Once upon a time there was a little whitewashed cottage, surrounded by hills, beside the river, and tucked away a mile up a quiet and beautiful glen. This is how one might well start a description of Glenbranter Cottage. It has a real fairytale setting and what was once a crumbling farm bothy has received a Cinderella-like makeover at the hands (or magic wand!) of its Fairy Godmother owner and is now the dearest little hideaway you could imagine.
It stands facing the river on the track behind the owner's house, quite private and unoverlooked. Inside, there is a charming and compact open-plan living area, with open fire and electric heaters for cosiness, a twin bedroom and a smart pine-panelled shower room. While it has no garden of its own, the owner is very happy for tenants to use the extensive grounds roundabout, with furniture which can be moved to whichever part they may choose.
The Glenbranter Estate has the distinction of having once belonged to Sir Harry Lauder, whose sister and brother in law are buried locally. He had hoped to give it to his son John, but he, sadly, was killed in the First World War and the estate was instead sold to the Forestry Commission who still own it today.
There is wonderful walking in the surrounding woods and hills: the house stands on the Cowal Way, a 47 mile long footpath which runs from Portavadie to Ardgartan near Arrochar. There are also excellent dedicated mountain biking trails to enjoy. The area is particularly well-endowed with gardens which are open to the public. 10 miles away are the Botanic Gardens at Benmore. The Ardkinglas Woodland Gardens are at the head of Loch Fyne, while the National Trust Gardens at Crarae are on the other side of the loch beyond Inveraray.
There is an excellent café and well-stocked shop 3 miles away at Strachur, where, for more formal dining, you will also find the famous Creggans Inn. For serious shopping, Dunoon is 16 miles away and from there you can catch the ferry across to Gourock and thence to Glasgow (60 miles by road round Loch Lomond, but about half that by ferry).
From Colintraive you can take the boat across to Bute and visit Rothesay, a holiday destination beloved of generations of Glaswegians.
While most often the only sound you will hear is that of the river, Glenbranter is a working forest (conjures up a delicious picture of the trees bent industriously over their desks!) and timber lorries will occasionally pass the cottage when logging is being carried out in that part of the woods.
Bed linen, towels and electricity are INCLUDED in the rental. One well behaved pet is welcome by arrangement. No smoking in the cottage. Secure storage available for cycles.
