Treetop House

Treetop House is one of two stunning luxury cottage retreats nestled in the hillside above Ullapool with a panoramic views of Loch Broom.

The Stonehouses

The Stonehouses as they are known, are outstanding luxury holiday houses in an amazing location above Ullapool in the North West Scottish Highlands.

Combining natural materials and traditional building techniques with contemporary design and a sustainable approach, Treetop House is a two-bedroom five  star cottage designed by local architect Stuart Bagshaw, from across the water in on the Outer Hebrides.

Magnificent Outlook

Although commanding a magnificent outlook, from above the Ullapool rooftops and out over Loch Broom to the Summer Isles, it’s less than a 10-minute stroll down the steps and driveway through the town to the harbour’s edge.

Although there is a second bedroom, the owners do not recommend Treetop House for young children because of a gorge and waterfall at the rear of the property.

Ideal Couples’ Getaway

However, Treetop House is the ideal couple’s getaway, for a honeymoon or special birthday or anniversary celebration.

The owners were determined to champion the skills and experience of local craftspeople and artisans in the build, which was completed early in 2014, to sit as a neighbour to their other retreat, Curved Stone House.

This is evident in every aspect from the dry-stane wall exterior to the oak-beam frame, and from the sweeping wooden staircase up to the first floor to the unique chiselled broom-wood handles on cupboard doors.

The aim was to create a building that sits easily in the landscape, rounding into the edge of the hill, and Treetops, with its grassy turf roof, does just that, also achieving the architect’s ambition of maximising every available view.

Beautiful Interior

Inside is every bit as impressive, with evidence of the owner’s designer touch in a relaxing palette of natural colours, a subtle Scandi mix of blue-grey wood and white, with accent spikes of moss green and heather purple throughout.

High-quality furnishings, fittings and lighting are complemented by state of the art satellite TV, music system and wi-fi. Treetops is also a warm and cosy residence, where recycled materials have been used to insulate the building that has under floor heating, generated by air-source heat pumps, and solar water heating (backed up by LPG).

Up the steps to the front door, you enter at ground floor level into a spacious tiled hallway, with a stand for coats and room for dumping sandy shoes or wet boots.

On the left is a utility room with washing machine and drier, and facing is the sauna, which also has a window that looks out to the woody gorge at the rear. To the right a wooden staircase, with a wall of ground to ceiling windows, spirals up to the first floor.

Open Plan

The first floor is an open plan area that takes up the full depth from front to rear. The stairs bring you into the dining area at the rear, where floor to ceiling glass doors open out to the hillside and gorge, and wet weather turns a trickling stream into a tumbling waterfall just 30 feet away. Lit by a switch inside, this provides a magical view in the evenings. There is also a patio area here, with a table and two chairs, and steps that lead down to a sun terrace and loungers at the side of the building.

To the side of this open plan room is the circular kitchen area, with every mod con including a coffee machine. You will also find a welcoming bottle of bubbly sitting in an ice bucket, with smoked salmon and cheese produced by local business the Ullapool Smokehouse in the fridge.

Views to Loch Broom

At the front is the lounge area, with floor to ceiling windows providing those incredible views out to Loch Broom, and a wood-burning stove to keep you snug as you stare … Another patio door leads out to a viewing area with steps up to a further outside seating area, just outside the second bedroom.

At the rear of this open-plan room  a second bedroom on the left, and a separate toilet with shower on the right. Up a few more steps is the magnificent master double bedroom, with ensuite bathroom to the right.

The bedroom, like the lounge, has those dramatic floor to ceiling windows looking out to the loch, with patio door taking you out to stand at the prow of this unique building. At night, you can look down to the water and watch the brightly-lit Stornoway ferry haul its way out to sea, or gaze up to a star-filled sky.

There are also steps leading down to that seating area outside the single bedroom. You can lie in bed at night and watch shooting stars as you drift off to sleep.

Luxury Bathroom

The en-suite bathroom has a free-standing luxury bath and double shower with drench head, natural stone tiles and twin sinks. Once again additional details, in this case the gorgeous range of Highland Soap Company products, adds to the sense of style and comfort.

Treetop luxury holiday House Ullapool is a superb Highland escape, a holiday house with wonderful loch views and boutique hotel style facilities, a fantastic base for enjoying this beautiful corner of the north-west Highlands, with plenty to see and do from mountain to shore.

Perfect Days

Walk the Ullapool Hill Path. Two hours to follow this easy path 300 metres to the top – and more incredible views – and back. The route begins in the village but Treetop House has its own private access, via a locked gate in the wooded area at the rear.

Drive to Achiltibuie

Head north on the A835 for around 11.5 miles, then turn left as the signpost says for Achiltibuie, a further three miles plus west on single track road, one way in and out.

There is jawdropping scenery here, where Stac Pollaidh towers 612 metres up from the wild expanse of broom and the gorse that falls away to deserted sandy beaches on the way to the Summer Isles Hotel. Watch out for deer bounding across the route.

Sail Loch Broom

From the pier at Ullapool harbour take a boat trip to spot seals and dolphins in the waters around the Summer Isles, with charter hires available for sea fishing and diving. One trip stops at Tanera Mhor, the last inhabited Summer Isle.

Play golf

There is an interesting nine-hole course on the shores of Loch Broom, with hire facilities available from Ullapool Golf club, which has a modern clubhouse and large parking area.

Take in a festival

There is always live music in the pubs around Ullapool but Loopallu attracts top names (Paolo Nutini, Mumford and Sons and Franz Fedinand have all been) every September.

With two independent bookshops in the village, including one in the popular bistro-pub and meeting hub The Ceilidh Place, the annual literature festival in May is also a major attraction.

Langoustine and lobster

Ullapool is a still a working fishing village, with much of the local catch headed for fine dining tables in London and across Europe. However, the Treetop House owners can organise a delivery order during your stay, at no extra charge.

How to book

Call 01854 613 838 or complete form.