Our Cottages in Straad

The village of Straad sits in St. Ninain's Bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bute. Although the Straad is no longer a village as such, it is still a thriving small community of locals who enjoy living just that little bit away from it all. Up till the end of the 19th century, the Straad was a bustling community with its own sheltered anchorage on nearby St Ninian's Bay where the locals would land herring. It had it's own mill, a smithy, a cooperage and two inns. 

A walk along the beach will take you out onto a spit of land, which can get cut off when the tide comes in. The ruins of the 6th centurey St. Ninain's Chapel can be found on the spit as well as two prehistoric standing stones.  It is a haven for shore birds, and the haunting sound of the curlews at dawn and dusk add to it's magic. 

The bay has spectacular views across to the small island of Inchmarnock and Arran beyond. A small number of hardy locals lived and farmed on Inchmarnock up until 1986 when the last tenant left and the island was sold. Like Bute, it also has some ancient history, with artefacts found that date back 3,500 years, most notablly the Queen of the Inch. In the 1960's a farmer was ploughing and discovered a cist containing the queen wearing a jet necklace and dagger - these items are now on dispaly in the Rothesay museum.  

If this has piqued your interest and you would like to find out how to experience this beautiful place for yourself, then why not take a look at Seaview Cottage, a five star rated holiday let located just a few minutes walk from the tranquil St. Ninian's Bay. There are few truly quiet spaces left these days, however Seaview Cottage Straad is one of those places - this makes it the ideal location to truly get away from it all.