Villas In Scotland

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Paula - Verified booking

  As if we weren’t lucky enough to find ourselves spending a week in the lovely town of Nairn during a week’s heatwave, we had the added joy of spending that week in Griffin Cottage.

  Griffin is in the heart of the Fishertown area, with the harbour and glorious beaches less than half a mile away, and within an easy stroll of the town centre. We arrived to find an excellent selection of treats and drink generously provided by Daska – the owner - to welcome us. Another nice touch is that a cupboard contained some of the staples that can often be accidentally left behind. Griffin is cosy, welcoming and well appointed; one of a collection of historically randomly sited cottages and very much part of a real community; nearby neighbours David and Jacqui were really welcoming, giving us a really useful insight into places to visit and things that were happening. Everyone around was welcoming and very friendly and it really felt like we just slotted into the local community. Just one thing to be aware of; parking outside the cottage involves some tight reversing manoeuvres around a couple of parked cars, though anyone without sensors (and ideally cameras) can always park nearby rather than right outside the door. We definitely recommend a visit to the Sun Dancer restaurant on the beach front; really tasty food (seafood is fabulous, steak night on a Thursday) which you can eat whilst looking out over the beach and sea. They are apparently booked up weeks in advance but usually have some cancellations on the day and we got one of those. Nairn itself is ideally placed to visit loads of interesting places including Findhorn, Loch Ness, Culloden and the Black Isle; all are within easy travelling distance. Finally we would like to thank Daska for being the absolutely perfect host. Because of the heat we asked whether there was any chance of a fan being provided; one was delivered within hours of us asking. And in an embarrassing oversight we left behind some dirty washing in a carrier bag. Daska not only forwarded it on to us, but gave it a wash first! Talk about going above and beyond. We heartily recommend Griffin Cottage and gorgeous Nairn for a great holiday.

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• Laura - Verified booking

  We spent a week at this cottage and thankful that we hadn’t booked two weeks!

  ! Firstly I have to state that I had not read the script properly re this cottage and thought there was a garden – WRONG! However there was also no space to sit outside mainly due to the close proximity of the back of the post office. Basically the space between the shop and cottage is two car wide and quite busy so definitely not (in my opinion) suitable for children.. On a positive note the cottage is lovely however as already stated in prev reviews the seating is not suitable for tall people, which we both are. This did cause a major problem for my husband particularly and the seating exacerbated his back problem to the extent he had to increase his pain relief. You might think we should have cut the holiday short, well unfortunately, I also took ill so the drive home was not on until the Friday when we did leave!! The views from this cottage are awful, you look out from the living room and see a the main driveway which I must state is very tight for cars and from kitchen window is the crates and boxes etc. I have not had the opportunity to post my photos re the views around this cottage re Skyes feedback survey but I will pursue and hopefully find a way!! The owners never showed up to welcome us and the welcome pack left was meagre i.e: 7 dishwasher tabs, 4 coffee and three tea sachets and three milk pots – are, for me, extremely poor given the price of this cottage. To end on a positive note, I would definitely return to Boat of Garten again as it is a lovely village with lots of local walks etc.

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• Stewart - Verified booking

  Irritated that a large bunch of keys for local churches, houses and businesses, had been left in the property.

  Texted the housekeeper listed in the information book [within the house], who later texted back informing me that they no longer cleaned the house. Decided that I wasn't prepared to spend more of my holiday chasing up forgetful cleaners or negligent owners. Mid-week I received a text message from 'a detail focussed and efficient' cleaning company asking if there was a bunch of keys in the house and then could we arrange for them to be picked up. This was annoying as I believe it was a breach of GDPR and of the Sykes contract. My details had been shared with a third party, not for the purposes of payment or key pickup, or for the general promotion of local businesses as stated in the contract. I would have expected either Sykes or the owners to have contacted myself directly regarding the keys and not a third party. For balance we have previously rented a number of properties through Sykes without issue, have been satisfied and they are always the first place we look for holiday accommodation. Disappointed with the performance on this occasion. The cottage would have benefitted from some more cleaning materials, such as a decent brush. Having a dog [casting at the time] we were particularly mindful of cleaning up before leaving, being more vigilant before leaving noted his [distinctive] hair wasn't the only dog hair. Whatever the truth in 'poor workers blaming their tools' we felt hampered for want of better tools.

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• Kerry - Verified booking

  Blown away by how quaint this cottage was on the outside and in.

  Fresh roses, chocs, cheese and crackers, with beer and bubbles upon arrival- what a lovely gesture, thank you! The birdies were a pleasant time stealer while having breakfast. Log fire and unlimited logs with kindle was wonderful and so well organised - again thank you. The cottage was so warm. Books, games and literature was beneficial and the TV was brilliant. The deep bath and mood lighting was very romantic and great for sole relaxation with the beautiful views of the the trees through the windows. The huge bed was amazing and so comfortable. We have slept really well. The stairs are grand and manageable. Down stairs toilet was very handy. Kitchen was well equipped - better than our own. This cottage was clean, modern, comfortable, spectacular and very private. Landlords at the end of the phone should one need assistance - thanks. Local walks are a must- the views are spectacularly picturesque, that will remain in our heart and minds forever. Can't wait to revisit. Thanks Kerry and Ben Date of experience: 29 December 2022 -5th January 2023.

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• Norma - Verified booking

  Despite the photograph of the cottage it was not a secluded cottage in a private garden but attached to a bigger house belonging to the owners.

  The rooms were both extremely dark with very little day light getting into the building, we had to have the lights on all the time and it still was difficult to read. The sofa and chair were very uncomfortable and the only eating space was the breakfast bar which is not suitable for a relaxing evening meal. The stairs are extremely steep and require a second hand rail on the right hand side to provide a safer journey up and down. There was no wardrobe in which to hang clothes; only a few pegs at the top of the stairs outside the bedroom door. No doubt the owners thought the cottage quirky but it could have been so much nicer if it had been designed by someone with experienced. Considering the size and inadequate furnishings, the dingy interior and the odd collection of aging vehicles parked in the grounds I consider this property to be very over priced and definitely not worth the money you charged for it. Yours somewhat disappointed Norma C M Adam

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