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Why have island holidays always been just that little extra bit special? Is it the fact that crossing water makes it easier to leave your everyday cares behind and throw yourself into the enjoyment of the little microcosm in which you now find yourself?
Off the west coast of Scotland there is an enchantment of islands large and small, strung out like a necklace, each with their very own characteristics, and each one a jewel. Ecosse Unique offers delightful holiday homes on many of them, comfortable, cosy accommodation, often right on the shore, where you can enjoy the delights of these romantic places to the full.
There is the misty Isle of Skye, now readily accessible by the toll-free Skye bridge, where the Red and Black Cuillins are a magnet for hill walkers and climbers, where the landscape changes from the rich fertility of the 'garden of Skye', the Sleat peninsula in the south, to the rugged coastlines of the north of the island. Skye is perhaps the most developed of the Scottish islands, with plenty of interest for all the family.
If you prefer something more peaceful, take a step further across to Raasay, a few minutes ferry trip from the Skye 'mainland', where you seem to step back in time in a wonderful landscape of peace and tranquillity, with stupendous views wherever you look.
Or, for total escapism, what about Rona, another satellite of Skye, resident population two! Access is by an hour long trip by private launch from Portree on Skye, and, once you are there, a twenty minute trek across the island to the three holiday properties situated round a quiet bay, (luggage transported for you on a quad bike) with fabulous views across to Skye proper. No cars, no roads, no shops, no hassle, just you, the deer and the highland cattle!
On the same principle, but rather less remote, is lovely Eilean Shona, another private island lying just off the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Once again, you leave your car on the mainland, and are ferried across to the island, where there are five holiday homes dotted around its circumference, all standing on their own and away from each other in heavenly locations.
Mull is another popular destination, with only one real mountain, but plenty of wilderness and some fabulous, often deserted beaches. At its southernmost tip is the truly magical isle of Iona, where Columba brought Christianity to Scotland in 564 and which, with its Abbey Church, its crystal clear turquoise sea and silver sands, retains its haunting, spiritual atmosphere to this day. Most of our cottages on Mull are very well situated for day trips to Iona and Staffa, site of the awesome Fingal's Cave.
Most accessible of all is Arran, rising to the peak of Goat Fell. With regular sailings from the Ayrshire coast, you don't have to trek away up Scotland to get there. It too offers excellent walking, cycling, riding, swimming and challenging links golf courses.
Then there is Islay, famous for its amazing bird life, and its scarcely less amazing range of distilleries, all of which can be visited and the product sampled! Less developed than Skye and Mull, the pace of life is very relaxed, even to the charming local custom of waving to every other car you pass on the road.
Tiree again is smaller, beloved of surfers who delight in the great Atlantic rollers. Again, it has a tremendous variety of bird life, and some wonderful beaches.
But if you really want to go to the last frontier, then the Outer Hebrides are for you. Effectively the last piece of Scotland before you reach America, they remain relatively undiscovered and unspoiled. With their little crofting townships scattered around the moors, their stunning beaches, where you may not see another soul, walking, sailing, exploring by boat, here you may truly feel a whole world away from your everyday existence.
And finally, to the north, there is Orkney, truly a Treasure island with its rich history, and the archaeological remains of some of Europe's earliest settlers. The magnificent Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Tomb of the Eagles, all these should not be missed, while the Italian Chapel, the Churchill Barriers and the Naval Museum on Hoy are other must-sees for all the family.
We hope that you will decide to visit one, or even several of these jewels in Scotland's crown, and that you will find a perfect base in one of our cottages listed here. For any further information on the islands or the cottages, do call us and we shall be delighted to discuss your requirements with you.
Sleeps: 2, Bedrooms: 1
Is a delightful, small, very old traditional cottage on the island of Eilean Shona between Mull and Skye (reached by private launch) which has just been completely gutted and renovated into a very charming hideaway retreat.
Sleeps: 2, Bedrooms: 1
Shore Cottage is situated away from the other cottages on the private island of Eilean Shona in a very secluded location, (which does involve a rather longer walk so is unlikely to suit anyone of limited mobility.) Once there, however, you will have fabulous views of the Atlantic, and you will also be close to the little sandy beach at Shoe Bay.
Sleeps: 2 (3) , Bedrooms: 1
The island of Rona which lies at the tip of Raasay off the east coast of Skye, is an escapist's dream of sea and wilderness. There the owners have converted two of the old cottages to make snug and very comfortable holiday homes, just yards from the shore. Tenants will share the island with its small herds of highland cattle and deer, and its one permanent resident and caretaker. Truly the place to come to get away from it all in fabulous surroundings!
Sleeps: 3, Bedrooms: 2
Inverarish Cottage is a delightful terraced cottage in the hamlet of the same name, the only village on the lovely island of Raasay, just off the east coast of Skye. A real step back in time, life on Raasay is carried on at a much more relaxed pace than the 21st century norm. A perfect place then, to chill out in peaceful and scenic surroundings.
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
is a traditional timber-built cottage with a pretty view of Loch Moidart and Castle Tioram which stands on its own, just a sloping field away from the shore of Loch Moidart, on the tiny privately-owned island of Eilean Shona (access by private launch) between Mull and Skye.
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
The island of Rona which lies at the tip of Raasay off the east coast of Skye, is an escapist's dream of sea and wilderness. There the owners have converted three of the old cottages to make snug and very comfortable holiday homes, just yards from the shore. Tenants will share the island with its small herds of highland cattle and deer, and its one permanent resident and caretaker. Truly the place to come to get away from it all in fabulous surroundings!
