Ecosse Unique Self Catering Holiday Cottage
Vacation Rental Accommodation in Scotland

Six rental cottages on the
West coast Scottish island, Eilean Shona

6 Cottages sleeping 2 to 8

Eilean Shona, near Archaracle, Argyll, is a tiny gem of a island, privately-owned, fabulously set at the entrance to Loch Moidart on the spectacular West Coast of Scotland between the Islands of Mull and Skye. Only 2 miles long by 1.5 miles wide, completely unspoilt, with no cars or bikes, it is a natural haven for wildlife, plants, and many rare trees brought from distant parts of the world some 100 years ago. Secluded footpaths through 300 acres of woodlands and rhododendrons, with glimpses of the sensational West Coast 'backdrop' scenery wherever you look, hide four simple (but modernised) original Estate cottages, while from the high rocky slopes (highest point 860ft.) there are unique and breathtaking views across the enchantment of little islands (said to have inspired J M Barrie to write 'Mary Rose') to the larger Hebridean islands of Muck, Eigg, Rhum and Skye.

There are no roads on Eilean Shona, so cottage tenants leave their vehicles in a safe parking area on the mainland, near the romantic ruin of Castle Tioram and a private motor-launch then ferries them for ten minutes across Loch Moidart to the island - a tranquil retreat for those who would truly enjoy a different experience in a quiet island environment.

It is NOT suitable for those who want organised entertainment or supermarket shopping. Walking, bird-watching, painting, reading, writing, just sitting enjoying the views - totally relaxing - is the order of the day, but on most weekdays the launch returns (FREE) to the mainland so that the famously-beautiful countryside roundabout of 'The Road to the Isles', Glenborrodale, Ardnamurchan - the whole Fort William area - can be explored and shops visited. It returns to Eilean Shona again (FREE) in the early evening. The ferry times on these days are at 9.30am and 5.00pm. Ferries do NOT run on Wednesdays or Sundays although it may be possible to arrange crossings, for a small fee, with the owner.

All cottages:

Heating in all the cottages is by open-fire or coal-burning stove (one bag of coal included); and night-store heaters (included). Electricity and gas are included. Bed-linen, two bath-towels, two hand towels, and two tea-towels are included. Pets are welcome under strict control.

Accommodation on the island, 6 cottages:

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Sawmill Cottage (Sleeps 2)

Sawmill is a 15 minute walk from the landing stage by an excellent track, which passes first the other cottages and then some beautiful little lochans, before dropping down to the secluded bay where the cottage stands by the shore, quite alone except for the birds, seals, deer and maybe even otters who will be your only neighbours.

Single Storey:

• Open plan Sitting/Dining Room/Kitchen with coal-burning stove (back boiler), CD Player, cooker, fridge, spin-dryer, etc.
• Double bedroom;
• Bathroom with bath, basin and WC.

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Red Cottage (Sleeps 2/4)

The cottage stands high on a hill (steepish track up) with a lovely outlook over Loch Moidart and the small islands. It is tucked away in the trees, very secluded without another house in sight, and is all but invisible from the main track below. The most frequent visitors seem to be the pine martens, who have delighted past tenants with their regular appearance outside the windows.

Single Storey:

• Sitting/Dining room with Double-bed settee, CD Player and coal-burning stove (back-boiler).
• Kitchen with cooker, fridge-freezer and spin-drier.
• Double bedroom.
• Bathroom with bath, WC and basin.

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Timber Cottage (Sleeps 4/5)

This is a traditional timber-built, very bright and trim little cottage, cosy and comfortable and looking out across the greensward towards Loch Moidart and Castle Tioram beyond.

Single Storey:

• Open plan Kitchen/Sitting/Dining room with open-fire, CD Player, cooker, fridge and spin-drier, etc.
• Double bedroom.
• Twin bedroom.
• Bathroom with bath, basin and WC.
• There is also an extra single Z-bed available.

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White Cottage (Sleeps 2 + child)

White Cottage is a lovely old stone cottage. Of the cottages on Eilean Shona, it is closest to the jetty, but is very secluded, tucked away up a short path through the rhododendrons and with woodland behind. It has an enclosed grass garden and inside is surprisingly spacious, with a good size dining kitchen and a bright and cosy south-facing sitting room.

Single Storey:

• Kitchen/Dining room with gas cooker, fridge, spin-drier, etc.
• Sitting room with open-fire, CD Player.
• Double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with bath, basin and WC.
• There is also an extra single Z-bed available for the double bedroom.

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Tioram Cottage (Sleeps 8)

Tioram Cottage has been completely modernised and refurbished to a high standard and is now a lovely holiday home for eight people. It has a wonderful position right on the shore of Loch Moidart, with beautiful views across to Castle Tioram and the mainland.

Accommodation (sleeps 8):

Downstairs:

• Open-plan Sitting/Dining room/Kitchen with open-fire, gas hob, electric-oven, dishwasher, CD player, etc.
• Utility room with washing machine and fridge freezer.
• WC and basin.
• Twin bed room.

Upstairs:

• Double-bed room with ensuite bathroom with bath, WC and basin.
• Twin-bed room.
• Twin-bed room.
• Bathroom with bath, shower over, WC and basin.

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South Shore Cottage (Sleeps 2)

South Shore Cottage is fabulous, but not for the faint-hearted! It is the most remote of the six cottages on Eilean Shona.

There are no roads on Eilean Shona, so you will leave your vehicle in a safe parking area on the mainland near the imposing ruin of Castle Tioram, and a private motor launch will transport you for 10 minutes across Loch Moidart round the island to South Shore. The cottage does not have a slipway, so be prepared to jump on to the rocky shore (no great problem for the reasonably agile.) There is, however, a mooring, so you are most welcome to bring your own boat to get about in. Once ashore, a steep path, which will be muddy in wet weather, leads up to the South Shore.

If all that sounds a bit daunting, any inconvenience will be quickly forgotten when you arrive at the cottage itself. Standing high and quite alone on the hillside and facing west (just imagine the Hebridean sunsets for which you will have a front row seat!) it has indescribably lovely views across all the little surrounding islands and away to the Atlantic beyond. And it is yours, all yours!

The cottage has been completely renovated to a high standard, with a cosy sitting room with stove, and newly fitted kitchen, double bedroom and spacious bathroom. It has no electricity (you will dine out on this place for months to come!), cooking is by gas and lighting is by gas lamps - tuition will be given on arrival as to how to manage them. Heating and hot water is run from the stove, water is from a private spring (can be peaty) and bottled water is provided for drinking.

And let's not forget South Shore's other main attraction - it is within walking distance of Shoe Bay, Eilean Shona's own secluded beach, with its silver sand lapped by an aquamarine sea. This cottage is truly a unique experience. Relaxing, walking, bird-watching, deer, pine marten, seal and sea otter spotting, painting, reading, writing, just enjoying the views - this is the order of the day at Eilean Shona. It is most certainly not suitable for those who want organised entertainment or supermarket shopping! However, you are not entirely cut off here. A 45 minute yomp across the island will bring you to the main landing stage where the launch returns most week days (FREE) to the mainland, so that you can visit the Road to the Isles, Ardnamurchan, Arisaig and Morar and all the other wonderful places round about. It returns to Eilean Shona again in the early evening. Crossing times on these days are 930am and 5pm. Ferries do NOT run on Wednesdays and Sundays, though it may be possible to arrange special crossings for a small fee, with the caretakers.

Two bags of fuel for the stove, gas, bed linen and towels are all included in the rental. Well behaved pets are welcome under strict control.

Accommodation (sleeps 2):

Single Storey:

• Sitting/dining room with wood burning stove.
• Kitchen with gas cooker, gas fridge freezer, etc.
• Double bed room.
• Bathroom with bath, WC and basin.

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Tariff (Weekly Rental):