March Cottage self catering accommodation Strachur, Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland

March Cottage
By Strachur
Loch Fyne
Scotland

Sleeping 3 (4)

55 miles from Glasgow, on the shores of Loch Fyne, the longest of Scotland’s sea lochs, stands March Cottage, a delightful, detached 250 year-old house situated on the southern boundary of the village of Strachur. Separated from the water by the road leading to Colintraive the cottage snuggles behind a hedge (part of which has been cut back to provide a beautiful view of the loch). There is a sheltered terrace at the front (barbecue) and grass to the side and back. Also at the side is off-road parking.

The inside has been charmingly renovated and furnished and the layout is such that both the living room and the double bedroom look out over the loch. A multi-fuel stove heats the radiators and keeps the living room snug while there is a small breakfast bar and a stable door in the well-appointed kitchen. The double bedroom is light and roomy. There is also a small twin bedroom and a bathroom with bath and separate shower.

If you wish to relax you can easily spend many a pleasant hour just marvelling at the way the light dances on the water, while keeping an eye out for basking sharks or Sammy the Seal who loves to soak up the sun on a rock directly opposite the cottage. However, there are many things you can do in this outstandingly beautiful area. Continue south on the road past the Oystercatcher Bar and restaurant at Otter Ferry and then take the turn-off towards the recently developed Portavadie Marina from where the ferry runs to Tarbet. The road peters out on the other side of Colintraive where you will find the Bute ferry. This is a short crossing of only a few minutes enabling you to spend a day on the island of Bute where you can explore the holiday resort of Rothesay and visit the superb house and gardens of Mount Stuart.

Heading in the opposite direction around the head of the loch you arrive first at the famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and then the scenic town of Inveraray with its castle and jail museum. Further on south you come to Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre. Then again, you can take the south-easterly direction to Dunoon, passing the Benmore Botanic Gardens and the enchanting Puck’s Glen en route. It is more than likely that on your way to the cottage you chose to pass Loch Lomond and the magnificent Arrochar Alps as you ascended the twisting road up Rest and Be Thankful.

This is an area which offers a wide variety of activities to satisfy enthusiasts. Lying right on the boundary of the Argyll Forest Park it offers plenty of good walking in the surrounding woodland and hills. A little way beyond Inveraray is Argyll Adventure where riding, clay pigeon shooting, a climbing wall, paintballing and many other attractions are on offer. In addition, there is a golf course at Inveraray.

In Strachur itself there is the Creggans Inn, a very good PO, shop and café, a petrol station (which also supplies coal and logs) – these are all within an easy walk of the cottage. The Coylet Inn is another excellent restaurant on the road to Dunoon. In Dunoon there are supermarkets, a leisure centre etc. and ferries sailing to Greenock or Gourock (an easier, although less picturesque route to the cottage from Glasgow, Prestwick or Glasgow airports, or Ayrshire.)

Bed linen, towels and the first 100 units of electricity per week are included. Up to two well-behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted within the cottage.