The Loft in Ardnamurchan
As you all know, we’re dedicated to showing you only the best places to visit, eat and sleep in Scotland. A number of weeks ago, we were invited to stay out at “The Loft” in Ardnamurchan for a few nights and what can we say? This place is special.
The Loft is 1 of 4 unique and charming accommodations which make up the beautiful Lochside Follies overlooking Loch Sunart in the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Understandably, you might never have heard of Ardnamurchan and quite honestly, we can’t blame you. The name doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like Glen Coe or Skye, but it does enough to spike your interest. This is an isolated corner of Scotland in the Lochaber area of the Highlands. It’s surrounded by the sea on 3 sides and its remoteness is accentuated by the fact that the main access route is a winding single-track road for much of its length. It is also home to the Westernmost point on mainland Britain and the highest concentration of Gaelic speakers on the Scottish mainland.
According to our wonderful hosts Lois and Richard, living in Ardnamurchan is incredibly rewarding and it’s easy to see why. Not even 20 minutes after we disembarked the Corran ferry, we knew this place was going to be special. Vast moorland, rocky cliffs and ancient woodland dominate much of a landscape which was an absolute joy to journey across. On arrival to The Loft, we found ourselves struggling to remember the last time we truly enjoyed driving so much. New roads, new sights and unfamiliar places – it doesn’t get much better.
The Lochside Follies is a pleasant site on the hillside – almost as pleasant as the field of Highland Cows which greet you 2 minutes back along the road. The Loft is nestled in amongst some trees up behind the main house and it started life as a bachelor pad for Lois and Richards two sons who have now flown the nest.
The Loft is one of those accommodations which instantly feels homely and as soon as you walk through the door, you get a real sense of belonging. It is largely open plan, feels very airy and in the daytime, it’s continuously flooded with light. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the red leather arm chairs which dominate part of the living area and you very almost want to drop your bags and run over to them. The homely feeling continues as Lois and Richard treat every guest to some freshly baked shortbread which is left out on the large dining table close to the entrance. This is an exceptional area to enjoy a meal as the large window provides wonderful views over Loch Sunart and an ideal vantage point to watch the busy bird table. Plenty of bird feed is provided and if you’re anything like ourselves, you’ll be out every morning dishing out some food to our small winged friends.
The Loft is also home to a spacious fitted kitchen which helps make cooking a breeze and like all the other areas in this wonderful accommodation, there is a large window with views out to the hillside and if you’re lucky enough, you might even spot a deer. A king size bed dominates the North-West corner of the living area and let us tell you – it is super comfy! It also has the benefit of being closed off by dreamy voile curtains and this goes a long way in helping you feel even snugger – nice touch! In our humble opinion, The Lofts crowning jewel has to be the log burning stove. In between hiking and exploring, we spent many quiet hours enjoy the crackling sounds whilst reading and gazing out through the full height dormer windows to the distant Morven Hills. This homely accommodation doesn’t compromise and it certainly doesn’t rely on its beautiful surroundings to provide its guests with a memorable experience – it does it all on its own. This is a place where you can spend time almost uninterrupted and if you really want to, you can keep the television turned off and forget about the rest of the world.
Outwith The Loft, Ardnamurchan offers an abundance of opportunities for keen adventurers, photographers and wildlife spotters. It boasts an incredible range of scenery, walks and boat trips to suit the needs of many. This is a wildland which lets you experience life on the edge – would we recommend it? Yes, we would.
To put it simply: Ardnamurchan is pure and The Loft is special – give them a chance and they will steal your heart.
To check availability and to book check out https://www.lochsidefollies.co.uk
Lochside Follies
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Author
Andrew Alexander is a freelance photographer and drone pilot based in Glasgow, Scotland. His authentic approach to photography has seen him work on commissions for both international brands and independent businesses alike. Andrew is currently leading small group tours across the Highlands and the Isle of Skye with Hidden Scotland and he hopes to welcome you on one of our adventures in the near future.
