Island escapes have always been popular. Some people prefer them to be simply an extension of the mainland, with all facilities and conveniences. Others like to get completely away from it all, living for a week without shops, roads, cars and the other intrusive trappings of modern living.

Sometimes, however, you can have the best of both worlds and the island of Lismore, where Achuaran House is situated, is surely one of these! Easily accessed either by a short car ferry crossing from Oban or an even shorter foot ferry from Port Appin, about 20 miles further up the west coast, it has one wee road which runs the length of the island.

The house has a lovely situation just a kilometer from the foot ferry pier, flanked by woodland to the rear and with wonderful views across the water to the mainland on the other side.

Inside, Achuaran is spacious and comfortable, in a traditional, homely, farmhouse style, where families of all ages can relax and enjoy the lovely surroundings. It would have been one of the principal houses on the island and this is reflected in such features as the fine cornicing in the sitting room, where a large bay window makes the most of the view and the welcoming fire in the original Victorian fireplace.

The dining room too, with its quality antique furniture and large windows harks backs to the convivial elegance of times past. The kitchen is very much in typical farmhouse style, spacious, practical and with adjoining utility and laundry rooms in what would probably once have been sculleries and the pantry. The bedrooms upstairs are uniformly large and attractively furnished.

Achuaran is surrounded by a sloping grass garden, with woodland to the side and rear extending to two acres and enclosed by a low wall. The shore is just across the quiet, single track road from the house. Parents will delight in the fact that children can play, cycle and explore in safety (always remembering that the water is close by). There is secure storage for cycles, for the island is fairly level and cycling is an excellent way of getting around. There is also cycle hire on Lismore itself. You can fish for mackerel off the rocks, or explore the raised coastline and cliffs.