Lower Polnish

Lower Polnish is a traditional Scottish blackhouse dating back to 1750, an open-plan, one-bed house set on the 3,500-acre Ardnish peninsula. Don't let its remote location put you off, it's well worth the journey, and truly the definition of a rural retreat – a bolthole with no internet or phone reception where you can get away from it all, relax and put city life out of your mind.

You can only get here by leaving your car in the parking space and walking the last 300 yards, down a steep wooded valley and across a babbling burn. You’ll need to carry all of your provisions (including food and drink) down the track too. The house is newly renovated in 2018 and is spread across a single level; it’s lovely and light, and a stone’s throw from the sea. There’s a wood-burning stove sitting at one end firing out warmth (replacing the spot where cows would have once lived in winter), and a brand new sitting room in a glazed conservatory, offering panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery. Sit in here with a hot brew or a glass of wine and take it all in. You may even spot some local wildlife, so make sure you bring your binoculars. The brand-new kitchen and bathroom complete the picture: everything, in fact, that you need for a quiet, stress-free break for two.

You might not want to leave the cosiness of the cottage, indeed the views from the conservatory may be all you need. But if you are tempted out, the peninsula is a walker's paradise. Bring your dog and amble along the private foreshore. There's a lot to explore, and with no neighbours nearby, apart from the seals and white-tailed sea eagles, it’s a pretty secluded spot. After a day out discovering the area, you’ll look forward to getting back to the comfort of the cottage. A piece of advice? Don’t forget to check out the dark skies for stars on a clear evening. And if you want somewhere even more remote than Lower Polnish, consider the same owner's Laggan cottage - which you can only reach by boat!