This most attractive old farmhouse is only yards from the sea at the head of Loch Craignish in a beautiful part of Argyll. Standing by itself with no other house nearby and almost an acre of gardens to explore, Craigdhu is a most comfortable and delightful place to holiday and at any time of the year.
Built around a central courtyard, Craigdhu was once the principal farmhouse of Barbreck Estate. It is now a spacious self-catering family home, recently renovated to a very high standard, with five bedrooms and three bedrooms, sleeping nine. From the upstairs bedrooms there are superb views across the loch.
Bedrooms include two doubles, both with en-suite bathrooms, two twins and a single, with an additional bathroom and shower.
There is an exceptionally welcoming kitchen-dining area with direct access to the garden. The fully equipped kitchen, with its hand-crafted ash units, has an Ever-hot cooker ( an electric equivalent of an Aga) plus an additional electric hob, dishwasher, fridge freezer, microwave, and a walk-in larder.
The cosy sitting room with its open fire, has large flat screen TV, DVD, interesting antique furniture and a big selection of books, including many on Argyll.
Other rooms include a drying-laundry room and, in the former grain loft, a large games room with a professional pool table, table tennis and a selection of toys.
The house is surrounded by lawns and an attractive garden with many rare plants and shrubs. There is a sheltered outdoor seating area, with easy access to the kitchen, and a BBQ.
The beach, almost part of the garden, is less than a minutes walk from the house.
Situated at the head of Loch Craignish between Oban and Lochgilphead, Craigdhu is an ideal base from which to discover Argyll.
The beach in front of the house is very safe and has lots to offer. Use the boats to explore Loch Craignish and it islands or to fish for mackerel - best between June and August.
For boat trips further afield here is a good selection of local operators. Craignish Cruises, based in Ardfern less than a mile from the house offer cruises to the Gulf of the Corrievrechan with its famous whirlpool. Whale watching trips are another option.
Argyll has some of the best gardens in Britain. Just to the north of Craigdhu is the delightful National Trust for Scotland garden of Arduaine, while the garden on the Island of Gigha to the south is well worth a visit.
No where else in Scotland has such a rich concentration of prehistoric sites as Kilmartin Glen just over the hill from Craigdhu. The museum here gives a good introduction to this extraordinary place with its stone circles, chambered cairns, standing stones and great slabs of rock carved with abstract designs. The island of Iona with its abbey Celtic crosses and superb beaches is within easy day trip reach by ferry from Oban.
There are many great walks nearby, From the house it is short walk up the hill to a magnificent viewpoint overlooking Loch Craignish. Taynish National Nature Reserve has a superb circular trail through its ancient oak woods.