admin posted 8 years ago
Updated: 18 June 2022
Charlotte & Jamie Smith live in Fasnacloich, near Port Appin where they run St. Mary’s Space, a B&B with a creative work space for guests to use. Appin is only 17 miles north of Oban and is situated on a peninsula with Loch Linnhe lying to the west and Loch Creran to the south.
Me…..I’m a mud & mascara kind of girl!
We live with Molly our fabulous six year old daughter & a rescue cat named Blue. Oh & lots of bats in the belfry.
We are creative people who love art, music, walking, gardening, exploring, cooking, self-sufficiency & so on.
We took on a major move from Leicestershire, England to Appin, Scotland in May 2011, leaving our friends & family behind when our daughter was only six months old. We knew that we wanted a dramatic change of scenery & lifestyle & romantically fell in love with our church property in dire need of a makeover that we saw on the internet. We’ve always been drawn to the mountains on holidays, so it seemed a perfect place to live – & it is.
Our cosy & eclectic home
Cuil Bay, a long shingle and sand beach not far from us which is a popular spot for bird and wildlife watching. It is a beautiful and peaceful place with some fine coastal views across to the islands of Balnagowan, Shuna and Lismore. Always wonderfully blustery.
Beinn Sgulaird is a solitary Munro on our doorstep, rising steeply above upper Loch Creran. The upper slopes are rocky but the summit is best known as a fantastic viewpoint. On a clear day the 360 degree panorama of mountains, lochs, sea and islands is one of the finest in Scotland.
Glen Creran towering over Loch Creran on a picture perfect day
For me, autumn is the most beautiful time of year to visit Scotland, the landscapes are ablaze with autumnal colours, the skies have a wonderful purple and orange glow and the wildlife is thriving with activity. The stags roar, geese descend on us, seasonal produce is plentiful and there are fewer midges!
One of Scotland’s most romantic ruined castles, the much-photographed Castle Stalker, a four-story tower house or keep picturesquely set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe.
Regularly watching otters play in the river, stags rutting & buzzards flying over the house.
The single track road to Port Appin lying on the coast of Appin just north of Loch Creran, Port Appin is a pretty little fishing village on a peaceful secluded peninsula. It is a lovely wee drive.
I am lucky enough to say the ever changing tidal river mountain view from our house.
Our view – as if not incredible enough – enhanced by a magnificent pink sunset
The Old Inn, Portnacroish. A rustic old Inn perfectly resurrected after 325 years.
Thanks to Charlotte for sharing her local tips on things to do in the Port Appin area. The scenery looks beautiful around Port Appin and I love the way they’ve decorated their home. It looks like a really special and unique place.
St Mary’s is our family home and multi-use art work space with a guest room. You can find out more in our directory listing for St Mary’s Space.
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