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Seilisdeir Lochdon, Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull is in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland with a coastline of around 300 miles (480km) and a climate that is warmed by the Gulf Stream. It has one Ben - that of Ben More at 3169ft (966m) - and many hills. Much of Mull is moorland covered in heather and the scenery and light are constantly changing. The main attraction of Mull as a holiday destination is to get away from all the other holiday makers! The island is extremely tranquil, with places where you can find peace and solitude, and places where you can enjoy the company of others if you want to.

Tobermory is the main town on Mull, and is a beautiful natural harbour with multi-coloured houses clustered around it. It has some great, locally owned shops for browsing in and some very good places to eat - including the only fish and chip van with a Relais Routier award. There are loads of wildlife and birdlife things to do on Mull. The island is home to over 250 different bird species including the white-tailed (sea) and golden eagles, where they now have a stronghold. Minke whales, porpoises and dolphins are among the sea life that can be seen on boat tours from Mull and you will often find seals just lounging on the rocks only yards from the shore. Staffa Island isn't to be missed with the huge Fingal's Cave and, if you go at the right time of year, its vast resident population of puffins.

There are castles to visit including Duart Castle, the home of the Clan MacLean and used in the film "Entrapment". It's a real castle with battlements and dungeons and alleged secret passageways to the sea. Then there's Torosay Castle, which is a more gentle castle - more of a country house with its sweeping staircase and beautiful gardens. Mull's only railway - a narrow gauge track with steam trains - runs from Craignore to Torosay and is a fun way to get there. There are also several shipwrecks around the shores which scuba divers can visit. In 1588 one of the ships of the Spanish Armada was moored in Tobermory Bay and blown up there, reputedly with £300,000 of gold bullion on board which hasn't been retrieved.

Iona is a must to visit - a tiny island off the southwest of Mull, it was where St. Columba arrived from Ireland in 563 and, along with his twelve followers and their successors, introduced Christianity to the British Isles. Mull has been used as a location in a number of feature films over the years. As well as Entrapment these include Highlander, Eye of the Needle, I Know Where I'm Going, Kidnapped (1971) and When Eight Bells Toll. Travelling through eastern Mull to the Lochaline to Fishnish ferrylink may lead you through some of the scenes featured in the Harry Potter films. And also for the younger generation Tobermory is the setting for Balamory - along with a guided tour of the many different coloured houses seen in the programmes.

On the wildlife and birdlife side, Simon King went on location to Mull for the first week of Springwatch 2006 where, along with Bill Oddie, he observed a resident family of white-tailed eagles. If wildlife and birdlife aren't your things, then Mull can offer you some superb walks - both gentle and strenuous. You can sail around the island - either by hiring a yacht or bringing your own. There are two golf courses to play on, numerous ponies to ride and a brand new swimming pool to swim in. There are fish to be caught and bicycles to be ridden. There are deserted white sand beaches to walk on, paintings to be viewed and plays to be seen. And......at the end of the day......there's local whisky to be drunk!

 

Accommodation:
Seilisdeir is a lovely, spacious house which stands on the edge of the loch and has stunning views towards the hills beyond. There is an acre of garden which is enclosed sufficiently to keep the sheep out, but not the deer! There's parking for several vehicles, a decking area for wheelchair access and outside eating, and children's swings to play on. There are two burns (streams) running through the land - one very small one which is often dry, and a slightly larger one which is fenced off. Please make sure toddlers are supervised at all times.

Inside there is a magnificent open plan living area with an open fire at one end and the kitchen at the other end. Four large picture windows provide a superb view over the loch, through which the scenery is constantly changing. There is also a modern conservatory used for dining, which looks onto the rear garden and gives access to the external patio areas. There are three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Downstairs is an integrated annexe which would be great for grandparents wanting just a little space to themselves! It has a large bedroom with 6 foot bed – super kingsize – which can be split to provide twin beds and has a pullout mattress to sleep one more. It has views over both the loch and the garden. There is an adjoining wet room and separate kitchen. This part of the house is equipped for a disabled person and has ramp access with wide doors. There is also another downstairs toilet and shower room away from the annexe. Upstairs are two further bedrooms. One has a king sized bed with ensuite housing a large power shower unit. The second has two 3ft beds plus a wash hand basin, as well as its own bathroom. The double bedroom has two velux windows and two picture windows which provide stunning views of the loch from the comfort of the bed! The twin room has one velux window and one picture window also over looking the loch. All windows are double glazed and the house is kept cosy by electric panel heaters.

The accommodation is very versatile and would equally suit families bringing grandparents away with them, two groups of friends holidaying together or couples just wanting some space and peace and quiet.

Location:
Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Oban to Craignure (45 mins crossing). Turn left in Craignure as you leave the ferry and Lochdon is 2 miles away - situated on the A849 Craignure to Fionnphort road - the road to Iona.

What's included:
Heating is by electric wall heaters and open coal/log fire. Electricity, gas, logs and coal are included in the price. Quality towels (hand and bath), all bed linen and tea towels are provided. There is a payphone if you find your mobile doesn't work (although reception is pretty good).

Cost and availability
Letting is from Saturday to Saturday. Guests are welcome to arrive from 3.30pm and are asked to vacate the house by 10.00am. Slight variations can be made to these times to allow for changes to the ferry time tables. Weekend and short breaks are welcomed outside high season. Children and pets are welcome; there is access for the disabled.
To book this versatile and spacious self catering cottage on Mull, click the enquiry button below to see availability and rental prices.

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