A cute and cosy conversion of a ruined traditional Butt and Ben, Mrs. Leonard’s, is a welcome base, or retreat, from which to explore, or escape, the wilds of Jura. The cottage is located at the bottom of our garden but you will find it relaxing and completely private. With inspiring views of the Paps and the sea, Mrs. Leonard’s can be enjoyed any time of the year, in any weather, at any time of the day. The cottage sits in the crofting township of Knockrome, a short drive from Craighouse and a walk away from the beach at Corran Sands. Ideally placed to enjoy outdoor adventures, the island’s distilleries, and the start of the challenge that is hiking The Paps of Jura. In many ways Knockrome is a settlement stopped in time. The people who live here enjoy crofters rights, and you will see livestock, namely sheep, cows and chickens roaming freely. Guests who bring dogs will be reminded of this, and we politely ask that four-legged friends are kept on leads when walking through the village. Mrs. Leonard’s is designed as a single open plan living space, with a ‘wee’ but perfectly formed kitchenette and sitting room, including a log-burning stove, at one end. A comfy-cosy double-bed, and en-suite shower & WC with underfloor heating at the other. A double mattress on the mezzanine level above, accessed by a library ladder, provides a modest space in the eaves of the cottage for two more guests. The kitchen is ‘bijou’ and well-equipped for rustling up a hearty cooked breakfast with coffee, or an evening meal after a long mountain hike. A warm shower, then flopping onto the sofa with a ’wee dram’ in front of the log burner, would be a perfectly acceptable end to the day. Or ….you could opt for a Sauna. Or ….sink into the warm, soothing water of a wood-fired hot tub. Both a hop, skip and a jump from your door, and just yours. There is a cold-water shower on the outside of the sauna; great to wash off a hot day, we do experience them, before taking a long soak in the tub as the sun goes down. Later, you can switch on the fairy-lights for a late night supper, stargazing and chats around the fire bowl. For the brave, and we couldn’t rightly call ourselves a retreat if we didn’t have at least one, there is a cold water barrel. This can become something of an in-house challenge, if you’ve a mind too? There aren’t many amenities on Jura, which boasts only one of anything, but not necessarily everything. There is a small shop, which closes on Sundays. The hotel serves substantial meals, sometimes with a musical accompaniment, and there is a small restaurant with seasonal opening times. We have a small offering of frozen bakes on site, and plenty of logs for fires and hot tubs. For guests wishing to cycle, but needing to hire, we can help with this too. The cottage is equipped with towels and bathrobes, logs (extra loads can be purchased), poo bags (for doggos), midge repellent, loo roll, books and games, and a small selection of dry goods and condiments.