The romantic-sounding Black Isle is not really an island at all, but a particularly beautiful peninsula which lies between the Moray and Cromarty Firth about 20 miles north of Inverness. Here, high on a hill, with magnificent views over the Cromarty Firth, is Resolis Cottage, an enchanting and high spec. conversion of an old steading building, just for two people. It adjoins the owner's house, which is only intermittently occupied.
It has an extensive grass garden (furniture), on a very quiet country lane which will have almost no passing traffic and there is parking right at the house. Inside, it has been furnished and equipped with the greatest care and good taste and has a modern kitchen, a spacious living room with wood burner, large bedroom with zip link beds, and shower room.
Just beyond the house is Udale Bay, which is famous for its bird life and where there is an RSPB reserve (only one of several such sites eg Munlochy Bay on the Black Isle) and it is just 8 miles from the unique and picturesque village of Cromarty, where you can wander along the little lanes between the cottages and, in summer, become quite intoxicated by the scent of the flowers in the cottage gardens.
Down the south side of the peninsula are the pretty towns of Rosemarkie/Fortrose and the village of Avoch (pronounced Och). Fortrose has a ruined abbey and you can walk or drive out to famous Chanonry Point, arguably the best spot in Europe for dolphin spotting as the pods pass through the narrows here on their way to the inner Sound. On this spit of land there is also a well-known golf course, designed by James Braid, which, lying as it does between the gorse and the sea, will challenge the prowess of the most skilful golfer.
To the east of this is the Black Isle Wildlife Park, and the Black Isle Brewery, an essential refuelling stop for all those with a taste for a superb range of beers. At the Tore roundabout, where you join the A9 at the base of the peninsula, look out for the red kites which have recently been reintroduced there.
That takes you back onto the 'mainland' where you have the delights of Inverness, the Moray Coast, Loch Ness and Glen Affric to choose from. And if that is not enough, you can head north to the glorious beaches and championship golf course at Dornoch, or even further to John o'Groats and the very north coast. Or westward ho! To Skye and the beauties of the north-west coast. With excellent road connections in all directions, you will have plenty to choose from.
Bed linen, towels, electricity and the first £15 of oil central heating are INCLUDED in the rental. One well-behaved pet is welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted in the cottage.
