What about the Fort William area. Its a gateway to the Highlands, Inverness only 1.5hrs away, Glasgow 2hrs away and the Islands on your doorstep. I found some fab cottages in Onich about 10 mins from Ft William but I can't do links yet so you'll have to google 'ardrhu' to find them.

If you want something closer to Loch Ness there are some lovely cottages in Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit you can try.

Hi again Chris

I was thinking you might like an area near plockton, if you ever saw the BBC programme 'hamish MacBeth' it was filmed in this stunning area.

There are several small communites up the north west coast that you might like and you can be close to the heart of the village or more isolated i.e. Applecross,

Here is a link for Plockton http://www.plockton.com/index.shtml and perhaps not just as isolated as you would want this is just one of the listed accommodation from the above site http://www.plocktoncottages.co.uk/

A bit further south you have places such as Arisaig or areas near Salen or Strontain.

Up closer to the Great Glen try looking up areas such as Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, Cannich & Glen Affric

Also these might be of interest -

http://www.lochnessaccommodation.org/lochnessselfcatering.html

http://www.lochnesswelcome.co.uk/section.asp?sID=1

http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/inverness-rentals.htm

hope this helps more than confuses
Graham

Not south of Loch Ness but further east, around the Aboyne area is picturesque and locals very friendly. Excursions all around Royal Deeside. Ballater, Braemar and Aberdeen within easy driving distance.
Don't know a lot about cottages but can thoroughly recommend the Garve Inn at the village of Garve, north of Inverness near Strathpeffer. They put on loads of old fashioned entertainment which appeals to a very mixed crowd, adults and children alike such as Haggis racing. It's not very modern but I believe there are chalet types suites and the hospitality more than makes up for the lack of facilities in city centre hotels. The train trip from Garve Station near the hotel to Kyle of Lochalsh is brilliant.

Hi
Thanks again for help and advise, we've just booked a cottage at Roybridge near Spean Bridge. (over new year).
Thanks
Chris