Spacious Highland Steading with Mountain Views

Highland steading with spectacular views of Ben Wyvis, ideal for relaxed holidays with family and friends. Sleeping 11 in five bedrooms, there’s room for everyone, with a large kitchen, dining table for 12, wood burner, sunroom and generous garden. Families are especially well catered for, from cots and highchairs for little ones to games and outdoor fun for older children. With Highland wildlife outside the door, it’s a peaceful rural base for exploring Inverness, Loch Ness and beyond. The space Balavil is peaceful and rural, but well placed for exploring in every direction, with Inverness, Loch Ness, the Black Isle, Cairngorms and west coast all within easy reach by car. Balavil Steading is a spacious and relaxed home with plenty of room for larger families, groups of friends and several generations to holiday together - without feeling on top of one another. With several separate living areas as well as the large kitchen-diner, bigger groups can spend time together while still having plenty of room to spread out. At the heart of the house is the large, fully equipped kitchen and dining room, with a table seating 12 - a great social space for cooking, eating and spending time together. The cosy sitting room has a wood-burning stove, while the sun room is a favourite place to slow down - for morning coffee, family games or a dram while watching red kites over the fields towards Ben Wyvis and the western Highlands. There is step-free access into the house, with a generous entrance hall for boots, coats and outdoor gear. Downstairs Two bedrooms are on the ground floor: one with a UK king-size bed and one with a UK super king, which can be made up as two singles on request. There is also a family bathroom with separate bath and shower, plus a utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and additional toilet. Upstairs Upstairs are three further bedrooms: a master bedroom with UK king-size bed and en-suite, a double bedroom, and a triple bedroom. The triple can be arranged as three singles or as a UK super king plus one single on request. There is also a further family bathroom upstairs. Outside Doors from both the kitchen and sun room lead to the outdoor dining area and large garden, with plenty of space for children to play or simply to sit outside and enjoy the Highland setting. Wildlife is part of everyday life at Balavil. Deer, red kites, buzzards, hares, pheasants and even pine martens are all regular visitors, while sheep and cattle graze in the surrounding farmland. There’s also an otter known to live along the road up to Balavil. We haven’t managed to spot it ourselves yet, but perhaps you’ll have better luck! We also have our own chickens - and, if they’re feeling productive, you might even get the chance to collect some fresh Balavil eggs for breakfast. Our open farmland location means we don't get midges - a rare treat in the Highlands! Guest access Guests have private use of the whole Steading and are welcome to enjoy the large garden, which is shared with our family. There’s plenty of space to relax, eat outdoors and for children to play. You’ll find a little more information about the garden when you arrive. Balavil is also our home and a working rural property. The traditional farm buildings and sheds opposite the Steading are private and aren’t part of the holiday let, so we ask guests, children and pets not to enter them. The only area inside the Steading that isn’t accessible to guests is the locked storage cupboard under the stairs. Other things to note We want to make arriving and settling in as easy as possible. While we can’t always offer early check-in or late check-out when we have guests arriving or departing the same day, you’re very welcome to arrange to drop off luggage with us earlier or leave it with us after check-out. We can also accept supermarket, food, wine or other deliveries by prior arrangement - particularly handy if you’d like everything ready for your arrival. Parking & EV charging There is parking for at least four cars beside the Steading, with additional parking available if needed. We don’t currently have a dedicated EV charger, but guests are welcome, by prior arrangement, to charge overnight using a standard three-pin plug. Electricity used for EV charging is charged separately at our current electricity rate. Public EV charging points are also available nearby. Travelling with children We have a young family ourselves, so we know how much equipment can come with travelling with children! We can provide cots and highchairs, and have plenty of other useful baby and child equipment available. If there’s something that would make your stay easier, just ask and we’ll do our best to help. Towels Bath towels are provided for use at the Steading. If you’re planning beach trips, swimming or other adventures, please bring separate towels to take with you.