I live in the UK's new Riviera with white sand beaches, celebrities and hidden holiday homes only visible from the sea

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Plus, where to find the best beaches and islands to see in Argyll from an expert
COASTAL GEM I live in the UK's new Riviera with white sand beaches, celebrities and hidden holiday homes only visible from the sea
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WHITE sand beaches, crystal clear sea, colourful waterside houses - it sounds like we're talking about the Mediterranean, not Scotland.
Nicola Meekin lives in Argyll and owns a luxurious couples' retreat called Stormhouse, which is the perfect escape on what she calls the "new Riviera."
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Nicola, who owns Stormhouse, says Western Scotland is like the Riviera when the sun shines
Credit: Nicola Meekin
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Stormhouse is an exclusive holiday home in Argyll that is only visible from the sea
Credit: Stormhouse
Nicola told Sun Travel: "The west coast of Scotland offers the same drama in terms of landscape as the Riviera because it's so rugged and wild.
"We also have white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and islands dotted around the coastline.
"It's obviously not as glitzy and flashy and commercialised as the Riviera, but it's more, I'd say intimate luxury, and much quieter."
Nicola and her partner Jim Milligan took advantage of the incredible scenery when building two luxury and exclusive holiday homes called Stormhouse.
The houses are so private that you can't even see them from the road - they're only viewable from the sea.
Nicola told us: "You can't see them from anywhere else, they sit on the hillside and look out to sea over Castle Stalker and the island of Lismore.
"We wanted Stormhouse to blend in with the landscape and have a luxurious feel about them and still be open to the elements."
Stormhouse is a beautiful coastal escape, and for anyone wanting to take advantage of the white sands and crystal blue waters, Nicola has insider recommendations like Tralee and Cuil Bay.
She added: "I recently took a day trip to Ardnamurchan which is a remote peninsula west of where Stormhouse is and it's absolutely stunning.
"There's a beautiful beach called Sanna Bay which is heaven on earth, it's white sands and literally turquoise waters."
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The beaches are often so quiet that you sometimes be the only one on them
Credit: Alamy
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Make the most of the views from Stormhouse out on the hot tub balcony
Credit: Stormhouse
She continued: "When I went out, it was a gorgeous day, I drove right out west with my dog , walked down to the beach and I was the only one there, it was like being in the Caribbean."
Another spot Nicola recommends is towards Mallaig, which is famous for the Harry Potter train viaduct, where there are the 'Silver Sands Morar', a series of white sand beaches.
As for when to head to the new Riviera, Nicola reveals there's a good reason to avoid the height of summer.
She added: "The weather has been better in April and May in the past few years, and that's also pre-midges, if people are worried about them as well."
While most escape to the Riviera for the hot weather, Nicola thinks that Scotland is better for those who don't like the extreme heat.
She said: "It's super, super hot in Europe during certain months and we're not getting those conditions here.
"But everything else you can get in Scotland, it's becoming really well known for its good produce, so you can eat out really well here.
"We've got great seafood. We've got really high end accommodation now, so you don't have to go to the Riviera for that either."
The Riviera is known for having idyllic towns with colourful waterfront houses and western Scotland has those in spades.
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Along the coast of Scotland are beautiful beaches, like Sanna Bay
Credit: Alamy
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Mull has beautiful waterfront houses and is popular with the royals
Credit: Alamy
The nearby islands of Iona and Mull are popular stops with incredible views. Prince William and Kate Middleton were recently seen there, too.
They're not the only celebrities who love the area, Nicola, who used to run a local cafe tells us that lots of A-listers are fans of the area.
Nicola said: "One of the regulars was Tilda Swinton, she used to pop in. So did Maggie Smith and Judi Dench they've been seen around, and came into the cafe, so did James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff."
The Killers even dropped by last year after a gig in Glasgow.
After studying and going travelling, Nicola has been living in Argyll with Jim since 2004 and insists they wouldn't move anywhere else.
She told us: "We love it here, and we don't go on holiday an awful lot either. When we do, we love a city break because we're so rural - but after a few days, I've had enough."
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Stormhouse has floor to ceiling windows and views over the 'Riviera'
Credit: richardgaston.com/Stormhouse
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From Stormhouse, you can swim out to Castle Stalker
Credit: Alamy
Stormhouse consists of two houses, the North and South House.
Both are very similar being the same size and shape with the South House being more open plan and the North House having a separate bedroom.
The houses are surrounded by floor to ceiling windows so visitors can get the incredible views wherever they are.
Each comes with a hot tub which Nicola said is the most popular with guests as it's sheltered on the deck so guests can sit out whatever the weather.
As for when is the best time to enjoy Stormhouse, Nicola revealed any time of year can be special.
Nicola added: "Sometimes it's best to be there when there's a storm because it's quite dramatic to watch all the rain come in from the west, but you'll be nice and safe in your wee bubble.
"The springtime is lovely too and you can swim outside of Stormhouse too, wild swimming is very popular here.
"At high tide, you can swim out to the castle, I did it once, and it's amazing, but freezing, I had to wear a wetsuit."
To book and find out more about Stormhouse, head to the website.
Read more on the white sand beaches of Scotland that have been mistaken for the Bahamas.
Plus, the best Scottish islands from one man who's explored over 100 of them.