VISITOR GUIDE
This guide sets out some of the details you will need in preparing for your holiday and includes useful tips to help you plan what to take with you
Please look at our visitor's book for photographs and comments from some of our guests.
Background
Rona lies in the Sound of Raasay between the Island of Skye and Scotland’s West Coast. Rona is reached by boat from Portree on Skye where a charter has been organised with local resident Mr Dan Corrigal. Portree is a scenic 5 hour drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh which involves crossing the renowned Skye bridge. Alternatively, a daily bus service operated by Scottish Citylink can take you to Portree.
Arrangements
Because of the unpredictable nature of our weather we would ask you to contact the boat owner, Dan Corrigal on 07798 743 858 three days prior to the start of your holiday. This is to allow a more accurate check on weather conditions and to confirm timings for the boat. As a general guide, the boat, MV Stardust will leave (weather permitting) from Portree at 8.30am on the Saturday and your return trip from Rona will leave at 10.00am the following Saturday, but it is important that you call to confirm. The boat trip takes 1 hour.
MV Stardust
Mr Corrigal who is hired by the Rona Estate operates the boat. Please do not attempt to board or disembark the boat until ropes are secure and the skipper has directed you to do so. You will be given a full briefing regarding Health and Safety on boarding. Although the boat has a cabin and enclosed wheelhouse, you are asked to be suitably dressed for the trip,with plenty of layers and a good waterproof jacket as well as strong footwear. Weather conditions at sea can be the same summer or winter. All decisions relating to the boat and the suitability of the weather for making the trip to Rona are made at the Skipper’s sole discretion. In the event that the crossing cannot be made, Bed & Breakfast accommodation will be organised in Portree.
Arriving in Portree
Once arrangements for the
boat have been completed with Mr Corrigal you should be at the Pier,
ready to depart at least 15 minutes before the agreed time. There are
a limited number of free parking spaces on the pier (Douglas Row/Quay
Street) or a large free car park at the Bayfield. It is a 10-minute
walk from Bayfield to Portree Pier. Please allow plenty of time to unpack
your luggage and, if necessary purchase provisions.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU TAKE EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED DURING YOUR STAY ON
RONA – a list at the end of this leaflet suggests some useful ideas.
Food and supplies can be purchased from the Co-op Supermarket past Ewan
MacRae’s garage on the Dunvegan Road or the smaller Safeway on the corner
of Wentworth Street. Alternatively, if passing through Broadford or
Kyle of Lochalsh there are also Co-op Supermarkets. Portree has a good
range of other shops, bakery, banks etc. Accommodation can be organised
with numerous hotels, B & B’s and hostels. Please click here
for a list of recommended establishments or contact Portree Tourist
Information for more details on 01478 612137.
Arriving on Rona
Please take great care when boarding and disembarking the boat and only do so when instructed, as surfaces may be slippery. The island caretaker, Mr Bill Cowie, will meet you on your arrival in Big Harbour, Rona. Bill will help you with your luggage and give you a full introduction to the island. There is a 45 minute walk from Big Harbour to Dry Harbour over a rocky road. The views are spectacular and you are encouraged to take your time to enable Bill to clean the cottages following the departure of the previous guests. Bill will transport all your luggage on a 4WD quad bike. In the event of bad weather, or a delay in gaining access to the cottages, you will be given coffee/tea and a seat in the living room of Bill’s House, Rona Lodge The Lodge contains information on recent wildlife sightings, the latest position of the Island’s small herd of pedigree Highland Cattle and general details. You may also meet people from visiting yachts as the Lodge offers showers and washing/drying facilities to the numerous summer visitors. Please ensure that your luggage is packed as compactly as possible – ideally wrapped in plastic to keep it clean and dry. Any fragile items should be wrapped to prevent breakage as no liability can be accepted in the event of an accident.
Life on Rona
Bill Cowie will be able to give you numerous ideas for walks and sights to visit on the island. He will also provide a full description of the cottages and operating procedures. Above all, please respect your surroundings and do not disturb the wildlife – remember, take only photographs; leave only footprints. In the event of an emergency, please contact Bill and follow the procedure set out in the Island’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (stored in Rona Lodge).
Departure from Rona
We request that you leave your cottage as you found it – this will help Bill prepare for the next guests. Any breakages must be reported and paid for. To allow Bill to clean the cottages, please vacate them by 10am on your day of departure. Once again, Bill will transport all your belongings to Big Harbour. Bill will confirm the timings of the boat for your return trip to Portree – as a guide it will be departing Big Harbour 11am on the Saturday following your arrival. But please be ready at Rona Lodge at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
RONA – recommended Kit List
The following list is intended as a guide only and is not exhaustive.
FOOD
- a full set
of provisions to last you and your party for a week; The cottages are
fully equipped with all cooking utensils etc.
- the water supply to the cottages is
a natural spring. You will be advised if you should boil the tap water
as a precaution as water quality can vary depending on weather conditions
CLOTHING
- Walking Boots
- Wellingtons
- Waterproofs
- Warm Jerseys
- Woollen Hat
- Gloves
- Thick Socks
- Shorts
- Swimming Gear
Rona, in common with the rest of Scotland can be warm and sunny one minute
and wet and windy the next. You should take clothing to prepare yourself
for these extremes. Good waterproof clothing is essential. Each cottage
has a washing machine/drier, but you should allow for every eventuality.
PERSONAL ITEMS
- Personal first aid kit/ Medical care items
- Toilet Kit
- Extra towels
- Training Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Midge Repellent – available at Rona Lodge
- Sunglasses
OTHER USEFUL ITEMS
- Camera and plenty of film
- Binoculars
- Notebook and pencils
- Bird and plant guide
- Torch and spare batteries
- Small day haversack
- Small Flask
- Compass
- Penknife
- Walking Stick
- Map
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
Bill Cowie 07831 293 963 or 07775 593 055 email ronalodge@tiscali.co.uk
Dan Corrigal 07798 743 858
Portree Tourist Information 01478 612 137
Scottish Citylink Coaches 08705 50 50 50
Rona Brochure
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