Sky Lodge - sleeps 16
Sky Lodge in Fort William, Highlands sleeps 16 people. If you are looking for a large holiday house in the Outdoor Capital of Scotland, then this beautiful lodge with clear views of Ben Nevis is ideal. Great lodge, great location.
A hugely popular private mansion, commonly referred to by the Scottish as a ‘Fishing Lodge', this spacious, holiday home can very comfortably accommodate three or four families. Built in 1870 for landed gentry wishing to fish the River Lochy, over the century this old family home has welcomed guests from all walks of life, including royalty. Edward & Mrs Simpson enjoyed some respite on this private estate far from the public eye in 1935.
Several years ago this large holiday home undertook a fairly major renovation and restoration programme, the photos of which are on display for guests in a leather bound album on the hall table. It's a tribute to the current family the amount of work put into these improvements, though with a property of this size and calibre, maintenance is an ongoing project. This Victorian Grand Dame was thus transformed into a bright, modern holiday home meeting the needs of the 21st Century traveller without losing the charm of its historic roots.
The property remains to all intents and purposes a fishing lodge, insofar as groups continue to take a beat on the River Lochy in pursuit of salmon and trout. However, its location has become just as attractive to other groups looking to enjoy a general holiday on the West Coast for walking and other activities.
Overall this property is a charming, spacious, nicely furnished holiday home. Smart where it counts, less so where it doesn't. It has a comfortable, relaxed feel and would be perfect for three generational families or groups of friends looking for a bit of 'space' to unwind and enjoy each others company both indoors and out.
LAYOUT
Ground Floor
- Sitting Room with open fire and TV
- Drawing Room with open fire
- Morning Room with open fire
- Dining Room with open fire
- Study with open fire and TV, desk and Wi-Fi hub
- Dogs room with sink
- Large conservatory porch with drying cupboards
- Butlers pantry equipped with sink, dishwasher, fridge for drinks, wine racks and cupboards for china
- Kitchen equipped with four-oven electric Aga and two warming ovens, large fridge and dishwasher
- Large walk-in larder
- Scullery and wash room with tumble drier, washing machine and deep freeze
- WC
First Floor
- Seven bedrooms, three with en suite bathrooms as follows:
- Bedroom One with twin beds
- Bedroom Two with double bed and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom Three with twin beds and basin
- Bedroom Four with double bed and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom Five with Jacobean four poster double bed and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom Six with twin beds
- Bedroom Seven with twin beds
- Two further bathrooms
DESCRIPTION
Bedrooms
- 4 Twin Bedroom/s With Shared Bathroom
- 1 Four Poster Double Bedroom/s En suite
- 2 Double Room/s With En suite Bathroom
The bedrooms are all located on the first floor, accessed via two staircases, front and back. The majority of bedrooms run off one long, wide corridor with the 4 master bedrooms running the front of the house - all facing lovely views of the river Lochy and hills beyond. All bedrooms are spacious, but the master bedroom with the four poster bed is particularly comfortable along with a decent sized en suite bathroom. Two of the twin bedrooms at the back of the house share a small bathroom. These bedrooms are closest to the back staircase and kitchen below.
Accommodation is provided for a group of 14 adults (+ 2 children) in 7 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms, as follows:
First floor (sleeps 14)
Bed 1, Twin room
Bed 2, King size double with en-suite bathroom, with bath with shower over, WC and wash hand basin
Bed 3, Twin room, bathroom, with bath with shower attachment, WC and wash hand basin
Bed 4, King size double with en-suite bathroom, with bath with shower over, WC and wash hand basin
Bed 5, Four poster double bed with en-suite bathroom, with bath, shower cabinet, WC, bidet and wash hand basin
Bed 6, Twin room; bathroom, with bath only, WC and wash hand basin
Bed 7, Twin room
Temporary Beds (sleeps 2 children)
There are 2 folding beds available for the + 2 children. If you think you're going to need them please request the extra beds as they're kept in storage and will need to be brought out in advance, set up and made. These are fold out beds and only suitable for children aged 12 and under. Adults are not permitted to sleep on them. We ask you respect this request as it does matter that they are used appropriately.
Living Space
The Porch
The first impression you have walking into the main porch (which tends to be the main point of access into the house) is how well-proportioned the rooms feel. Even the porch was clearly designed with outdoor pursuits in mind. Rows of hooks for coats and hats. Plenty of space underneath for boots and walking shoes. A very large basket for storing logs, sensibly housed inside to keep dry. And chairs to ease weary legs, whilst unlacing hiking gear.
Primary sitting room & TV room
A big plus for this property are the number of reception rooms it has. You’ve three main ones to choose from, all large with comfortable sofas and armchairs. The primary reception room is more of a classic drawing room with three large sofas, an open fire, prints of hunting scenes and bay window overlooking the hills. Additionally there’s a TV room with two deep sofas and an armchair. This room tends to be a popular hang-out with the children in the early evenings when the grown-up’s retire to the drawing room for pre-dinner drinks.
Secondary sitting room
The secondary sitting room is very pleasant with two good sofas, an open fire, a round card table, library of books and bay windows overlooking the hills. This is accessed via the side entrance (porch) which tends to be the main route into the house most people choose.
Entrances
There are several entrances into the property, the principle ones you’re likely to use as a group would be the one via the porch leading into the secondary sitting room. The ‘front door’ leading in from the main terrace and the back door beside the kitchen. Wet dogs tend to come in via the back door and straight into the boiler room, kitchen & pantry. The backdoor leads into a small corridor, with the kitchen, scullery & larder on the right and a small study (with TV) on the left.
Dining room
The traditional dining room on the front-facing corner of the lodge is furnished traditionally in deep red with Scottish scenes adorning the walls and large antique furniture and mahogany dining table befitting a property of this style. The bay windows provide the room with plenty of light during the day as well as access to the vast slate terrace through the French windows. It’s a reasonable distance from the main kitchen (common in properties of this era) so plenty of crockery & glassware is stored in a galley kitchen (formerly the Butler’s Pantry) in the hall opposite the drawing room.
Kitchen(s) & Pantry(s)
The kitchen is well equipped and furnished very much in keeping with the rest of the property. A beautiful old pine table seating 8 sits in the centre of the room on worn yet warm cork tile floor. The double oven electric aga (2 hobs, 2 ovens, 2 warming ovens) keeps the room beautifully warm across all seasons.
Storage will not be an issue with a large walk in larder with stone floor and slate shelves; a lovely relic of pre-refrigeration. Additionally there’s a large laundry room with double Belfast sink, fridge, upright freezer plus another large chest freezer. A washing machine, ironing board and cleaning equipment is kept in this room.
There's a second kitchen along the hall, almost immediately opposite the drawing room. This small kitchen is equipped with a sink, fridge and dishwasher and tends to be the spot most guests store and prepare drinks & cocktails.
Other rooms
There’s also a downstairs lavatory. Additionally, there is a boiler room, with large sink, which makes an ideal drying room.
Facilities
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Tumble dryer
- Central heating
- Cot
- High chair
- Wifi
- Microwave
- Garden furniture
- DVD player
- TV
Features
- Aga
- Fire/woodburner
- Four poster bed
Grounds
The Terrace/Gardens
The slate terrace has withstood the test of time and suffers a little from neglect (albeit romantically). The less nimble or partially sighted would need to be particularly careful of its uneven surface. Guests can access the terrace through the French doors leading off the dining room and drawing room as well as the front door.
It's enclosed by a low stone wall high enough to keep small to medium dogs contained (as long as they’re not partial to jumping). A wooden bench, table and chairs provide seating for a few (not all guests) on sunny days. It’s a very picturesque spot and quiet. There's no garden as such although plenty of grassy areas surrounding the house in the form of open land and paddocks to stretch the legs or for games of hide and seek.
Property Details
Sleeps 16 people | 7 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | Wi-Fi/Internet | DVD | Working Fireplace | Heating
![The living room at Sky Lodge in Highlands](https://cottage-second.images.holiday/living-room-sky-lodge-highlands.jpg)
The living room at Sky Lodge in Highlands
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