Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments

Sebay Mill makes an impression before you've even parked. It's a tall, three-storey stone mill, beautifully converted, with a slate roof, deep-set windows and a little ornamental footbridge arching over the burn that runs through the lawn. Pull in on a clear day and the whole thing stands out against open Orkney sky. There's a bench by the arched doorway and grass all around to spread out on.

Inside

The living space is open-plan and easy to settle into. A slate-tiled floor runs through the dining end, where a solid oak table seats the four of you, into a comfortable sitting area with a leather sofa, a TV and oak sideboards. Light comes in from more than one side, and there's a separate well-fitted kitchen for cooking properly rather than just reheating.

Where you'll sleep

Two bedrooms sleep four. The main double is restful and uncluttered, with twin reading lamps, fitted storage and a soft geometric throw on the bed. A sliding oak door leads through to the second room. The bathroom keeps things classic with a proper chrome shower fitting.

Step outside

The lawn rolls right down to the water, the footbridge crosses the burn, and there's parking on the doorstep. It's the kind of spot where you'll linger outside with a cup of tea watching the light change over the fields.

The setting

You're at Toab in the East Mainland, handy for the airport and well placed for getting around Orkney by car. Open countryside surrounds you, with the coast and the East Mainland's quiet beaches close at hand.

Perfect for

A family of four or two couples travelling together who want space, a real kitchen, off-street parking and a building with genuine character. The garden and footbridge are a hit with children.