Picture-Postcard is Understatement!

Portnahaven is Islay's best kept secret. And the Anchorage is Portnahaven's. This modernised 200 year old 2 storey cottage has views over the bay, to the islands and open sea. Watch the sun set from the conservatory and you'll never want to go home! The space Portnahaven is Islay's best kept secret. A handful of cottages huddled around a quaint wee sandy bay, where fishing boats moor and seals bask on the rocks. It's your perfect base from which to explore Islay's wealth of beaches, wildlife and distilleries. The Anchorage itself is set in a picture-postcard spot. Indeed it takes centre stage in many an Islay postcard! We reckon the house is around 200 years old and has been in my family for about a quarter of that. It is called the Anchorage because it is the last house in the village before you come to the boatyard and pier; where you can buy crab and lobster fresh off the boat if you speak nicely to the fishermen. During its lifetime, it has been used as a school and the local headmaster's house but to me The Anchorage is just the most beautiful place in the world. The house has a twin bedroom and a master with ensuite upstairs, a double downstairs. The bathroom has an electric shower and underfloor heating. The big newly-fitted dining country kitchen has an electric hob and a big old table for family feasts. The living room has a real fire that you can throw some wood on after a hard day's walking (or whisky tasting!). The conservatory has open and breathtaking views of the lighthouse island (where an ancestor of mine, the Clan MacKay chief is buried). In simpler times, my uncle Malcolm used to swim his cattle across to graze on the island. Take a walk round the coast to the east past Finlay's rock (named for my cousin who capsized there whilst canoeing with my dad one summer!) and explore the pebble beach at Claddach or have a barbecue at Curry Sands. A stroll to the west will bring you past the well where my gran used to send me to get drinking water as a kid (don't worry though, the tap water is long since potable!). You've not walked far by this point but I recommend you stop at Burnside Lodge for awesome coffee and homemade cake all the same. This comes with the (pretty safe) guarantee that if you don't see a seal then your coffee is on the house! Once you're done here you can walk off that cake on the little coastal trail and then complete the circuit through Port Wemyss and back into Portnahaven. Back at the Anchorage grab a chair in the garden or settle yourself in the conservatory to watch the sun set spectacularly into the Atlantic, over a relaxing game of Scrabble. If you're not inclined to cook dinner then why not stroll across the bay and try the fresh crab claw salad at An Tigh Seinnse or venture a bit further afield to the Lochindaal Hotel in Port Charlotte to sample their famous seafood platter. Part of Portnahaven's charm is that there's not much there but you can pick up most daily needs in the local post office and general store at the head of the bay. For many years the Anchorage was a haven from technology, however we have recently relented somewhat and installed such newfangled luxuries such as a telephone, colour television and Wi-Fi broadband. There's also double glazing, electric heating, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble drier. Parking for 2 or 3 cars right outside the front door. When I read her this description, Mum cried all the way through; "they won't want to leave" she sobbed. She's right, so be sure to book that extra night (or seven!). EPC rating: G Guest access Everything! Other things to note Check in / out times may be flexible if no other guests are arriving soon - just ask!