Coireseileach, Clachan Seil, Isle of Seil

Situation

Coireseileach sits amidst charming cottage gardens, with feature slate walls, paths and slate-lined burn, in Clachan Seil on Seil Island. It has wonderful views over the Sound of Seil and enjoys the benefit of its own deep-water mooring. The driveway has ample space for a number of cars and leads to a detached garage.

The closest of the southern Inner Hebrides and the only one reachable by bridge, Seil retains all the characteristics of the island heritage of the West Highlands. Located 11 miles or so south of Oban, the diamond-shaped island measures an irregular 4.5 miles by 2 and nestles close into the mainland, separated only by a narrow sound, over which the famous - Bridge over the Atlantic - gives access. This bridge, built by General Wade in the late 18th century, opened the Inner Hebrides to the Redcoat garrison still occupying most of Argyll and Appin after the rebellion of 1745. Covered by fairy foxgloves in spring, it remains the island's link to the outside world.

Close by the west end of the bridge stands Tigh an Truish, the House of the Trousers, now a pub. After the '45, when the wearing of the kilt was banned, islanders would change here into trews (trousers) before wading to the mainland. The pub remains the centre of many island activities and serves excellent locally sourced seafood.

There are three centres of population on Seil. The first, to the north, is Clachan Seil (literally the - village of Seil - ), which scatters itself across the foreshore for a mile or so. Balvicar, in the centre of the island, has an excellent local grocery store, post office, professional boatyard and the nine hole Isle of Seil Golf Course. To the south is the village of Ellenabeich, gateway to another small island, Easdale, reached by a passenger ferry. Both have pubs (The Oyster Bar and the Puffer respectively). North Cuan, a couple of miles to the south-east, is the terminal for the car ferry to Luing.

The island once had seven churches; most are gone but a significant congregation persists. There is an active Community Council and a community newsletter. The village halls at Ellenabeich and on Easdale are venues for social events, clubs and sports. There is a primary school at Ellenabeich and secondary schooling is at Oban High School. The Island bus to and from Oban and Ellenebeich, serves both.

The local wildlife includes seals, otters, roe deer, badgers, herons, buzzards, swans, seabirds, occasional eagles, many colourful smaller bird species as well as a naturalised pheasant population. Porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and Minke whales are all seen regularly in the surrounding waters. Divers find some of the clearest waters in the UK off the shores of Seil and the Garvellachs.

Seil has excellent facilities for yachtsmen, both local and visiting, with anchorages providing shelter on passage from Crinan to the Sound of Mull. Inshore pleasure fishing is complemented by a variety of boat excursions, based at Seil Sound and Ellenabeich.

The whole area is riven with slate beds and abounds with the resultant quarries, now disused. Most of Glasgow at one time had roofs of Easdale slate. Museums to the slate industry are located in Ellenabeich and on Easdale. A former quarry on Easdale hosts the Annual World Stone Skimming Championships each September.

Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the Inner Hebridean climate can often be several degrees warmer than the mainland and it seldom freezes or snows in winter. Description

Coireseileach is a modern, architect-designed, detached country cottage of considerable character. Built in 1990 to a very high level of specification by the present owners, it has a slate roof and offers flexible accommodation on two floors. Originally built as a holiday house, it now serves as the owners' principal residence and is in outstanding decorative order.

It is very well insulated and enjoys the benefits of NorDan windows and Fjordtredoren doors, imported from Scandinavia. It has electric night storage heating with the addition of a multi-fuel stove in the sitting room, which also provides additional hot water.

The entrance porch leads to a broad welcoming reception hallway off which the principal ground floor rooms open. It has a staircase to the first floor with an extensive under stair storage cupboard. There is a cloakroom off the hallway.

The sitting room has beautiful views over Seil Sound and towards the mainland. It centres on a wood-burning stove which is set into a charming fireplace. Of particular note is the polished wooden floor by Junckers. Off the sitting room is a small study. The dining room is semi open plan to the kitchen with the same Amtico flooring and a fitted dresser unit, which matches the kitchen units. The kitchen is very well equipped, with country style units at wall and counter levels and integral appliances including Aeg hob and oven and hood, Smeg dishwasher and Aeg fridge. There is a shelved pantry and a doorway to a utility room, with plumbed-in washing machine and externally-vented tumble dryer. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and fabulous views.

On the first floor, there are three double bedrooms, one with shower cubicle and a family bathroom. There is ample wardrobe and storage provision. The part-floored and lit loft space is reached by a hatch from bedroom 2 and additional under-eave storage is accessible via cupboard doors in the bedrooms and landing.

A deep-water swinging mooring suitable for a 10-12 metre boat, with rapid access to The Sound of Jura and Firth of Lorn, is available by separate negotiation.

Accommodation

- Entrance vestibule

- WC

- Sitting Room
- Office
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Utility room
- Master bedroom with en suite bathroom
- 3 double bedrooms
- Family Bathroom
- Garage
- Private mooring (by separate negotiation, if required)

Directions

Travelling south from Oban on the A816 Oban/Lochgilphead road, turn right at the signpost for Easdale (B844) and cross the - Bridge over the Atlantic - . Turn left just after the bridge, passing the Tigh-an-Truish inn, and continue for approximately ¼ mile to Clachan Seil, where Coireseileach is the second house on the right hand side.