, pub and restaurant 300 yards
Free WiFi
Only dogs allowed at the property.
There are low ceilings, doors and/or beams within the property.
EPC Rating = F
Letting licence no.: HI19353F
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Reviews (6)
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Confirmed Guest
Really lovely cottage, the snug is just blissful and they provide coal for the fire as well (We also brought some logs too). The cottage sits across a river and there is a bench by the cottage and one along the river which are super peaceful to sit on. The cottage is located near some nice walking areas with an hour to drive to get to some mountains or a tesco. There is also a Mace's right round the corner, 2mins walk. There is also a tray with some recommended walking routes which I really appreciated. The heating worked well and all the basic facilities were provided.We were provided with useful driving instructions (be aware that there is another Old Smiddy which is a B&B and not the correct one which is why these driving instructions were useful!) and the pick of keys was super easy as they leave the keys in a lockbox and email you the code so you can pick them up.There are some things that could do with improvements. The main ones being that the bathroom window cannot be shut making the bathroom permanently cold and we cannot stop flies from coming in. The dishwasher really needs a thorough clean - it keeps leaving grit behind (especially on the top shelf) which meant I'd have to give most items a secondary wash. I tried cleaning the filter but that didn't help. The cooker, the top dial actually gets hot, you can see the stickers around it are actually burnt so we ended up not using the top right hob at all. We were also lucky that we weren't a full party (only 2 of us) as the top floor ceiling would actually be too low for some to stand up in. My partner was unable to stand up there and we just ignored the top floor entirely as a result. The toilet also makes a crazy noise after you flush it!
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Confirmed Guest
Had a lovely stay in the Old Smiddy, great location by the river and well equipped cottage. A excellent base to explore Inverewe gardens and the surrounding area. Otters and ospreys seen nearby.
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Confirmed Guest
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