Laudale Estate, Loch Sunart on the Morvern Peninsula

Reviewed by Susan Nickalls from Edinburgh

Arriving by seaplane at Laudale Estate has to be one of the most spectacular starts to a short break on the west coast. Our 30 minute flight from Glasgow airport took in Loch Lomond, passing alongside Ben Ime then over Loch Awe and the Connel Bridge with views to the Isle of Mull and the Cuillins on Skye in the distance. By road, this trip would take around three hours. Travelling by air is a great way to appreciate the beauty of Laudale before landing smoothly in Loch Sunart at the estate’s newly built boat house, a stunning venue in itself.

A few minutes’ drive away, standing in dazzling white majesty just yards from the water, is Laudale House built by John Campbell of Ardslignish in the late eighteenth century. The present owner, Jonathan Turner, has transformed the house into a stylish and comfortable retreat for parties or groups of up to 20 people. There are cosy fires lit and lots of places to unwind from the games room to the lounge or bar. There are 10 luxurious rooms, each with an en suite and breathtaking views to the loch and surrounding hills; all are sumptuously decorated to reflect a sporting theme such as Antler and Trigger. I am in Perch, which has fish-ribbed light-stands, a rod and fishing bag on the wall and even fish-shaped soap. The food, produced by the in-house cook, reflects the fresh bounty on the doorstep and we enjoyed delicious meals featuring local smoked salmon, crab and venison. It’s also possible to self-cater in the house’s well-equipped kitchen, complete with Aga, or in any of the six charming self-catering cottages.

This area of the Morven peninsular is teeming with wildlife; we saw deer grazing in front of the house at dusk, herons, goosanders, plovers, oyster catchers and shags. Frustratingly, the more exotic wildcats, pine martins and otters remained elusive during our trip. The estate has a team of ghillies and wildlife experts and boat trips can also be arranged. For keen stalkers there are over 800 head of deer on the 13,000-acre estate with the stag stalking season running from 1 July to 20 October. Even a few days in this area of stunning natural beauty is a relaxing life-enhancing escape from the hectic pace of daily life.

Prices from £20,000 a week for Laudale House, cottages from £495 a week