This is really a beautiful and original residence enclosed in a church monastery for rich boys…read more This private school was once highly sought after for its education. You can find a cemetery behind the main chapel. We stayed at Abbey Church 4 which is one of the largest Suite spreading over three floors. It is really a private apartment very well accommodated. Then the Loch Ness is situated just next to the abbey. So it is absolutely a stunning site!

Really neat place to stay while in Scotland. This is an old (200 plus years old) Benedictine Abbey…read moreconverted into a fairly comfortable hotel. The reason I say fairly comfortable is because it has no elevators. Uh did I mention we stayed in the Bell Tower! The common areas have the original tiles from the 1800s. OK...I'm being petty, but the tile needed to be cleaned and a few were popping up but Michael, a really nice caretaker, said they were original to the Abbey. After climbing up the tower and entering the room, I was pleasantly surprised. The interior was modern. I'd say it's been redone within the last 5 years. However, once you are inside, more stairs. There's a half a flight to go up to the bedroom. When in the bedroom, you are truly where the bell used to be. They still have the bell but they put it at the bottom of the stairs. How they got it there, I will never know. No A/C but it wasn't needed. Temps there in August were about 75F during the day and 65F at night. The windows opened electronically and would let the breeze in. There's no turn down service. I guess they don't want to climb those stairs everyday! There is a great indoor pool, sauna, and steam room there. You and your family/friends can sign up for time in the book and you can get an hour block all to yourselves, no extra charge.

The Fort Augustus Abby is an absolute wonder when it comes to architecture, location to Loch Ness,…read more& history. Because it's a historian building no significant changes can be made so if you use the pool it's in the actual chapel. Then there's the room we rented. It was dated, smelled like burnt grease, there were stains on the furniture, dust bunnies growing from the end tables and hanging lights, & the washer/dryer didn't work. The staff were responsive and attempted to fix the washer but apparently it needed a part so they allowed me to use the basement appliances. Unfortunately they left an awful odor to my clothes and I had to pay £20 to have them all washed at a local launderette. The place is extremely expensive for the quality you get. I wouldn't recommend staying at the Abbey and just walk from another rental to the shore of the Loch. It's not worth the price tag... at all. Side note ***if you want to use any of the amenities (pool, sauna, spa) it's £50 after 5 pm & only if staff are available***

The Wife had received a recommendation for The Highland Club, and noting that it was only 100 miles…read moreor so from Edinburgh, I figured why not, let's go see if we can find Nessie. Well, I guess the only downside to the Highland Club is the drive there because while it is only 100 miles, it's through the Scottish Highlands (the name gives it away) and much of the route is rather narrow and tortuous. However, I was eager to earn my Left Side Driving wings, and it was manageable. There is a lot of communication from the staff prior to arriving and it was very smooth to get to the gate and get on the absolutely beautiful property. Bunnies the size of small pigs hop along the luscious carpet-like lawn. The tennis court, soccer field and other amenities were visible from the drive. We were greeted warmly and given snacks and tea. The building itself is an old abbey converted to relatively modern apartments--definitely a mix of the old and the new. There are a lot of cool amenities that don't normally show up in chain hotels like outdoor chess, sauna, steam room, table tennis, as well as the tennis court. Hiking paths, as well as the town and locks, are a short walking distance away. The rooms are more like well-stocked apartments; we had a two bedroom with separate bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchen and a nice living room with television. Having the washer/dryer unit was definitely a plus. Athletic equipment for the various fields was present in the room. I note that the rooms weren't air-conditioned, but normally that isn't an issue as the windows open, but we were there during uncharacteristically warm weather. We had a view of the lake, and the restaurant at the dock had some great local fare. Unfortunately our stay was limited to a couple of days, but we certainly had a grand time and we'd definitely plan to stay longer the next time.

We wound up getting a bit bored of Edinburgh a few days before the end of our planned week-long…read morestay there at the beginning of our trip to Scotland and lucked into finding a 3-bedroom apartment here on AirBnB for two nights and wound up having a fantastic full-day here where we never got in the car. The grounds were stunning to walk around with views of Loch Ness, but also a well-equipped playground (entertaining enough for our 7 year old, but safe for our 4 year old), ducks, rabbits, and a giant chess set in the courtyard that we played several games with the kids on. Beyond that, the really short walk into town along the locks between Loch Ness and the next loch had a wonderful vibe, still gorgeous views and a few nice pubs to grab a pint and a bite to eat.

If you want to walk and view the Highlands of Scotland this is the way to do it in luxury…read moreThe accommodation is first class for comfort and utility. Walk all day directly from the front door or drive 20mins and spend the day on some of Scotland's highest hills, then return to a refreshing swim in the pool while, if required, hill gear dries in the Drying Room. While the cooking facilities are first class, for an easy end to the day, walk to the end of the drive and have a refreshing drink in the Tomich Hotel and let the chef do the cooking. In all the 'perefect highland holiday'.

The BEST HOLIDAY LODGE I have ever been to!!! We stayed at…read moreCorran lighthouse lodge for 3 nights and I wished it would have been longer. I left with a very mellow heart. We arrived at Corran Ferry Terminal and waited for the Corran Ferry to come back and pick us up to deliver us to Corran. The lighthouse is located just beside the ferry arrival terminal and the fare is £7.90 by car. Pedestrians go free. There is a gate surrounding the premise that keeps unwelcome visitors out. Well, the occasional animals can still be seen,especially the unwelcome of all: mitchis! Argh :-) The first room we entered was the utility room, also part kitchen. This place is HUGE. There is an ante room, which can be used for kids as a play area with their own Telly; another kitchen with a table that seats 6 and a AGA Hob; adjoining are a dining room that seats 10 and a living room with ample of seating space and electronic appliances. They also have SKY TV and WIFI. There are 4 double bed rooms, but only one with sea view, 1 twin with a walk in shower, and a small children's bedroom with a cod. The bed rooms are on the first and ground floor ensuit each. The housekeeper had prepared this place with love and left us milk, butter, coffee, pretty much all the essentials. Outside is a veranda, which we used every day. One evening we had a BBQ. The grounds are extensive and well shielded from the sea by a stone wall. Its breathtaking to walk along the shore during sunset and the views towards the glens are amazing. You find a small convenience shop within a 20 min walk and the pub just around the corner. Fort William is a 30min car ride and food shopping there is recommended, otherwise there is a Coop in Glencoe. Will I go back? Definitely. And who knows you might too :-)

Reviewing our stay at a working Lighthouse in the Scottish Highlands. The best Holiday Lodge I have…read moreever visited. Located on the the Loch Linnhe and between Oban and Fort William. There are 2 ways to get here - one by road (route Ft William) or taking the Corran Ardgour Ferry. This ferry runs every 15-20 minutes. The Lighthouse is just a short walk from the ferry. Where to start. The Lodge is a big enough place for up to 10 people. Although it may sound like a lot of people, the place has 5 very roomy ensuite rooms. 2 on the ground and 3 up the stairs. The house also has a entry utility room with a massive American fridge freezer. a washing machine and plenty room for all the boots and shoes that gather there. Across from the utility room is the 1st bedroom. Further on there is the landing / children's play area, with TV and DVD, Lazy Boy beanbags and a toy chest. here is the 2nd Bedroom and the only en suite that has a bath. - The beds are big and comfortable. I slept like a log! The breakfast kitchen has got an AGA! Which is wonderful. There is a small fridge and plenty of stuff to cook and eat with. - Here we found a welcome hamper with tea, coffee, cake, a couple of bottles of wine, milk, eggs etc.. Right beside the kitchen is the dining room with a big table and 10 chairs. The annex / living has got 4 big comfortable leather sofas. Sky television and BT wireless hub. Plenty of family games and cards. The big feature here is the wood burner. This has been pre-kindled for convenience. Even though I did suggest to light it at times, as I wanted to experience it, we did not have to use it. Must go back in here in somewhat colder times to get the full experience I guess. The upstairs has got a baby nursery / changing room and 3 further bedrooms. All with showers. One of them is a walk in shower with a waterfall shower head. Bliss. One thing you may wonder; if this is a working lighthouse, will that affect the rooms facing it? No it doesn't. The light is shielded for that end. Outside Space: You can park 2 cars with ease on the gravel driveway. There is a walled off play lawn with a picnic table and nearer the lighthouse there is decking with garden furniture to accommodate all visitors. You'll also find recycling bins and access to the beach/shore. From any angle, the views are fantastic! What is close by? In walking distance there is the 'Inn at Ardgour' which is a village shop / pub and hotel & restaurant. It sits opposite the ferry crossing. The town of Glencoe is close (5 min by car) and they have a decent COOP supermarket. Fort William is a little further and for a short day trip very good to visit. In all we had a brilliant time here and big thanks to the housekeeper Cathy that made our stay as problemless and pleasant as possible. I will certainly recommend this to many people and possibly return soon!