If you would like to combine the highest spec accommodation with a dash of extra spice, something you can dine out on afterwards, the Croft is most definitely for you!
This most beautifully appointed, detached holiday cottage sits right on the shores of Loch Long on the glorious west coast of Scotland. It is amazingly accessible - less than an hour's drive from Glasgow - until the last few hundred yards, which is where the fun starts. Bring your 4 x 4 if you have one; if not, don't despair - the owner, who lives alongside, will meet you at the top of the road and drive you and your luggage along the shore to the cottage. When the tide is out, that is. Otherwise you can Take the High Road (there is footpath accessibility 24/7), but heavy baggage will have to wait until the water goes down again.
The cottage sits above the shore, with lovely views across the loch, where you can look out for porpoises, seals, deer, gannets, eider ducks etc. And if your idea of a relaxing morning is to sit on the terrace with a cup of coffee and watch the boats go by, you can do that too. In addition to passing navy vessels, and even the occasional tanker, there are two little working fishing boats which ply in and out to the mooring in front of the house. And when the mackerel are running in July and August, you can trot down to the nearby rocks and more or less lift them out of the water yourself.
You may by now be beginning to get the idea with regard to the cottage's superb situation, but when you get inside, too, things could hardly be bettered. The house has been designed with great flair and style. The living area is open plan, spacious and airy, with a state-of-the-art kitchen at one end and a cosy sitting area at the other, with solid fuel stove and a sofa bed in case you don't manage to keep the place all to yourselves. The floors are all of slate, rendered cosy by the electric underfloor heating. The galleried double bedroom is upstairs. This really is a little gem.
The cottage is a tranquil retreat in what is with justification a most popular tourist area of Scotland. Lovely Loch Lomond, with its hotels, sailing opportunities, designer shopping at Loch Lomond Shores (not to mention the Loch Lomond Championship golf course itself) is just over the hill by a very fast and scenic road. From there you can head into the hills (climb Ben Lomond itself, perhaps) or up to Crianlarich from which Oban, Fort William and all the attractions of the central west coast are open to you.
Or drive through the spectacular and well-named 'Arrochar Alps' to Loch Fyne, the famous oyster bar at Cairndow, and Inveraray. There are some splendid gardens down this way, Ardkinglas and Crarae, to name but two.
Those with an interest in art and architecture will find that Charles Rennie Mackintosh's
Hill House is just down the road at Helensburgh. And of course, Glasgow itself has the Mackintosh-designed Glasgow School of Art, while his House of an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park is also open to the public. Glasgow is a city with a real buzz; it has great shopping, theatres, art galleries, sports facilities, green spaces and world-class restaurants.
The nearest pub to the cottage is about a mile away. There are shops at Garelochhead (3m) and Arrochar (10m).
Bed linen, towels, heating and electricity are all INCLUDED in the rental. One well-behaved pet is welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted within the cottage. Because of its situation, The Croft is unfortunately not suitable for those of limited mobility. Please note that special rates may apply for the period of the Barclays Scottish Open.
