Highlands Holiday Cottages

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Julia - Verified booking

  We had a really good holiday in the end but it was marred at the start by the unhelpful and unpleasant behaviour of the owner.

  He did not respond to our emails, asking about key collection, so I had to call up. During the call I asked if we should bring our own table tennis balls (one of the reasons we chose this cottage is the table tennis is shown in the pictures). He told me the table had been damaged some time ago and when I said how disappointed I was, he sneeringly claimed that 'no-one books a cottage just for table tennis'. When I explained that it was one of the main reasons we had decided on this particular cottage and asked if the table could be repaired before we arrived, he dismissed this as 'impossible'. He did not offer any apology and did not reply to my follow-up email that politely requested at least a temporary repair. In the end, when we arrived we found that, although damaged, it was possible to still use the table. The cottage is well equipped, though not that well maintained. It is likely to be something inherited from the owner's parents as it still has everything a lived-in house contains. The housekeeper clearly makes a good job of trying to clean the property well between visits but inevitably with so much bric-a-brack around, there are areas that they can't get to. It would give a better holiday experience if the owner would remove all the 'rubbish' e.g. drawers full of broken bits of household equipment and DIY stuff - this would make it easier to clean and it would feel less like living in someone else's house.

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• Mrs Dawson - Verified booking

  We had such a wonderful time at Tarken house celebrating my husband’s birthday over the New Year holidays (four adults, four children age 6-9). The property is beautiful and the photos somehow don’t capture just how amazing it is (that’s not a criticism of the photos, more of how lovely it is). We arrived to such a lovely experience - lights on, birthday banners and balloons set out, warm toastie heating on, welcome whiskey, biscuits and Scottish tablet… We appreciated so much about our stay - the views, the spaciousness, how well kitted out it is, how many towels, toilet rolls and kitchen rolls were left for us, the wonderful welcome. We loved that logs were all provided and the beds were soooo comfortable. We met so many warm, welcoming and helpful locals. There were walks from the door step and the pool, darts and pool table to occupy us when we didn’t want to venture out. There was always something to entertain all of us, including some much needed rest and relaxation. I can’t tell you how helpful, flexible and kind the housekeepers were (on several accounts that were entirely our fault). We’ve stayed in lots of houses over the years but their kindness has really shone through for us. We can’t recommend Tarken House enough and would love to come back in the summer months.

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• Rosemary - Verified booking

  This property was remote but ideal location for us but the property's description was not as described on the website.

  In fact the whole property desperately needed upgrading. 1. The shower over bath u/s and awaiting replacement. The toilet bowl in the bathroom had 2 serious cracks in it . The other shower In shower room only useable with immersion heater on. The hand basin also had a hairline crack from one side to the other. 2. Dining room stove not to be used as it affected immersion heater. Replacement electric heater was provided. 3. Oven did not have grill pan and only one oven shelf so cooking was best done on the hob. It was generally unfit. 4. Free sat to one tv only gave one channel and no signal to tv in Main lounge. Owner obviously relied on folks wanting to view dvd and videos - of which there was many. 5. Bearing in mind remote location the fridge was small and with broken shelf was only just adequate storage for two of us and would prove hard for a family. The freezer part was ok. 6. The tumble dryer lacked a venting kit and was rather noisy. 7. Pictures on Sykes website not up to date. 8. There was no PAT done on any portable equipment eg kettle, toaster, iron etc. Having said all this we thoroughly enjoyed the location and peacefulness, complete with sheep and lamb keeping the grass mowed each day !! Deer on the hillside opposite and birdlife.

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• Michael - Verified booking

  Stayed two days in summer.

  "lochside" really means beside a tidal seaweed patch that isn't nice to look at, not useful for boats, and uninhabitable with midges in summer, having driven the lengths of scotland I've never seen midges like it at this location. Location is on the other side of the loch so its an age to the shop in reality on bad roads, one takeaway that was always closed while we were there. Cabin has open fire so stinks of smoke, no attempts to clean by owners, who will expect you to clean for them, or charge your card without permission to do their job. Beds are tiny and hard. Decor is 70s esq, nice thick carpets to absorb the musky smell of the fire."award winning" we all found amusing on arrival. Kids hated it as TV wouldnt work and Wifi was awful. (I know I Know but kids like wifi, reality) Trades on location but its just another rental on a row of rentals. A typical skyes property tbh should know that by now. Avoid in future. Was charged hundreds of £s without consent for a wonky picture, a ring on a coaster (I'm not making this up) and crums on a floor. Apparently cleaners in this area are not very efficient. Avoid like the plague, Scotland has so many cheaper nicer places.

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• Mrs Rose - Verified booking

  Tarken House is beautiful, even more beautiful than the website pictures suggest. We were a party of 7 ladies and had a wonderful stay. On hearing that we were there for a birthday, the owners decorated the entrance with balloons. There was a welcome gift of tablet (yum). The seating area is so spacious and comfortable - the kitchen incredibly well equipped - even for making cocktails! We used the pool and it was gorgeous, nice and warm and you can use it as a fitness pool with the jets on. We didn't use the deck except for photos as we were staying in February, but it must be gorgeous in the warmer months. The views are astonishing. The bedrooms are beautiful - the three front bedrooms have loch views - lovely linens, soft fluffy towels and plenty of toiletries. The robes and slippers were much appreciated. I would say use the house as it is so lovely and it's easy to whip up a nice meal in that kitchen. We really had a great time - no complaints at all.

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