Last-Minute Cottages in Argyll & Bute

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Mohammed - Verified booking

  Don't bother to look anywhere else because this is simply the best holiday I have had in the UK.

  From the outset, this trip with my large group was brilliant, all down to wonderful hosts. The hosts Andrew and Felicity (Flic) were most accommodating, allowing us some flexibility with nights stayed and turnover times to suit those of us who had to drive back home for work after the Bank Holiday Monday. Upon arrival, the cottage was a wonder to behold inside and out. Beautifully crafted and time and care was taken to complete it to a very high and professional standard, especially with the furnishings too. Even though there was plenty to do outside, you would not be disheartened about staying in if the weather takes a turn for the worst because indoors is an experience in itself. The beds were very comfortable and no one had any complaints about them, and the place was spotless too. The facilities were great - the gas BBQ was enough to keep churning out chicken and burgers for 10 hungry men 2 days in a row, internet was very fast with no drop in the connection for those who needed, and there are plenty of games puzzles and even TV. The gardens around the cottage we learnt have been kept by Andrew's father, Philip, for the past 20 years and they are just beautiful. On the first day we went around exploring them only to find a suspension bridge built across a valley with a river which I later learnt was built by said Philip! This on top of the fact the cottage was built by the hosts too was simply amazing. I've stayed in cottages before where the key was left in a lock box and I never even met the host before so this was the first time ever meeting a cottage's owner, and Andrew was most helpful during the trip, coming to make sure our water was running, checking if we needed anything, leaving us a beautiful hamper with local produce on arrival, and just being a joy to talk to and learn about the surroundings and also his and Flic's own history. The surrounding nature and landscape was nothing like we had seen before. We went down to Loch Awe which was beautiful to walk along, and found paths up into the hills and mountains for those of us who liked to do so, but best of all was we discovered a little rock pool at the foot of a waterfall just 10 minutes walk from the cottage. After we met with Andrew after and told him, he enthusiastically told us that we went to the wrong one, and that there was an even bigger waterfall and pool just 5 minutes away! Which we promptly went to and this was certainly the highlight of the trip which we would have missed had it not been for Andrew's local knowledge. Andrew, put it in your brochure! Your guests will miss out! All in all I honestly couldn't fault the hosts nor the accommodation and I am sure had I had any issues, the hosts would have been more than accommodating and helped us in any way. Thank you Andrew, Flic and Phillip for an amazing stay and I will most certainly be returning, hopefully when you've installed your sauna! Regards, Mo PS if you like dogs then there are plenty to play with who just love guests

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• Terri - Verified booking

  We’ve just returned from a weeks stay in Sobrachan House & would highly, highly recommend!

  The house itself is immaculate, comfortable, extremely spacious, modern yet with character (beautiful antique furniture is in every room.) The kitchen facilities were excellent in terms of the cooker & hob, however an upgrade in pans/baking trays would really make a difference as well as a draining board for drying dishes. The location is off the beaten track, literally! But I think that this is the big appeal of this property. The feeling of complete isolation & privacy was something we’ve looked for and never quite found but this exceeded our expectation. In the evenings we would sit in the hot tub, switch all the lights off and watch the stars, without a single street light or light pollution... it was a special feeling and quite surreal at times. The log fire is just perfect after a day out in the cold weather. We did go through quite a lot of fire wood though as it’s a big stove! The house is down a very long and winding road but you soon get used to it; we were venturing out most days however if you’re looking to spend most of your time at the property I’d advise to stock up in the supermarket as the closest is about 25 minutes away. The private gardens were spectacular, like having your own wee secret garden. There are waterfalls and little bridges everywhere you turn, as well as beautiful stone work. The owner Andrew was very pleasant and helpful with all of our queries, although we didn’t have to be in touch much as the information pack is thorough. There are games provided which I thought were a nice touch - chess, cards, monopoly, Pictionary! As well as dozens of books & DVDS. If you’re looking for adventure then a day trip to Glencoe ski slopes are a must. We went up on the ski lift, where the scenery was breath taking. We tried again another day but the wind was too strong for the ski lift. I’d also recommend “the hidden valley” at Glen coe for a hike, or even just for pictures opportunities from the road side. Another nice day trip is to Oban. Loch Awe at the bottom of the road is stunning, and well worth a walk down for pictures & to watch the sun set. All in all a brilliant holiday with many memories to cherish, thank you!!

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• Jacqueline - Verified booking

  We booked this property for the second week of our Scottish holiday having spent the first week on Lewis in an immaculate cottage by the beach.

  So wondered how that could be surpassed? We needn't have worried, Sobrachan is fantastic. The views, the house, the grounds (the list is endless) are all stunning. The hot tub is absolute bliss and sitting back in there watching the ever changing scenery is magical. We saw ospreys, buzzards and had the most fabulous evening in the hot tub watching the nesting swallows feed their young. A walk around the grounds up to the suspension bridge is a must, my advice is walk slowly! Also we booked with Adventure West sea trips to do the corryvrecken whirlpool and wildlife tour sailing out of Crinan Harbour. Oh my gosh, if you don't do anything during your stay do this. It made our holiday, it was exhilarating and exciting. We saw all sorts of sea life, Grey seals, harbour seals, a golden eagle and her fledgling, shags, cormorants and much more. Taken care of by a very professional and highly competent team. Andrew, our host, was excellent he was always at the end of a text and replied very quickly to any queries we had, and gave us some thorough information about how things worked at the house. Especially the midge pdf!! Read this carefully if you are staying within July/Aug it's essential for a happy holiday. If you're wondering whether or not to book this house, my advice would be to do it. You won't be disappointed. The views alone would do it for me but there's so much more. We have made some magical memories here, listening to my husband playing the grand piano whilst sitting on the deck sipping gin is just one of them. Fabulous. And thanks again Andrew for a perfect week and it was lovely to meet you. We will be back.

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• Simon - Verified booking

  This property could be spectacular but there were far too many issues for us during our stay in September 2023.

  Positives - The view from the property is absolutely spectacular, all the rooms are very spacious, the kitchen is reasonably well equipped. Negatives - On arrival the windows were open the property was very cold, the boiler was in an error state and it took a while to work out how to solve this, we eventually worked out it was due to no pressure in the boiler. There is no information in the property and we had to text the host for the WiFi password, there is also no information on the recycling procedure, how the Nest system works or what should be done on check out in relation to bed sheets etc. The kitchen is extremely tired with paint wearing off the units, the tap is loose, and in addition the bid lid was very dirty and we found a dirty tray in the oven covered in grease and food detritus. All the windows in the property were filthy. There is a leak in the lounge ceiling during heavy rain. The radiator in the bathroom leaks which pools on the bathroom floor. The curtains in the lounge come off the runner if you shut them as there is a gap in the curtain rail. The lamp in the lounge had a two pin plug so was useless. The paint on the walls are very stained in places. The rug in the lounge is a trip hazard as it has a permanent ruck in it. The parking is very compromised - we struggled to turn cars (we came in two) around at the top of the drive as the person in the downstairs flat didn’t park considerately leaving extremely limited room - in addition the ground surrounding the parking area is unstable and one of our party nearly broke their ankle as the ground collapsed next to the log when they exited the car.

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• David - Verified booking

  Sobrachan is one of those places that you don't want to tell the rest of the world as its very special and you want to keep it a secret.

  The house is very well maintained and is totally off grid as the house boasts heating lighting cooking and copious hot water all generated by its own hydro pump house from the streams that run through the land . On the side of the house there is a very large sun terrace with cast iron table and chairs very nice , and leads to the well maintained fairytale gardens with streams , bridges , waterfalls , even a full sized suspension bridge built by the owners ...Great piece of engineering guys . The views from inside and out are breathtaking and the house is perfectly located on the 10 acres of land . On the rear of the house is a decking area with table and chairs with views across the Loch ( look out for the sunrise and sunsets ) amazing beautiful and just blown away how special this place really is. Andrew the owner was friendly and very helpful even offered to ask if there was anything we wanted from the nearest town as he was popping across there (30 minutes away) nice guy. Other people I would like to mention Ian I think he was the groundsman was very friendly and loved talking to him , also Andrews father sorry I can't remember his name but what a lovely 80 year old gentleman very nice to talk too . The water comes from the beautiful stream running through the land and goes through a group of filters and then is passed through a UV light before it gets to the tap Wi-fi is good and strong throughout the property and outside coverage is good as well , 4G is a bit of hit and miss but still connects outside . So the big question is would I go again ? ....YES IN A FLASH .

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