South Shore Cottage is fabulous, but not for the faint-hearted! It is the most remote of the six cottages on the beautiful and romantic private island of Eilean Shona which lies just off the coast of Morvern, between Mull and Skye and in one of the loveliest parts of Scotland's glorious west coast. Only 2 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, completely unspoilt, with no cars or bikes, it is a natural haven for plants, wildlife and many rare trees brought from distant parts of the world some 100 years ago. There are secluded footpaths through acres of woodland and rhododendrons, with breathtaking views of the sensational west coast scenery.
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.) 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 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (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 9.00am and 5pm.
Two bags of fuel for the stove, gas, bed linen and towels are all INCLUDED in the rental. Two well behaved pets are welcome under strict control.
Other self catering holiday cottages on Eilean Shona -
Shepherds Cottage (slps 2)
Red Cottage (slps 2)
Sawmill Cottage (slps 2)
The Bothy (slps 4)
Timber Cottage (slps 4)
Tioram Cottage (slps 8)
