This area is, of course, beloved of walkers, climbers and mountain bikers (as well as skiers in winter) and one of the joys of Laraichean is that you can walk straight out into the hills.

There are no less than forty two munros within easy distance of the house and the path to the Pap of Glencoe and the Aonach Eagach ridge starts more or less at the gate. For climbing in any weather, try the Ice Factor at Kinlochleven, where there are rock and ice walls and an excellent seafood restaurant just down the road.

Climbing, walking and biking aside, there can be few areas in Scotland with so much to offer in the way of things to see and do. On the way to Oban, there is the Sea Life Centre at Barcaldine and a lovely beach at Benderloch (Cuil Bay by Duror is even nearer).

There is riding at Lettershuna in Appin, where at low tide you can canter across the sands in the shadow of the iconic Castle Stalker, while Ballachulish has a good golf course, shops, and a hotel with bistro. Sailing, canoeing and canyoning are all to be enjoyed locally. This is after all in the heart of Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

To make the most of any stay, you will also want to do some touring, whether along the Road to the Isles from Fort William (14m) to Mallaig (there are magnificent silver sand beaches at Arisaig and Morar), or on to the Ardnamurchan peninsula via the Ardgour Ferry from Onich. From Fort William you can scale Ben Nevis, or head north east to Loch Ness.

From the house you can stroll through the woods to Glencoe village (with shop and PO) or in the other direction the famous Clachaig Inn is a mile and a half away. Ballachulish has a small supermarket, while major shopping can be done at Fort William.