Beach Cottage Islay

Self-catering cottage situated yards from a beautiful sandy beach at Kilnaughton Bay on the Isle of Islay, a Hebridean wildlife haven and home to some of the world's great Malt whiskies. The distilleries of Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin are just up the coast, within walking or cycling distance.
	Designed by the Skye-based architects Dualchas (www.dualchas.com), the house is modelled on a traditional Highland long-house. It has three double bedrooms, all with spectacular views across the bay to the nearby village of Port Ellen. It can sleep up to nine people and is a fabulous holiday location for anyone looking for an exciting but safe environment for children.
The lounge and kitchen-diner are organised on an open-plan basis around a central chimney. A glass wall in the south-facing gable end of the house offers a lovely view towards Carraig Fhada lighthouse and across to the Scottish mainland, as well as ensuring the house is flooded with light throughout the day. On the front of the house, glass sliding doors enable you to supervise children on the beach from the comfort of the family dining table. Kitchen units are topped with attractive elm worksurfaces. A large induction hob, microwave and regular oven make life easy for keen cooks.
	In the lounge, there are two large sofas, a large flat-screen television and a wood-burning stove. Under-floor heating throughout the ground floor and state-of-the art Scandinavian doors and windows ensure the house is always cosy. The kitchen, living room and master bedroom all have oak flooring. The entrance hall, walk-in closet and the downstairs bathroom are floored with slate tiles to accomodate muddy boots and bathtime splashes. An oak stair off the dining area leads to the two upstairs bedrooms, one of which has an ensuite shower room and wc. Large velux windows mean the bedrooms have spectacular sea and skyscapes.

A small supermarket, a pub and the ferry port are all within walking distance in Port Ellen. A bigger choice of places to eat can be found in Bowmore, Islay's main town, which is a 15-minute drive from the house. The airport and the Machrie golf course, a traditional links that is consistently rated in the world's top 100, are five minutes away.

Beach Cottage is available most of the year. Bookings are made on a weekly Saturday-to-Saturday basis from the beginning of February until the end of October. Weekend and other short-stay bookings may be available at other times. Bed linen, towels and heating and electricity costs are included in the rent.

Bookings are confirmed on receipt of a non-refundable deposit of 150 pounds for each week of rental. The rental balance is due one month before the booked date. In the event of cancellation after this point, the weekly rent, minus the deposit, will only be refunded if the house is relet.

Rates for 2009 are: £400 per week in January and December (excluding Christmas and New Year weeks), £550/week from January 31 until March 25, £650/week from March 25 until May 2, £700/week from May 2 until June 20, £800/week from June 20 until September 5, £650/week from September 5 until October 31, £550/week from October 31 until November 28.

The house is not free the week beginning May 23 (Malt Festival week, English half-term) and July 20-Aug 15.

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Contact: Angus MacKinnon, 13 Danbury Street, London, N1 8LD.
Email: angus_mackinnon@btinternet.com
Tel: 0207 359 2099
Mobile: 0771 326 4032