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| SEA BREEZES COTTAGE | |
| Welcome to Sea
Breezes An idyllic cottage at Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil – Perfect for those wishing to get away from it all and experience the peace and tranquillity of the west coast of Scotland. Stunning scenery, ever-changing light and weather patterns, the chance to live in what was formerly a quarry worker’s cottage and a perfect location for exploring the Isles of Nether Lorne and the Inner Hebrides, we are sure you will have an unforgettable holiday at Sea Breezes. The Cottage Sea Breezes is a charming traditional white-washed terraced cottage sleeping three set in the picturesque conservation village of Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil reached by crossing the famous Bridge over the Atlantic. Originally a slate quarry worker's cottage with low beamed ceilings and slate feature fireplace, it is now modernised to a high standard yet retains its quaint homely atmosphere and is an ideal retreat to get away from it all. The sitting room has a comfy deep double settee and chair and small dining table for three. The open fire burns coal and logs. There’s a cosy double bedroom with covered hanging space and a chest of drawers and the single bedroom also has a mini-wardrobe and shelf storage. There’s a shower/WC and small but very well equipped pine country kitchen. This has a washer-drier, microwave and fridge. Ellenabeich Village The village has a post office and shop, craft shops and Seafood restaurant and tearoom. Ellenabeich nestles at the foot of spectacular cliffs with Easdale Island offshore and the area is renowned for its spectacular scenery. It is ideal for hill walking, bird watching, cycling, boating, diving and exploring the islands. There is a small golf course nearby and fishing and sightseeing boat trips are available. Both Sea Life Adventures at Balvicar and Sea Safaris at Ellenabeich regularly spot dolphins, porpoises, Minke Whales and Golden Eagles. Horse riding is available at Ardfern, some 20 miles away with Western riding a speciality. There are many beautiful gardens to visit under Scotland’s Garden Scheme, the nearest being at An Cala, a few minutes walk from the cottage. Atlantis Leisure in Oban has a multi-purpose sports centre with swimming pool, gym, squash and tennis courts. Services Although you will find the best selection of shops and supermarkets in Oban, essential supplies can be found at Balvicar Stores as well as the shop at Ellenabeich. There is also a doctor nearby although the nearest dentist is in Oban. Petrol can be bought at the Tigh an Truish Hotel where you can also have a good meal. Other places to eat other than the village include the Willowburn Hotel and the Puffer on Easdale Island accessed by a short ferry trip. Teas and coffees are sold in season at Balvicar Stores. | |
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| Directions: | Seil Island – a jewel amidst the Isles of Nether Lorne… |
| Follow the main A816 road south from
Oban for 8 miles. (If you have come from the north then head straight
through the town out of the square south and keep heading out past the
High School and the Hospital. After about six miles take the turn off at the signpost for the Atlantic Bridge and Easdale on the right hand side. This takes you onto what is mainly a single-track road – use the passing places for drivers who are behind you and wish to travel faster or to allow passing with the oncoming traffic. Keep following the road for Easdale and you will come to the Bridge over the Atlantic – hardly where the ocean is at its widest or deepest! – continue across and down following signs for Easdale. You will come into the village of
Ellenabeich. Just where the row of cottages starts take the first left
into the back street, then right down the street. Sea Breezes is the
fourth cottage on the right hand side. No 21 is on the door and there is a
slate sign with the name painted on it just to the left of the
door. |
Steeped in beauty and
history… The area has something to offer everyone – for the naturalist, an interesting flora and fauna, superb bird-watching and the chance to see feral goats, outstanding geological formations with ring dykes, historical villages and pre-historic remains. For the garden lover, there are some of the most fabulous gardens in the country including the National Trust’s Crarae, breathtaking in the spring time with its world renowned azaleas and rhododendrons. Seil Island itself is about seven miles long by three miles wide and is one of the Isles of Nether Lorne, which supported a flourishing slate industry in the 19th century. Ellenabeich is Gaelic for ‘Isle of Birches’ for it was itself an island until infill from the slate quarries joined it to Seil. Wandering round the back of the village you can still see the infrastructure in place from the heyday of the slate industry. Everything came to an abrupt halt in the great storm of 1881 when the sea walls broke and the quarries were flooded. Overnight a way of life was ruined. Going back further in time there are numerous prehistoric remains in the area the best preserved being the Dun of Leccamore on Luing – an Iron Age fortress in which a guard chamber and mural staircase can still be seen. Further south at Kilmartin Glen there are chambered cairns, stone circles and an excellent museum at Kilmartin House telling the story of the area’s ancient past over 4,000 years ago. Luing, Scarba and the Isles of the Sea Luing is reached by a short ferry trip across the fast tidal stream of Cuan Sound. Excursions can be made to Belnahua an islet almost quarried away for its slate, which supported a population of 150 even though it had no water! Scarba – with its view of the world famous Corryvreckan Whirlpool, the second most dangerous in the world, can be visited as well as taking a boat trip through the Whirpool itself – obviously when it is at its least dangerous! The Garvellachs – the peaceful and dramatically beautiful Isles of the Sea are not to be missed. Here St Brendan founded a monastery and remains can be seen today of its 9th Century successor with bee-hive cells to explore on Eilean an Naoimhe. This, the largest of the island group, was reputedly where St Columba came for solitude from Iona and a roughly carved stone overlooking the monastery is said to mark the grave of his mother. Oban When you want to get back into the metropolis, Oban is only 16 miles away and is the Gateway to the Islands offering a wide variety of entertainment, excellent restaurants, a renowned distillery, McCaigs Tower and the Hydropathic ruins and excellent shopping. Nearby is the Oban Rare Breeds Park and to the north the Sea Life Centre – a glimpse into a magical underwater world as well as feed seals and marvel at otters in the Otter Sanctuary. Atlantis Leisure in Oban has a multi-purpose sports centre with swimming pool, gym, squash and tennis courts. From Oban you can take the ferry to the islands of the Inner Hebrides - Mull and Iona, Coll, Tiree and Colonsay as well as the smaller isles offshore – Kerrera and Lismore which offer brilliant walking. Also from Oban you can take the ferry further afield to the Outer Hebrides of South Uist, Barra, Lewis and Harris. |
| Sea Breezes, 21 Ellenabeich,
Easdale, by Oban, Argyll. email:
Alison McNab | |