Fairwinds Cabin

2

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Epic views and endless cool detail at this unique eco cabin on the Ross (sleeps 2)

1 Bedroom

1 Bathroom

Dog friendly

Eco conscious

Parking

Private garden

Woodburner

Space & setting.

Built over 2 years, this grass-roofed eco cabin was a true labour of love. The interiors are a delicate balance of hand-crafted finds and good-looking but practical pieces: friends and local artisans bound the log basket, gathered windfall and turned it into chopping boards and wove blankets from Iona sheep wool, whilst the Belfast sink was salvaged from Edinburgh and the reclaimed oak parquet floor took 6 painstaking weeks to restore. But rather than looking slap-dash or DIY, it’s delightfully unique and beautiful, with naturally imperfect textures such as rattan, wicker, wood, slub linen and vintage stoneware that complement the swaying ox-eyes and wildflowers outside.

Perched on a peninsula on the Ross, which makes up the dramatic southwest of the island, ocean views extend right over to the Treshnish Isles. Spot sea eagles, seals, dolphins and basking sharks from the wildflower garden, and stoke the firepit as the stars come out. Days of wild swimming, beach combing and sea kayaking will create an enormous appetite for local seafood platters and wood-fired pizza, and past guests’ favourite thing after the view is the lack of WiFi. Board games replace broadband, a collection of vinyl replaces Spotify and inspiring books replace Insta-scrolling. A life reset in its purest sense.

Getting here: you’ll need to drive.

Owners of Mull Cabin

“My partner Sorren and I moved to Mull in 2013 after a few years in Glasgow establishing careers in the UK indie/folk music scene. Sorren grew up on Mull; his family have lived here for over 500 years. Lots of people thought we were crazy moving somewhere so remote when we were so young and our friends were moving to London etc. But aged 21 and 23, we moved to a tiny cottage on a cliffside on the south coast and after a couple of months we knew this was the life we wanted. Creatively though, we both felt we needed somewhere to get away from home and spend time writing, so we asked Sorren’s uncle Frank if he would be up for a project. He had 50 years of building experience and we had enthusiasm and youth, which turned out to be the perfect mix. We built the cabin on and off over 2 years, as and when we had saved enough pennies to buy more materials. Now we love to share it with others.” Owner Hannah

 

My Kip favourites

They love
Sitting on the veranda with a glass of wine and Ella Fitzgerald playing in the background, watching the sun set and the seals and seabirds on the rocks below.

We love
The grass-topped roof and the beautiful small things: ceramics, the record player, the coffee grinder, local toiletries. So much thought has gone into this place.

You may not love
The cabin is in Frank’s garden so you’re not secluded though you’re private. Winter ferry schedules can be disrupted due to the weather.

 

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Plus gifts on arrival when you book with Kip.

  • "This was our first visit to the Ross and without a doubt we will return ASAP. Don't be put off by the more rural location as it is bursting at the seams with beautiful things to see and do - It is also very well supplied with local foods and goodies you just need to have a little look around. Ardalanish Weavers was wonderful for local meats. Not to mention the nearby out of this world beaches! Carsaig Arches! Iona! The wildlife!!! Eagles, seals, otters & even a pod of dolphins all from the unbeatable view from the garden. Unbelievable. "

    Jasmine, July 2021

Sustainability.

“We built the cabin to be as eco friendly as possible, with a carbon-capturing, water-retaining, wildlife abundant, insulating roof. It has been furnished with reclaimed furniture, fabrics and appliances. Where we had to buy new, we were conscious of making sure appliances such as cooker and fridge were green-rated and as energy efficient as possible. We only use eco-friendly and vegan cleaning products and toiletries and have a strict recycling and composting policy. Other than a small area for our fire bowl, we don’t cut the grass. The garden has a mixture of knee-high grasses and wildflowers and is home to lots of birds, bees and butterflies. We source our food hamper contents from local Mull businesses and our wine from eco-friendly, plastic-free & sustainable wine brand Sea-Change. Our alcohol-free alternative comes from a friend, Louise Avery, who grew up on Mull and set up Kombucha brand LA Brewery. As of yet we haven’t been able to afford solar panels for hot water, but we are madly saving for this!”

Surrounds.

  • Traigh Ghael
    Traigh Ghael
  • © Danka Peter
    © Danka Peter
  • © visitmullandiona.co.uk
    © visitmullandiona.co.uk
  • © David Makin/Unsplash
    © David Makin/Unsplash
  • © John McMillan/Unsplash
    © John McMillan/Unsplash
  • © visitmullandiona.co.uk
    © visitmullandiona.co.uk
  • Sit in total silence on the shore and watch for dolphins and basking sharks in the bay, white-tailed and golden eagles up above, and wild otters on the rocks. Sea birds including cormorants and manx shearwater are residents, too.
  • At low tide, acres of white sand stretch out at Knockvologan beach, where irresistible turquoise waters are perfect for a swim.
  • Charter a beautiful old sailing boat with family-run Alternative Boat Hire, or take a guided sea kayaking trip with Jon at Bendoran Watersports and see the other sides to this stunning archipelago.
  • The Creel is an as-fresh-as-it-gets seafood shack on the Fionnphort pier, run by local sisters Siobhan and Lauren. All food is simply what their dad brings in on the fishing boat that day. Seafood platters available to pre-order.
  • Spend a day on Iona and visit the Iona Craft Shop, which specialises in locally sourced artisanal goods, from Scottish knitwear to seaweed skincare (it’s also a great pit-stop for coffee). You can hire bikes from here to explore.
  • Regular boat tours from Mull provide access to the jaw-dropping Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited Isle of Staffa. Puffin season is mid June to the first week of August.
  • An evening at Ninth Wave is just a short drive away – the destination restaurant grows and fishes its produce and uses seasonal ingredients and a fine-dining approach.

Specifics.

  • Cabin on the Ross peninsula, in co-host Frank’s garden
  • Open-plan layout warmed by a woodburner
  • Kingsize cabin bed
  • One babe in arms welcome, BYO travel cot
  • Ensuite shower bathroom with underfloor heating; organic local toiletries
  • Well-equipped kitchen with basic supplies and a log-top herb garden
  • Pizza oven & make your own hamper on request
  • Local food produce hampers on request
  • Sofa area with board games, sketch pads, knitting needles, record player and large selection of vinyl, books, Landranger maps, binoculars
  • Beautiful deck and wildflower garden with firepit
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome (secure garden)
  • No WiFi or phone reception
  • Cycle to a pub and shop (2.5km); drive to others
  • Booking conditions: a 4-night min stay
  • Remember to pack: wellies or walking boots, waterproofs, daypack, wetsuits, beach towels, bikes if you can. Also any special dietary foods as they are difficult to get here

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30% deposit on booking, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 12+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 12 weeks of stay.

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