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Grebe Cottage

(Ref. 1002290)

Balvicar, Isle Of Seil, Argyll & The Isles Show on map

4.9

Sykes rating

  • 4 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (64)
  • location (35)
  • everything (34)
  • well (26)
  • beautiful (26)
  • need (24)

77 Customer Reviews

  • "Grebe Cottage is perfect for couples or families."

    The woodburner makes the whole house feel cosy. The cottage is a real home from home, with all the kitchen and laundry essentials that you need. It is also ideal for dogs too with walks right from the door. We particularly enjoyed taking the ferry to Easdale Island and exploring.

    Thank you Elisabeth. Brilliant feedback - thank you so much. A home from home is what we set out to achieve - there’s nothing worse than preparing a meal without access to the kitchen equipment required so we tried to think of everything. Our dog loves the area - the playing field behind the cottage is great for playing fetch with her tennis ball and she loves exploring the slate beach. Easdale island is very special and so picturesque with amazing views back towards Ellenabeich and onto Mull. We hope you will return for some more exploring. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Elisabeth5.0Oct 2024

  • "Fabulous cottage with everything you could possibly need, in an idyllic spot"

    Thank you Shelagh for the amazing feedback. You are also the 100th review we have had on the cottage which is fantastic! We are pleased you had a great week at Grebe Cottage. We have really tried to equip the cottage with everything you could need for a comfortable week’s stay. We would love to welcome you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Shelagh5.0Oct 2024

  • "Owners thought of everything to make stay good nothing was too much hassle."

    Plenty information for things to do places to visit plus all appliances in cottage will be returning again. Highly recommend this cottage.

    Thank you Lorraine - an amazing review! We love having guests back to visit again. And thank you so much for highly recommending us - that means so much to us as we put a lot of effort into the cottage. Really pleased you enjoyed your stay and we will look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lorraine5.0Oct 2024

  • "Grebe Cottage was perfect."

    Set in a beautiful location with everything we needed. It is a very short walk to the beach and local bar which served excellent food. Everyone was so friendly! Prior to arrival the owner provided us with plenty of information about the property and the local area. This was very helpful and thoughtful. The property was perfect on arrival and again full of useful info about walks, stuff to do, places to eat and all local activities. I don't think we have stayed in a property that was as well appointed as this. This was a fantastic holiday and we were very reluctant to leave. Thank you.

    Thank you Toby - we are so pleased that you had a great holiday in Ellenabeich and liked Grebe Cottage. We have equipped the cottage well to make it a home from home. Ellenabeich and the area around it is a very special part of Scotland. There is so much to do in the area. We hope that you will return for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Toby5.0Oct 2024

  • "We really enjoyed our stay at Grebe Cottage."

    It’s very well furnished and equipped and situated in a quiet corner of Ellenabeich. The owners are very helpful and friendly. Seil Island is a wonderful place with glorious sea views…. ……So good that we’ve already rebooked for next year!

    Thank you so much Michael for your lovely review. We will look forward to welcoming you back next year. Like you, we love the Isle of Seil - it is a special part of Scotland. We are really pleased you found the cottage a comfortable base from which to explore. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Aug 2024

  • "Fabulous little cottage, so peaceful and comfortable."

    Everything we needed, and more! Great location, and plenty to do close by. Have already booked for next year!

    Thank you Ruth for such great feedback and for your booking for next year - we look forward to welcoming you back. it is always good to have guests returning. There is so much to do in the area that one week just isn't enough! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Ruth5.0Jun 2024

  • "We had a lovely stay at Grebe Cottage."

    The owners have created a well equipped, cosy home from home. Lots of information provided in advance and plenty of local area information in the cottage itself. Fab location to further explore the Slate Islands or head across to Oban to pick up ferries to Mull and beyond. May benefit from a black out blind in the master bedroom as there is a bright streetlight outside which stays on all night. Overall a really great cosy base to explore from.

    Thank you Emma - great feedback. We have tried to make the cottage a home from home and are so pleased that you appreciated it. And we agree - it is a great location whether you want to stay local or explore further afield. Taking a ferry to Mull or Lismore is highly recommended and on a Wednesday you can also do a day trip to Coll or Tiree. From Mull you can also visit Ulva, Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles - all possible in a day trip. Further island hopping can be had further south where you can head to Gigha, Bute and Arran - all possible in a day trip but a longer day out. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your week and look forward to welcoming you back should you wish to return for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Emma4.4May 2024

  • "Fabulous property with everything you could possibly need."

    Very well presented throughout with lots of lovely touches (little library for example). Tons of information provided for all appliances etc and local information. Would definitely recommend.

    Thank you so much Danielle for your great feedback. We have tried so hard to make the property a home from home and are really pleased that you have appreciated it. The fact that you would definitely recommend the property is the ultimate accolade for us. We will look forward to welcoming you back for a return visit in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Danielle5.0May 2024

  • "Grebe Cottage is exactly as described."

    The location is perfect for exploring all of the Slate Islands. I only drove 21 miles/3 times in 7 days ( twice to get the Luing ferry) as the options for walking were superb. If I was to make one recommendation to guests it would be about meals: the cottage has everything you need to self cater and apart from The Atlantic Isles centre on Luing the best food options in my opinion are in Oban.You definitely need to book tables in advance. But I didn't get to try Tigh An Truish so that will be somewhere for me to try when I return

    Thank you Julie for your great review. There is so much to explore in the area that you can truly have an almost car free holiday! The Oyster pub in Ellenabeich, just a very short walk from Grebe Cottage has just been refurbished and serves good pub grub but we got caught out in high season once so always recommend that guests book a table to avoid disappointment. The Tigh an Truish by the Bridge over the Atlantic does really good food but again is popular and needs booking. We look forward to welcoming you back! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Julie4.7May 2024

  • "This is the most amazing holiday cottage in a wonderful unspoilt location."

    Every detail was thought of in the cottage and the locals were very friendly too, we will definitely return.

    Thank you so much Cheryl for an amazing review. We are so pleased you liked the area and the cottage. We have tried to make it a home away from home. We very much look forward to welcoming you back for a return visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Cheryl5.0Apr 2024

  • "Beautiful,well equipped cottage in a perfect location for a break away from everything."

    Would definitely recommend to friends and family

    Thank you so much Lesley for a fabulous review. We have tried to equip the cottage to a high standard so that guests can relax and enjoy their holiday. A recommendation to friends and family tells us we are doing something right so thank you very much! We will look forward to welcoming you back if you wish to return for another visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lesley5.0Apr 2024

  • "This is our second stay at Grebe Cottage and we absolutely love it."

    The house is very cosy and clean. It has all the facilities you need and is in such a lovely location. Perfect place for nature watching or Aurora spotting.

    Thank you Mark for your great feedback and it was great to welcome you back for a second stay. We have a few returning guests this year and it's great to see that guests love the cottage and the area as much as we do! There is so much to do in the area one visit just isn't long enough. We will look forward to welcoming you back if you would like to return for a third visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Mark5.0Feb 2024

  • "Beautiful cottage and beautifully presented."

    Feels very much like a home. We had a lovely time and would definitely come back. Great area with really interesting history and outstanding natural beauty. W loved the cottage and will definitely be sharing details with friends and family. The only suggestion is regarding check in and check out times. 5 pm is quite late and 9 am is really very early. I understand the need for cleaning times but these are both respectively the latest and earliest times I’ve encountered in 20 years of staying in cottages.

    Thank you Gary for the lovely feedback - and please do share with your family and friends. We would love to welcome you back for a future visit. We have tried hard to make the cottage a home from home and to maintain the cottage so that it retains its homely feel. The area around Ellenabeich is just superb and there are so many options for trips out from the cottage to cover a wide range of interests. I am working with our housekeeper on the check in/out times and hope to have something better in place soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Gary Andrew5.0Feb 2024

  • "A very cosy cottage set in gorgeous surroundings."

    The cottage had everything needed for a great weeks stay .very clean and warm .Nice size bedrooms with very comfortable beds .Cottage is so warm when get log burner going at night time. Only downside is that have to vacate property by 09.00 .Would highly recommend and very good value.

    Thank you Glyn for your great feedback. We are really pleased that you had a good stay. The cottage is very cosy in the winter months - a great place to be after a day out in the elements. We have a great housekeeper who does an excellent job for us keeping the cottage clean, but unfortunately have to share her with another property (there are just not enough cleaners available in the area to cover the holiday lets). We are trying to come up with a solution to change the check out time and hope to have something in place soon. Thank you so much for your high recommendation - we will look forward to welcoming you back for a return visit in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Glyn5.0Jan 2024

  • "A cozy and beautiful cottage."

    Clean and well-kept in every detail. Very good location, close to the water and walking routes. The owner left tips about nearby places and tourist attractions, for which I am very grateful. I sincerely recommend this cottage for resting and I will happily go back there.

    Thank you very much Anna for your fantastic feedback. Really pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Grebe Cottage and I wanted to thank you for the sketch you left us in the visitor book of the view across towards Luing. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Anna5.0Dec 2023

  • "This was our second stay here, and a pleasure it was."

    Would come back here every time if we could! Lovely cottage and great location.

    Thank you Melissa - it was great to welcome you back to Grebe Cottage. Please return again for another visit - it is such a lovely part of Scotland. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Melissa5.0Nov 2023

  • "Smashing cottage."

    Everything you need for cosy stay.

    Thank you so much Belinda for your great feedback. Really pleased you enjoyed your stay. The cottage is very cosy, especially in the autumn and winter when you can relax with a good book in front of the wood burner. We hope to welcome you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Belinda5.0Nov 2023

  • "Lovely little cottage in a beautiful location."

    Very well equipped.

    Thank you so much for your feedback Kathryn. We have tried hard to make the cottage a home away from home so it has everything you need for a very comfortable stay. I agree with you on the location - the isle of Seil is so unique and beautiful. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Kathryn4.4Sep 2023

  • "Great location, lovely walk out the back down to the sea and from the front to the Oyster Bar and ferry to Easdale Island."

    Very clean, well equipped and we really appreciated the tea and coffee.

    Thank you so much Denise - we are really pleased that you enjoyed your holiday at Grebe Cottage. It is great that the cottage is so close to the sea - within a minute you are out of the cottage and watching the waves come in on the beach! Easdale Island is a gem of an island - only a 5 minute walk then 2 minutes by ferry but feels like another world - a great place to walk, enjoy the views and of course practice your stone skimming. Our housekeeper does an amazing job with the cleaning of the cottage - we are so lucky to have her helping us. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Denise5.0Sep 2023

  • "Tastefully decorated."

    Well equipped incl dog towels!. Good electric shower (a rare find). Tea coffee appreciated. Perfect for our needs. Great location, lovely scenery and handy for pub, seafari & Oban. Couldn’t ask for more.

    Thank you so much Andrew for your great feedback. Glad that you liked the cottage and had a good holiday. The Oyster pub is a great asset to the village - a very easy walk and great home cooked food so is highly recommended to anyone staying at Grebe Cottage. We look forward to welcoming you back should you wish to return in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Andrew4.7Aug 2023

  • "Lovely property, clean, well equipped and well located."

    Michael, thank you so much for your lovely feedback. Really glad you enjoyed your holiday at Grebe Cottage. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Aug 2023

  • "A lovely cottage in a wonderful location."

    Thank you for your great feedback Steve. Really pleased you liked the cottage and I totally agree with you about the location! We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Steve5.0Jun 2023

  • "A quiet, comfortable and immaculately presented cottage with a quiet, private, secure garden with a path to the sea."

    Tastefully decorated and furnished with everything needed for a restful holiday. The cottage is a few minutes walk from lochs, sea, mountains and gardens. It is possible to take a wildlife boat trip or a little boat across to Easdale Island. The island of Luing is half an hour away and An Cala Garden is a few minutes walk away. Absolutely beautiful. Stay here. It’s a hidden gem.

    Thank you Anneliese for such great feedback. We are so glad that you had a great week at Grebe Cottage. The cottage is certainly in a fantastic location - Ellenabeich is a lovely village in a beautiful part of Scotland. We always feel we are on holiday when we turn off the main road from Oban - so pretty and peaceful. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Anneliese5.0May 2023

  • "The cottage is very well furnished, maintained, and ideally placed for a short stroll to the harbour and the Oyster bar and restaurant."

    The only problem I had was with the fridge which is very small and no freezer, only an ice making compartment in the fridge. You really need to be aware of this and get enough essentials for the evening and breakfast in the morning but you have to bear in mind the small fridge. I was also surprised that there was no welcome pack another reason why you will have to bring items e.g. milk, bread, butter, etc. The village shop does sell milk but not much else. On my last day the cleaner arrived at 9:00am even though I had rented the property until 10:00am she was very pleasant but walked into the house and started cleaning before I'd finished packing as a result I left some items behind. I found this unacceptaple particularly as you can't enter the property before 5:00pm on your first day of rental. However I would recommend Grebe Cottage as an ideal base for a relaxing holiday for a couple or small family.

    Thank you very much for your feedback Michael - really pleased that you had a good holiday and would recommend Grebe Cottage for a holiday to others. To address the issues you have raised, I am wondering if you didn't receive my welcome email which I send out to guests on the Wednesday before their stay which would have addressed some of your points? The cottage is exactly that - a cottage - very comfortable, great location, but it isn't big. To fit as much into the kitchen as possible, the fridge is just a standard small fridge with a small freezer compartment. We will be re-doing the kitchen in a few years and will try to re-configure to get a large fridge/freezer, but I'm not convinced it will be possible. When we first started renting the cottage we tried to find a way of providing a welcome pack for guests, but we just couldn't get the logistics sorted out - the area is fairly remote and just isn't set up for deliveries. Our housekeeper, great as she is with the house, doesn't drive, which made it even harder. The shop in the village is really just a tourist shop for Seafari tours and isn't open all year round. The shop in Balvicar, 2 miles away, has a good selection of food items on sale and is the nearest useful shop. We are really lucky to have such a good housekeeper looking after the property for us. It is a real struggle to find housekeepers to look after holiday cottages in the area - many hospitality businesses are having the same issue. This is the reason for the early departure time which we would love to change, but our housekeeper does another property as well on a Saturday so the compromise for a very clean, tidy and well looked after property is unfortunately an early check out time. We keep this constantly under review and as soon as the situation allows we will change it. I have checked and the Sykes website is clear with the departure time on booking. Sorry that this information didn't get through to you. Those items aside, it still appears that you had a good time, so we look forward to welcoming you back should you wish to return to the area for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michael5.0May 2023

  • "This is a great cottage with a lot of fine quality equipment in the kitchen for example."

    One or two minor issues - a more modern kitchen tap would be a great improvement. Also some softer more yielding pillows on the beds. A grab handle or two would be useful in the shower, but no problems overall, the cottage is great, location and local facilities excellent and perfect for a dog. The steep slope up to the old tramway path - if this were my place I would take and adze and cut a few rough steps in this to improve safety on the steep slope, not that my dog had any problem.

    Thank you John for your feedback. We are continually adding to the cottage and making improvements so we will take your recommendations on board. Whilst we have kept the access open at the rear to the former tramway behind the cottage, the slope up the tramway is steep and there is much easier access from the centre of the village or the road heading out of the village. As it is part of the heritage of Ellenabeich and not owned by ourselves we haven't touched the tramway slope so I guess a warning to future guests to use at your own risk although I agree dogs and children will find it easier to navigate! We are glad that overall you had a great week in the property and look forward to welcoming your back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by John4.4Apr 2023

  • "Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Grebe cottage."

    Facilities were excellent and the Isle of Seil is delightful. Lovely walking and great fishing. A superb place to relax.

    Many thanks Keith for your great feedback. Totally agree with you about the Isle of Seil. Glad you enjoyed staying in the cottage and enjoyed the walking. Great to know that it is a good area for fishing - it is something else to recommend to future guests. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another relaxing week. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Keith5.0Apr 2023

  • "A beautiful little cottage in a wonderful location."

    Seil island is a real peaceful haven and a great place to get away from it all. Make sure you take a trip over to Easdale and visit the coffee shop on Luing too. The owners couldn't be more helpful and pleasant, the care that they have for the property and guests is readily apparent. Fully equipped with everything you could need, cooking is a breeze! The whole family thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend without a second thought.

    Thank you Simon for such great feedback. We are pleased that you had an enjoyable week at Grebe Cottage. We try our very best to care for the cottage and our guests so that you have a relaxing break away and we are so pleased that this came across during your stay. We love Easdale too and it makes for a great car-free trip from the cottage - make sure to practice your stone skimming! Thank you for recommending the cottage to others and we will certainly look forward to welcoming you back in future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Simon5.0Apr 2023

  • "Wonderful property,well maintained,decorated and so clean."

    We can,t find fault with anything. Just the perfect cottage in a wonderful area. We had the most gorgeous week weather wise. Beautiful sunshine,clear views that we haven’t seen there in a long time.PERFECT.

    Thank you Catherine - you certainly had a great week of weather - cold but sunny and very clear - so pleased you got to see the surrounding scenery looking at its finest! Thank you for your great comments on the cottage - it's hard to beat "Perfect"! We try our best to keep the cottage looking lovely and clean - every time we visit something gets upgraded, decorated, etc. in order to keep the cottage looking fresh and our housekeeper does a fantastic job each week. This was your second time with us and we will certainly look forward to seeing you back again for another visit - just remember to bring the good weather with you again next time!! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Catherine5.0Mar 2023

  • "The cottage was perfect, had everything you needed for a comfortable stay and a secure back garden for the dog."

    All instructions for appliances were available and easy to follow. The accommodation location was perfect and peaceful too.

    Thank you so much for your feedback - we are really pleased you enjoyed your stay at Grebe Cottage. We try really hard to make the cottage a pleasure to stay in and a home from home so to receive a review that describes the cottage as perfect is just amazing. We hope you will return for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by B5.0Feb 2023

  • "Sofa uncomfortable but the rest of the cottage is stunning who ever decorated as really good taste the art work is amazing."

    The cottage as everything you need for a great holiday location amazing loved loved the cottage and everything around the area.

    Thank you Rosina for your feedback. Really sorry you found the sofa uncomfortable. We were limited with choice due to the space and I know that everyone wants something different from a sofa so it is always hard to find something that suits all. Really pleased you like the cottage decor - I had great fun with the design! We will look forward to welcoming you back should you wish to return for another visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rosina4.7Feb 2023

  • "Beautiful cottage in an equally lovely area ."

    Cottage has everything you need for your holiday a home from home highly recommended .

    Mary, thank you so much for your feedback. Really pleased you enjoyed your week in Ellenabeich. And thank you for your recommendation and comments about the cottage . We have tried to put everything in the cottage that is needed to make it homely and a home from home - we want guests to enjoy their holiday and not feel they are having to compromise compared with back home. We will look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Mary5.0Nov 2022

  • "Beautiful cottage, everything you need and in a quiet little cul de sac, perfect"

    Thank you Gary for your feedback - glad you loved Grebe Cottage - can't get better than "perfect"! Many thanks again and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Gary5.0Oct 2022

  • "Grebe cottage was perfect."

    It had absolutely everything you could need on holiday. Warm and inviting and so so comfy. Put the log burner on at your peril...it's hot. We ended up opening the windows to let some of the heat out ! Amazing. The dog loved it..from of fire and she was sorted for the night. Plenty of books to read, music to play and magazines to look through. Very well equipped kitchen - there's even cake making things there ! Bed was really comfy with lovely bedding. Plenty of wardrobe space, and drawers. Lots of holiday lets don't give you enough drawer space-this cottage gives you plenty. Dog walking. There's a community field, enclosed, that you can use if you want to let your dog off-lead to have a good run. Turn right then right again and walk until you see the community centre. Walk past there and past the play-ground and you're there. You'll meet the local dog-people who are so SO friendly. The cottage was clean, and I mean very clean ! We met the housekeeper when we were leaving on the Saturday morning. What a lovely lady. Gave her our thanks and told her we were highly impressed at her standard. The place was spotless. Would I recommend the cottage ? Yes, without a doubt. It's warm and comfortable in a beautiful place surrounded by fabulous scenery. Heaven.

    Thank you so much Janice - that is such an amazing endorsement of Grebe Cottage! We are so glad you had a great holiday and loved the cottage, especially as I know you didn't have the greatest of weather. Being an enthusiastic amateur baker there has to be cake making equipment in the cottage! And one of our main gripes with holiday accommodation is lack of storage space, so we made sure that in our own cottage there was plenty of room for everything. Tamsin, our housekeeper does an amazing job with looking after the property and keeping it clean and tidy - she was a real find. We will look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Janice5.0Oct 2022

  • "Fantastic stay."

    Everything we needed was there. Lovely views. Right on the beach which most morning's saw dolphins

    We are so pleased that you had a fantastic stay. We have heard that there has been a pod of dolphins around for much of this year but every time we have been up there they have failed to appear! Really glad you got to see them. The scenery around Grebe Cottage is truly stunning - we look forward to welcoming you back for more dolphin watching in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Susan4.7Sep 2022

  • "The best property we have ever stayed in!"

    Everything you could need for an enjoyable holiday! The dog loved all the walks! The beds were comfortable, hot water for showers, just excellent!

    Thank you so much Isobel - fantastic to hear that you loved the cottage - and high praise indeed that it is the best property you have ever stayed in - we are made up! There are loads of walks to do from the cottage so it is a great place to bring your dog. We look forward to welcoming you back if you wish to return for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Isobel5.0Sep 2022

  • "Excellent property."

    Well equipped. Very comfortable and relaxing get-away.

    Ian, thank you so much for the feedback and glad you had a relaxing break at Grebe Cottage. We will look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Ian5.0Aug 2022

  • "A wonderful cottage - beautifully decorated and furnished and with everything you could want for a comfortable and relaxing break."

    Thank you so much Paul for your feedback. Really pleased that you liked Grebe Cottage. We hope to welcome you back in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Paul5.0Jul 2022

  • "Grebe Cottage is a fantastic property with everything any visitor would need."

    We visited in the summer and it was a cosy and comfortable base to return to after a day of activities.

    Thank you so much Kitt for your feedback - it is really appreciated. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Grebe Cottage and found it cosy and comfortable. There is loads to do in the area but it is always good to have somewhere to come back to where you can relax. We have tried to make the cottage a home from home so that guests have everything they need. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Kitt5.0Jul 2022

  • "A lovely comfortable stay in a gorgeous cottage in a quiet remote but lovely location."

    Thank you, Mark, for your feedback. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and found the cottage comfortable. The location of Grebe Cottage is superb - the surrounding scenery is stunning and there is so much to do locally. We were up there ourselves last week and didn't want to leave!! We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lynda5.0Jul 2022

  • "Lovely cottage with everything you could possibly need."

    Communication with the owner was spot on. I would thoroughly recommend a stay at Grebe Cottage.

    Thank you, Alison, for your feedback which is much appreciated. Really glad that you enjoyed your stay at Grebe Cottage and great that you have recommended it to others. Although we are not based near to the property, we try our best to add a personal touch to your stay, with an email full of helpful hints and tips before your stay. We are also very much contactable throughout your stay and proactive if there are any issues. I know there was a small issue with the fridge during your stay which I am pleased we could sort out quickly for you. We very much want our guests to enjoy their time at the property without any worries. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Alison4.7Jun 2022

  • "Fabulous cottage!"

    The location was great for our two boys aged 9 and 11, backing on to the football field. The house was spotless, very well equipped and homely. The local information provided was excellent! We know the area well so had a fantastic week visiting our favourite beaches and we enjoyed trips to Oban, Easdale and local walks. We did a Seafari trip to Iona and Staffa which was excellent, we saw a dolphins in the harbour at Ellenabeich and a minke whale on the way back which was a great bonus.

    Hi Catherine. Thank you so much! The cottage is very well positioned for children - the football field and playground are just over the tramway at the back of the cottage. Seafari offer a range of trips from the village - the Iona/Staffa trip must have been amazing and great that you saw some good wildlife - children (and adults!) love going out on the ribs with Seafari and getting wet on the Corryvreckan whirlpool! There have been many sightings this spring of a pod of dolphins around Ellenabeich and Easdale, so future guests keep your eyes peeled. We are really pleased that you had a great half-term break and look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Catherine5.0May 2022

  • "Property was of the highest standard."

    Absolutely faultless. Everything sensible thing you would need. Good communication with the owner. Lots of information about local trips, outings and walks. Would definitely recommend to others. Peaceful and remote - so a little forward planning might be required for supplies and any special personal needs. When the weather breaks, the scenery is spectacular. If you want to get away from the “madding crowd” the location is ideal. The highlight of our trip was the drama and singing performance by local people at the community hall.

    Thank you so much Paul for your feedback. We are so glad that you had a good week up in Ellenabeich and totally made up with your description of "absolutely faultless". The weather has been a bit hit and miss for the past few weeks. I often find the best days are the ones with sunshine and showers - the scenery looks fresh after some rain and when the sun breaks through you often get some fantastic light and skies. The village shop in Balvicar (2 miles) is quite well stocked for its size as I found out the other week when I forgot something that I thought I would have to go into Oban for - but no, Balvicar stores came up trumps! There is an active community on Seil so always worth checking out what is on at the hall - it is only a 2 minute walk from the cottage. Thank you, Paul, once again and we look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Paul5.0May 2022

  • "The cottage was beautiful, very clean and well equipped."

    The kitchen had a great selection of crockery, cutlery and utensils which was greatly appreciated. The dish washer was a welcome bonus. Bed linen and towels were of a good quality, the bed was really comfy. The back garden was beautiful as too was the location. There was nothing I would change.

    Jo, thank you very much for your feedback. We are absolutely thrilled by your comment "there was nothing I would change". It must mean we are doing something right! I agree with the comfy bed - when I was up there the other week I slept like a log - it is definitely a bed you can snuggle up in and get warm and comfy! We look forward to welcoming you back for a future visit. Thank you once again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jo5.0May 2022

  • "What a lovely cottage in an ideal location."

    Very well equipped, clean, comfy, warm and inviting, and has everything you could possibly need. The sea is a stones throw from the back door the hills and dramatic cliff faces are on your front doorstep. Miles enough from anywhere to feel like you have properly escaped, but half an hour to Oban should you need to get back amongst the hustle of a busy place. We've had a lovely time relaxing, walking the dog and generally winding down and having some well earned "us time"

    Thank you so much Tony for your great feedback. We are glad that you were able to have some time to relax and enjoy the surroundings - it really is a good place to come to unwind and escape. I am writing this response from Grebe Cottage where I am staying this week myself and all I can hear are the waves, the wind(!) but more than anything the birds singing in the garden where we have some fledgling sparrows just ventured out of their nest this week! We look forward to welcoming you back for some more rest and relaxation in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Tony5.0Apr 2022

  • "Although this is a terraced property, it was very quiet and private."

    The cottage was very well equipped and comfortably furnished. We had everything we needed and more besides. Housekeeping standards were excellent. The owners were happy to be contacted with any queries and responded very quickly and effectively when we got in touch. The only down side (or is it an advantage?) is the very patchy mobile reception in the village but that is just how it is in this remote community. This is a property that we would be very happy to return to.

    Thank you so much Helen for your great feedback - we look forward to welcoming you back. We get around the mobile phone reception issue by using wi-fi calling when in the property but I know that this isn't accepted on all phones or networks. It is good sometimes to be able to go out and enjoy the surroundings knowing that your mobile phone won't go off! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Helen5.0Apr 2022

  • "The cottage had everything that we needed for our holiday."

    We had an excellent stay and are really happy that we picked Grebe Cottage for our Easter break. We would recommend this cottage to others as it’s in an lovely part of Scotland.

    We are so pleased, Stuart, that you enjoyed your Easter break at Grebe Cottage. It is in a beautiful part of Scotland - we love being surrounded by the sea and all the islands around. Thank you ever so much for your feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Stuart5.0Apr 2022

  • "Beautiful cottage in a beautiful area"

    Linda, thank you very much for your feedback. Really glad you had a good stay and enjoyed the cottage and the surroundings. We will look forward to welcoming you back should you wish to return. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Linda5.0Mar 2022

  • "Had a great break."

    A beautiful cottage in a beautiful spot. Has all the bits and pieces you will need and the fire (which is very easy to use and to clean) makes it so cosy. Only slight complaint is that the 9am leaving time is a bit too early.

    Thank you Lynn for your great feedback. The wood burner has certainly proved popular in the autumn and winter months. We are going to look into the possibility of a later leaving time from the property - it is driven by availability for the changeover but we will see if there is something we can sort out in this regard. We will look forward to welcoming you back if you wish to visit Ellenabeich in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lynn5.0Mar 2022

  • "Our 2nd trip to Grebe Cottage and we loved it just as much as the first time."

    The loveliest cottage in such a beautiful part of Scotland. We will definitely return again

    Lucy, thank you - you were our second guests when we started to rent out the cottage in 2019 and now in 2022 you have been our first returnees which is such a great endorsement of the cottage. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay as much as the first time and look forward to welcoming you back. You have clearly fallen in love with the area which isn't surprising as it is a beautiful part of Scotland! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lucy5.0Mar 2022

  • "February week break together (my pet poodle came too) and had to get straight onto review it… this rental is simply 5-STAR!"

    The cottage is beautiful, set in a lovely location, an easy short drive to Oban and the surrounding area and from Oban, a relatively short ferry to the Isle of Mull too. The cottage is a very short walk to the Oyster Bar pub where there is always a fire roaring, or a short drive to the Tigh an Truish Inn where food is superb. It is situated in the heart of the nicest village on the island. Shops, even a corner store, are few and far between but we knew this before we arrived so we stocked up on all essentials before arriving. The cottage is really pretty. Rooms are stunning, two lovely bedrooms and the outdoor rear garden is lovely too. Facilities are top rate including superb internet connectivity. We’ve stayed in some really gorgeous rentals in the UK and USA over the years but this is something special. The hosts communication make what is a very good rental into an amazing experience, top rate and great travel tips too! Their attention to detail is simply superb. The welcome pack inc. tons of logs for the fire, guides and books to read, CDs to listen to… the list is endless. All facilities are sharp, and in tip top condition, no worn out novels and guide books here, all is perfect. If you have stayed in 5-star rentals before come to Grebe Cottage on the Isle Of Seil, and see what 5-star really looks like!

    Thank you so much Anthony for your fantastic feedback. We are made up that you had such a good week at Grebe Cottage. We love the cottage and try our very best to make sure that our guests have a great experience. Every time we visit something gets replaced, tweaked or added to ensure that the cottage stays fresh and our housekeeper does such a good job at looking after the property for us. So glad you appreciated it. We would love to welcome you back in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Anthony5.0Feb 2022

  • "Beautiful cottage, well maintained and modern feel."

    Loved our stay.

    Thank you Paul for your great feedback. Really glad you had a lovely stay. We would love to welcome you back should you decide to return to Ellenabeich. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Paul4.7Jan 2022

  • "What an absolute gem this place is!"

    The cottage is clean, cosy, comfortable & has everything you could possibly need for a chilled out week away.

    Thank you Louise for your lovely feedback. Glad you had a relaxing week at the cottage. We would like to wish you and all of our guests all the very best for this festive season and for a happy and healthy 2022. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Louise3.8Dec 2021

  • "The cottage was fantastic all the little thoughtful extras like dog bowls, towels and blankets."

    Clean, good instructions for all equipment, very efficient wood burner and an extremely comfortable bed. Suggested walks, maps, guidebooks etc. Personal email from owners so helpful. I definitely hope to return. The only very small negative was no cupboard space for my food and luckily I had been warned about tiny amount of freezer space. Meal at The Oyster Bar was excellent.

    Thank you Janet for your feedback which is much appreciated. Glad you had a good week and we would love to welcome you back. We are up at the cottage this week and have re-arranged the cupboards to make some additional space for food. Our new front and back doors have also been fitted this week - they are looking really good and it has made a massive difference to the back door so I will no longer have to warn people about its issues in my welcome email! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Janet4.7Nov 2021

  • "A fabulous cottage in a great location."

    The cottage was very clean and comfortable and well equipped. The information provided by the owner was very good too.

    Thank you ever so much for your great feedback, Rhona. So glad you had a good week in Ellenabeich. We would love to welcome you back should you decide to holiday here again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rhona5.0Nov 2021

  • "Cottage clean,cozy and well stocked."

    Bed comfy and nice bathroom. Other than the fridge there was no cupboard space for food, if we had been a four it would have been differcult to store everything. Considered another stay next year in August but at £1300 for a week you have to be joking, exorbitant and not worth it.

    Thank you for your feedback which is always appreciated. We are glad that overall you enjoyed your time at Grebe Cottage and were thinking of rebooking - we would love to welcome you back. We have provided a very well stocked kitchen which guests appreciate, but due to the smaller size of the kitchen this does compromise on space for food storage. There is normally sufficient space for the week for food including for four people. However the cupboards do seem to get rearranged over time. We are at the cottage ourselves next week so will rearrange the cupboards to free up more space. Re the prices for next year these are set by Sykes with reference to other similar cottages in the area for the time of year. No doubt market forces will dictate whether or not these prices are reasonable. We have given Sykes the authority to discount the prices if weeks remain unbooked nearer to the time. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Anne3.8Oct 2021

  • "Could not fault the cottage ,one of the best we have stayed in."

    Cleanliness and comfort superb, quality of furniture, furnishings and kitchen equipment all to high standard. Unfortunately the weather was pretty awful all week so would love to go back again in the summer . We left a day early as it would have been very difficult to leave by 9am , as my husband does not keep good health. It is not a criticism but it may be something to think about giving people in our situation a little longer. Thanks for such a beautiful cottage in a lovely place.

    Reviewed by Eileen5.0Oct 2021

  • "Perfect cottage and location, will probably book again."

    Reviewed by David5.0Oct 2021

  • "The location was excellent with plenty of outdoor activities available right from the cottage."

    Reviewed by Michael4.4Sep 2021

  • "This is a fabulous cottage - one of the best we've ever stayed in for decor and equipment."

    So comfortable and lots of extra touches. Tea, coffee, sugar, dishwasher tabs and washing machine tabs and lots of little extras. So much thought and care has gone into it. If I could give it 6 stars I would. The area is incredibly peaceful though the Clachan Bridge is a bit scary first time over. The Oyster Bay bar really nice and the option to take a wildlife tour RIB boat ride from the village is well worth it. Just book it you won't regret it.

    Reviewed by Linda5.0Sep 2021

  • "Beautiful cottage with everything you could need in it."

    Spotlessly clean & very comfortable. Beautiful village and local people all very friendly & helpful.

    Reviewed by Matthew5.0Jun 2021

  • "Absolute gem."

    Fantastic cottage in a beautiful location. The cottage was so well equipped with everything you could wish for and more. Would recommend a little evening stroll to the local.. The Oyster Bar, lovely, friendly staff, great place to watch the sunset. Also recommend Seafari which sets sail from the local harbour by the pub. Lots of beautiful walks just on your doorstep. Such a peaceful and relaxing place can’t recommend it enough .

    Reviewed by Janet5.0May 2021

  • "Grebe Cottage is extremely well-appointed, stylish, comfortable and was thoughtfully equipped with everything we needed for our stay."

    The location is beautiful, with lots to do practically from the doorstep. Highly recommended and we are already dreaming of a return visit to Ellenabeich.

    Reviewed by Nicola5.0May 2021

  • "Fantastic stay - charming little house in the most wonderful little village."

    Spotlessly clean with everything you could possibly need. Front door was sometimes a little tricky to open but otherwise everything was perfect. Can’t wait to return!

    Reviewed by Melissa5.0May 2021

  • "Front door lock is difficult to open."

    Toilet push flush button very stiff and difficult to press down. Very well equipped, everything you would need when away from home.

    Reviewed by Stuart5.0May 2021

  • "Such a lovely holiday, the locals were so friendly and the area is beautiful."

    The cottage was perfect, very cosy and close to local areas of interest.

    Reviewed by Lauren5.0Oct 2020

  • "Lovely self-catering cottage."

    Well positioned close to the beach. I was staying with a friend and as such had searched for a 2 bedroom property for 2 adults on booking.com. Luckily we arrived slightly early and the cottage was still being prepared otherwise it was assumed we were a couple and only the double bed would have been made!

    Reviewed by Nick5.0Aug 2020

  • "A very clean and comfortable cottage with everything you could possibly need and so quiet and peaceful."

    The local pub and restaurant is only a very short walk from the cottage. An Cala gardens are worth a visit and SeaFari adventures do amazing wildlife trips from Ellenabeich.

    Reviewed by John5.0Aug 2020

  • "Great location and well equipped cottage."

    Reviewed by Valerie5.0Aug 2020

  • "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay."

    Everything in the cottage is of a high quality, that and the attention to detail made us feel quite at home. It’s a little gem in a truly breathtaking location. As we had an absolutely stunning week of hot weather, which of course can’t be guaranteed, the only downside for me was not having a garden seat, which apparently is not allowed at the moment. Although the picnic table was used. I would not hesitate to recommend this property and hope to return.

    Reviewed by Brian5.0Aug 2020

  • "We had a wonderful holiday on the stunning island of Seil."

    We had something different to go every day. Experiences to recommend include visiting local gardens, ferry trips to Easdale and Luing, Seafari (wonderful and thrilling), walking on the hills and eating at the Oyster bar and at T and T. We even had time to also read and relax! The perfect haven after lockdown and the madness of 2020!

    Reviewed by Julia5.0Jul 2020

  • "Had a fantastic time in this beautiful cottage with an outstanding location."

    The owners were great and extremely helpful. If it wasn't booked out I'd be back again this year. It was a little week of my dream life!

    Reviewed by David5.0Jul 2020

  • "A beautiful cottage and extremely warm and comfortable even during the stormy week we had while staying there."

    It was perfect for a relaxing break away from it all.

    Reviewed by John5.0Feb 2020

  • "Grebe Cottage was exactly as advertised."

    ...a beautiful cosy and comfortable cottage, very well presented to a high standard in a stunning location. Very comfortable beds, fresh and clean modern interior with some nice touch's The local pub restaurant, which is dog friendly, made us very welcome, and the food was good. The heritage centre was worth a visit. Highly recommend for those looking for a quite retreat of the beaten track.

    Reviewed by Tania5.0Dec 2019

  • "Great Location some nice touch’s like OS maps of the area along with suggested walks."

    Comfortable beds and decor was to a high standard.

    Reviewed by Ian5.0Oct 2019

  • "Brilliantly equipped and finished little cottage in a stunning setting."

    Reviewed by Stephen5.0Oct 2019

  • "Fresh, clean smell, and coordinated modern interior made us feel Immediately relaxed and welcome."

    The ability to leave the car parked for the 4 days and explore by kayak, bike and foot made the location absolutely perfect. Having a friendly restaurant / pub by the harbour made the evenings very sociable and gave us the option not to cook after a strenuous day. Absolutely perfect.

    Reviewed by Roy5.0Oct 2019

  • "A beautiful cottage in a stunning location."

    We had the most relaxing week in this lovely cottage. It was a real home from home with all the things we could have needed. A lovely pub near by which is dog friendly and a short drive in to Oban. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a completely relaxing break.

    Reviewed by Lucy5.0Sep 2019

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Summary

  • All-ground-floor
  • Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x twin
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Open-plan living room with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove
  • Electric central heating with woodburning stove (starter pack included)
  • Electric double oven and hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine
  • Smart TV with access to Netflix or Amazon Prime, a DAB+/FM Bluetooth internet stereo all-in-one smart music system with Spotify connect
  • Superfast broadband WiFi
  • Books and games
  • High chair available
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Off-road parking for one car
  • Enclosed lawned garden with shed, barbecue and seating area
  • One well-behaved pet welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Pub 0.1, Shop 0.1, Restaurant 0.1, Coast 0.1 & Beach 0.1miles

The property

Balvicar 1.9 miles.

This quaint, mid-terrace cottage is situated in a remote location, in the small village of Ellenabeich, near Balvicar on the Isle of Seil, Scotland.

Internally, the property has been renovated to provide a contemporary base for couples, friends and small families looking for a rural retreat in the peaceful countryside.

Look forward to spending your evening in the open-plan living space, curled up with your loved ones and catching up with your favourite shows.

The Smart TV enables people to watch TV, TV on demand and also stream from the likes of Netflix or Amazon Prime.

The all-in-one music system allows for connectivity to phones, ipods and to streaming services such as Spotify if people have an account.

The kitchen has everything you could need to rustle up a delicious meal for the whole family, to be enjoyed at the dining area over a well-deserved glass of wine, with a convenient dishwasher so you barely have to lift a finger to wash up!

The property benefits from two well-presented bedrooms, both of which rest on the ground floor, comprising of a king-size and twin.

Both bedrooms have a range of quality furnishings to store your personal items, with access to a family bathroom where you can enjoy a long soak in the tub after a tiring day.

Use the enclosed garden area to the rear for sitting out in the afternoon sun with a refreshing beverage and enjoy a spot of alfresco dining.

This lovely rural area of the Isle of Seil provides an escape to a peaceful location with plenty of trails for walking and cycling.

Just over two miles away is the Isle of Seil Golf Club for those sporty types, with easy access to the coast and a number of lakes and rivers for all manner of watersporting activities, including fishing, sailing and kayaking.

For garden enthusiasts, all 20 Glorious Gardens of Argyll and Bute are within easy reach of the property.

An Cala garden is only a 2 minute walk from the cottage.

Further afield is the resort town of Oban, which offers a large selection of pubs and restaurants for that fine dining experience, whilst the centre also offers a choice of shops and supermarkets for all of your amenities.

Discover a number of historical attractions, including McCaig's Tower, which dates back to the 19th century and provides panoramic views across Oban Bay.

Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds and guided tours of Oban Distillery are two of the many attractions available in Oban.

Return to Grebe Cottage for a relaxing evening with your loved ones in this contemporary dwelling.

EPC Rating: Band D

EPC Rating: Band D

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: AR-00333-F

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

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About the location

BALVICAR, ISLE OF SEIL

Oban 14 miles.

The village of Balvicar is found on Seil, the most northerly of the Slate Islands, attached to the Scottish mainland by the Clachan Bridge, built in 1793 and now famously known as the 'Bridge over the Atlantic' as it spans the narrow strip of ocean. This is a very peaceful and tranquil area, with an abundance of wildlife and spectacular scenery which is wonderful for walking, birdwatching, cycling, boating and fishing. Balvicar's village shop and post office boast a wide range of groceries, newspapers, fishing tackle for sale and golf clubs for use at the adjacent Golf Club. The two other inhabited slate islands, Easdale and Luing, are reached by a small passenger ferry and a car ferry respectively. Not to be missed are the high adrenaline boat trips by Sea-fari and the more sedate trips by Sealife Adventures, which offer a wide range of marine eco-tours that include visits to the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home of the world's third largest whirlpool, whale and dolphin watching as well as the chance to spot basking sharks and a wealth of seabirds.

View more holiday cottages in Balvicar, Isle Of Seil