Testimonials

"WOW!!!! What an absolute gem hidden away on the top of a hill with stunning sunset views over the Isle of Arran. The hosts, Elizabeth and Andrew were so welcoming and friendly that we immediately felt at home and relaxed. They were able to gives us so much local information of places to eat or visit which we were very glad of. The cottage was stunning, warm, homely and had absolutely everything that you would need with a lovely local welcome pack and our dog Hector was spoilt rotten with his own bed, blanket, bowls and of course treats that were provided which he devoured! There is also a 2.5 acre secure fenced in field for him to run about in and let off some steam (when he wasn't swimming in the sea at the numerous beaches nearby!! The wood burning stove was all set up for us just to light later that evening which made it all idyllic. The kitchen was so well equipped with everything you need and we even cooked for ourselves on a couple of occasions. The King size bed was so comfortable that we slept like logs every night! If you need a home from home, where you can totally relax and recharge, with beautiful views, peace and quiet and a fantastic West coast of Scotland to explore, then this is the PERFECT PLACE to stay - 20/10!!! So much so that 2 days after returning home to Hertfordshire, we rebooked for next year, because once you find a place like this it will be booked up so far in advance and deservedly so to the hosts who have absolutely "hit the nail on the head" with this wonderful cottage. Highly recommend!! Thanks so much and see you again."

Ellie, UK.

"We had such a lovely stay at the cottage. it's in a beautiful peaceful location but only 30mins drive from most of the bigger towns. we walked up to the top of the hill across from the cottage and the views were just stunning. it has everything you could possibly need and we loved all the goodies in the welcome hamper. the fire I great at this time of year and the bed is so comfortable I wanted to take it home with us. we will definitely be back. Andrew and Elizabeth are great hosts and very helpful."

Diane, UK.

"Our stay at Blackside Cottage was perfect for us. We wanted a peaceful getaway in the countryside with our toddler and Labrador. We were surrounded by fields which was ideal for our dog, and the cottage was immaculate. The amenities were outstanding, we were given a hamper of snacks, dog treats and good quality hand washes and other bathroom toiletries. The hosts were friendly and welcoming, and very responsive to any questions we had before our arrival. Overall a fantastic stay and would highly recommend"

Charlotte, UK.

"As our first trip as a family with our little boy, Elizabeth and Andrew’s place was perfect! The location was beautiful with walks straight from the door and the cottage itself was really cosy and comfortable, it felt like a home from home. Elizabeth and Andrew were both very welcoming and gave us some tips on where to walk and eat when we arrived which was lovely. Also the kitchen was well stocked which we loved!"

Lilly, UK.

"We stay in a lot of vacation rentals and this is the first time a host has actually greeted us on check-in, which was a really nice touch! Elizabeth was very friendly and helpful and had a book FULL of detailed recommendations for the area. The grounds outside the cottage are beautiful and quiet, and the cottage is even cozier than we expected from the photos. We talked about how much we’d love to live in a place just like it throughout our stay! Would definitely recommend!"

Ansley, California.

"What a place! My wife and I had a weekend escape here without the kids. Elizabeth and Andrew made us feel very welcome and the cottage itself is beautiful, with a lovely big bath and well equipped. We'll definitely be finding an excuse to come back!"

Joseph, UK.

"Gorgeous cottage in lovely country setting. Elizabeth and Andrew are great hosts."

Derek, Bahamas.

"The cottage is our dream home, for all that’s inside of it and outside of it. It is the definition of comfy and cosy and it has every thing you could possibly need, right down to a garlic crusher and thermo flasks for coffee to-go. It was the first of many places I did not feel the need to do a quick clean before settling down. Beautiful views, squishy sofas, great tv, amazing wood burner, epic oven, dreamy bed and above all very dog friendly. Elizabeth and Andrew are such lovely people and super easy to communicate with. Don’t think twice about booking this cottage!"

Jessica, UK.

"I had a wonderful time in the cottage so peaceful and very relaxing, beautiful, lovely and warm. The kitchen has everything you need, also body wash, shampoo and conditioner. Lovely touches. The hamper was amazing. I enjoyed everything. Thank you so much I will be back."

Katrina, UK.

"A lot of places say pets allowed but this felt more like pets welcomed & we really appreciated that. Lola loved the enclosed field to play off lead, the bed, towel, dog bowls & treats left for her. We loved how peaceful & quiet the area was & how lovely the house was decorated. It felt so cosy & welcoming. We travel all over the UK for work & out of all the hundreds of places we've stayed this was my favourite."

Ami, UK.

"Beautiful cosy cottage with everything you could need. Kitchen is very well stocked with pots pans and utensils. Great dishwasher and washing machine . Lounge sofas very comfortable. Comfiest bed ever and bathroom a delight with deep roll top bath with view of the stars. The whole cottage is decorated to a very high standard, and thoughtful touches everywhere. Great walks from the door and secure dog field for doggy runs about . Very dog friendly . Thanks for the welcome treats and for a great stay"

Janet, UK. October 2023

"Hidden gem! Beautiful holiday cottage with everything you need for a week away from home - with amazing attention to detail. Enjoyed walks in the local area and some quiet days just reading books/drinking coffee. Friendly hosts and a delicious welcome hamper, including treats for our dog. Would highly recommend!"

Jenny, UK.

"An absolutely fabulous cottage, beautifully furnished and equipped and really spacious too - nothing you could wish for was missing. The finishing touches were really special, even down to fresh flowers. The location was really beautiful and we were treated to some fabulous sunsets. A wonderful warm welcome and the hosts were really informative and helpful. A great basket of goodies left for us, and for the dog too! We had a great week here and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone."

Thomas, UK.

A beautiful cottage in a lovely rural setting. We had a very warm welcome from the owners, which included a very generous welcome basket! The cottage has a modern interior but still retains many original features so it has lots of character. There are lots of interesting places to explore nearby and it's only a short distance and a very pleasant drive to the coast. Our dog loved the beaches!

Liz, UK.

This place is a real gem. A beautiful home with everything you need. So many personal touches, like a wonderful welcome basket full of goodies (and one for our dog). The place is beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean. We will return.
Laura, UK

Blackside Cottage is a hidden gem, it is immaculate, homely and located on a lovely private hill. We were made to feel so welcome, the welcome basket was appreciated and we had a very relaxing week in the beautiful countryside. Thank you so much Elizabeth & Andrew
Aileen, UK

Such a beautiful place to stay, the cottage is sublime and we couldn’t ask anymore of our hosts. We have had a fabulous week and would certainly love to come back as there is much more in the area we would like to see. Thank you Elizabeth and Andrew.
Kirstin, UK

Well off the beaten track, but easily accessible, surrounded by gorgeous views and local wildlife a plenty.. what a find - a true ‘hidden gem’. Small/bijou but the excellent use of space meant that this cottage defied its size. Beautifully decorated, cosy and extremely comfortable and well-equipped, both for two - with two legs and two - with four legs!!!! Our first trip to Ayrshire and we would definitely return. Andrew and Elizabeth were welcoming and very helpful hosts. Highly recommend.
Sara, UK

Probably the best equipped holiday cottage we have stayed in, absolutely everything you could need! House itself is in a quiet location, with lots of local wildlife around (first hare I have seen for many years). Plenty of local information available, with a list of restaurants in surrounding villages - as we were only staying two nights as part of a longer trip, we did not have chance to explore these, perhaps another time. Andrew and Elizabeth were very friendly and helpful and made us feel welcome for the brief time we were there.
Robin, UK

Such a lovely cottage, spotlessly clean and even better than the photos. Equipped with everything you could possibly need for a wonderful stay, including all the kit your dog needs to be right at home. Elizabeth and Andrew are very friendly and welcoming hosts. We had a fabulous time, the cottage is very peaceful with lots of wildlife and birds to spot, as well as hundreds of lambs on your doorstep, fabulous.
Andrea, UK