A couple of years ago, my partner and I decided to take a short break to the north-west coast of Scotland, and we ended up booking a converted lighthouse keeper’s cottage perched right on the edge of a dramatic, rocky cliff. We wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and this certainly fit the bill.
What made the place truly out of the ordinary was its design and extreme isolation. The living quarters were built into the sturdy granite tower, meaning every single room was completely circular with thick stone walls and narrow spiral staircases. To get to the bedroom at the top, you had to climb about fifty steps, but the reward was a magnificent 360-degree panorama of the Atlantic Ocean. There was no mobile signal whatsoever, and the only power came from a small wind turbine and solar panels, so it felt properly off-grid.
At first, to be honest, I felt slightly uneasy because a fierce coastal gale blew in on our first evening. The wind was howling, and the waves were crashing against the rocks below with an incredible roar. It was a bit eerie being that isolated in the middle of nowhere.
However, once the storm cleared the next morning, I fell in love with the place. Sitting on the balcony with a warm cup of tea, watching seabirds dive into the water, was just so peaceful. It was completely unlike any generic chain hotel I had ever stayed in before. Looking back, it was one of the most memorable holidays I’ve ever had because the accommodation itself was an adventure rather than just a place to sleep.