Honeysuckle House and Rose Cottage 

                                            opened for our first guests in August 2006.

                                     We have achieved 5 stars from Visit Scotland,

           Category 1 for Wheelchair Friendliness and in June 2007 were thrilled to achieve a Gold Green Award.

              For three independent reviews see http://www.extramilescotland.co.uk

  For examples of walks from the door through the Ariundle Oakwoods a National Nature Reserve see last few photos below.

                                                  Honeysuckle House and the view.

                                                                         The sitting room.

                         The kitchen in the distance with the Aga flue shown - you can chat while you cook.

                                                                                        and the Aga!

                                                                        A favourite room - the conservatory.

                                                      The hot tub is shared between the house and cottage.

                                                              What a view on a late November afternoon!  

                                    View from the hot tub in June described in the Sunday Times in Feb. '07 as

                                                         'the best sited hot tub in Europe'.      

                                                                               The spacious bedrooms.

          This room can also be a super king-size double.                        Large en-suite fully tiled bathrooms to all rooms.

                                                                                Rose Cottage.

                                                                                                              Neff induction hobs and ovens in both houses.

             This is the king size double downstairs.                       This room can also be a super king-size double.

                                   Large wheel-in wet room in Rose (there is also a smaller one in Honeysuckle).

                  We are very wheelchair friendly with a hoist, shower/commode chair, loo raiser and bed raisers.

                                                                                 The view in May.

                         This walk is from the door through the Ariundle Oakwoods a National Nature Reserve.

                                                                       4 more views during the same walk.

                                                              Another view from Bluebell Croft, in November.

To find us see Location Map on 'Contact details' page and 'Good Food' pages for food you can order - either ingredients,

mostly from the croft and/or Suppers and Dinners by former 'Rural Chef of the Year' and Masterchef.

As the plans show we have built a house which can be let as a single house, with 6 en-suite bedrooms and ample room for 12 (or up to 16 with children) or as two houses, separated by the conservatory - Honeysuckle for up to 8+ and Rose 2-4+ (with no sofa beds).

 Click here to see the plans.  

The design of the house has been greatly influenced by the experience of building our own house and feedback from former Old Pines’ guests.

Our priorities have been:

Lots of space and an enormous sitting/dining room and conservatory (which is part of Honeysuckle when let seperately).

Warm and well insulated with under-floor heating downstairs and in the bathrooms.

Spacious bedrooms with big beds, large goose down duvets, all en-suite bathrooms and huge towels.
Very well equipped kitchens including an Aga in Honeysuckle and Neff oven and induction hobs in both houses, a Magimix, hand held electric whisk, plenty of saucepans (including big ones) and sharp knives.
Large drying room porches for wet clothes, boots and dogs.
A giant hot tub under the stars with extra towels provided.

Both downstairs bathrooms include wheel-in showers and lots of grab rails for those less able bodied and use of things like a height adjustable shower/commode chair, loo raiser and bed raisers. We now also have a hoist so you can leave yours at home!

Cots, highchairs and a baby bath and a trampoline for the older ones.

As environmentaly friendly as possible with a 6 kw wind turbine planned in the future which will resolve the dilemma of the hot tub, though it does use the lowest ammount of power possible due to its increased insulation. A log burning boiler is first on the agenda and solar panels when finances allow. We encourage the use of the wood burning stoves in the sitting rooms with as many logs as you can use, free of charge, to minimise the use of oil and low energy bulbs throughout. ' A' or 'A+' grade white goods have been used throughout (except the tumble driers which we encourage you not to use, if at all possible and if you use the Aga is also saves on ironing). Our philosophy is to think green whenever possible and to encourage our guests to do the same. We re-cycle, re-use and reduce to ensure our footprint is minimal and our eventual goal is to ensure a carbon neutral holiday. Public transport is possible by bus almost to the door and if necessary we can pick you up from trains in Fort William. Bluebell Croft is also ideal for a car free holiday once you arrive, with the National Nature Reserve of the Ariundle Oakwoods right on the doorstep and we have bikes you can borrow.

We have made a commitment to reduce energy consumption and so can you "I commit to saving 20%" - Visit the Energy Saving Trust Commit website to make your commitment  http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/commit/  or  http://www.est.org.uk/commit/     

We have also decided that it is very tedious to have to worry about all the little things when going on holiday.  Thus we will provide all necessities i.e. dishwasher tablets, washing up liquid, liquid soap and liquid for washing machines, all by Ecover. Please don't bring your own chemicals as it will upset the delicate nature of the septic tank and soakaway. Also, re-cycled and charity loo paper, tissues and degradable bin liners. In addition the kitchen will have salt, black pepper, Fair-trade tea, ground coffee and sugar, home-made marmalade and on arrival freshly baked scones, raspberry jam, butter and milk for tea and for weekly stays wine and organic bread.

If you like we will also supply a ‘hamper’ of goodies for you, all from the croft or a local supplier. You can order from the following - home-made organic bread, cakes and biscuits (using Fartrade and organic ingredients), eggs from the croft (duck, goose or chicken) extra preserves including jam, marmalade, chutneys and home-made mustard and various home-smoked goodies - perhaps a side of home-smoked salmon, smoked mature cheddar or a whole cooked ham.   Depending upon the season, we can include fresh vegetables, salads and fruit from the poly-tunnel/garden all grown using organic principles.  Extra vegetables, fruit, eggs and baking (fresh bread every day?) may also be available during the week. Other essentials like organic flours will be available as although there are two useful local shops neither sell all of the things you may need.

                  A full price list of goodies can be found on the 'Good Food' pages.

We will also be offering a range of cooked meals by Sukie former 'Rural Chef of the Year' i.e. a casserole in the Aga or oven waiting for you on arrival, supper or even a full 2 - 5 course dinner.  If this appeals to you, please let us know on booking.

  Finally may we suggest that you spoil yourselves to a night or two at our favourite hotel on Loch Tay on your way too or from us. Pete and Sara Gottgens have created a haven of comfort, peace and good food at the Ardeonaig Hotel voted this years (2007) Inn of the Year and overall best 'Caesar Award' winner by the Good Hotel Guide.  

                                       www.ardeonaighotel.co.uk

Bluebell Croft, 15 Anaheilt, Strontian, Ardnamurchan, Scotland UK PH36 4JA   Tel 01967 402226