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  • Challenger Lodge - Scottish Highlands - 1128542 - photo 1
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Challenger Lodge

(Ref. 1128542)

Lairg, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park Show on map

4.9

Sykes rating

  • 9 Guests

  • 4 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Hot tub
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Dishwasher
  • Games Room
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • no (5)
  • spacious (4)
  • challenger (4)
  • lodge (4)
  • stay (4)
  • too (3)

7 Customer Reviews

  • "Myself, partner, daughter, friend and her son spend a great Monday to Friday in the Challenger Lodge."

    The space was great and we don't think the pictures really did it justice as it felt a lot bigger in person. It had everything we needed and the pool table was a great addition and great quality too. The surrounding area was awesome and I can imagine it looks stunning in summer. Very remote but modern inside. Would definitely recommend. Karen

    Reviewed by Karen5.0Apr 2024

  • "The Challenger Lodge is a beautiful home, in a stunning location."

    If you'd like to go away and switch off from the world in the middle of nowhere - but with a village within reach - this is the place for you. (It does have wifi, but still very much feels like your out in the beautiful hills - and can switch off if you like) The games room was used a plenty, and the hot tub is a fantastic addition to the lodge. The kitchen became a perfect dance floor - as did the living room. Everything you could need for a trip away - and you can bring your furry family too! The owners were so friendly and helpful. Thank you again for having us, we can't wait to come back

    Thank you so much for your lovely review. We aim to make The Lodge a warm and comfortable space to enjoy a restful holiday. I hope you come back and spend time again at Challenger as we believe it such a beautiful and restful haven to be shared. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jenni5.0Dec 2023

  • "We had a lovely christmas at challenger lodge."

    The facilities were good, comfortable and spacious and the surroundings were magical especially as we had a white christmas! The only down side was that the hot tub was not useable and there was no dryer- with 6 kids it was missed. Definately would recommend and stay again.

    Thank you for taking the time to write a review. All feedback is always welcome. Apologies for the inability to use the hot tub that was a delay on our part. As for the dryer we took your advice and we have installed one. I hope you return to Challenger as it would be lovely to welcome you back to this wild Scottish estate. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lisa4.1Dec 2023

  • "We enjoyed our stay here."

    The place is very spacious. Beds were comfortable. Nice big tv and wood burner for cosy nights after walking from the front door to the lochs. The pool table provided plenty of fun!! Very clean house and the views were beautiful!!

    Reviewed by Jane5.0Oct 2023

  • "We had an excellent weeks holiday at Challenger Lodge which we found ideal as a base for exploring the North coast of Scotland."

    Our party consisted of three adults and one dog and had plenty of space since the accommodation sleeps up to 9 persons. Challenger Lodge is spacious, well appointed, classily decorated and clean. The property is set in a secluded location with open views out to the loch and surrounding hillsides yet only 5 minutes by car to the town of Lairg where there is a Spar supermarket, fish & chip take away, hotel with bar and petrol station. There are several local wooded walks, both on the estate and in the local area with one good walk to a very private Loch Craggie along a logging road. A welcoming pack of basic essentials was much appreciated on arrival and the owner Shanta, who was visiting the estate during our stay, thoughtfully brought a dog bowl, dog bed and dog treats. We will be looking to make a return visit in the near future with other members of the family as the property is excellent value for money.

    Reviewed by Colin5.0Sep 2023

  • "Perfect retreat for escaping the rat race."

    Secluded but close enough (5 min drive) to local village for supplies, fuel, chips! etc.. Perfect base to travel out from to explore the Highlands, in a week we managed Castle of Mae, John o Groats, Loch Ness, Inverness, Dunrobin castle, the North coast road to Durness, Glenmorangie Distillery. Barn owl was a regular visitor, we heard the deer around but they were too shy to show their faces. Property was spot on, enough hot water to fill Loch Shin, WiFi all over the house fast enough to feed several Netflix hungry tired offspring with more gadgets than NASA .. So much space inside that the 8 of us could find seclusion when needed easy enough. The only downside was leaving, will be back again as soon as I recover from the 10 hour trip from the Midlands..

    Thank you for your generous feedback. It's gratefully acknowledged and we're pleased that you and your family had an enjoyable stay. Hope to see you return in the winter season when the snow filled landscape is spectacular. As you noted we're particularly proud of the high speed internet (150 MB/S) we have at the property - one of very few in the highlands. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Mark5.0Aug 2023

  • "It is a fantastic house / estate We enjoyed every minute of our stay."

    The house has a spacious kitchen well stocked. two fridges an extra freezer in the garage. great pool room. nice size lounge. bedrooms are comfortable. It was great one morning to see 6 deer in the garden. (Best to look from the upstairs windows then they won't notice and run away) Definitely to be recommended.

    Reviewed by Yomtov5.0Jul 2023

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Summary

  • Four bedrooms: 1 x family room with three single beds, 2 x king-size, 1 x ground-floor king-size
  • Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, double basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • 2 x cloakroom
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Utility
  • Sitting room with woodburning stove
  • Games room
  • Sunroom and Swedish woodburning Hot Tub
  • Gas central heating
  • Electric oven and ceramic hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine
  • Smart TV, WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Travel cot and highchair
  • Ample off-road parking
  • Garden with furniture
  • One well-behaved pet welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 1.9 miles, pub 2 miles
  • Note: No stag/hen parties
  • Note: Loch Dola is free to use by occupants
  • Note: Fishing in Loch Craggie is only allowed with a permit, obtained from the Lairg Angling Club
  • All wildlife is to be strictly left alone and watched only from afar
  • Holiday Let licence number is HI-00158-F

The property

Lairg 2.2 miles.

Nestled in an idyllic location with views to the surrounding Lochs and mountains, Challenger Lodge is a wonderful break for a family of nine and their canine companion.

Easily accessible from the village of Lairg, the property comes with plenty of outdoor space with furniture, and off-road parking.

Head inside and discover the kitchen/diner, appointed with all the mod cons needed for a week away, whilst the dining area is ideal for hosting mealtimes.

After a day of walking, look forward to curling up on the sofa and catching up on your favourite shows from the wall-mounted Smart TV, whilst the woodburning stove crackles in the background.

Challenge each other to a game of billiards or take the evening outside as you sit at the furniture and enjoy a warm night.

The first bedroom lies downstairs and offers a king-size bed serviced by a shower room, ideal for those guests with limited mobility.

Head upstairs to find a family room with three single beds and two further king-size bedrooms, each neutrally presented and a good amount of storage.

Challenger Lodge invites families for a remarkable escape to the Highlands.

Note: This property can be booked with Ref. 1128585, together sleeping 13 guests

EPC Rating: Band E

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: HI-00158-F

Challenger Estate

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. There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen. 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. 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 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.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £450.

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About the location

LAIRG

Inverness 50 miles.

Located 50 miles north of Inverness, Lairg is centrally placed for touring the remote and beautiful Northern Highlands. The area has much to offer the visitor, from fine golf courses to outstanding fishing, some of the finest hill walking and mountaineering country in the land and the grand castle at Dunrobin, the home of the Earls of Sutherland. The castle, overlooking the sea, boasts a magnificent formal garden inspired by the grandeur of Versailles in France. Golfers can enjoy a round at local courses in Bonar Bridge, Golspie and Ullapool as well as at the world famous Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Lairg provides a convenient base for trips to the West, North and East coasts with breath-taking scenery in every direction. Walkers are within range of the most northerly Munro in Ben Hope as well as the iconic mountains Suilven, Arkle and Foinavon. Whisky enthusiasts can enjoy visits to nearby distilleries such as Balblair, Clynelish and Glenmorangie. Keen fisherman are situated at the southern end of the lovely Loch Shin and have a wide choice of scenic trout lochs in the local area. In the immediate area are several other outdoor adventure activities including falconry, bird watching and photography, woodcarving, geology, kayaking, or even dry stone walling. For the true Highland experience you won’t find much better.