The Big Six: Scottish boathouses
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This cottage-style boathouse is surrounded by parkland in the remote Western Highlands. It has two bedrooms, a vast kitchen and a cosy lounge with a domed, bay window that juts out towards Loch Torridon – home to heron and otters. You can try archery or gorge scrambling via the adjoining Torridon Hotel, while whisky enthusiasts will delight in the hotel bar which has more than 350 malts.
The Torridon Boat House, by Achnasheen, Wester Ross IV22 2EY (01445 700300; thetorridon.com). Weekly rental starts from £900. Sleeps four people.
The Boat Shed, Loch Awe
This idyllic retreat is in the grounds of the early 19th-century baronial manor, Ardanaiseig Hotel. By contrast, the boat shed is light and contemporary, with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall delivering views of Loch Awe – Scotland's longest freshwater lake. There's a kitchen inside, but the hotel's restaurant serves a tempting menu – Aberdeen angus steak with red wine jus and smoked trout with caviar.
The Boat Shed, Ardanaiseig Hotel, Kilchrenan by Taynuill, Argyll PA35 1HE (01866 988283; ardanaiseig.com). Nightly rental starts at £251. Sleeps two.
Kingsburgh, Isle of Skye
Salt store, animal refuge and storage space for small vessels are just a few of the former uses of this self-contained, stone boathouse. Converted into a retreat following a major renovation, it's now a world away from the crumbling shell it once was, with flagstone floors, a wood-burning fire and stunning views of Loch Snizort. The Black Cuillin mountains form the jagged backbone of Skye outside.
Kingsburgh, Crionach, 3 Kingsburgh, Isle of Skye IV51 9UT (01470 532350; kingsburghskye.co.uk). Weekly rental starts at £875. Sleeps two.
The boathouse, Isle of Mull
Stone, glass and timber combine to form this stylish boathouse. Inside, it offers a glossy kitchen and plasma television, king-sized beds and a wood-burning stove. Under-floor heating throughout adds a touch of luxury, while a telescope in the lounge affords exceptional views of the surrounding sea. The island is home to mountains and moorlands, wildlife such as dolphins offshore and more than 250 different species of bird.
The Boathouse, The White House of Aros, Salen, Isle of Mull PA72 6JP (01684 300514; luxuryselfcateringmull.co.uk). Weekly rental starts at £750. Sleeps four.
Dundas Castle, Edinburgh
Located in the grounds of Dundas Castle, amid acres of leafy parkland, this traditional boathouse exudes a sense of solitude – despite being only eight miles from Edinburgh. The interior befits a country estate – with canopied curtains and warm, walnut furniture – while the wooden veranda has soothing views of a pint-sized lake. The estate has a nine-hole golf course, while fishing and sailing adventures await further afield.
Dundas Castle, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9SP (0131 3192039; www.dundascastle.co.uk). Nightly rental starts at £225. Sleeps two.
Boathouse Chalet, Connel
Loch Etive is the setting for this sleek, spacious wooden cabin which has an open-plan living space, lawned garden and large outdoor terrace. Inside it's light and airy, with subtle nautical touches (miniature sail boats on the walls, splashes of aquamarine in the furnishings). The coastal port of Oban – gateway to the western isles – is just 10 minutes away, while the Grampians and Ben Nevis are a 40-minute flit by car.
Boathouse Chalet, Old Shore Road, Connel, Argyll PA37 1PT (01631 710415; boathousechalet.co.uk). Nightly rental starts at £60. Sleeps four.
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