New Year Breaks In Scotland

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Stuart - Verified booking

  This listing does not live up to its description.

  It is a cold, unwelcoming place where the heating is insufficient in every respect. Cold floors, draughty windows, a lack of insulation in this outbuilding lead to it having an unaired, abandoned feel and certainly not suitable for a winter break. It can be found up about a mile up the farm track, with a dark, dense wooded view from the kitchen and a view of the back of a farmhouse from the front. There is no name on the cottage which stands next to a delapidated greenhouse with sharp glass which has been allowed to cave in and stay where it fell. We left after 2 nights because the bed was so horribly and unbelievably cold. We left the heating on all day on our second day but the building retains no warmth at all. The minute the heating goes off, it becomes cold again. There is insufficient lighting in the lounge/diner for reading which is not cosy, even with a log fire. The owners had kitted out the kitchen well and left eggs as a welcome gesture which was nice but even the black , windowless bathroom was quite depressing. We did not contact the owners before we left as there is nothing they could have done to improve things for us. Sykes' representative's naïve comment that we should have talked to them first so that they could have turned up the thermostat showed a lack of understanding of the severity of our issues. We have both lived in a rural setting in the north of England and are used to inclement , winter weather. We have been Sykes customers for over 20 years and have always had a good experience. This means we will not be booking our next holiday with Sykes.

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• Eva - Verified booking

  I had a one week holiday in Iola cottage in 2023.

  The owners next door were friendly and helpful, answered me within minutes if I texted them. The cottage is in an excellent location next to Loch Ness and main roads, yet quiet and peaceful. However, I am very keen on cleanliness and unfortunately, I found a few not too clean cutlery and plates in the cupboard, as well as empty shower and shampoo bottles and soap boxes in the bathroom. (I use always mine ones anyway, but I thought these are not only for decoration) Also, the mattress was too soft for me, but rather in the middle, like something a bit of a worn out. These are things that can be easily improved and I'm sure, some of them was already spotted. The WIFI also wasn't too strong, but in the shade of the mountains sign is weak everywhere, and because I was away most of my days, it didn't bother me too much. In spite of all these I had a fantastic week, I could easily reach out every attraction which I wanted to see and try. Loch Ness is about a 10 minutes walk from the cottage and even to walk to the lake and back there is an amazing view from the road. The garden is perfect, the view from the balcony is fabulous, I spent some evenings on the balcony to sip a glass of wine and enjoyed the peace and harmony. All in one I can only recommend this place.

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• Gillian - Verified booking

  Accommodation excellent, well equipped, warm, comfortable and spotless.

  Had to msg iwner about the hairdryer not functioning and it was replaced via Amazon the next day. I had a pleasant exchange with the owner who came across as warm and helpful. Skyes Holiday Cottages on the other hand bombard with lists of instructions which are needlessly dictatorial. I absolutely agree that one should treat holiday Accommodation with care and respect and leave it tidy and free from personal detritus but one pays pretty handsomely for the privilege of staying; it's not a freebie or a favour. By all means ask guests to empty fridge and bins, strip bed perhaps but express this as things which would be appreciated rather than demanded. And never suggest that the dishwasher be run overnight. A fire hazard while occupants are sleeping might lead to disaster and a hefty damage insurance claim.

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• Brian - Verified booking

  Wasn’t the cleanest of properties cobwebs mostly and dusty skirting boards ...

  Wasn’t the cleanest of properties cobwebs mostly and dusty skirting boards plus the fire had just been left after last use living room ok seating was fine but channel choice on TV wasn’t that good kitchen ok canny layout could do with some proper microwave containers and someone had broken the freezer part of the fridge and not said anything should’ve had the decency to admit to it bathroom is small it’ll be a squeeze for a larger person to sit on the toilet also big shower head no pressure bedroom biggest room bed nice but not for the taller person also window doesn’t lock and can be opened from outside Nice area quiet and peaceful overall not the best but not the worst by far Clark and Caroline friendly 6 or 7 out of 10

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• Sara - Verified booking

  We had a great stay at the cottage we stayed for 6 nights,it is well equipped ...

  We had a great stay at the cottage we stayed for 6 nights,it is well equipped with everything you need -the welcome pack was much appreciated as were the fresh eggs from the hens There is a table and bench outside in the garden which is nice on an evening to sit out We cycled part of the great Glen way-climbed Ben Nevis and visited the Isle of Skye amongst other trips The cottage is well situated for all of these things and the village is only a 30 min walk with a couple of pubs a few cafes and takeaways and a well stocked coop Overall we had a fantastic stay and would definitely return if we were in Scotland Thank you

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