The Challenger Bothy
5 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pet Friendly
About
These two cottages sit in a rural position, surrounded by an abundance of native wildlife on the The Challenger Estate, a privately owned estate with over 1000 acres of wild moorland.
When you walk further, you can see the old homestead, as well as foundations of roundhouses from the Bronze and Iron Age period. Right in front of Baddhu Cottage is an Iron Age burial cairn, believed to be a person of status which can be noted by the large rock as a marker. If you want an easier walk, take the road to the right after the cattle grid and it’s a very easy 10km walk to Loch Craggie, which is owned by The Challenger Estate. Here you will see some of the United Kingdom's most endangered birds and wildlife, if you are patient.
The Red, Roe and Sika Deer can be seen early mornings and at dusk. Their path cuts right across the garden of the Baddhu Cottage and towards the mountain behind Challenger Lodge. When you walk towards the mountain you will see settlements of sheep farmers and crop farmers from the 17th century. You will also see that people have lived on the Estate for over 5000 years.The highly endangered Hen Harrier with only 545 breeding pairs in the whole of the UK, we at Challenger Estate are proud to say we have four pairs that make Challenger their home during the breeding season. As you walk towards Loch Craggie you will pass the smaller Loch Dola which too is owned by The Challenger Estate, with its clean crystal waters serving as a healthy breeding ground for trout. Walk past Loch Dola and follow the signs to Loch Craggie, you will walk on the trail of The Pines. The forestry commission owns the forestry but you are welcome to walk the trail to Craggie. Craggie is privately owned by the Estate and is around 2.2 miles round. Loch Craggie is recognised as the cream of the lochs in this area, indeed one of the best in the Highlands. It is famous for both its mayfly hatch and the quality of its trout. Brown trout average around the 1lb mark, with many better fish in the 2-3lbs range caught each season. On Loch Cgraagie the bird life is extensive. The waters at Loch Craggie are as clean and crystal clear as Loch Dola. Fishing at Loch Craggie is strictly by permit only, which can be obtained from the Lairg Angling Club. For an unforgettable stay in Scotland, look no further than The Challenger Estate.
Summary
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Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor king-size, 2 x ground-floor single beds, 1 x ground-floor pull-out bed
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Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
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2 x cloakroom
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Kitchen/diner
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Utility
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Sitting room with woodburning stove
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Swedish woodburning Hot Tub
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Gas central heating
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Electric oven and ceramic hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine
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Smart TV, WiFi
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Fuel and power inc. in rent
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Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
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Travel cot and highchair
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Ample off-road parking
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Garden with furniture
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One well-behaved pet welcome
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Sorry, no smoking
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Shop 1.9 miles, pub 2 miles
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Note: No stag/hen parties
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Note: Loch Dola is free to use by guests as long as they request permission from the owner of Challenger Lodge with four days' notice, a property contact number will be provided pre arrival if you need to call to arrange permission - please do also note that fishing is not permitted on a Sunday and there can be no bank fishing, although a boat can be hired from the Lairg Angling club
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Note: Fishing in Loch Craggie is only allowed with a permit, obtained from the Lairg Angling Club
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All wildlife is to be strictly left alone and watched only from afar
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Wood can be supplied for the hot tub and wood burner at an extra charge
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Holiday Let licence number is HI-00158-F
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This property only accepts a Friday changeover.