Ardgour, Fort William, Highland, PH33

A restored country house, luxury holiday cottage and renowned gardens, close to the shores of Loch Linnhe, with views of Glencoe & Ben Nevis on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

Meaning 'the Height of the Oak' in Gaelic, Ard Daraich is a restored period country house dating back to 1919 with 1929 alterations and is adjacent to the shores of Loch Linnhe opposite Glencoe. It is the former home of Constance Spry, society florist and cook who invented Coronation Chicken for the Queen’s coronation in 1953. It has been in the current ownership since 1970. Accessed off the main road (A861) via a minor country road, the property has a gated entrance with a gravelled parking area to the side. Constructed of stone and brick, harled and painted pink beneath a pitched slate roof, the property’s interior has been updated over the years, retaining many period features. Interiors include the dining room with panelled walls and ceiling, bay window, terracotta tiled floors with underfloor central heating and folding doors leading through to the kitchen with an AGA. There is an elegant drawing room with double aspect windows and a Clearview wood burning stove. The property boasts four double bedrooms on the first floor together with two bathrooms. The full accommodation is shown on the adjacent floor plan.

Situated in the garden, Ard Daraich Garden Studio is a comfortable holiday cottage. Converted by the current owners and benefiting from underfloor oil fired heating and a wood burner, the living space is open plan with a spacious dining kitchen and sitting room. French doors open onto a small, self contained garden and terrace, looking towards the River Gour and on to Ben Nevis. Upstairs there is a king sized bedroom and an en suite bathroom.

Also within the garden, there is a home office and artists studio with wifi and a wood burning stove. There is a useful three bay general purpose barn for garden equipment and storage, with space for a ping pong table.

The gardens and policies at Ard Daraich are a standout feature, carefully curated and maintained by the current owners to provide abundant colour throughout the spring, summer and autumn months. Extending to 6.40 acres, the grounds include formal gardens which surround the house and cottage with raised beds, planted borders, a polytunnel and areas of mature woodland. Run for 30 years as a plantsman’s nursery, the collection has evolved into one of national interest and until recently has been open to the public. Steps lead through open woodland to an area of heather clad hillside interspersed with vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas. The hill ground features a network of paths, vantage points and peaceful seating. There are spectacular views overlooking Loch Linnhe, Glencoe and Ben Nevis.

Ard Daraich sits in a private rural setting on the Ardmurchan Peninsula, with views from the grounds over Loch Linnhe towards Ben Nevis and Glencoe. Local amenities in the settlement of Clovullin and North Corran, 2.5 miles away, include a hotel and a primary school. Strontian is 12 miles away and has all the benefits you could wish for, including a shop, post office, pub, highly acclaimed secondary school, doctor’s surgery, fire brigade and paramedics. Fort William, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, has a wide range of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, hospital (The Belford), medical and other services, a library and sports centre. The Ardgour ferry terminal at Corran Ferry is just a five minute drive away and provides swift access to Fort William, Oban (39 miles), Glasgow (102 miles) and Edinburgh (133 miles). The countryside surrounding Ard Daraich is amongst the most spectacular scenery in Scotland, offering a fantastic base for exploring the peninsula and a great variety of outdoor activities. Fishing, sailing, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing and whale watching are all available nearby. As well as an outstanding coastline, the area is home to an abundance of wildlife, including otters, seals, porpoises, deer, and golden and white tailed eagles. Stalking, fishing and shooting are all available to rent on nearby estates. Fort William has a daily train service to Glasgow as well as a sleeper service to London Euston. Both Inverness Airport (87 miles) and Glasgow Airport (93 miles) provide flights to London and a range of national and international destinations.