Island escapes, Scottish-style
Make a great escape this spring or summer – staying in a cottage overlooking a deserted beach in a choice of quiet, peaceful Scottish islands including North Uist and the Isle of Harris - courtesy of Scottish cottage agency, Unique Cottages.
Properties on offer include Gearraidh Ian, a superbly converted traditional Hebridean blackhouse which overlooks a truly stunning tidal lagoon – which ebbs to reveal three square miles of white beach – on the island North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.
The cottage, which sits on the common grazings by the shore, sleeps two and has a cosy sitting room with solid fuel stove – for which traditional peat is provided – kitchen, shower room and bedroom. Additional warmth is by electric underfloor heating. Seven nights costs from £395, rising to £695 in peak season.
On the Isle of Islay is Lurabus, a spectacular house (sleeping six) which occupies a no less spectacular situation on the Oa peninsular. It’s located high above the shore and is surrounded by 150 acres of unspoilt land, making it an escapist’s heaven. Every room in the spacious property has French doors leading to a balcony to allow maximum enjoyment of the fabulous seascapes. A week’s holiday costs from £575, rising to £950 in peak season.
For those seeking splendid isolation, Isle of Ronay House, is a unique holiday home on the Isle of Ronay – which has been uninhabited since the 1930s - in the Outer Hebrides. The house, which is powered by solar panels and its own generator, sleeps 10 in five bedrooms and enjoys stunning views across the water. A week’s stay costs from £1250, increasing to £1950 in July and August.
Finally, for adventurous holidaymakers, Shepherd’s Cottage (sleeping two) is on the beautiful private car-free island of Eilean Shona which lies off the coast of Morvern on Scotland’s west coast. The cottage has been carefully renovated but, in keeping with its original character, has no electricity; cooking and refrigeration are by gas, lighting is provided by gas lamps, while heating and hot water is run from the stove. It’s secluded and peaceful, with breathtaking views. Seven nights costs from £445, rising to £575 in peak season.
For more information, visit unique-cottages.co.uk.
