t: 01463 719219
e: enquiries@wildernesscottages.co.uk
e: enquiries@wildernesscottages.co.uk
The property has 2 bedrooms but will sleep 6 with the use of a sofa bed
This spacious apartment has ground floor access(ideal if you are bringing a pushchair) situated in the historic abbey at Fort Augustus on the shores of the southern tip of Loch Ness, 32 miles south of Inverness and 40 miles from Inverness airport. The accommodation is set over two floors (with access from the ground floor and 1st floor level) and occupies one of the oldest parts of the original fort, the armoury & powder rooms of the original military garrison of Fort Augustus, built by General Wade. There is some fascinating architecture in this apartment with complex vaulted ceiling shapes. Combine this with the many wonderful paintings on the walls throughout the apartment hung by the owners from their own Art Gallery and you have a unique self catering holiday apartment. Quite frankly you won't want to leave even for sightseeing! though you might tear yourself away to have a look for Nessie in nearby Loch Ness.
The accommodation is set over two floors with the downstairs floor being the two bedrooms and main bathroom From the external ground floor entrance, you enter the main sleeping area with two bedrooms and the bathroom. The spacious and stylish master bedroom has a super vaulted ceiling, and is en suite with roll top bath and real slate floors. (The master bedroom was orginally the armoury so does not have any windows.) The other bedroom has two single beds and though it is not en-suite the bathroom is immediately outside this bedroom.
Upstairs leads you to the living area where you find the open plan dining/sitting room. The separate kitchen is compact with quality furniture fittings and equipped to a high standard. You can also access the apartment at this 1st floor level via the Moat House main entrance.
The apartment has lovely paintings (prints) throughout supplied from the owners art gallery, many are from the Jack Vettriano collection.
Included in the price
We picked this because of the flexibility of the rental dates. The pictures on the website do not do it true justice. The accomodation was superb. The staff we met really made us welcome and the whole complex did not want for anything.
The Abbey is a stunning location for a holiday. WE particularly like the club lounge with it’s large selection of games. Moat House 1 was well equipped and made a lovely base to come ’home’ to after a busy day sightseeing. The welcome treats were very much appreciated.
We were a little disappointed that the 2 TVs in the bedrooms only seemed to work via the sky box upstairs in the living room (not mentioned in the ’blurb’ anywhere) or to watch DVDs. This caused some minor inconvenience as we were hoping to have a few lazy mornings while our 6 year watched TV in bed - this wasn’t achievable without first going upstairs and turning the sky box on (the box would automatically turn off after we went to bed) and setting it to CBBC! As I said a minor inconvenience.
Fort Augustus is lovely with a choice of great restaurants, it’s very pleasant on a good day to just sit and watch the boats going through the locks. You can also take boat trips on Loch Ness from Fort Augustus which give you a great view of the Abbey.
The area is beautiful with lots of great things to do on a day out. We didn’t have great weather but we weren’t lost for things to do and hope to return soon.
I cannot fault the Abbey or the location in the heart of Fort Augustus. The decor of Moat House 1 is of a high standard and the bedrooms and bathrooms a good size. However, the blurb does not mention that the beautiful master bedroom does not have any windows, nor does the master bathroom which you need to go through to access the bedroom. There is also no door between the master bedroom and bathroom. I personally cannot sleep in a bedroom without a window and we had to put our baby in the master and we moved to the twin. The lounge/dinner is quite small and whilst OK for 2 would be cramped with more. Because of the height of the ceilings, there are quite a number of stairs up the living area so although it is marketed as a ground floor flat and good for buggies, etc, in reality you spend the majority of time upstairs. If the master bedroom had only had a window it would be the best self-catering property we have ever stayed in.
Had a fantastic relaxing break at The Abbey 27 Feb - 4 March 2009. Apartment was fab with everything you would need to make it home from home. Plenty of hot water and a kitchen full of equipment it was just just as the brochure described with no hidden nasty surprises. We arrived a little later than planned but Mrs Canning the housekeeper was more than helpfull and in no rush to settle us in and run off. In fact after she had gone I discovered that we had been left fresh milk, shortbread biscuits and a bottle of wine welcoming us to the apartment. The booking procedure was easy and Corrine was great at explaining about the accomodation and the area. I would have no hesitation in recomending this apartment to anyone.
We had a lovely stay at Moat House 1 in November. The apartment is more spectaular then the images show. The master bath was wonderful and there was lots of space in the bedrooms.
The service has been of the highest standard. No 1 really feels like a home will all the necessities - perfect. The flowers and the welcome pack were very much appreciated - thank you for a lovely stay.
If you are bringing a small baby this apartment is ideal as you can gain access from the ground floor, you don't have to carry the buggy up the stairs!
We stayed four nights in this lovely apartment at the Abbey. The setting could not be more picturesque. There was plenty of space for ourselves and our granddaughter. We were very impressed with the standard of decor, the facilities and the spaciousness of the apartment. There were lovely touches, such as the bottle of wine, fresh flowers and shortbread waiting for us on our arrival. We had good weather and made trips to Inverness, Castle Urquhart and the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie. Fort Augustus was great, too. There always seemed to be something happening at the locks on the canal and there were good places to eat in the village.
Definitely worth a return visit.