SET on the banks of Loch Ness right next to the Dores Inn, the location of Cameron Cottage could not be more perfect.
The cottage is situated almost on the corner of the loch. The views are breathtaking and take in its whole length.
The cottage is not off the beaten track and, although it's only seven miles from the Highland capital, surprisingly it does make you feel as though you are in the heart of the countryside.
Being on the less touristy side of the loch was also a bonus in itself and in fact the views from this side are more stunning than the more touristy route on the A82.
The cottage itself is basic, but comfortable.
I travelled with a colleague and with us we had our two boys, both aged two. It was a blessing for us that the cottage was not super trendy or immaculate, as I think we would have spent our weekend worrying the boys were going to break or mark something.
This cottage is ideal for families. Those looking for a sumptuous romantic break might want to choose something else or something a little more hi-spec. Whilst there is a log fire, it is not plush. The bathroom is sparse and all the rooms are basic.
That said, the guest book was filled with a journal of a couple who used it for honeymooning and they seemed to have a blast.
The kitchen has everything you would need and comes complete with dishwasher. Attached to the kitchen is a reasonably large dining area, which again takes in the stunning views across the lochs.
It has two twin rooms and a double. I bagged the double and despite choosing to share it with a fidgety two-year-old, I have to say it was the most comfy bed I have slept in. A good night's sleep, followed by the stunning views of the loch from our bedroom in the morning, made for a truly wonderful way to wake up.
However, there are a couple of niggles. For starters, we could not access the cottage through the front door. Not a big deal, I suppose, but the door was a little overgrown. There also didn't appear to be any way to open the front door, which made me wonder about the safety aspect, especially with young children in tow.
The cottage was also a little dusty and there were lots of cobwebs, not something that bothered me all that much, and in fact I think it added to its charm, but my travelling partner has a fear of spiders and it didn't do much to quell them.
That said, the bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms were immaculate, with lovely sumptuous duvets and throws.
But finally, and this may be me just being a bit pernickety about these things, I also had issue with the fire.
When we arrived there were no kindlers and no paper to light it. I am a dab hand at lighting fires, but I am not so good without the necessary tools to do so. It would have been nice if the fire had already been set, or at the very least some paper and kindlers had been left for us.
That said, these minor issues would not put me off going back to Cameron Cottage. As I said earlier, it is ideal for a family or group wanting to use it as a base to tour the loch and rest of the region. CD
FACT FILE
Location: Seven miles from Inverness next to the Dores Inn.
Price: We stayed in March. Based on 2010 prices, the cost per week between January 5 and March 19 was 410. For peak season between June 26 and August 27, a week costs 630.
Activities: Meal at the Dores Inn is a must, as is a drive round the Loch. There are lots of Nessie-related activities on the other side of the loch and it is just a wee drive into the Highland capital. Website www.visitlochness.com has a full guide to what's on.
How to book: Visit www.lochnessselfcatering.co.uk/
