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Cottages sleeping 1 - 9 people

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The Stoer Peninsula, Assynt, really is a great place for getting out and enjoying a variety of activities and also for relaxing in the natural beauty of the far north-west. Meall Dubh has fine views of some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastal and mountain scenery in Britain; the panoramic view from the living room, kitchen and bedrooms takes in the impressive peaks of Canisp, Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag and Stac Pollaidh, and the sea.

The coastline is varied, with stunning cliffs and several beaches. In less than 5 minutes' walk from the cottage you are on Raffin's own rocky beach, with small exposures of sand at low tide. You can walk and scramble over the rocks and boulders almost the whole mile to the lighthouse or go south towards Balchladich. Four sandy beaches are found within a very short drive: Culkein or Clachtoll (7 mins), Clashnessie (10 mins) or the spectacular Achmelvich (15 mins). Both Clachtoll and Achmelvich are popular for swimming, canoeing and windsurfing and Achmelvich has wonderful rock pools at low tide. A day out could take you further north to Oldshoremore or even Sandwood Bay, both extensive expanses of north Scotlands famous white sand. Several of the beaches have ranger huts with information about what you might expect to see in the vicinity.

Walking is popular in the area with routes of all grades. The Rangers organise 'interest' walks of varying difficulty if you wish to join a group. Alternatively, you could wander along the award winning 'All Abilities' path near Lochinver, or down the road a mile from the cottage to the Stoer Lighthouse, or along one of the many beaches or coastal paths in the area. A bit more energetic would be the Lochinver Loop, Culag Woods or a walk, again from the cottage, to see the famous Old Man of Stoer sea stack. There's a lovely 9 mile walk around the Stoer Peninsula, and then, for the even more adventurous, there are the mountains you can see from the cottage, approximately 40 minutes drive away.

If you're interested in natural history, it's worth calling at the Visitor Centre in Lochinver for information. The Wildlife Rangers organise lots of activities, often family friendly, such as whale and dolphin spotting, seeking out golden eagles and sea otters, rock pooling and learning about the unique geology of the area. There's a sand sculpture fun competition for the artistically gifted too. Alternatively, you can wander around bird-watching and sea-gazing, perhaps take a trip to the bird sanctuary of Handa Island or a walk to see the seals on Oldany Island. The area also has several small historical sights, such as the ancient broch and the salmon fishing cottage at Clachtoll, the old mill at Alltan na Bradhan and relics of WWII near the lighthouse.

For those interested in fishing, there are freshwater lochs and rivers, or sea fishing. If you enjoy a boat trip, you can go from Kylesku to visit the highest waterfall in Britain, viewing seals on the way, and have a great lunch or supper afterwards at the Kylesku Hotel. Longer sea trips are available from Ullapool, an hour away.

Lochinver is the nearest town, at 20 minutes drive. It has a range of amenities including shops, a bank, a pub, a restaurant and a small leisure centre and it hosts the local Highland Games in early August. Twenty minutes in the other direction will take you to Drumbeg, with its pub, shop and tea room. Ullapool has a wide range of shops, including a supermarket, pubs, tea shops and restaurants, as well as a swimming pool.