Have you looked at http://visit-fortwilliam.co.uk/fort-william-country-holiday-cottages ?

The big difference with the West Country is that there isn't the huge demand up there and it was previously quiet sparsely populated so there won't be as many old cottages to start with.

Yes thanks Steve thats the website i've been using the most but I've looked at so much now I just keep going round and round in the same circles. Nothing has jumped out at me yet .

I love the area around Oban. Have a look there. A brief search and I found
http://www.scotland-holiday-cottage.com/argyll/obanargyll.htm
they definitely look lovely from the outside

This area is a bit further south than Fort Willliam but I really like it
http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/westcoast/argyll/white_cottage
You haven't said how many beds you need so it's hard to suggest particular houses.

I'm only really looking at Fort william because i've been recommended it as being more central . I've found a couple of possibilities on that website you linked to Bridd . The inside of Fiona's one looks more like what I'm after .

we need something to sleep at least min 4.

lyn

The drive up from Loch Lomond via Glencoe to Fort William is stunning. Take your time to enjoy the scenery!!

Fort William could never be described as central, where were you comparing it with? And Prestwick airport isn't really that convenient for the Highlands, it's about 130 miles driving to Fort William and will take the best part of an hour just to get to the right side of the River Clyde. You'd have been better off with easyjet to Inverness.

Unless you have a specific need to be that far north I'd say change your target and look around the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area.

http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/where-to-stay/self-catering

The cottage Fiona linked to looks fab. I llike the Oban area. You have lots of great day trips available form there. It's a great place to go island hopping from - there are Calmac ferries to Mull and to other islands
http://www.calmac.co.uk
for ideas
and you can drive to Glencoe - not to be missed. I don't think you've made a mistake flying to Prestwick. It's not that far to drive and the scenery past Glasgow is lovely.

Quite happy to do the couple of hour drive up from prestwick .Chose it purposly .My nephew does the same flight up regularly to work all over the highlands . We have got an early flight to do the scenic drive up and stop along the way . Always wanted to do it .

I've been looking at this one .Ok a bit modern but it's got the kinda of setting and views we are after . Area sounds good between fort william and Oban but it doesnt mean a lot to me . http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/westcoast/argyll/allt_mor

Thanks for that link Steve .not seen that . Lets see if I can find anything else.

Have a look at
http://www.ellenabeich.com
Ellenabeich is a lovely little village in a beautiful area, on the Isle of Seil, and not too far from Oban.

Or maybe
http://www.cowtonscottage.co.uk
Happy hunting!

hmm not bad . I'm a little reluctant to go too near the coast uness it's a day at Oban for diving but then again scotland is all new to me . I have strict instructions from Dave for rugged , mountainous and lochs. We do a lot of walking and are not really the type to go hopping around on any form of public transport even if it is on water . Daves pet hate when on holiday . Dont forget this will be end oct too.

I'm enjoying all the suggestions . keep them coming but at the moment my link above is top contender.

Kinlochleven is a great choice of you are walkers. You are surrounded by hills, and well placed for Fort William (for the supermarket etc)

Well not serious stuff Bridd .I have a vision of myself with Ordanance survey map and sticks now but nothing could be further than the truth . .We give it a go though if we do this type of holiday .

Change your location and look around Pitlochry/Loch Tay/Aberfeldy etc - far more central and a day trip to the west, east coast or the Cairngorms is easy. Look at the weather forecast and you can chose to go to the driest area!

Our first port of call when looking for cottages is http://www.ruralretreats.co.uk

Hi Lynn

Welcome to Scotland

Staying in Scotland it is very easy to forget just how beautiful it can be here and we always when thinking of going a break look to go elsewhere, however, in the last few years we have started taking a 3-7 days break in Scotland.

We have discovered that the areas know as the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and the Moidart Peninsula they particularly appealing, located close to 'The Fort' (Fort William) with access via a short and scenic ferry trip or by passing through Fort William past the Caledoninan Canal at Corpach and then heading for Mallaig on the 'Road to the Isles' then turning left and going down through the very small villages such as Glen Uig, Strontain,Lochailort and Salen (excellent food in the Salen Hotel) Etc.
These villages are about 35-60 minutes drive form Fort William and are all set in beautiful locations over looking sea lochs and mountains and also over to the Hebridean Islands.

Apart from the stunning walks available in the area other things do do include taking the road up to Mallaig past the beautiful silver sands at MORAR and then taking the short ferry to Skye and then driving across Skye and over the bridge and back down viewing the famous Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich.

Also worth visiting the lovely village of Plockton wher the BBC TV series Hamish Macbeth was filmed, here you will find it very scenic and there are some lovely places to eat, I can recommend the Plockton Inn.

From this area you can also go and visit the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Visitor Centre which is the most Westerly point on the UK mainland.

Here are a few more links that also have accomodation listed

http://www.ardnamurchan.com/index.php

http://www.glenuig.com/

http://www.west-highlands.co.uk/self_catering.php

http://www.holidaycottages.cc/editorial/editorial-issue20/ardnamurchan.html

http://www.bluebellcroft.co.uk/

http://www.westofscotlandholidayaccommodation.co.uk/fortwilliamandardnamurchanhotelsandbedandbreakfast.html

http://www.feorag.co.uk/

And in Fort William
http://www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk/where-to-stay-guide-for-scottish-accommodation-in-fort-william

Other areas

http://www.lovetoescape.com/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=204

Well that should keep you occupied for a while

Graham

Certainly plenty to look at tonight I looked at so many cottages yesterday , most with no character whatsoever that I was feeling rather disillusioned last night . That area looks stunning Graham and much more in tune with the type of cottages we are looking for . Some stunning ones there.
Only thing I'm worried about is whether those peninsulars are rather remote for us on a first visit to scotland . I know Dave is not going to be keen on having to keep getting on ferries although I'm sure he will be happy to do it once nor will he be happy if he has to drive for hours every day.

Now I'm undecided , probably because I can't find any cottages I really like around Fort william area(up to 10 or so miles), although the one I linked to earlier is close to Onich (which I think is close to the ferry isnt it ) and also a couple on the Caledonian canal.Someone also mentioned Fort Augustus is it .

lyn

Lyn, when I said Ellenabeich is on the Isle of Seil, I didn`t mean you had to sail to it, you go over the Clachan Bridge, or the Bridge Over the Atlantic as it`s also known. We go quite a bit to Scotland with the caravan, but will be looking for scaenic cottages in a year or so when we sell the van.

The area is not to bad you would have at the most an hours drive from Fort William but mainly less through stunning scenery.

There is only one very short ferry and that is just an option as you can drive through Fort William to get to all the locations unless you want to visit Skye which can be done as a circular tour by ferry or you could just go up ad over via the bridge.

and also a couple on the Caledonian canal.Someone also mentioned Fort Augustus is it

Yes those are another couple of good suggestions and you will still have plenty of walking and stunning scenery.

Graham