Stationmaster’s Lodge: Group Accommodation in the Scottish Highlands

There are times in life when you just need to grab a group of your nearest and dearest, and run off to the Highlands. Such adventures require a cosy home-from-home, which can accommodate large groups. Even better in a super-scenic location. I know just the place. I give you, Stationmaster’s Lodge.

This blog is part of a paid campaign to promote Stationmaster’s Lodge

Waking up and not immediately having to be somewhere, or do something, is an immensely comforting feeling – and one I don’t have the pleasure of experiencing very often. I hit the snooze button on my alarm for another half an hour and treated myself to a prolonged period of appreciation for the cloud-like bed.

When I finally surfaced, I only got as far as the window seat, where I closed the curtains behind me and hugged my knees to my chest. Kirsty, the lovely housekeeper, had told me it was the best room in the house and she wasn’t wrong. This was the room with a view of Loch Carron; it still looked beautiful under grey skies and with rain-drop ripples in the water.

I could hear one of my friends stirring downstairs, so I joined him and curled into the cushions on the couch with a cup of tea. We laughed about the previous night’s antics, and waited for the others to appear so we could venture outside to explore when the wet weather eased off.

My happiness peaked on that weekend in the Highlands: it was the company of my friends and the constant hysterical laughter; the home comforts and simple pleasures; the ethereal, wintry scenery.

Introducing Stationmaster’s Lodge

Quite often, you don’t have to guess the story behind certain destinations, landmarks, and buildings in Scotland: the clue really is in the name. Stationmaster’s Lodge is a prime example. Indeed, it was built as a residence for Stromeferry’s Stationmaster in 1880, just a stone’s throw from the railway tracks on the Kyle Line.

Stromeferry is a tiny village which sits at the tip of Loch Carron in Wester Ross. This wee pocket of Highland loveliness may be small, but it has a copious amount of charm; from the quaint station and mountainous vistas, to the classic red phone box and matching post box.

Splashes of red can also be found on the house’s exterior pipework, and the perfectly photogenic main door. If you’re unsure whether you’re in the right place, the metal sign which rocks in the wind will confirm it.

Stationmaster’s Lodge sleeps up to eighteen people, in eight bedrooms, on the second and third floor. Each room has been individually named after a station on the Kyle Line, and there are wee nods to the heritage of the house throughout.

A wee history of the Kyle Line

The Stationmaster’s Lodge Experience

From the moment we arrived, my group of friends and I were like a family who had relocated to the Highlands. We instantly felt at home. This is largely owing to Kirsty, who warmly welcomed us and took us on a tour of the house.

Kirsty lives in the adjoined building so is on-hand if you need anything, otherwise she’ll simply leave to you to your own devices. The property is very well looked after, and absolutely immaculate.

There are so many wee decorative touches which give Stationmaster’s Lodge its own identity and sense of place; the tartan cushion covers and curtains; the vintage railway posters; the ornamental whisky bottles.

The living room and dining area are designed with groups in mind. There are books, board games and DVDs to keep everyone entertained, and the dining table can be quickly transformed into a ping-pong or pool table; both games become all the more amusing after a few drinks! When we wanted to relax, we sprawled across the couches watching films; fairy lights on and flames flickering in the wood-burner.

The kitchen was spacious and fully equipped with everything we could possibly need. There’s even an extra fridge in the dining area for any overspill of supplies. We discovered a huge container of various spices which had been left behind by other guests, and there was a selection of large oven dishes for the all-important mac ‘n’ cheese group meal.

For those who are visiting during the warmer months, there is a terrace outside with a barbeque, tables and chairs. This would be an ideal way to spend an evening out in the fresh air, overlooking the loch. There are other houses close by in the village though, so groups should be considerate of the residents and try to keep noise levels to a minimum.

We all loved our en-suite bedrooms. I stayed in ‘Plockton’, a bright and attractive double room with fresh white walls and bedcovers. There was a row of hooks and coat hangers for my clothes, and fresh towels were provided, as well as toiletries in the bathroom (just remember to bring your own shower gel!). The shower was hot and powerful, and the comfort level of the massive bed made it very difficult to get out of!

There was nothing we didn’t like about this house. The experience is something we spoke about for weeks afterwards, and we’ve all made it very clear that we’ll be back.

Places to visit near Stationmaster’s Lodge

Stationmaster’s Lodge is a prime location for scenic exploration. Sections of the North Coast 500 are within easy reach, and you’re only a short drive from the Skye Bridge. There is so much to see and do nearby, and these are just some ideas for places to visit. For more specific activities, there’s a big black folder in the living room at the house which is full of additional local information.

Plockton

Plockton is described as “The Jewel of the Highlands” and it’s easy to see why. This picturesque wee village sits around a horseshoe bay on the serene shores of Loch Carron: you can do seal-spotting boat trips from April – October. You’ll find palm trees and lots of cute houses dotted around the seafront – there’s even a Highland black house with a thatched roof!

For hearty meals and amazing Highland hospitality, Plockton Inn is a must. We also loved The Croft Café in the nearby hamlet of Duirinish; their full Scottish breakfast was pure perfection.

• Driving distance from Stationmaster’s Lodge – approx. 25 minutes

Torridon

Torridon is the name of the village, the loch and the hills. If you love mountains, you’ll have a field day in this area of Scotland. You are literally swallowed up in ancient rock with gnarly peaks and steep cliff faces. Keen hikers can choose from six Munros, or you can simply gawk at the majestic scenes at one of the viewpoints, even from the comfort of your car.

• Driving time from Stationmaster’s Lodge – approx. 1 hour 15 minutes

Applecross

Applecross is as much about the journey to get there, as it is about the village itself. The famous Bealach Na Ba’ road is the third highest in the UK, and the greatest ascent from sea level of any road. The 11-mile, single track road with hairpin bends should only be attempted by confident drivers! Once you’ve recovered from the drive and taken a walk along the seafront, get cosy in the Applecross Inn and feast upon fresh seafood. I obviously had to order both the scallops and the Cullen skink.

• Driving time from Stationmaster’s Lodge – at least 1.5 hours given the care required to drive the Bealach Na Ba’

Eilean Donan Castle

This beautiful structure is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland – and for good reason! Eilean Donan Castle sits on a wee island at the point where three sea lochs meet: Loch Alsh, Loch Long and Loch Duich. Sat on such a scenic stage, this castle looks good from every angle – particularly with its pretty stone bridge. You can venture inside with an audio guide to learn all about the castle’s interesting history, or just grab a few classic ‘tourist’ photos from the shoreline.

• Driving time from Stationmaster’s Lodge – approx. 20 minutes

Isle of Skye

For those seeking an island adventure, Skye is calling! The Cuillin mountains beckon you over the bridge from quite a distance, and it would be rude not to indulge in some of Skye’s magic while you’re there. For full day out, you can drive right up to Portree and do a loop of the Trotternish peninsula (the most touristy part). To avoid the crowds in peak season, spend your time on the Sleat Peninsula or drive to Elgol and take a boat trip to otherworldly Loch Coruisk.

• Driving from Stationmaster’s Lodge – approx. 20 minutes (Skye Bridge), 50 minutes (Ardmadale Castle, Sleat), 1 hour (Elgol), 1 hour 10 minutes (Portree).

The Essentials

The closest main town to the accommodation is Kyle of Lochalsh, which is only a 15-minute drive away. This is where you’ll find:

• COOP – this well-stocked supermarket is just before the Skye Bridge. We were able to buy everything we needed to self-cater from here
• ATM – there is one at the COOP (open until 21.00)
• Central Filling Station – to top up on fuel for your adventures.
• Kyle Pharmacy – located on Station Road. Just in case.

How to get to Stationmaster’s Lodge

Public Transport – Stationmaster’s Lodge is accessible by train on The Kyle Line from Inverness to Stromeferry; you can purchase a ticket from Edinburgh or Glasgow and change in Inverness. You could just take the train to Plockton and Kyle of Lochalsh, but without a car, you’re otherwise limited to staying in the village and the house.

Driving – I therefore recommend travelling to Stationmaster’s Lodge by car, simply because of all the stunning places you can visit nearby. On the way up, we drove up the A9 and took the Laggan Road from Dalwhinnie to Spean Bridge, and travelled north via Invergarry. On the way back, we took a slightly longer route through Glen Coe. You can view the map of the route we drove here.

This post is sponsored by Stationmaster’s Lodge. As always, all content, opinions & chaotic behaviour are my own.

Happy travels!

Kay 💙