Ben View Gairloch

Ben View is my cottage in Gairloch. It's the first in a small white row on the water's edge. The village centre is a couple of minutes' walk away. You cross a little burn to get there. There's a shop, a newsagent, a butcher, a bookshop, a cafe, a restaurant, and a pub. You're also right on the NC500 route if you're driving that.

The cottage sleeps four. Two bedrooms, one bathroom. It's a 4 Star rating. It's been renovated but it's still a traditional west coast cottage. The stairs are steep. It's just how they built them.

The upstairs living room is where you'll spend your time. It's got comfortable chairs and a sofa, and a great view out over the water to the hills and islands. You can see Skye from there. The double bedroom upstairs has a good view too. You can hear the waves. The front of the house catches the sun and is a proper suntrap. The sunsets over Skye are something else.

It's very quiet and secluded where it is, but you're close to everything. Wildlife is right there. We see otters and seals regularly from the windows. You'll hear and see all sorts of birds: divers, gannets, oystercatchers.

For facilities, it's got a multi-fuel stove for the cooler evenings, central heating, double glazing, so it's warm. There's a washing machine, a dishwasher, WiFi, and a TV. There's a cot and a highchair if you need them. Bedding and towels are included. There's an electric vehicle charger. Outside, there's a seating area and a shed for storing bikes or kit.

Gairloch itself has a lot going on. Boat trips leave from the harbour for wildlife watching or fast trips to the islands. There's pony trekking, hill walking, a local golf course, and a museum. The Inverewe Garden is a short drive away and is spectacular.

If you're planning to explore, useful links are Walkhighlands for Torridon walks and the National Trust for Scotland page for Inverewe.

No pets, sorry.