This most cosy and delightful holiday cottage has a lovely situation a mile from Kames (pub, PO) and just a couple of miles from picturesque Tighnabruaich (hotel, shops) the popular sailing haven and painting centre on the Cowal Peninsula in West Scotland. You are even spoiled for choice of how to get there - either up Loch Lomond, over Rest and be Thankful and down Loch Fyne, or by ferry from Gourock to Dunoon and then over the enchanting road along Glen Lean across the peninsula. Whichever way you choose, your camera will not long remain in its case!
The history of the cottage is as picturesque as its location. Over 150 years old, it was the gate lodge not to a stately home, but to the Nobel Gunpowder Works which flourished here for 100 years from the 1820s. The lovely wood around it was planted to absorb the blasts when things did not go entirely according to plan (!) and all that remains now are the picturesque ruins of the stone huts in the wood where the gunpowder was mixed. Children will absolutely adore playing in this Enid Blyton-esque setting (river and ponds close by, so care required with tinies). The house originally belonged to the pony-keeper, who transported the raw materials to the factory from the landing stage.
Outside, all is now peaceful, with the road ending just a couple of miles further on at the ferry stage at Portavadie. Once inside, there is a most cosy living room with open fire, a small but well equipped kitchen and two attractive bedrooms. There is an enclosed grass garden (furniture) to side and rear, and from there you can walk straight out on to the hill.
There is a golf course within walking distance. Just a 5 minute drive and a 15 minute walk across the fields will bring you to a glorious, quiet, silver-sand beach at Kilbride Bay with lovely views across to Arran. Fishermen can try for mackerel off the pier at Tighnabruaich or for trout at the Asgog Dam, and walkers will enjoy the Cowal Way.
Nearby Portavadie (2m) now has a superb new marina with a reasonably priced award-winning restaurant, and from here you can catch the ferry to Tarbert and go onwards down the Kintyre peninsula, or catch a ferry for a day trip to Arran. The last sea-going paddle steamer, Waverley, calls in at Tighnabruaich Pier on Tuesdays in summer and will take you over to Tarbert or for a cruise up Loch Fyne. Another excellent day trip is to take the short ferry crossing to Bute from Colintraive and visit the Gothic mansion Mount Stuart, home of the Marquis of Bute.
The Ardlamont Estate at Tighnabruaich offers clay pigeon shooting and horse-drawn carriage rides on a private beach.
There are more good restaurants at Otter Ferry, Kames, Tighnabruaich or, further afield, at Strachur (famous Creggans Inn).
Bedlinen is INCLUDED and towels may be hired. Heating by offpeak and electric heaters. £15 of electricity is INCLUDED. A refundable householder's deposit will be required. One dog welcome by arrangement under strict control.
