Artist's studio Port Charlotte

This is an artist's studio turned over to guests. The decor is neat and simple. Situated in a quiet private spot and overlooking the sea, the studio provides guests with total independence and has basic facilities for cooking. The village is a heritage site and has good places to eat out plus a local shop/post office/petrol pump. It is also a stop on the local bus route. Bikes are for hire nearby. The accommodation is set on three levels: above at seaward end is a double bedroom with steps leading down to a mezzanine gallery running the length of the studio to a single bed alcove at far end. Ground level: shower room and the studio area beneath mezzanine gallery, which has sofa and comfy chair for relaxing, and kitchen with large patio door overlooking sea. At the kitchen end of studio, there is a shelf with artist's utilities - not meant for guests' use. A small garden is outside and there are folding lounge chairs available for sitting out. The kitchen contains basic equipment, with a fridge, and has an electric stove with hot plates and a microwave but no oven. There is no wi-fi on location but proprietor or nearby hotel can provide access to wi-fi. Access is easy and there is parking for one car. To reach the studio from Port Askaig [or Port Ellen] drive as far as Bridgend, then take right [left] turn and drive further eight miles to Port Charlotte. In Port Charlotte take a left turn at the PC Hotel, downhill then along Shore Street with sea on your left. At end of Shore Street do NOT turn right up the hill but take the little road just across the way. My house is third on left with rust-red door, and the studio is half way up the hill before reaching the main road. NOTE THAT IN PORT ASKAIG the reception for internet or mobile is very poor. I am more than willing to help in any way I can like provide bus time-tables or a map of Islay and can definitely recommend the best walks and beaches depending on the direction of any wind. The studio is situated in the heritage village of Port Charlotte. It is one of the prettiest villages on the west coast with stone-built white-washed houses most of which date from the 1830's when the village was founded in response to the need for housing during the clearances. There is an excellent Museum of Islay Life with a library of unique books on Islay and surroundings, as well as display of artefacts used in the olden days. There is also a Field Centre for Natural History and during the summer months, they organise family excursions to nearby sites like the rock pools at low tide. Islay offers amazing variety of activity including visits to eight different distilleries, to the RSPB where you can have guided bird tours, to the golf course, to riding, to sea fishing and even visits to the famous Corryvrechan Whirlpool at the north end of Jura (book ahead of time!). The beaches on the west coast of Islay are totally unspoiled - not all of them provide safe swimming, but some do, so please take advice about this! You can get buses to the town of Bowmore and over to the east side of the island twice a day (with suitable return journeys). The main shopping centre is Bowmore but the local shop in Port Charlotte (just a stone's throw from the studio) provides plenty of the basics, including freshly baked rolls every day in the summer season. It is important that guests understand there is no wi-fi provided though I can certainly help out with access to my home wi-fi when needed. If you come by car, you should book your ferry crossing early with (Website hidden by Airbnb) The summer months crossings especially can get booked out.