The beauty of Loch Ness is understated. I'd been there before and loved it. But LIVING ON IT? It was incredible. While in Inverness, Scotland, for a week, we wanted to rent a home that was on the water. Not too difficult? Well, we also needed internet, handicap accessibility as much as possible, and room to play. We found all that - and more - at the Cottage at Inverfarigaig, through HomeAway Holiday Rentals.

Loch Ness on a rainy day, from our beach

The Cottage at Inverfarigaig

Inverfarigaig is only 20 minutes west of Inverness, on a gorgeous winding road. While you're headed that way, you'll be treated to extraordinary views of rainbows, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. But don't let your eyes get tired - you'll see so much beauty from your own front yard! The Cottage at Inverfarigaig is a perfect haven of tranquility, as amply evidenced by the many glowing entries in the guest book (it also seems that everyone - including us - wants to be next in line to purchase it in case the owners ever decide to sell). We had interviewed the owners before we left, and could not WAIT to stay.

Scottish Thistle, in the yard

Scottish Sheep, Loch Ness

Did it live up to our expectations? All that and more.

Let me paint a picture...

Driving down a winding road along Loch Ness at dusk, Urquhart Castle lit up and reflecting on the lake.

Urquhart Castle in the mist

Taking a turn at Inverfarigaig, and heading down a very narrow (one car!) lane. Near the end, turning into our driveway, at The Cottage.

Loch Ness from the top of the steps down

There's a sign on The Cottage, saying The Cottage. It cracked us up, and made us hurry in. You open the glass door to the conservatory. From here you can see the Loch, birds, gorgeous trees, mist galore (and this is truly where you will spend most of your time, watching for unexplained wave patterns).  Enter another door into the house proper. Straight ahead are stairs, beautiful curving stairs that lead up to a beautiful bedroom with a view that can't be missed.

View from the upstairs window

To the left, and up one step (I mentioned pretty handicap accessible) is the bathroom with a HOT shower (plenty of water!) and washing machine. Further on, a huge sunny bedroom, with two twin beds, a huge armoire, and a desk overlooking the Loch.

Head back - you'll see the kitchen (VERY well-outfitted, even with some supplies like sugar and oatmeal, perfect for a fresh fruit crumble, with blackberries and rhubarb from the yard).

fall bramble berries and fresh rhubarb, picked in the yard

Just past it, there's a large and welcoming dining room (which doubled for us as an office). There are tons of games, books, and videos in the closet. The best part of the dining room? Views both front (Loch Ness) and back (rose garden, pheasants). Also in the dining room? A veritable treasure trove of information about things to do in and around Inverness (and Scotland), birding books, and more.

The yard had birds both sculptural and real - we put bread out every day and were rewarded with great birdwatching opportunities from the Conservatory.

Down a steep path you could choose one of two beaches on Loch Ness - a Huge Rock that served as an inspirational spot to write in my journal, and a beach filled with stones, upon which the waves would lap (or break, depending on the weather). We had high hopes for fishing and a camp fire (not to be, but maybe next time), as it rained every single day we were there.

Beach, Loch Ness

Stone beach, Loch Ness

When we arrived, we had the beginnings of a terrible cold. We stayed cozy and huddled at home for days, the healthiest of us emerging to go to Inverness and shop for food (well, and other fun things, I LOVE shopping in downtown Inverness!). Eventually we felt better and emerged, to explore the many recommendations that Turan and Iain (and previous guests, in the guestbook) had put forth. Dores Inn? Best fish and chips, EVER. Chanonry Point, for dolphin watching? CHECK. Shopping and restaurant recommendations for Inverness were also welcome and spot-on. We headed to Culloden, and explored Glen Affric and found new friends - an Artist and the Singing Postie in Upper Glassburn.

fall leaf, Scotland

Our illness-shortened week was balanced quite well with home time and visiting time - there's SO MUCH to see around Inverfarigaig (Fort William, Urquhart Castle, waterfalls and restaurants and even pebble artists).

Urquhart Castle

But mostly, we loved staying at home, playing on the beach when it wasn't raining too hard, reading the Sunday paper in the conservatory and spotting a rainbow, hearing the waves dash against the rocks, and being cozy. There's no place like home.

Rainbow over Loch Ness

all photos copyright Jessica Voigts