Shore Cottage Arnisdale

Shore Cottage is in Arnisdale, which is right on Loch Hourn. It's my place. You walk out the front door and you're basically at the water. The village is tiny, just a few houses along a single track road.

It sleeps five. Three bedrooms upstairs, one bathroom downstairs. It's a 4 Star, which I think means it's comfortable and well looked after. It's a proper old cottage, so the walls are thick and the windows are small. The stairs are a bit steep and turn a corner, just so you know.

The front room has an open fire. The kitchen is a good size. There's a utility room off the back which is handy for boots and wet coats, it's got a heated drying rack. The garden at the back is fully enclosed, so it's safe for dogs. There's some folding garden chairs and a small barbecue.

You need to know it's remote. The shop and the pub are in Glenelg, about nine miles back up the single track road. You'll drive past the Glenelg Inn, which does good food. Arnisdale itself is just the loch, the mountains, and a few houses. If you want a proper adventure, you can get a boat from the village over to the Knoydart peninsula. It's wild over there.

From the cottage, you can kayak on the loch, or walk straight up into the hills. The path for Beinn Sgritheall starts in the village. You'll see wildlife. Seals are common out on the loch. Deer on the hills. If you're very quiet and a bit lucky, you might see an otter on the shore.

If you do want to go out, Skye isn't far. You drive to Glenelg and get the turntable ferry across to Kylerhea. It's a good day trip. Closer to home, the Sandaig burn is worth a visit, where Gavin Maxwell wrote 'Ring of Bright Water'.

Facilities: everything's included - bedding, towels, electricity. There's Wi-Fi, a washing machine, dishwasher, TV. I leave a cot and a highchair there. You can bring up to two dogs. There's parking right outside.

Useful links if you're planning: Walkhighlands page for Beinn Sgritheall and Knoydart Foundation website.