Puffin - The Haven

Oban is the jumping-off point for Scotland's islands, and Puffin – The Haven sits within walking distance of the ferries that leave hourly for Kerrera and beyond. The lodge itself is a detached property on three acres of grounds, with parking for two cars and space to breathe between you and other visitors on the site. Everything you need is on the ground floor: a living room with TV, an open-plan kitchen and dining area with a full range of appliances, two bedrooms (one with a double bed, one with two singles), and a shower room plus a separate toilet. Bed linen, towels, wi-fi and electricity are included, and a wood burner keeps things warm.

For anyone drawn to water, the location is hard to beat. A dive centre opposite offers scuba, snorkelling and paddleboard hire. Sea angling is available within yards. Ferry services run to Mull and Islay, and local walks include an Iron Age fort and a drovers' path that heads into Oban itself. The site has a spring water supply, and there is an unfenced loch in the grounds 100 yards away. Smoking is not permitted. The property takes couples and families only.