An Glowdgie ('Rain shelter' in cornish)
An Glowdgie is named after the bungalow Kate was born in over a thousand miles away in Cornwall. The name means 'Rain Shelter' in Cornish
It was built by Daryll Brown and Kate Lewis, and this Spring 2026, Kate is excited to present it to you as an ' Art and Wildlife' house, the perfect living environment for your stay in Harris.
She and artist Sam Gare are planning a transformation for the interior of An Glowdgie. Sam, (of North Harris Studio) is joining Kate at An Glowdgie over the winter months to redecorate from top to bottom featuring a free drawn wildlife flora and fauna motif, which will make An Glowdgie even more unique and special. You can follow their progress by following @wildretreatsinharris and/or @north_harris_studio (check out the video of the bedroom wildflower meadow and Sam's studies of sea birds that will soon be soaring on An Glowdgie's high ceiling)
SIMPLICITY
The house has no TV but there is a license, so you can watch BBC iplayer on your own laptop or device. A compact projector is provided along with an amp and speakers for you to connect to using blue tooth. And a telescope. That is the extent of the entertainment system! You may still prefer watching the ceaseless changes of light, wind and tide during the day, and star gazing at night. Some people think the house should be named 'Moonlit House', as the high windows and skylights let moonbeams penetrate, and the moonlight reflecting off the water outside lights up the whole glen. You must turn off all electric lights to see this. Kate and Daryll learned whilst living without electricity in their first years in Harris.
SLEEPING
The house is designed to be spacious for two but can sleep five. On the ground floor you have a double bedroom with adjacent bathroom. Upstairs is an open plan mezzanine with both mountain and sea views. This can be used as an additional sleeping area for three (sleeping in a double and a single bed). Alternatively this works as a yoga studio or creative space. Nestled in the eaves of the house feels cosy whilst windows in all directions treat you to all the visual spectacles the weather can create for you. If you practice yoga up there you will notice dramatic mountain views reflected in the glass balustrade as you sit on the floor facing the sea. Furnishings include a comfortable double bed and single futon sofa bed.
LIVING SPACE
The main living area is open plan. The central feature is the log burner which is very efficient. It has the whole house warm in about half an hour and the house retains the heat as it is well insulated. The kitchen is divided from the living room by an Ash breakfast bar. The kitchen has a built in waist level oven and eye level microwave. There is a ceramic hob and large fridge freezer. No dishwasher, but the view from the kitchen sink makes up for that. The washing machine is located in the entrance lobby.
The entrance lobby is designed for wellies, walking boots, wetsuits, paddles, coats, waterproofs etc. If you swim or paddle board on the loch, this is the place to strip off wetsuits before making straight for the shower. The bathroom is the first room you come to for this very reason.
WHEN?
You are invited to book An Glowdgie for your Wild Retreat in Harris from 28th March 2026. It will be available on a weekly basis all year round.
OUT OF SEASON CHALLENGES
There are times of year when just being here is an adventure! It is not for the faint hearted. Out of season you will certainly experience gales and hail. You could be snowed in (only briefly as the snow always melts quickly here) or just as likely be basking in sunshine as it pours in through the large windows heating the house beautifully. The great thing about An Glowdgie is it is like living in a hide, so you can watch the otter family behaving absolutely naturally in the sea loch without setting foot outside. Golden eagles and sea eagles often soar by, and there are whooper swans, merganser ducks, and three types of diver to look out for, as well as the resident herons, curlews, snipe and hundreds of wheatears, twite, and the beloved starlings. Not to forget the mystical but comical ravens.
QUIET
The other aspect of visiting Harris out of season, is that you will find out for yourself what it is like here without all the other visitors. It is VERY quiet. No cars on the road, no cafes open. You need to be content to amuse yourselves, and be ready to really relax. Read, write, listen to music, write music, take photographs, hike, swim, knit. Do what you always meant to do if you could ever get away from it all.
Go on, I dare you. Book a week off. Or even two.
PETS
Well behaved dogs allowed downstairs only. A cleaning deposit will be taken.
Short Term Let License Application No: KL200825
To discuss special lets for events or workshops please phone or message Kate on 07828528247
It was built by Daryll Brown and Kate Lewis, and this Spring 2026, Kate is excited to present it to you as an ' Art and Wildlife' house, the perfect living environment for your stay in Harris.
She and artist Sam Gare are planning a transformation for the interior of An Glowdgie. Sam, (of North Harris Studio) is joining Kate at An Glowdgie over the winter months to redecorate from top to bottom featuring a free drawn wildlife flora and fauna motif, which will make An Glowdgie even more unique and special. You can follow their progress by following @wildretreatsinharris and/or @north_harris_studio (check out the video of the bedroom wildflower meadow and Sam's studies of sea birds that will soon be soaring on An Glowdgie's high ceiling)
SIMPLICITY
The house has no TV but there is a license, so you can watch BBC iplayer on your own laptop or device. A compact projector is provided along with an amp and speakers for you to connect to using blue tooth. And a telescope. That is the extent of the entertainment system! You may still prefer watching the ceaseless changes of light, wind and tide during the day, and star gazing at night. Some people think the house should be named 'Moonlit House', as the high windows and skylights let moonbeams penetrate, and the moonlight reflecting off the water outside lights up the whole glen. You must turn off all electric lights to see this. Kate and Daryll learned whilst living without electricity in their first years in Harris.
SLEEPING
The house is designed to be spacious for two but can sleep five. On the ground floor you have a double bedroom with adjacent bathroom. Upstairs is an open plan mezzanine with both mountain and sea views. This can be used as an additional sleeping area for three (sleeping in a double and a single bed). Alternatively this works as a yoga studio or creative space. Nestled in the eaves of the house feels cosy whilst windows in all directions treat you to all the visual spectacles the weather can create for you. If you practice yoga up there you will notice dramatic mountain views reflected in the glass balustrade as you sit on the floor facing the sea. Furnishings include a comfortable double bed and single futon sofa bed.
LIVING SPACE
The main living area is open plan. The central feature is the log burner which is very efficient. It has the whole house warm in about half an hour and the house retains the heat as it is well insulated. The kitchen is divided from the living room by an Ash breakfast bar. The kitchen has a built in waist level oven and eye level microwave. There is a ceramic hob and large fridge freezer. No dishwasher, but the view from the kitchen sink makes up for that. The washing machine is located in the entrance lobby.
The entrance lobby is designed for wellies, walking boots, wetsuits, paddles, coats, waterproofs etc. If you swim or paddle board on the loch, this is the place to strip off wetsuits before making straight for the shower. The bathroom is the first room you come to for this very reason.
WHEN?
You are invited to book An Glowdgie for your Wild Retreat in Harris from 28th March 2026. It will be available on a weekly basis all year round.
OUT OF SEASON CHALLENGES
There are times of year when just being here is an adventure! It is not for the faint hearted. Out of season you will certainly experience gales and hail. You could be snowed in (only briefly as the snow always melts quickly here) or just as likely be basking in sunshine as it pours in through the large windows heating the house beautifully. The great thing about An Glowdgie is it is like living in a hide, so you can watch the otter family behaving absolutely naturally in the sea loch without setting foot outside. Golden eagles and sea eagles often soar by, and there are whooper swans, merganser ducks, and three types of diver to look out for, as well as the resident herons, curlews, snipe and hundreds of wheatears, twite, and the beloved starlings. Not to forget the mystical but comical ravens.
QUIET
The other aspect of visiting Harris out of season, is that you will find out for yourself what it is like here without all the other visitors. It is VERY quiet. No cars on the road, no cafes open. You need to be content to amuse yourselves, and be ready to really relax. Read, write, listen to music, write music, take photographs, hike, swim, knit. Do what you always meant to do if you could ever get away from it all.
Go on, I dare you. Book a week off. Or even two.
PETS
Well behaved dogs allowed downstairs only. A cleaning deposit will be taken.
Short Term Let License Application No: KL200825
To discuss special lets for events or workshops please phone or message Kate on 07828528247