A bonnie place to Coll home
Secluded island paradise banishes all thoughts of the rush hour blues
EILEEN STRANGE visited Arinthluic house on the Isle of Coll 12 years ago, but had no intention of staying.
“Not in a million years,” she smiled.
“I didn’t want to move to Scotland.
“But then my husband and I walked over the hill and saw the view.”
Suddenly, she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else and they relocated from Northamptonshire to begin an island life.
The three-bedroom Arinthluic boasts one of the most beautiful settings in the UK and on its doorstep, quite literally, is a stunning white sand beach.
“We came up to look at the house after seeing it in a newspaper article,” Eileen explained.
“It’s an incredible place. We spent a lot of our lives sitting at the table just on the edge of the beach, looking out to the sea.”
Eileen moved here 12 years ago.
Her husband, who sadly died three years ago, sold his business and she gave up her university job, both agreeing there was more to life than sitting in rush hour traffic every day.
She hasn’t regretted it for a moment.
“We only have 200 people on the island but there is a good community spirit.
“It’s a very creative place, which I enjoy, because I’m an artist.”
The 1940s-built property’s ground floor consists of a kitchen and dining room with AEG cooker, white goods, Franke double sink and multi-fuel burning stove, a utility room, bathroom, conservatory and the second and third bathrooms.
Upstairs has a sitting room with exposed stone walls and multi-fuel burning stove, enjoying views to the sea and garden, while the master bedroom also takes advantage of the stunning vista.
In addition, there is a family bathroom on this floor.
The house sits in a fenced garden and the land extends to 48 acres, containing a derelict stone cottage and various sheds and outbuildings.
Eileen continued: “It’s lovely to sit at the dining room table and watch the dolphins from my window. It’s also possible to view basking sharks, whales and seals.
“It’s beautiful in the summer but the winter
storms are wonderful, too. I love watching the waves lapping up from inside the warmth of the house, although sometimes I put on a rain jacket and go out for a walk in it.”
Describing the number of grandchildren she has as “loads”, she said the youngsters love visiting Arinthluic to explore the beach, climb the rocks and take the boat out. But after 12 years, Eileen will leave this quiet paradise behind to return to England and be closer to her family.
They live in the south and Eileen imagines she will return to city life, something that will take a little getting used to after the glorious sights of Coll.
“I will be sad to leave the house behind, but it’s the right time to move,” she added.
“It’s time for the next person to enjoy this place, just like I have.”
The house is on the market through Bell Ingram for offers over £375,000.