<strong>Midlife crisis:</strong> Journalist Angus MacKinnon bought the Lochside Hotel in 2011 dreaming of an idyllic new life on the Scottish island of Islay.
Midlife crisis: Journalist Angus MacKinnon bought the Lochside Hotel in 2011 dreaming of an idyllic new life on the Scottish island of Islay.
James Deane Photography
<strong>Bad move: </strong>Four months later, he says, he had "already developed a slightly queasy sense that I might have made a mistake."
Bad move: Four months later, he says, he had "already developed a slightly queasy sense that I might have made a mistake."
Tissy Northcote
<strong>Check out time: "</strong>Looking back, nine years later, my naivety about almost every aspect of my ill-judged venture seems scarcely comprehensible now," says MacKinnon.
Check out time: "Looking back, nine years later, my naivety about almost every aspect of my ill-judged venture seems scarcely comprehensible now," says MacKinnon.
James Deane Photography
<strong>Beautiful setting:</strong> The island of Islay, off Scotland's west coast, has a buoyant tourism industry which sustained the hotel despite MacKinnon's failings.
Beautiful setting: The island of Islay, off Scotland's west coast, has a buoyant tourism industry which sustained the hotel despite MacKinnon's failings.
Angus MacKinnon
<strong>Highland cow:</strong> Islay's wild, rugged scenery is part of its appeal. It's also a top destinations for fans of Scottish single malt whiskies.
Highland cow: Islay's wild, rugged scenery is part of its appeal. It's also a top destinations for fans of Scottish single malt whiskies.
Angus MacKinnon
<strong>Lucky escape:</strong> MacKinnon says he feared a heart attack or stroke as the problems and worries mounted. Eventually he was able to lease and sell the hotel. Would he do it again? "Not bloody likely."
Lucky escape: MacKinnon says he feared a heart attack or stroke as the problems and worries mounted. Eventually he was able to lease and sell the hotel. Would he do it again? "Not bloody likely."
Tissy Northcote