As stunningly beautiful as the photographs on the Eagle Rock website are, they do not do justice to ER or the sweeping sea and landscapes visible from every perch: window, balcony, deck, and rock. The view quite literally changes by the minute, as the clouds and sun play on the blue/gray of the water and the green/gray of the grass and stone. Even the mist and rain (which happen ☺) bring the gift of magnificent waterfalls and rustling streams and brooks. We were a large group, yet there were many moments—even hours—of peaceful contemplation of the majesty of the mountains and sea. Pressures and anxieties melted away—the magic of your immersion in the wild yet somehow calming natural beauty of the view demands it.
The owner, Catherine, is herself among the greatest charms of—and we believe integral to—the Eagle Rock experience. We were celebrating a 30th anniversary and four birthdays in our group. Catherine graciously facilitated amazing dinners, lovely cakes, wool spinning, guided walks, drives and other activities, often joining our wild crowd. We left begging her to come home with us.
The descriptions of the interior and the amenities are not exaggerated—if anything, Catherine modestly plays down her aesthetic gifts and the beauty of her dream fulfilled. The decks, patios and fire pit draw you out in sun and cloud and mist. Ask for the story of the magnificent fir tree from which many of the stairs, benches, shelves and floor boards are made. Catherine’s collected works of sculpture—including her own!—fill the house with beauty and surprises. The kitchen is so well appointed you could prepare anything for anyone, and then clean up in a jiffy.
Applecross is still quite remarkably (and wonderfully remote), yet boasts the Applecross Inn with food that will blow your mind. Judy and Robert manage the massive influx of summer visitors with enviable aplomb. We spent many an hour in the fine weather, sitting outside letting the setting sun take our breath away. We had dinner in the Walled Garden too, which was equally warm-friendly-delicious, and the gardens are truly spectacular. On a practical note, Tesco delivers groceries, which can be ordered online. And the little shop just 5 minutes walk away has a remarkably broad selection of staples. We can’t recommend Eagle Rock more resoundingly than this: we will be back—flying across oceans and braving the Bealach for the thrill of looking out across the bay to Raasay while sharing a glass with Cath.