Old Free Church Lybster

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Converted Chapel |3 bedrooms |Sleeps 6

Lybster in Caithness

From £595 per week |  From £125 per night

3 nights minimum stay

Changeover flexible

4 out of 5

1 review | Write a review

Key info  Car advised, may take pets - please enquire

About the home

This is a luxury self-catering holiday property forming part of a magnificent church conversion and will attract families as well as groups of friends and sleeps up to 6 (+ cot) in accommodation over 2 levels.
Comprising of
- 3 luxury en-suite bedrooms (one king; one double and one twin or superking). Flat screen digital TV's (with freeview) in each of the bedrooms
- Well appointed dining kitchen
- Laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer
- Study recess with X box 360 (its own flat screen, 2 controllers and lots of games); toys; children's books and board games
- Exceptionally spacious lounge with cathedral style windows and outlook onto open country views. TV with SKY+; DVD player and a large selction of DVD's for all ages
- Wi Fi

The layout has been designed to be comfortable and family friendly. It is particularly well-equipped for toddlers, children and young people.
For those travelling with babies, rest assured, we have the following;
A wooden cot and comfortable mattress (in the Oak Bedroom). We provide a fitted sheet. Please bring baby's preferred bedding (we also have a travel cot if you need 2 cots - PLEASE REQUEST)
A permanent Stairgate
A steam steriliser
A Baby bath
A changing mat
A high chair (again, we have 2 if you are travelling with twins or 2 infants) - PLEASE REQUEST
A box of toys suitable for littlies

Appointed with quality fixtures and fittings, every effort has been taken to retain the integrity of the church walls, the deep window recesses, cathedral style windows and the retention of the original church beams. Each room has been independently designed with individually selected fabrics and furnishings. A perfect retreat and excellent location to explore wonderful Caithness.

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Whether it’s a well-equipped kitchen, a family-friendly layout, spacious and luxurious bedrooms with their own en-suite, the local malt, the luxury Scottish Fine Soaps products, the luxury robes or the thoughtful touches, The Old Free Church at Lybster offers the discerning guest the ultimate in warmth and charm. There are no guests below or above and the thick stone walls make the Church apartment very quiet - guests are assured total privacy, with a guarantee that they will not be interrupted in any way during their stay.

The property has been designed for practicality and comfort. The large gallery lounge has been sympathetically divided to ensure the room lends itself to making sure everyone is able to do their own thing - the study recess for the youngsters; the seating area with 2 large sofas for those squishy sofa days and family board games and the designated TV area, with its very own corner sofa. Wi Fi is fast and effective with a good strong signal - available throughout the entire property, so young people can bring their laptops and ensure they keep in touch with their friends.

The bedrooms capture the ambience of this wonderful church conversion - The Plum Room, sleeping 2 with its rich colours, imposing original church beam, deep window recesses and staged platform housing the double bed; The Brodie Room, sleeping 2 people with its elegant furniture and sumptuous coordinating fabrics, offering flexible sleeping arrangments with a super-kingsize bed or twin (2 singles) and The Oak Room, sleeping 2 with its magnificant kingsize four poster, coordinated oak furniture and rich indulgent fabrics and commanding arched floor-to-ceiling window. A wooden cot and comfortable mattress (new for 2011) is situated in the Oak Room - bring baby's own preferred bedding. All of the bedrooms have lockable doors.

All of the bedrooms have flat screen digital TV's (with Freeview) and their own independent en-suite shower rooms with large shower enclosures.

Further details outdoors:
A spacious and secure entrance hall for the exclusive use of guests (where an array of tourist information materials and leaflets are provided) can be used to safely store pushchairs, bikes, etc.

This is very spacious accommodation that is child-friendly with a well designed layout which is luxurious, yet practical and comfortable. Beautiful open country views from the lounge.

There is no garden to this property, but lots of dog walking opportunities in the area - with a park just a short walk away from the main door (and lots of glorious beaches!). If you have a well-behaved dog that would like to join you on holiday, then please enquire. There is an extra charge of £25.00 per stay for a dog.

Further details

Sparkling wine and chocolates, bath robes, quality bed linen, Scottish Fine Soaps products and complimentary malt (over 18's only), shortbread and highland toffees are all part of the package.

Wi fi access is completely free of charge for those guests wishing to bring their own laptop. With no limited "hot spots", the Wi Fi is fast & efficient and can be accessed anywhere. The X Box 360 (which also plays DVD's), situated in the study recess has its own flat screen, which means that others in the holiday party can watch uninterrupted TV/DVDs in the lounge (SKY+) while the children are occupied watching their preferred film or playing their games.

As well as the X Box (with games for all ages and 2 controllers), there is a range of toys, DVDs, books and board games which makes the property ideal for children and young people and it is toddler friendly. A full sized wooden cot and mattress, highchair, stairgate and baby bath are provided as well as plastic cups and plates, toddler drinking cups and straws. A steam steriliser is also available.

Happy and contented children make for a relaxing break for the adults!

The layout and design also makes this an ideal holiday accommodation choice for groups of friends. 3 couples can enjoy their own luxury bedroom with private en-suite facilities.

Conditions

30% deposit is required to secure the reservation with the balance due 2 calendar months before arrival. Reservations made within 2 months are payable in full.

Photos

 

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Oak room with its magnificant oak 4 poster and floor to ceiling arched window

 

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Large Gallery Lounge with original church beam and floor to ceiling cathedral styled windows

 

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Features of the Church - the lounge looking onto the squishy sofas

 

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Plum Room with original church beam and plinth

The Scottish Highlands region

The towns of Wick (with Wick airport offering shuttle flight connections (FLYBE & EASTERN AIRWAYS) from Edinburgh and Aberdeen) and Thurso are both within 15 and 30 minutes drive respectively.

The town of Wick has a large Tesco Superstore and petrol station, Homebase, Pets at Home, Superdrug, Argos, Edinburgh Woolen Mill, Lidl, Haldanes, Weatherspoons and the usual variety of take-aways, restaurants, shops, parks and swimming pool. Thurso offers a variety of supermarkets, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants as well as a swimming pool.

In Lybster itself, you will find hotels, a cafe, restaurant, convenience store and newsagent as well as a museum, picturesque harbour, small cove pebble beach and nine-hole golf course. The church is accross the road from the excellent Portland Arms Hotel which offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and superb day and evening menus (including children's menu).

The Caithness / Lybster area

Caithness is renowned for its unusual light and extraordinary skies, remarkable coastline and spectacular countryside. Famous John O’Groats is a 40 minute drive, where you casn see the spectacular Duncansby Stacks and miles of fabulous views from Duncansby Head. Daily ferries along the coast and regular sailings to Orkney from John o'Groats. See the seals dotted along the coast in September-November. Why not visit the Castle of Mey? Lovingly restored by the late Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother. The Dunbeath Heritage Centre and Pulteney Distillery in Wick are among many of the local visitor attractions in Caithness. Caithness Horizons in Thurso gives a fascinating insight into Caithness, past and present.

Lybster’s Waterlines Visitor Centre is a fascinating educational experience where the family can enjoy discovering its unique role in the once vibrant fishing industry. For the active angler, naturalist, ornithologist or photographer there is a multitude of facilities both local and further afield, with castles, historical sites, lochs and rivers all within easy reach and an abundance of wildlife and countryside to explore.

Local pursuits and facilities

Walking, cycling and hillwalking
Lybster is a great location for walking, with coastal and forest walking opportunities only a short distance away. See www.walkcaithness.com and www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland for local walking and cycling opportunities and events.

Golf
Lybster's very own 9 hole golf course is a few hundred yards from the church apartment. This heathland course has good views over the north sea and out to the Moray Firth. See www.lybstergolfclub.co.uk for further information.

Country Spa
For the ultimate indulgence, Katrina Sutherland Country Spa offers an unforgettable spa experience. This country retreat, just over a mile from the church apartment, provides a range of pamper packages, a variety of treatments and a sauna and steamroom.

Why not indulge in a classic, luxury or signature pamper package? These can be arranged for the entire party an a half-day or full-day basis.

Prior booking for treatments and pamper packages is essential and notice to use the steam and sauna facility advisable, although these may be available at shorter notice. See our website for further details.

How to get there

Old Free Church Lybster What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

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FLYING?
Flybe and Eastern Airways offer budget flights (Sunday to Friday) to Wick from Inverness, Edinburgh and Aberdeen (the ariport is a 15 minute drive from the Church Apartment). Car hire can be arranged from Wick airport.

DRIVING?
Set just off the main A9 in the north east of Scotland, Lybster is approximately 4.5 hours drive from Edinburgh, and under 2 hours from Inverness (which also offers flight connections to many UK airports).

Activities near Caithness

Reviews

Review: 1 to 1 of 1

07 Jun 2011

“Stunning apartment, stunning scenery” We stayed at the Old Church Apartment in May 2011. I can honestly say it is the nicest place I have ever stayed. It has been beautifully converted and has all the mod cons you could possibly need whilst being clearly very very well looked after. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking, as is the route up from Inverness Airport. The apartment itself makes for a wonderful retreat for relaxing and chilling out in the peace and quiet after a long day's walking or sightseeing. I would love to stay again sometime and highly recommend it.

Review: 1 to 1 of 1

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Guestbook for Old Free Church Lybster

"Perfect honeymoon destination. We came here for a week to celebrate our honeymoon, and it was absolutely fantastic. The apartment has been beautifully decorated, was spotlessly clean and had everything we could have wanted and more. I don't think the 'wow factor' this place has can be put into words but the photos do not do it justice! There were posh toiletries, champagne for honeymooners and even provisions for the first night. The pub across the road was perfect after a long drive, the steak pie was delicious. Even though we came off season there was plenty to do: the whiskey distillery in Wick, the restaurant in Scrabster and the stunning coastline at Dunnet Head to name a few. Come up along the east coast for the best views and stop at the glass workshop in Tay for souveniers. We will definitely be back."
Mr and Mrs Mc, Hampshire, England, 23 March 2009

I've always hankered after owning a converted church, so it was a delight to holiday in one, and it's a high quality conversion. Luxuriously equipped, clean and generously prestocked with essentionals. Huge relaxing upstairs living room with 2 large separate sofa areas, and a nice view of the neighbouring cows in the evening. The free wifi let me keep my emails up to date and check the ferry sailings. Lybster is a quiet village with its own picturesque little harbour (20 mins walk or 2 mins drive) and within easy striking distance of John O'Groats and the ferries to the Orkneys.
We found a super beach about 20 mins north at Reiss Sands (by the Golf Clubhouse) and had a beautiful sunny day on 3 miles of deserted sand. Had previously just spent a few days on a crowded Cornish beach - what a contrast. I even had a swim in the North Sea - yes, it really was warm enough. (I didn't bother with the wetsuit I'd taken to the beach.) Fantastic family beach. If you like hilly moorlands in which to walk and picnic, they are 5 mins drive away.
We also used the very impressive Catemeran ferry from Gills Bay to take our own car over to Orkneys and had a lovely relaxing day driving around there, returning on the other ferry to Scrabster, which gave us a wonderful view of the Old Man of Hoy. Sipping wine on the deck of the very smart car ferry as we passed within 300yds of the 1000ft cliffs of Hoy - it was like being on a cruise. The day trip via ferries to the Orkneys is easy, informal and well worthwhile.
As an English tourist from the home counties, I've previously been deterred from visiting northern Scotland by the seemingly vast distance, and the "unimproved" nature of the road network beyond Glasgow (where we stopped overnight). Well, driving north from Fort William was a revelation. Quiet 'A' roads with huge vistas and beautiful scenery - the miles flew by, and we easily outpaced the SatNav's timetable because the roads feel so quiet (compared with the South-East!) It was really easy driving.
We were very impressed by all our host's generous touches - the welcoming bottle and chocolates, and all the helpful stuff in the fridge and also in the well equipped utility room. Thank you so much. We will definitely return.
Mr and Mrs A, Berkshire, England 31 August 2009

"Wonderful week in a great Apartment – many high class features….We want to come back to this charming place".
- Mr M And Ms K Munich, Germany, 8 August 2008

"This is real heaven! This Apartment is outstanding, just as your warm hospitality. Our 2 boys couldn’t stop playing with the toys!"
- P Family, Berlin, Germany, 16 August 2008

"Great house! Merci pour cette très belle maison!"
- L Family,Paris, France, 23 August 2008

"Fantastic house and wonderful welcome. Thank you".
- R Family, Manchester, England, 30 August 2008

"Outstanding in every way! Your every need catered for by the most welcome host. We had an amazing time in this special Apartment".
- Mr. And Mrs. C, Edinburgh,Scotland, 4 September 2008

Rental prices

Prices for group size 6
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Early 2012	8 Jan 12	1 Apr 12	595£ 595	125125	125125	3 Nights
SPRING 2012	1 Apr 12	2 Jun 12	695£ 695	139139	139139	3 Nights
JUNE 2012	2 Jun 12	30 Jun 12	795£ 795	159159	159159	3 Nights
SUMMER 2012	30 Jun 12	1 Sep 12	895£ 895	0-	0-	1 Week
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2012	1 Sep 12	3 Nov 12	795£ 795	159159	159159	3 Nights
WINTER 2012	3 Nov 12	19 Dec 12	595£ 595	125125	125125	3 Nights
Festive Season 2012	22 Dec 12	5 Jan 13	995£ 995	0-	0-	1 Week

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Short Breaks welcome (minimum stay is 3 nights). 2012 prices from £125 per night

[Please note, we are unable to accommodate stays for only 1 or 2 nights. Short Breaks are offered for 3, 4, 5 or 6 nights]

Please get in touch for COUPLES rates for WEEKLY stays. Up to £200 off for a 7 night break for 2 people.

[Please note, for COUPLES discounted stays, only 1 bedroom will be available (the 4 poster of course!). The other 2 bedrooms will be locked].

30% deposit due at time of booking. Balance due 2 calendar months prior to arrival. [Bookings within 2 months payable in full]

We accept PayPal (including credit and debit cards), Bank Transfer or Cheque. Please note cheques are not accepted on late availability bookings.

PLEASE NOTE; FROM 2012 WE ARE INTRODUCING A PAY AS YOU GO SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICITY USE.

An easy to operate key system will be in place for guests to purchase electricity locally. This charge has been introduced to allow us to retain our prices for the third year in a row. Our 2012 prices remain as they were in 2009 which we feel offers exceptional value.

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Availability notes:

YOU WILL ALWAYS GET A QUICKER (SAME DAY) RESPONSE BY MAKING AN ONLINE ENQUIRY -PLEASE USE THE HOLIDAY LETTINGS ENQUIRY FORM. I aim to reply very quickly and always by e-mail, so be sure to check your inbox!

Contact the owner

* Required fields First name * Last name * Email * Phone number Arrival date Departure date No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas I have read and agreed to the T&Cs

2 years listed You are contacting Sandra Thain Landline +44 01955 611291 Mobile n/a Web Visit site Payment accepted Credit cards accepted PayPal accepted Languages spoken The owner is based in Scotland and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2009. This converted chapel has received 1 review from previous guests.