Our 3 bedroom, self-catering, stone built semi-detached cottage is located on a site with other cottages next to the Highland Wildlife Park, 4 miles north of Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park. We are on a raised site with views across the River Spey to the Inshriach forest, Glen Feshie and the mountains beyond. We generally enjoy a breeze and this helps keep the midges away! There are shared grounds for the holiday cottages with mature trees, grassy areas, picnic benches and a BBQ shelter. The location next to the Highland Wildlife Park, with a shared access road, makes us easy to find. Other things you need to know: The cottage is heated with electric heaters throughout. We include reasonable usage but may charge for excessive electricity usage according to the meter readings. The cost of electricity is 20pence/unit used. The two twin bedrooms have dressing rooms attached but the single beds in either cannot be moved to be put together. There are a few steps into the shower room and also the double bedroom.

We have always loved holidaying in the Cairngorm National Park, so much so that we committed to buying Islay cottage in 2005. This was a second home to both our children while they were growing up, to the extent that they both qualified as water-sport instructors and held summer jobs at the local Loch Insh Watersports centre in their teenage years which was a wonderful experience for both of them. You can probably guess then that we both also like our watersports, and you would be right as we are both keen windsurfers and sailors. In fact we are both fans of just about any outdoor activity – particularly walking, cycling, skiing – and we still find Islay Cottage to be a wonderful base for these pursuits after all this time. We still try to get away to the cottage ourselves as often as we can (which is never as much as we would like!) as it’s a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. We hope that you enjoy Islay Cottage, the beautiful surroundings and everything that the area has to offer just as much as we do. Cathy and Joe

There is lots to do in the area but a car is really useful to get the most out of your visit. We are right next to the Highland Wildlife Park which is a great day out. There are tigers, wildcats, deer, elk, camels, bison, polar bears, owls, snow leopards, red pandas, lynx, wild horses and red squirrels and they are all on our doorstep. Some of our favourite walks are just across the valley in Glen Feshie with walks through the forestry to the Uath Lochans or down the River Feshie. We are close to Loch an Eilein and Rotheimurchas estate walks and cycle routes. Loch Insh and its fantastic watersports are 3 miles away as is their restaurant overlooking the Loch. At Loch Insh you can fish, swim, canoe, kayak, sail, windsurf, climb, ski, hire bikes and enjoy their adventure park and trails. We have hired one of their Canadian canoes for a trip down the River Spey finishing back at Loch Insh. For rainy days there is Landmark Forest Park, Highland Folk Museum, Strathspey Steam Railway and the Fun House at Coylumbridge. We also have a cupboard in the lounge of games and a varied DVD selection. We now have our own WiFi and the phone signal is best in the kitchen or the porch.