Visit the romantic converted boatshed at Ardanaiseig,

Visit the romantic converted boatshed at Ardanaiseig, situated on the breathtaking Loch Awe with fine views of Ben Lui.

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Editor's favourite bits...

I visited the Boat Shed in Autumn when the colours of the sky, surrounding forest and woodland reflected on still waters in the Loch. It was breathtaking. Why travel abroad for spectacular scenery when we have so much of it in the UK and especially Scotland. Waking up on my birthday morning, looking out at the Loch from my bed was certainly memorable. Experiences like that are priceless.

I especially loved...

• Padding around the house in my slippers and dressing gown, pretending that I really lived there.
• Looking at the stars from the comfort of the small veranda and even the couch and hearing nothing except for the lapping of water on the jetty pier.
• Walking around the surrounding gardens and forest area and touching the soft, velvety forest carpet explored by so few in this tranquil area.
• Hiring a private boat, moored by the Boat Shed and exploring the Loch and bumping in to no-one!

First impressions

The Boatshed lives in an area of obscenely stunning scenery. Just a one minute golf buggy ride from the luxurious Ardanaiseig country house hotel, you have all the privacy in the world. The conversion is strategically (and practically) positioned, with views of the Loch islands, slopes of Ben Cruachan and wooded gardens mirrored in the still and silent waters. The Boatshed and hotel live on a secluded inlet on the peninsula of Ardanaiseig, approached by a long and winding lane from the main road, some half an hours drive away. On my magical visit here, I was pleasantly distracted by nature and the desire to explore the surrounding beauty. Nowhere else in Scotland have I been, where I just can't stop looking and drinking in the scenery. Autumn being the season of my visit, set the trees, shrubs and plants ablaze with colour. If only my world were so rich and golden at every other time!

An exclusive retreat

Approaching the shed, it looks small and cute, but on arrival, it's probably a good 25 foot tall. I imagined the décor inside to be like that of the country house, however it is in-fact perfectly designed in the most elegant and contemporary fashion. You have everything you need inside to stay hidden for days. As swanky as a modern London apartment, the Boat Shed has a little entrance hall, a small box kitchen for self caterers, complete with hob, fridge, microwave, and an open plan spacious dining and living area flooded with light. Upstairs, you have the mezzanine level, with the big double bed looking out through the glass wall onto Loch Awe. It's heavenly to wake up in the morning and watch the sun rise over the crags of the loch from the comfort of your bed!

Home from home

A gorgeous red couch, leather chairs, glass tables and vases, and a massive 32 inch LDC flat screen TV create a home from home. A neat little bathroom complete with Molton Brown products and soft white dressing gowns and slippers, mean that all you really have to pack is your toothbrush!

Romantic and intimate dining

We opted to dine in the Ardanaiseig country house hotel, although if you want dinner delivered to the Boat Shed you can. Start your evening in the bar infront of the fire and the ornate wood surround and mantelpiece. Moving on to the restaurant, the service is friendly and the food delicious. The restaurant tables are well spaced and have amazing views of the Loch, giving you the perfect opportunity for intimate conversations over dinner. Acclaimed Chef de Cuisine Gary Goldie has recently been placed top in a survey of the best five Hotel Restaurants in Scotland published in the Glasgow Herald and runner up in the Hotel review Scotland, Chef of the Year awards in 2004.

Outdoor activities

If you fancy a hike in the surrounding area, or simply a gentle stroll around the gardens, the hotel has complimentary welly boots for your wander. For those of you who fancy something a little more active, bikes are provided on a first come first serve basis. Maybe the most romantic excursion however would be to hire one of the private boats and take a trip out on the Loch. We had a boat all to ourselves and decided to explore the nearby Kilchurn Castle ruins. You can't get more romantic a trip than that.

The country house hotel

If you can't get booked in to the Boat Shed, or are looking to stay in the main house, you'll be delighted at the vast number of antiquities and fine paintings adorning each room.

Find out more about Ardanaiseig hotel and Boat Shed.