Ena's Cottage, Appin, Argyll - self catering rental Scotland

Ena's Cottage
Near Lochaline
Argyll

Sleeping 4

As the single track road up the shores of the Sound of Mull comes to an end, a private road leads on to Ena's Cottage on the remote Drimnin Estate.

This was the home of Ena MacDonald, the last resident housekeeper of Drimnin House in the middle of last century. Drimnin House, the historic laird's house of Drimnin Estate to which the Cottage is attached, was originally built in the 18th century and modified extensively by its new owner, Sir Charles Gordon, in the 1830s. Following his untimely death and a subsequent devastating fire, his widow rebuilt the house on a grander scale around 1850. Ena worked for Miss Alice Horsman, one of the first women QCs, who purchased the estate from the Gordon family in 1943 and lived alone in the house until her death in 1978.

The House and Cottage have been completely restored in recent years and Ena's Cottage now offers comfortable accommodation for up to four people, with one double and one twin bedroom looking across the Victorian knot garden (to which tenants have full access) to Mull and the Atlantic. On the ground floor there is a cosy living room, with log burning stove, kitchen and bathroom. The Cottage is double glazed and centrally heated.

Peace and quiet and total relaxation are the order of the day at this delightful spot. Surrounded by ancient policy woodlands of beech, oak, pine, birch and elm, the house is situated within the 5,000 acres of the Drimnin Estate, about half a mile from the sea. The Estate is home to Scottish Blackface sheep, Galloway and Highland cattle, and roe and red deer. Guests have access to the Estate's eight miles of coastline, its moors, valleys and native woodland, and the historic Victorian chapel (undergoing renovation). There is also a Stone Age fort and ancient villages, one of which is notably walled, that are a stark reminder of the most harrowing events during the Clearances.

Golden and sea eagles, pine martens and otters can all be seen on the Estate. For the active, there are plenty of walks within the Estate - over hills, along the private track to the old ferry inn (regrettably now no longer in business) on Loch Sunart and around the coast. A passenger ferry runs from Drimnin pier to Tobermory on Mondays and Fridays, allowing shopping and a visit to the scene of the Balamory television series. There is also a ferry which plies back and forth every day between Lochaline (11 miles, hotel and restaurant) and Fishnish on Mull (no booking necessary), which is handier for a visit to the south of the island and Iona.

Beef, lamb and wild venison reared on the Drimnin Estate (subject to season) can be ordered for your arrival. Bed linen and towels, oil fired central heating and electricity are all included. Pets are usually welcome by arrangement.

Accommodation (sleeps 4):

Downstairs:

Sitting/Dining room with wood burning stove + TV/DVD.
Kitchen with electric hob and oven + dishwasher + washing machine + microwave + fridge freezer, etc.
Bathroom with bath + shower over + WC and basin.