Rhidorroch House
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Rhidorroch House offers peace and tranquillity within the heart of Glen Achall on Scotland's north-west coast. The large, Victorian highland house, surrounded by mature gardens, stands alone and secluded on a gentle rise above Loch Achall and commands unbroken views up the glen to the east and across the loch to the south: the house enjoys a splendid position from which to appreciate the clear air, wide open spaces and the dramatic quality of light and rich colours unique to the north-west Highlands. In addition to the house two holiday cottages, each sleeping 6 people, are located in the glen.
Just four miles away in the fishing village of Ullapool – a ten-minute drive along the estate's private road – local boats land prawns and lobsters within sight of the lively seafront shops, bars and restaurants. Beyond the house the estate road continues, untarred, alongside loch and river for a further four miles eastwards up the glen where it meets the long hill track over wild, open country to Oykel Bridge. Designed and built by London architect Talbot Clifton, the house was completed in 1898. Clifton had been granted a lease by the Countess of Cromarty to fish salmon on the Ullapool River and in return for this privilege agreed to build her a house of which she would be proud. Family and sporting holidays at Rhidorroch House include stalking and fishing as well as offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities from billiards to barbecues. Extending over some 20,000 acres, Rhidorroch is one of the best mixed sporting estates in the Highlands. The estate offers stalking for red and sika deer and, because of its unique geographical position, at Rhidorroch we have salmon fishing on both a west coast and an east coast river – the Ullapool River (fed by Loch Achall) on the west and the Rappach (a headwater of the famous Oykel River) on the east. The feisty wild brown trout which thrive in Loch Achall (below the house) and the estate's numerous hill lochs put up a strong fight. Rhidorroch House overlooks Loch Achall and the hills bordering the glen. Its secluded position within Glen Achall belies its close proximity (just four miles along the private estate road) from Ullapool and all that this picturesque fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom has to offer. SPORTING HOLIDAYS The house is ideal for family and sporting holidays. Wild and unspoiled, Rhidorroch and this entire west-highland region rightly boasts unforgettable, spectacular coastal and mountain scenery – and there is much to see and do on the estate, in Ullapool and beyond – lively bars and restaurants, beautiful white sand beaches and great surfing, excellent golf courses, nature reserves, Scottish National Trust gardens, ancient caves and brochs, a wealth of walks and mountain climbing. SALMON FISHING The estate offers four rods on the Ullapool River and the Rappach. Fed by Loch Achall, the Ullapool River flows to the west and although it is a spate river the fall can last for three to four days. The river fishes well with the fly and is divided into two beats with fishing on both banks. The beats stretch over a distance of two miles and each beat is readily accessible. The Upper beat starts off gently with some long pools making excellent fly. The Middle beat has the well known Ness Pool at its head. Downstream of this is the productive, and particularly beautiful, Cromarty Pool, below which there are a further seven pools and several runs. East from the house, the Rappach River – a headwater of the famous Oykel – has an influx of salmon and grilse from the end of June onwards. This majestic little river runs through wild, remote Sutherland country and its entire four-mile stretch is strewn with innumerable pools and runs, all of which are ideal for fly fishing. TROUT FISHING Two boats are available at all times in the boathouse on Loch Achall, just 50 yards from the house. Trout are mainly seven to ten inches, but offer good sport and a ready breakfast: dapping has proved most successful in the past. Salmon are also caught on the loch, giving the keen fisherman a good challenge. There are, in addition, numerous hill lochs, some of which lie in a limestone stream producing healthy fish of up to four-and-a-half pounds. STALKING The estate offers stalking from mid-July until the middle of October – by October the rut is usually well under way. Red deer stags range the hills above Glen Achall and to the east above Loch Damph; sika stags are also available. Rhidorroch offers excellent summer stalking from July onwards, when the stags are in their best condition. Summer stalking has its own special attraction with the stags high on the tops posing the stalker more of a challenge, but a fine reward for a long day's walk out. CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING A trap and clay pigeons are available for house guests' use. The estate will provide the clays but not the cartridges. |
Enjoy the tranquil splendour of Glen Achall Summary
Location
Rhidorroch Estate Office, Argyle Street, Ullapool, Wester Ross IV26 2UB
Rhidorroch House and cottages stand within the tranquil splendour of Glen Achall, 60 miles from Inverness and close to the fishing village of Ullapool on Scotland's north-west coast. Rhidorroch House is four miles from Ullapool, Glastullich cottage two-and-a-half miles and Cadubh cottage six miles. From the outskirts of Ullapool, the properties are reached via the estate's eight-mile private road which runs eastwards through Glen Achall, following the course of the Ullapool River, skirting the shores of Loch Achall and then continuing deep into the glen to meet the hill track which leads, ultimately, to Oykel Bridge. |
