Carnach House Castlebay, Isle of Barra, Eilean Siar, HS9 5XD

The ground floor of Carnach House, previously the Old Post Office, has been sensitively renovated retaining the original post office counter and phone box. It remains a large open space offering a range of development possibilities to the new owner, as music/arts venue, commercial enterprise, or extension to the living space (subject to the necessary consents).

The delightful two-bedroom apartment above, accessed internally as well as via a separate door from the main street, has been upgraded and modernised to offer comfortable living accommodation. It is fully double-glazed and has modern Rointe electric heating. A curved staircase leads to the upper floor where a wide hallway gives access to the kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and sitting room. A small rear hall leads to the back door with stone steps down to the garden area.

The spacious dining kitchen sits to the right of the hall. It has modern units in white with granite effect worksurface and decorative tiling to the splashbacks. There is a built-in electric oven with ceramic hob and a Hotpoint washing machine/dryer. There is plenty of space for a large dining table, a small window at the kitchen end and a large front window with a beautiful view of the bay.

The sitting room is at the far end of the hallway. This is a spacious, bright room with a hardwood floor and lovely sea views. A door leads to the large double bedroom which overlooks the garden at the back.

Bedroom two sits to the front of the property and is a single room also with lovely bay views.

The shower room completes the upper floor accommodation. It has a two-piece suite in white comprising WC and wash hand basin with tiling to half height. There is a shower cubicle with wet wall panelling and electric shower.

Separate double doors from the outside open into the former post office area, with a door at the back leading into a rear hall with side door, and WC with wash hand basin. There is also a small room at the back with a window to the side which could be used as another single bedroom.

External

The private garden area to the rear is bounded by a stone dyke on two sides, and on the third by the original stone Barra School building, which is included in the property sale. It is now derelict but with the original floor-to-ceiling fireplace remaining in one corner – the children were apparently asked to bring a peat turf for the fire every morning as their tuition fee. This building also offers exciting restoration/development potential (subject to the necessary consents).