CHRISTMAS 2006 & NEW YEAR 2007
PRINCIPAL "Absolutely Fabulous! See you in April. Many thanks and our very best wishes for 2007" BRADFORD ~ Recommend 5 stars
ASSISTANT
"Fantastic location - comfortable cottage - really superb. Pod of porpoise & sun rises made it even more special. Would have loved to stay longer" AUSTRALIA ~ Recommend 4 stars
ASSISTANT
"The cottage was better than expected, web site does not do the interior justice. The welcome tray was a lovely surprise. The experience of staying in a lighthouse cottage gave us a sense of excitement and the weather added to the feel staying in a lighthouse. Plenty of lovely books which are appropriate for this type of accommodation. Very reluctant to leave, wish we had booked for a week, we will return one day. Thank you both for a stay that we will never forget. Best shower we have had since leaving OZ!" QUEENSLAND ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Everything exceeded our expectations. Looking forward to our next visit!! Welcome pack was a lovely touch. Surroundings spectacular regardless of the weather. Thank you!!" DUNFERMLINE ~ Recommend 4 stars
"Great cottage & location. The weather has been really good. Great birds including curlews & a seal." AYLESBURY ~ Recommend 4 stars
PRINCIPAL
"One of the most relaxing family holidays we have ever had. Everything was clean, comfortable and cozy, we enjoyed the fresh air and the amazing wildlife. We appreciated all the special touches such as hot water bottles, hospitality tray, crystal glasses and the kids loved the dishwasher. We could easily have stayed longer and will recommend it to any one who wants to get away from it all. Thank you." EDINBURGH (AUSTRALIA) ~ Recommend 4 stars
"We've had a marvellous week. The cottage has everything you need for a superbly comfortable, cosy stay. We are regretfully packing up after the most relaxing week here. We've thoroughly enjoyed the island and the garden when the weather was fine and sunny and when the rain came, we happily retreated into the cottage and enjoyed the books, videos and games. Our children were thrilled with their room and all the thought that had gone into preparing it for them. We have read the local history and guide books, which has added to the enjoyment of our Orkney experience. Basically, we don't want to go home! OXFORD ~ Recommend 5 stars
ASSISTANT
"Really enjoyed our stay especially the peace & quiet. Good place to escape from city life. Cakes at the Scapa Flow visitor centre a must!" HYTHE, KENT ~ Recommend 4 stars
"Oh to be an Assistant Lightkeeper a little longer!! Thanks for a great introduction to Orkney." AUSTRALIA ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Hoy is a wonderful island with charm & character in abundance. The unspoiled beauty of the place took my breath away from the time I arrived until I signed this sheet. My stay has been one of quiet relaxation followed by some pretty exciting times. I would love to visit the island & the lighthouse again in the future & once again relax as I have done - Thanks for a wonderful stay." WEST MALLING, KENT ~ Recommend 5 stars
PRINCIPAL
"Cannot put into words how fantastic our stay in the Principal's cpttage was. Will return for longer. Loved the style of the cottage - decor was just right. Comfort 100% peace & quiet 100% chickens 100%. Has bee our best holiday location for a very long time. Thankyou." NOTTINGHAM ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Hope to return the year after next - and stay longer! Beautiful restoration work, all the modern comforts. Thank you for all you did to make our visit exceptional." UTAH, USA ~ Recommend 5 stars
"We enjoyed the spectacular surroundings and the very special cottage! Thanks for all and making it possible spending such holidays at your place." SWITZERLAND ~ Recommend 5 stars
"A truly magnificent area! Magical! I could not imagine a lovelier spot. The cottage is great & provided everything necessary for an exceptional holiday. Thank you for sharing it with us. A very special beauty." USA ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Wonderful welcome, scenery and location amazing and following in the footsteps of my 3 x great Uncle Henry Wallace made it even more special. Highlights - the walk from Snelsetter Farm along the cliffs, soup from the Lyness Museum Cafe and of course Rackwick Beach. This is easily the best self catering holiday we have had - everything we needed was here. The locals are friendly and welcoming and the pace of life makes you forget the 'outside world'. We would love to come back again. Thank you for a very special break. Last morning we saw porpoises and a basking shark - amazing! ARBROATH ~ Recommend 5 stars
ASSISTANT
"We thought the cottage was very comfortable & sympathetically decorated & furnished. Loved the scenery & wildlife - loads of seals, porpoises & even a basking shark (sorry we didn't see a whale). Our most enjoyed walks were Hills of White Hamars nature reserve, Old Man of Hoy & St. Johns Head, Melsetter farm to Torness light & Moaness to Rackwick Bay. Scapa Flow Museum excellent. A great holiday altogether!!" ARGYLL ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Have had a lovely week. Weather changeable but warmer & calmer than expected. Love the cottage, very comfortable, excellent facilities & what exquisite views. Have seen groups of seals, cormorants & porpoises from the garden - not to mention watching the ships go by & the lights from the neighbouring lighthouses at nights. Thanks for the 'welcome' tray & for all the information on places of interest etc. which has enhanced our stay!" HATFIELD ~ Recommend 4 stars
"We have had a really wonderful week in an excellent house, very comfortable with a very high standard. It was the best equipped self-catering accommodation we have stayed. As we had a variety of weather situations we liked walking, bird and seal watching or reading while looking at the sea. Really an exceptional place to make a break from daily life. Also it was pleasant for us knowing the owners are living nearby." FREISTADT, AUSTRIA ~ Recommend 5 stars
"The cottage was just what we were looking for - a place to get away from it all. We've had a fantastic week exploring the area and particularly recommend the walk along the cliffs to/from Snelsetter. We will miss the view, the seals and the peace & quiet! Thanks for being so hospitable & making Cantick Head a wonderful place to be." LONDON ~ Recommend 4 stars
PRINCIPAL
"We have had a lovely holiday here on Hoy - in fact we could quite happily move here. We found everyone on the island really friendly. The fish and chips from the van were good and we also enjoyed eating at the Stromabank Hotel. Rackwick was lovely - the breakers on a windy day were spectacular. Shapinsay is an interesting island to visit for the day - although it is a bit of a trek to get there. Thanks very much for enabling us to have such a brilliant holiday!" COVENTRY ~ Recommend 4 stars
"You have really tried to make this a comfortable and welcoming place to holiday - and succeeded very well! Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay in such a unique location and with such luxury." ICKENHAM ~ Recommend 4 stars
"The cottage has been beautifully restored and appointed, with every need anticipated. We were made to feel very welcome and have enjoyed our stay here enormously. The island far exceeded our expectations and we wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending the place to discerning friends." OTLEY, YORKSHIRE ~ Recommend 4 stars
"This has been one of our best holidays in years. Wonderful island, wonderful cottage and we have been wonderfully well looked after. Having stayed at a number of Landmark Trust properties - we think this is better!" STOKE NEWINGTON ~ Recommend 5 stars
ASSISTANT
EMAIL "I wanted to write to thank you again for an unforgettable holiday. The cottage was wonderful and the location breathtaking. You were both so helpful, there is nothing that could have been added to make our stay better. We both fell in love with the island and would definitely recommend Cantick Head to anyone planning to visit Orkney. We just did not have time to fill out your feedback form, but all of our ratings would have been 100%." ABERDOUR, FIFE
"Superb self catering accommodation which exceeded our expectations. The food and drink welcome was delicious - thank you. Hoy is a heavenly island with a stunning landscape; it has character and is teeming with wildlife, prehistoric and military archaeology. A week was not long enough - we will be back!" SHEFFIELD ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Lovely, friendly welcome with the best welcome tray ever! Never tasted such wonderful eggs, and happily gone into cholesterol heaven in the shape of exquisite Orkney butter and cheese. Scenery stunning - could sit here for years just watching the sea, birds, porpoise, misty islands and passing ships. The cottage was appointed such that it felt like a home and not just a temporary base from which to explore." EDINBURGH ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Thank you for your hospitality - the welcome pack was a lovely bonus. The location and setting of the cottage is second to none - ever changing scenery and loads of interesting wildlife have made this a holiday we will treasure. The cottage is extremely comfortable and well equipped - not that we got a chance to use much of it as the weather has been so good! Our guided tour by Mike at the Martello Tower was excellent - we will definitely recommend it along with the walk to the Old Man of Hoy and climbing one of the hills for spectacular views of the Northern Isles. Thanks again for a peaceful and relaxing holiday." NEWCASTLE ~ Recommend 4 stars
PRINCIPAL
"This an amazing place to stay. The cottage is so comfortable with a fantastic choice of CD's and Videos. The island of South Walls has great walks (especially either direction along coast from Snelsetter farm). Hoy has the Old Man (a must) also the walk through the 'glen' to Rackwick. Everyone we have met has been friendly and helpful. Would recommend the cafe at Scapa Flow museum, Lyness - wonderful cakes and home made soup. The Martello Tower and Longhope Battery was a great visit with a wonderful guided tour - not enough is made of this site in the literature about it. Every day, including the wet one, has been special thanks to the location of the cottage and the atmosphere of the area." LONDON ~ Recommend 5 stars - we stayed in a 5* in May and it was not as comfortable or well equipped as this cottage.
"Our first visit to the Orkneys - and will return again. Cantick Head is a very unique location and experience. The restoration of the cottages is truly sympathetic to their original character. We chose Cantick Head Lighthouse Cottages because we thought it would be something special - not the normal self catering - the sea, the cottage and the wonderful hospitality has given us a wonderful experience." KENT ~ Recommend 4 stars
"Our month at Cantick Head has fled all too quickly and there have been far too many experiences and memories to write about here. Thank you for a more than delightful stay." NEW YORK STATE ~ Recommend 5 stars
ASSISTANT
"Excellent generosity & hospitality. I will definitely visit Hoy and Cantick Head again." ROMFORD, ESSEX ~ Recommend 4 stars
"Thank you all, you have made our vacation even better than we could have imagined. This trip was to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary and David spent months on the internet planning. You have made the cottage so comfortable that on many days it was hard for us to leave "Home". You planned so many special touches: the books, games, CD player. We especially enjoyed the Queen's 80th birthday celebration on the TV. There are spectacular views out of every window. We were entertained by the chickens, the sheep and Charlie! The large soft bath towels were luxurious and we go home with a new fondness for chutney and cheese." ANNISTON, ALABAMA ~ Recommend 5 stars very high
"We would have enjoyed one more week here - it was absolutely delightful. No E-mail for a week was an added bonus!! The "welcome basket" was a great treat - especially the Californian wine. We have NEVER "slept in" on a vacation, this time we did, at least two hours every morning. Very quiet surroundings & comfortable! We were prepared for cold, rain, wind, etc & enjoyed sunny days instead. The cottage has been lovingly & tastefully renovated & decorated. The kitchen is ideal for self-catering, compact & efficient. The islanders are very friendly & helpful, we drove, hiked, bird watched & enjoyed all the sights. The Scapa Flow museum is a treasure & the NAAFI canteen is a big plus for tourists and locals. We enjoyed Charlie's company on our walks; the sheep, chickens, ducks & tortoise were a pleasant surprise." CORONADO, CALIFORNIA ~ Recommend 5 stars
PRINCIPAL
"We chose to come for midsummer and were enchanted by the lingering daylight 'til almost twelve and then daybreak shortly after one a.m. Location is spectacular! Welcome was the right blend of assistance & then privacy." EDINBURGH ~ Recommend 4 stars
ASSISTANT
"Only negative thing is that it's too good & we have to leave. Our Expectations were exceeded! The island, accommodation, friendly people and the weather! Waking up to blue skies & the sea view, we will take back very happy memories - until we return that is if I can get Malcolm on the ferry home & I foresee problems there! Thanks for the welcome tray and general help & info & for everything you have done to make such a lovely holiday home." BIRMINGHAM ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Amazing! We usually have a rule that we do not do the same thing twice as there are so many places in the world. This may be an exception!" DUNDEE ~ Recommend 5 stars
"This is the best self-catering accommodation we've ever stayed in - you truly have tried to think of & cater for very need. Thank you also for the extras you provided for Rachel (3 months) it was very much appreciated. We will definitely be back to Cantick Head and will recommend to friends and family. We had a truly special time - our 1st anniversary and 1st family holiday. Thanks again!" EDINBURGH ~ Recommend 4 stars
PRINCIPAL
"A truly magnificent & totally relaxing few days. How wonderful to arrive here on our first day to be greeted by a pod of 13 Orca whales! if we saw nothing else over the next couple of days, it simply would not have mattered. Of course that did not happen, as there is so much here to see & do, we have never slept so well and eaten so much (especially the very good fish & chips from the van on Thursday night!) Everybody we have met here on Hoy has been extremely friendly and very informative, we would find it hard to find such a warm community anywhere else. Thank you for all the hard work you have obviously put into making these cottages a haven of tranquility & a perfect holiday location." KINLOSS ~ Recommend 5 stars
"Oh my! what a truly wonderful place. Thank you so much for sharing this special place with us. We have enjoyed a very relaxing stay and were very excited to see three big fins sailing along in the sea this morning. Have been very fortunate with the weather and had a lovely cliff top walk. Steve managed to rescue a sheep which had got itself trapped at the bottom of a cliff, it's been a while since he's done that! Really wish we could have stayed longer and would love to think we might return..." WORCESTER ~ Recommend 4 stars
ASSISTANT
"There are no superlatives to fully describe this cottage. Just sit back and allow yourself to be swallowed up by the seas, the winds, the views, the sounds, the lights and the hospitality and kindness of your hosts. I was a bit apprehensive about bringing the wee boys (4 & 8) this far, but there was no need. All their needs were met and more. A lifetime of holidays ahead of them will be compared to their stay at Cantick Head. Can't imagine their expectations ever being met again!" BONNYRIGG ~ Recommend 5 stars
ASSISTANT
"Had a fantastic time, everyone so friendly. Views superb - lovely to pet the sheep & make friends with the chickens!!" RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX ~ Recommend 5 stars
PRINCIPAL
"Everything was perfect, even the pets! Location is just great. This was just the best vacation myself and my family have been on. Everything was 100%. My thanks to you for making this an unforgettable time." MARRERO, USA ~ Recommend 5 stars
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