A Scottish island - the perfect holiday escape

Accommodation:

After extensive renovations Torsa Island Farmhouse is very well insulated with three bedrooms: one large double bedroom, one large twin bedroom and a smaller bunk room, with all beds made up for your arrival.

The upstairs family bathroom has a bath with overhead shower and towels are provided for your convenience. Downstairs there is a large shower room. There is a large sitting room with a log burner, TV and DVD, books and games and wonderful southerly views. The large fully equipped kitchen has a dining table with seating for six. It has its original range still in place but this is now for decoration only - there is a modern cooker provided!

The farmhouse benefits from a large conservatory enjoying fabulous sea views to the south overlooking Loch Melfort and the island of Shuna. There is also a utility room with sink, washing machine and tumble drier.

Heating is provided by night storage and convector heaters which are situated throughout house.

There is a private spring water supply and a large walled garden of approximately half an acre around the house that is secure for dogs and children.

Directions:

Torsa is just 15 miles south of Oban. Turn off the A816 eight miles south of Oban onto the B844, signposted 'Luing Ferry'.

After crossing the famous Bridge over the Atlantic onto the Isle of Seil, follow the signs for Cuan Ferry/Isle of Luing. Take the 3 minute ferry crossing over to Luing and then drive for 1 mile to Ardnamir Bay to cross over to Torsa Island.

Visiting Torsa Island Farmhouse - Personal holiday tips from the owners

Take a Wildlife boat trip to the Corryvreckan whirpool from neighbouring Seil Island

Visit the Atlantic Islands Centre and Cafe in Cullipool on Luing

Explore Torsa and find the horseshoe tree and Castle of the Dogs

Walk along the Crinan Canal to the picturesque harbour

Walk about Oban and enjoy the shops and restaurants

Have a drink in the 16th Century Tigh an Truish Pub at the Bridge over the Atlantic

Take the wee passenger ferry to nearby Easdale Island

Learn about the Slate Islands at the local museums

Stay on Torsa and relax on your own island

Recent Trip Advisor review - 5/5

Torsa is the perfect private island for those who love the unspoilt beauty of Scotland’s west coast.

Torsa Farmhouse is very well equipped and furnished – squeaky clean with fluffy white towels and bright white bed linen. We arrived with very little food – the car was full with wetsuits and walking, snorkelling and kayaking gear. The lack of supplies wasn’t a problem. We had an excellent dinner of local langoustines at The Atlantic Centre at Cullipool (Saturdays only at present). The Oyster Brewery Bar in Ellenabeich was also well worth a visit – excellent beer and again, superb seafood. The shop on Luing (limited opening hours) sells essentials, local fresh food, beer, wine and wonderful bread, baked on the island. There is a bigger store at Balvicar on the Isle of Seil, also selling fresh bread and pastries baked in store. In all of these places, we were given a very warm welcome. A little plea - support local businesses!

We spent hours exploring Torsa, which has a variety of terrains and feels much bigger than its 0.44 square miles. Wildflowers are in abundance, including beautiful marsh orchids, ragged robin and yellow flag iris. We saw over 30 species of birds, more than 10 of those within the walled garden. Swallows and house martins were nesting in the eaves, and provided flying displays whilst we had breakfast, overlooking Loch Melfort. Around low tide, it’s possible to walk round the island at sea level, if you don’t mind a bit of scrambling. The east side has particularly clear water and was perfect for snorkelling. From high points on the island we watched glorious sunsets over Mull and then waited patiently by the rocky shoreline to see otters. We were not disappointed - on five evenings we saw a pair of otters playing in the sound and another that stayed by the rocky shore just metres away from us. The handsome Luing cattle are good weather indicators – if they’re paddling in Ardanamir Bay in the morning, it’s going to be warm.

We were very lucky with the weather – five warm, balmy days when we were outside all the time. When Storm Hector arrived, we were warm and cosy in front of the log burning stove. The RIB ‘Cutty’ behaved perfectly all week and enabled us to shadow the sea kayakers in our party as far as the Bridge over the Atlantic. The Gator buggy was extremely useful and gave no problems.

It would be easy to stay on the island for your whole stay – the stunning surroundings and ever-changing light makes it a photographer’s paradise. We went a bit further afield and did circular walks on Luing and the Isle of Seil. We also did a 5 hour wildlife and whale search via the Gulf of Corryvreckan, with Sealife Adventures on Seil. Please see separate 5* review. Yes, we saw a whale breaching.

Torsa is a truly beautiful, tranquil place but its rough terrain is boggy in places and has some steep drops. You will need wellies , sturdy footwear and (probably) full waterproofs. You might get splattered with cow poo if the person driving the Gator buggy doesn’t look where they’re going but so what? Lots of adventures to be had, not least reversing off the three-car Cuan ferry …..

Booking and communication with Mike was efficient and easy. Thanks to him and Jenn for their warm welcome at the Cuan ferry and all their helpful advice.

AND

Fantastic weeks holiday on our own island!

Our family of 2 adults, 2 children (aged 8 and 10) and 1 dog (aged 3) have just returned from an amazing week on the island of Torsa. Helped in part by the best weather Scotland has seen in years we had a fantastic time walking round the island, cruising round the mill pond calm sea lochs in Cutty or just relaxing in the conservatory with it’s incredible views.

Everything was exactly as advertised; lovely spacious house equipped with everything you will need for your holiday including all kitchen equipment, bedding, towels, washing up liquid, bin bags, loo roll etc, etc. Aside from your food and drink you don’t need to take any other supplies with you. The lounge was well stocked with books, games and local information leaflets, as well as TV and DVDS but to be honest we spent most of our evenings on the beach or just sitting in the conservatory enjoying the sunshine till 10 at night!

The EGator worked perfectly the whole holiday as did the boat which gives you an amazing amount of freedom to visit all the nearby islands in search of wildlife or spooky deserted castles if you go to Shuna! The lane down to the parking area on Luing is a little pot-holed but perfectly driveable and there was no sign of any overgrown hedges as mentioned in a previous review.

Not a lot else to say really. The peace and tranquillity of the island is amazing but with the boat you have ability to visit the small shop on Luing or the mainland should you wish.

Highly recommended and compared to other Scottish Island holidays its very good value for money.