The air was laden with the smell of pines when we arrived. The little bay glowed emerald under the sun, and is home to herons, shags, morganser and a northern diver this week. Skerries and seals, long-tailed tits and treecreepers are all about and deer pace around the house at night. Storm Ashley sent wind devils racing across the loch and the birch shed their leaves in great plumes.
We’ve enjoyed our quiet fix and vitamin sea. Beautiful walks from the house, Applecross and Glen Torridon, vibrant autumn colours, the sound of stags roaring punctuating the hills and an otter fishing on the River Balgy. A flyover from two RAF jets and a very large sea eagle rounded off a great week!
Jonathan & Rachel, Clitheroe, October 2024
I can’t stop looking out of the front window, every few minutes the landscape looks different. It’s cold outside (after five wonderful sunny days) now 8 degrees C. Here the world seems to be in order, clean and calm. Thank you Gordon and Iona, for this wonderful gem.
Vera & Thomas, Germany, September 2024
Thank you for everything, Gordon and Iona, we have all extremely enjoyed our wonderful, elegant stay in Tigh Beag. We all just wanted to note down the beautiful creatures that we spotted during our stay: to start with, both golden and sea eagles, then a couple of seals, a deer with her fawn and, on our last night, two very cute looking pine martens; which turned up on our last night at around 10 o’clock! Gigantic thanks from Hughie, Rupert, Emma and Tom.
Emma & Tom, Farnham, August 2024
Reflections of a Stay
Dark green, curved pines accompany the treetops of the deciduous trees.
A mustard-yellow sailboat lies moored on the loch, gently rocking.
Hopping cheerfully through the grass, a marten passes by.
A grazing deer and its fawn hide their heads in gently swaying greenery.
The glow of a white house with a deep red roof appears in the distance.
Illuminated by sunspots, rocky hills streaked with green lie far in the distance.
Between rain-laden, dark grey clouds, patches of blue sky emerge.
The yells of seagulls circle around a tree-filled island amidst the ebb and flow.
From the terrace, I let my gaze wander over your tranquility and peaceful calm.
A bite from a midge, a slight dripping, seems to pull me from my peaceful contemplation.
Yet shortly after, a radiant sunlight brightens my view.
And causes my heart to sink once again into your beauty.
Pia, Barbel, Christian and Karsten, Germany, July 2024
Thank you, Gordon and Iona for another brilliant stay. Seen plenty of wildlife from the cottage. Woodpecker, eagles, otters, seals ad three day visits from the pine marten.
John & Dean, Sheffield, July 2024
Thank you, Gordon and Iona, for another wonderful stay at Tigh Beag.
We love that, even when the weather is bad or the midges appear, we can sit inside and watch all the wildlife outside …. including a pine marten which has previously eluded us.
Sally & Rae, Buckinghamshire, June 2024
Thanks for a wonderful stay and a perfect weather window too!
Otters and seals came to visit and a good selection of bird life too. Many hours spent just staring out of the window!
Sue & Steve, Aberdeenshire, March 2024
Wonderful, magical second Christmas and New Year in Tigh Beag. The house is so comfortable, the nature and setting around it so splendid, that we couldn’t imagine spending this special time of year elsewhere.
Georgina & Carl, London, December 2023
Great holiday, as was last time’s (2021).
Beautiful cold, sunny weather - ideal for walks and amazing meal at Applecross Inn!!
Pine martens every night (large & small) and three times in the morning.
Deer in the garden twice - can’t ask for more. Thank you Gordon & Iona for sharing your amazing home/location with us.
Rachael & Tony, Carlisle, December 2023
Incredible. Thank you.
Deidre & Guy, Tunbridge Wells, October 2023
Many thanks for a great week. Lots of great walks locally; peninsula above Shieldaig, path to Applecross, Ben Alligin gorge, south side of Loch Torridon, coral beaches. Excellent cafes too! Nannys in Shieldaig, Wee Whistlestop in Torridon.
Charlie & Faye, Glasgow, Andrew & Louise, Chester, September 2023
Thanks to all who have made Tigh Beag possible. And thank you to a beautiful part of the world which has made us very grateful to experience. Thank you to the dolphins, the seals, the deer, the eagle and all the other creatures.
Donna, Frank, Carrie & Gus, London, June 2023
A first time to Scotland with this one week at Tigh Beag in the Highlands. A wonderful house with ever changing views over the Loch, deer and pine martens just at the front door! A perfect base for explorations near and far and a bit away: the Shieldaig peninsula, Applecross with its lovely Walled Garden cafe, the Falls of Balgy, Loch Torridon village, Loch Maree, Inverewe Gardens and the Isle of Skye. Thank you for the warm welcome! A fantastic house to return to.
Geert, Els & Aiko, Leuven, Belgium, July 2023
We’ve had the most magical two weeks here at Tigh Beag, celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary on our fifth holiday in the area. From decidedly dreich days to a balmy 28 degrees C, we were glad of all the comforts the house offers and spent much time wondering at the ever-changing view. From beautiful sunsets to a host of wildlife (deer, otters, seals, white tailed eagles, herons, oyster catchers and cormorants). Thank you to Gordon & Iona for your hospitality and for this wonderful home.
Sally & Rae, Buckinghamshire, June 2023
We have had a wonderful stay in this peaceful house. All we could wish for except more time!
Wildlife on the doorstep - literally - and beautiful rugged highland countryside which ever way you care to look.
Already looking forward to our next visit ….whenever that may be…..
Thank you Gordon & Iona Trudy & Dennis, Somerset, June 2023
Thank you for a wonderful week in this lovely house. The views from here are every-changing and quite beautiful. We have seen otters most days as well as seals, heron and deer. We’ve been up the hill behind the house, cycled to Applecross Inn where we had excellent beer and smoked salmon sandwich. Also cycled to Shieldaig for good beer and Torridon. We saw a Golden Eagle on our cycle to Applecross. The views everywhere have been stunning in the glorious sunshine. We’re just leaving and we have seen two sea eagles flying over us! Fabulous.
Helen & Peter, April 2023
We have been blessed with sunny days to enjoy walks and lots of kayaking around the bays. Collie Gillie beach for a quick dip in the water followed by drinks at the Applecross Inn. Highly recommend eating at The Walled Garden. We have all loved staying here - the views and ever changing sky are a delight and the luxury accommodation sets it all off. Thank you to Iona and Gordon for a warm welcome and ensuring we had everything we could need.
Tracey & Steve & family, April 2023
“This is our second visit to Tigh Beag and we have to say that it does not disappoint. We had brilliant dramatic weather and we got our wish for spectacular snow views on the mountains. We just love it here. Thank you to Gordon & Iona, great hosts.”
John & Dean, March 2023
“We came here January 2022 and said we’d be back - and here we are.
Relaxation at its best.
No need to leave the cottage to enjoy the wildlife. Stunning. A real tonic.
Already looking forward to returning.”
Andrew & Sarah, January 2023
“Thank you Iona and Gordon for the most wonderful Christmas and New Year week in this beautiful, luxurious, homely oasis in the landscape that makes one’s heart sing. We are writing this, as we are just about to leave and we feel both sadness that we have to leave this place but also happiness and gratitude that we found it. We know we will be back. And if there was an option to buy a time share - we would do it right away!
Special thanks to both of you for your warm hospitality and ensuring that we had the best and very comfortable stay.
The house is a gem, the setting is a paradise. Thank you again, we will be back in the summer.”
Georgina and Carl, London, January 2023
“Writing this as we look out of the picture window, we don’t want to leave!
It’s been a perfect week for us to unwind in a beautiful location and the house has been everything we could have asked for.
What a delight to see the family of deer outside and the pine marten made an appearance. We could sit here glued to the binoculars watching nature fly/wander past us all day.”
Mel & Nick, Staffordshire, December 2022
“On the first few mornings, when the water was calm we watched the otters swim across the bay. On the last but one morning, the white tailed sea eagle flew past the window. It was worth being here for that. The scenery and wildlife are simply stunning!”
Stuart, Cath, Steven and Gill, London, September 2022
“Yet another amazing stay, the view, the wildlife, the tranquility, the house and so blessed with the weather. It was lovely to explore the woodland and the burn so close to home and smell all the pine trees.”
Sarah and Alan, West Sussex, September 2022
“We began our stay wishing we had brought sunscreen and within 48 hours awoke to snow lying not just on the mountain tops but all around us - the scene outside was like a Christmas card.”
Peter and Annie, West Sussex, March 2022
“Love it, love it, love it! What more can be said. We will be back.”
Andrew and Sarah, January 2022
“Had a fantastic stay, such wonderful views. Saw otters in front of the house. What a brilliant place to live, we’ll have to come back. Thank you so much.”
Anna and Klaus, December 2021
“Delayed a year, however all the better for the wait. The week has had mixed weather yet we have walked every day and enjoyed the tranquility Scotland in late November. This is our 6th Scottish holiday this year and we never tire of the magnificent landscape. Torridon is one of our favourite places and one we always return to. So we are grateful to Robin, Heather, Gordon and Iona for the immaculate accommodation. Just super…views and fantastically equipped…thank you for having the inspiration to create such a super retreat. Pine martens, otters, sea eagles and deer spied and over 35 miles walked..just Ben Alligin illuded us…again! So we will be back!”
Helen and Richard, The Lake District, November 2021
“Leaving with heavy hearts after a fortnight in Tigh Beag. Our visit could not have been more enjoyable: wonderful home, beautifully equipped, stunning scenery and only one wet day during our stay. Thank you , we have had a fabulous holiday.”
Penny and Euan, September 2021
“We have had a great week at Tigh Beag. The children have loved their outdoor adventures, which have included mountain biking at The Torridon, waterfalls at Diabaig, Kayaking with Shieldaig Outdoor Adventures, many walks and even a paddle in the sea at Applecross. We have enjoyed spotting wildlife and the highlight was seeing three white tailed sea eagles in flight. Tigh Beag is a great place to stay. We loved the secluded spot, stylish simplistic design against the stunning scenery. It has been perfect!”
Pablo, Michelle, Alejandro, Mateo, Ines, August 2020
“Our fourth visit to Tigh Beag- originally booked for May - so glad we were able to reschedule. Very mixed weather but it didn’t spoil our enjoyment of being here. Lots of canoeing and paddle boarding. Great walk from Kenmore on the Applecross path, stopping at Loch Gaieamhach to search for a geocache (found it!). Great views. Another satisfying walk to Loch Claire and Loch Coulin on the Coulin Estate (about 10k). Drove to Gairloch - Big Sand and paddle boarded and swan in the sea. Hope to be back in 2021.”
Gill, Malc and Ross, Cheshire and Glasgow, July 2020
“We had an amazing stay! The house is perfect, particularly the location. The three deer feel like part of our family. The highlight of our week was kayaking with Tom from Shieldaig Outdoor Adventures. We saw loads of wildlife including jellyfish and even a pod of porpoises. We loved Nanny’s Cafe in Shieldaig and fish and chips at The Applecross Inn.”
Jane, Dave and Ben, Wiltshire, July 2020
“ In returning to Shieldaig for a second stay, we broke our cardinal rule of holidays and travel -”Never go back to the same place when there are so many others to see!” Well, in truth, we haven’t come back to the exact same place as last time we stayed in the wonderful Net Store and this time we have had the absolute delight that is Tigh Beag. The rule book is gone. We will be back. The only question is will it be The Net Store or Tigh Beag?. Our three week sojourn here has been all we could have wished for, gin clear skies, bright sunny days and a dusting of snow on the mountain tops, vibrant autumn colours and some sunsets which have been beyond belief. We leave behind a pine marten now completely hooked on peanut butter. Tigh Beag is another jewel in the Drysdale crown, a credit to Iona and her right hand man Gordon.”
Peter and Annie, West Sussex, October/November 2019
“ A beautiful home in a stunning location. Thank you to Iona and Gordon who have been wonderful and generous hosts. The house was perfectly prepared for our arrival and we couldn’t have asked for anything else during our stay. David and I have rediscovered our love for this part of Scotland and look forward to coming back.”
Angela, David, Katie and Sylvie, West Sussex, September 2019
“Many thanks to Gordon and Iona for their meticulous attention to detail. Every aspect of our stay was perfect. We have been absolutely captivated by the vista from the property with constantly changing light and interest. The wildlife has been amazing too. Regular visits from red deer and fawns, pine marten, red squirrels, seals in the bay, oyster catchers, divers, herons, cormorant and even a skua (to name just a few). The penultimate evening gave a fabulous parhelion before sunset. The area is full of opportunities for diverse landscape experiences, our top 2 were Being Alligin gorge, waterfall and valley walk with a close encounter to a golden eagle and Coral Beach south of Applecross with a gentle walk down to white sands at low tide. Red point is well worth a visit. We had a fabulous meal at Gille Brighde Restaurant. “
Nicola, Nigel and Max, Northumberland, July 2019
“Thank you so much for the wonderful week we’ve enjoyed at Tigh Beag. It is the best self catering accommodation we have ever had: the high quality of everything in the house, the beautiful location, your clear and helpful information. We had a very special day driving over Bealach Na Ba to Applecross and on round the coast back here. So many photos!”
Liz and Malcolm, Oxfordshire, June 2019
“ Over the last 3 years we have been privileged to stay at both the Drysdale properties. Like The Net Store, Tigh Beag just works - everything tip top and in such an idyllic position. Iona and Gordon are the consummate hosts - there when needed but inconspicuous the rest of the time. Wonderful wildlife, amazing scenery and fabulous local food. A great part of Scotland.”
Andy and June, May 2019
“It’s a testament to the owners that we can arrive here and feel instantly at home. So comfortable, warm and beautiful. And those views….Having been to the area a few times before, it was actually quite hard to leave the house with those views.! Thank you for sharing this special place with us.”
Jill and Duncan, Somerset, April 2019
“Tigh Beag is a delightful, warm and comfortable luxury hide to watch the local wildlife, otters, deer and se eagles going about their daily lives completely unaware of your presence. Beyond this hideaway you have the added bonus of the grandeur of the high tops at this time of year dusted with snow.”
Clive and Alison, February 2019
“We came here to celebrate our 60th Birthday with our sons and friend and could not have found a finer place in which to do so. This is surely the most elegant and well appointed accommodation we have stayed in in fifty years of coming to Torridon.”
Marian, Rob, Alasdair, Hugh and Andreas, Edinburgh, January 2019
“We have had a really relaxing stay in this warm, cosy and beautifully appointed home; thank you. Bealach cafe was a very good recommendation and we enjoyed visits to Ullapool and Torridon and just doing local visits and trips. The Applecross circular tour deserves its reputation as one of the most stunning drives in the uk. However, the best thing surely has to be the views from the house; otters, deer, sea eagles as well as stunning sunrises and sunsets.”
Gael and Michael, Hertfordshire, November 2018
“Despite poor weather for most of the week, the autumn colours and scenery have been fantastic, and the comfort and warmth of Tigh Beag second to none. We have loved looking out over the bay and it has been amazing watching a magnificent stag with his hinds each day from the windows. We can recommend the walk to Coral Beach about 3 miles beyond Applecross and excellent fish and chips from the silver caravan outside the Applecross Inn. Great food too, at the Kishorn Seafood Snack Bar. A truly memorable holiday.”
Nigel and Patricia, Berwickshire, October 2018
“What a beautiful place to stay and made our honeymoon special. The view is like a picture post card and we could watch it all day. We have seen otters, deer, sea eagles, herons and a buzzard all from the cottage. The cottage has everything you need and more. We both enjoyed our stay here at Tigh Beag and I’m sure we will be back.”
John and Dean, Sheffield, September 2018
"Thank you for a wonderfully relaxing week in the most beautiful location. Stunning views, especially in the sunshine. Best activities include Gordon's RIB trip to Gille Brighde for lunch on Sunday, walk around Shieldaig peninsula, breakfast a Nanny's Cafe and dinner at the Coastal Kitchen. Great to wake up to the sight of the resident deer just outside our window."
Karen, John and Katrina, Solihull and Nottingham, July/August 2018
"What a wonderful serene week! Tigh Beag was the perfect retreat. We saw deer, a pine marten and many kinds of jellyfish as well as soaking up the west coast atmosphere. The house was brilliantly equipped and comfortable and we hope to come again. If you could just arrange similar scorching weather next time, that would be ideal."
Francis, Celia, Grace, Freya and Oscar, July 2018
" We have just spent a few days here in Tigh Beag - it has been a magical time with wonderful sunsets and walks and an amazing trip with Torridon RIB tours where we saw seals, Arctic terns, a sea eagle and herons. The house is the last word in comfort, warmth and good taste. In a word 'paradise'."
M and M Semple, Glasgow, June 2108
" Thank you for a delightful stay at Tigh Beag. We greatly enjoyed ourselves. The house was very well appointed, just as we imagined it from the description; the view even more spectacular. We hope to return next year. "
Peter and Chris, June 2018
" We just loved our stay at Tigh Beag. A real retreat on the west coast. It is so wonderfully warm and well-equipped. You have thought of everything. We will be dreaming of the sea views until our next visit."
Ros Hyde, Dublin, April 2018
" We enjoyed our stay in Tigh Beag immensely - luxurious accommodation in a beautiful location, where flora and fauna abound. There is every comfort, from the carefully chosen furnishings and the beautiful linen to the log burning stove. Glorious views of the sea and the mountains from the lounge and the bedrooms. You'll feel relaxed, whatever the weather. All in all, stupendous and secluded Highland splendour!"
Sally and David, Edinburgh, August 2017
" We saw lots of lovely wildlife, including an otter, seals, herons, deer and the sea eagle. The house is very nice and the views are stunning."
The Lake Family, Edinburgh, August 2017