Just beyond the Corran Narrows, where a ferry shuttles passengers to the Ardgour Peninsula all day, is the tiny hamlet of Achaphubuil – merely a blip on the map. A single track road along the shores of a sea loch, surrounded by mountains and ancient forest, leads to my Airbnb.
I came for a change of scenery, travelling from my own corner of the Highlands – mostly on a writer’s retreat, but also to watch the passing wildlife, the ships and drifting tides, the turn of light on the hills. And with beauty, privacy, and peace, it’s easy to see why this spot, where local industry and nature converge, has become a favoured destination for artists of all mediums. Paintings, photos, and ceramics made by past guests and Scottish artists adorn the walls and shelves, some incorporating local materials like clay and rocks.
The building itself has an interesting story to tell. It was once a primary school and ran as such from 1966 to 2010, before it was left derelict. Four years later, Highland-born artist Susie Brown and her partner, musician/producer Ziggy Campbell, bought the property and moved in.
“Our aim was to create a space that inspires art to be created, music to be made and thoughts to wander to good places,” the Airbnb listing says. Beautiful vintage furniture adds to its warmth. The table, for instance, came from Susie’s grandparents, and the chairs from a family friend. The bathroom mirror is an heirloom from her grandmother from the 1930’s gifted to the couple by Susie’s mother. “Everything’s all quite meaningful to us,” she explains.
