Mucmara Lodge Sleeps 6 | £995.00 to £1985.00 per week

Dervaig Explore the area, things to do and more

Those seeking an island oasis quite unlike any other will find all they could wish for and more when checking into Mucmara Lodge. Wonderfully private, this elegantly presented cottage sits just beyond the boundary of the Quinish Estate, 200m from the shore of Loch Cuin, and with its own private freshwater loch in the extended grounds too.

Cocooned by woodland and with excellent views to the open hill country – a birdwatcher’s paradise – Mucmara Lodge will be a homestay you return to time and time again. And yet this privacy and setting does not come at a compromise, as the charming village of Dervaig lies only a mile down the lane, promising a scenic stroll for the morning newspaper, or an easy amble back from dinner at the island’s oldest inn.

Arriving at the Lodge, ample parking for four or more vehicles makes it easy to slide into holiday mode as you soon unpack and soak up the mature gardens and birdsong that fills the grounds. Entering the house, wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of room to stow a holiday’s worth of binoculars and walking boots, while families will easily find space for picnic hampers and blankets, ready for long walks and alfresco lunches on the beach – or even simply in the cottage grounds!

Mucmara Lodge has been thoughtfully designed with the living space in one wing and the quieter sleeping quarters to the other. The spacious living room will instantly make you feel at home with beautiful artworks, plush furnishings and 56-inch television, if you can tear your eyes away from the triple aspect garden and woodland views, that is.

Flowing from the living space is a garden deck and the dining area for six, framed by statement suspended lighting and with a beautiful vintage sideboard too. This, in turn, leads to the well-equipped kitchen, promising a sociable experience for the chef in the party and a cottage in which you truly can sit down to a feast. Where better to serve the local oysters from Croig pier just across the water, or pork from the local farm.

Moving to the sleeping wing of Mucmara Lodge, guests will be pleased to find three spacious and beautifully appointed bedrooms and three bathrooms. The double bedrooms both enjoy the luxury of en-suites and a king-sized and queen-sized bed respectively, while the beautifully presented twin bedroom is served by the family bathroom, complete with large bath tub, walk-in shower, WC and basin.

Also nestled in this part of the property is a spacious home office, ideal for those who may need to keep an eye on emails during their stay, or perhaps for the creatives amongst us, who will find plenty to inspire them to put pen to paper here.

The house also benefits from a handy utility room with washing machine, dryer and sink.

Partially fenced, mature gardens wrap around Mucmara Lodge with a wildlife pond and several attractive sitting areas that allow you to enjoy the surrounds, while taking in the sunrise or sunset. A little exploration will be rewarded, as just beyond the gate a grass path leads you to yet another surprise – a beautiful private loch complete with a pier, which is a haven for wildlife and a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy coffee in the early morning light.

For those who can tear themselves away from the charms of Mucmara Lodge itself, the cottage’s location on the edge of the village of Dervaig affords easy access to some of the island’s most beautiful white shell-sand beaches at Langamull and Calgary and an award-winning wildlife tour departs from the village too. The boat trips and buzzy harbour of Tobermory, the island’s capital, lie a 30-minute drive, passing Loch Torr, Loch Frisa and the Mishnish Lochs as you go.

In the village of Dervaig itself, guests will find the seafood sandwiches at The Piece Box an utterly moreish lunch option, with The Bellachroy a lovely choice for hearty pub fare and Ar Bord the perfect choice for fine dining in an intimate setting.