Keills Cottage Sleeps 4 | £725.00 to £885.00 per week

Ardtun Explore the area, things to do and more

With hen harriers, deer and curlews all spotted from the kitchen window here, this cosy cottage makes the perfect wildlife enthusiast’s retreat. A quick look in the guest book only confirms this, with many guests enjoying fantastic encounters with wildlife during their stay. Keills Cottage is located at Ardtun on the Ross of Mull, an area of outstanding beauty with many fine white sandy beaches to explore and a diverse coastline that includes fossil leaf beds, pink granite outcrops and sheltered coves. With this landscape comes a diverse range of habitats, home to many of Mull’s most iconic birds and mammals.

Keills is an old black house that has the benefit of being converted into a lovely holiday cottage, whilst retaining some of its old stone cottage character. The cottage enjoys a private position, sitting within an enclosed lawned garden with ample parking for two cars. There is also outdoor seating and gravelled areas around the house – perfect for alfresco dining when the sun shines.

Entering the cottage through two double doors is the main living room with comfortable seating, a wood stove and a selection of books and board games that can be played on the table and chairs provided. The cottage is enhanced by nice artwork and photographs, giving it a homely feel. The large windows and glass doors bring in plenty of light, as well as connecting to the beautiful outdoors, at this cottage.

Passing under a beam, the kitchen is bright and well-equipped for self-catering. There is a dining table provided to seat four, with views over the surrounding heathland, which is a popular hunting ground for birds of prey, including hen harriers. There’s also a useful porch with an external door leading to the garden and parking area. A garden shed outside has a washing machine and dryer inside – perfect for cleaning up after a day out exploring Mull’s wilder areas!

The double bedroom has views to the rear of the cottage, out over the rugged heathland, and plenty of storage space for personal items. The bathroom has a claw foot bath with shower over, basin and w.c. The second bedroom has comfortable twin beds. Lovely thick duvets are provided, as well as blankets from the nearby Ardalanish Weavers, ensuring a cosy and authentic island stay.

The village of Bunessan, which is situated at the head of Loch na Lathaich, is a short drive away (five minutes) and has a couple of shops and a pub serving food. Fionnphort, the village from which you can catch the ferry to Iona, is only 10 or 15 minutes’ drive west. It's an excellent day trip for those wanting to explore the island and its beaches, historic Abbey and gift shops. Boats also depart from Fionnphort to Staffa, well known for its impressive basalt columns and charismatic puffins.

There are excellent walks in the local area and a great diversity of wildlife, including many marine species that can be seen around the coast. A pair of hen harriers have regularly been spotted from the kitchen window, with deer often running past the house, and the garden is full of finches and swallows in the summer months. The beaches in the area are superb and cyclists and walkers will have plenty to keep them entertained. The start of the walk to Carsaig Arches is a short drive away, and the more adventurous can climb Ben More via its less trodden southern ridges.