The Old School

Portnahaven doesn't have a grocery shop, so bring food from another town if you plan to cook. We stayed four nights in the roomy, self-catering former schoolhouse while touring the island's whisky distilleries. It's comfortable, with good beds, nice amenities, and great showers. I had two small gripes: the bedroom doors don't lock, and I couldn't work out whether there was a microwave. There's a wall oven, but it was too complicated for me to figure out. Still, I'd love to return.

The Old School's traditional exterior makes the modern interior all the more surprising. I stayed there with my family about three years ago while we visited Islay's distilleries, and it was an amazing place to be. Portnahaven was lovely too. It felt far removed from tourists, at least to us. We enjoyed some wonderful walks, spotted seals, and made the most of what the Old School had to offer.

A wow of a place to stay, with lovely, well-kept rooms. It is pretty remote, so getting around takes time, but I enjoyed exploring a different part of the island.

There was plenty of space in the house, and it was comfortable and well equipped. It's only a couple of minutes' walk from the coast, which made it a fantastic base for our family holiday. I'd definitely recommend it.