If you are looking for the right house for a traditional family holiday or a holiday with friends, then Craig Var Cottage is for you. Detached, solid and unpretentious, yet cosy and comfortable, it has a truly brilliant situation in beautiful Rannoch, on the edge of the village of Kinloch Rannoch (shop, cafe, hotel) with the hills behind and Loch Rannoch itself just a few yards away along the quiet, lochside road.
It is surrounded by its own, large, enclosed garden, perfect for sitting out in the sun or for children to play safely and there is ample off-road parking for several cars. Inside, it is a solid, traditional family home with the original wood panelling in most of the rooms. Downstairs are a snug sitting room, a separate dining room, and a well-equipped kitchen as well as a double bedroom and bathroom and a separate shower room. Upstairs are a further double bedroom and two twins. There is full oil central heating. Two additional beds may be available in the twin rooms (charge).
Loch Rannoch is without doubt one of the loveliest of the Scottish lochs. A single track road runs right round it (ideal for cycling) while a little beyond its far end you come to Rannoch Station, the second most remote station in Britain, where the West Highland Line train stops on its way between Glasgow and Fort William across lonely Rannoch Moor
The loch also provides scope for fishing and water sports, while climbers can tackle Schiehallion, behind the village, or Ben y Vrackie, beyond neighbouring Loch Tummel, which also boasts the magnificent Queen's View. At the far end of Loch Tummel is the tourist centre of Pitlochry, with its festival theatre, distillery and fish ladder, from which you can head north or south on the fast A9 to Aviemore, the Cairngorms and Inverness in one direction and Perth in the other. If heading for the A9 north, taking the alternative route of the B847 through Glen Errochty to Struan is scenically very worthwhile. This way, you'll also manage to by-pass the tempting halls of the House of Bruar, thus saving your credit card from an inevitable battering. (Seriously, though, it's a great place to eat, and browse the delicatessen and elegant clothing halls.)
The south shore of Loch Rannoch has many lovely spots for lochside picnics. Or you can take the wee road over the shoulder of Schiehallion down to Aberfeldy, Kenmore and Loch Tay. On the way, detour at Coshieville to go along to Fortingall, where, in the churchyard, you will find the Fortingall Yew, at over 5,000 years old the oldest living thing in Europe.
Bed linen, towels and electricity are all INCLUDED in the rental. Heating is by oil central heating (first £20 INCLUDED) and wood burning stove. Up to two well-behaved pets are welcome by arrangement but should be confined to the kitchen and dining room. Smoking is not permitted in the cottage. A refundable householder's deposit will be required.
