Testimonials

Peaceful Islay gem

Very well appointed cottage. Very clean and comfortable. A short walk from an incredible beach. With parking provided for the cottages and a shared garden area with mature shrubs. There is great information about local attractions. Kilchoman distillery is a short distance away and is available for tours. Prices are excellent for Islay. Definitely would return here.

Islay Cottages

We had a fantastic week at Kilchoman House and cottages for a family celebration. Accommodation was comfortable and spotlessly clean. Everything you could possibly need was provided. Set in beautiful gardens in a peaceful part of the island. We loved it! The management team were so helpful and obliging. We can highly recommend and will definitely be back.

Quiet relaxing getaway

Beautiful cottage in a postcard setting. I had an amazing getaway staying here and I cannot wait to go back. Everything you need is at hand. Very clean and bed was super comfy. You will need a car however it’s more than worth it for the location. The beach (Machir Bay … white sands, blue ocean view and practically have it to yourself) and the Kilchoman distillery are within walking distance if you are able to do a good walk for 20 mins, otherwise 5 mins in the car. Adore adore adore everything about my stay.

Great base for any stay on Islay

Dundonald cottage is well equipped and very comfortable and has a nice garden to sit out in. This was our second stay here and we’re already looking to book again for next year. It’s very central and close the harbour, shops and distillery at Bowmore

Wonderful cottages

This was our third stay in these wonderful cottages.They are exceptionally clean and comfortable, well equipped with everything one needs and in a fabulous peaceful location. Counting the days to the next visit!

Would recommend to big groups

Great house to stay with a big group of family or friends. Plenty of room for all of us to dine together and play games too. Would recommend to large groups wanting a holiday on the lovely Island of Islay.

Fantastic house it has everything you need for a relaxing stay. Had a great time. Hopefully get back very soon.

Another fantastic stay at Kilchoman house. It’s a big house but has a warm friendly welcoming feel about it.
It has everything you need for a relaxing break. Owners and staff make you very welcome and nothing is a problem. It’s in a great location.

Coming Home

Love going here this is our 4th time and it never disappoints. Cosy cottages, wildlife in area is great and the beach is not far away. Love it. RSPB Gruinart is very close and worth a visit as is Machir Bay, Saligo Bay and of course the many distilleries on the island.

Comfortable cottage in a stunning location

We had a wonderful week at Islay cottages. Our cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed. Kilchoman is a fairly remote area and so be aware that you can’t walk to a pub or shop, but you have the incredible Machir Bay on your doorstep and lots of interesting places to explore, including the nearby distillery. This was our first visit to Islay, but it won’t be our last holiday to this incredible island.

Lovely holiday. Great cottage, fantastic location.

My wife and I spent 2 weeks at Machir Cottage, one of four row cottages in Kilchoman. For me, it was a wonderful return to Islay after over 50 years having visited as a boy and stayed in the same cottages. For my wife, who is American, it was a brand new and wonderful experience and she loved every moment. The cottage had everything you could need as a base for exploring this incredible island.

Everything was to a good standard, the beds were comfortable and the wi-fi connection was more than adequate for such a remote location (we didn’t use the TV/DVD). The living room and kitchen area is perfect for relaxing in the evenings, and you’ll be amazed at the quiet ! If your idea of the perfect holiday is getting out into the wilds and exploring miles of unspoilt beauty, this is the place for you. I am certain it is popular with walkers, but you can also do many exciting trips by car (which you’ll need anyway to get around !). Some of the roads do get a bit funky in places, and it’s largely single track with passing places, but you soon get used to this, and the courtesy between drivers is generally a joy to experience.

The Kilchoman cottages are near three absolutely stunning beaches, all within 4/5 miles: Machir Bay, Saligo Bay and Sanaigmore, it was impossible to choose between them, but we visited each one at least twice. Perhaps the most scenic beaches we’ve ever seen, with beautiful rock formations, white sand and totally unspoilt (and indeed generally deserted !)

There’s also the possibility to take a day trip over to the nearby island of Jura, the famous `paps’ (mountains) add a stunning back drop to so many places on Islay. It is a photographer’s dream. Life is simpler here, and in many ways it had not changed at all for me since 1972 ! A lifetime dream fulfilled to come back here, and I wasn’t disappointed ! We were very very lucky with the weather, which does help, and on a good day I wouldn’t hesitate to call it paradise.

Handy hints: Take plenty of basic provisions with you, but the Co-op in Bowmore is up to modern standards for most of your needs, we only needed a couple of trips there to restock in two weeks. If you’re big on nightlife and bustle, give it a miss…but if you love nature, beauty and fresh air….it can’t be beaten.

Perfect location

Very cosy and well equipped cottage in the perfect spot on this beautiful island. We enjoyed the nearby beaches within walking distance as well as stunning sunsets just a few steps up the road at the ruins of Kilchoman church. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Amazing stay, in a fabulous location, with everything we could have needed

I contacted Gillian almost two years before I planned to visit as I was booking for a large group and the island has limited space for groups of around 20. Gillian couldn’t have been more helpful, establishing the tariffs far enough in advance that I was very satisfied.

A group of us had the big house and then two families also took two of the cottages in the grounds. I have been to Islay many times before but never stayed with such a large group so was anxious that everything would be great for everyone, and it was.

Gillian very kindly answered all my questions up front, and made sure that the accommodation was spotless on arrival. The grounds are huge and the children in the group happily played football, rugby and cricket for hours. We spent many happy hours in the dining room and the living room, both large enough for us.

The location could not be better. Remote, beautiful and peaceful.

I’d recommend staying here to anyone.

If you plan a large group please book restaurants and activities ahead to make sure you aren’t disappointed. We went on whisky and gin tours, boat trips, visited beautiful beaches, went clay pigeon shooting and painted pottery. Definitely a highlight of my 50th year

Perfect place to relax.

A welcoming and cosy place to stay in beautiful Islay. Clean and comfortable house. A great selection of holiday reading! And all the essentials in the kitchen. So lovely to sit outside and watch the birds and changing weather and really relax. Look forward to going back!

Great stay in Dundonald Cottage

Very comfortable and large house in the centre of Bowmore, ideal base for exploring the island. A large comfortable living room, large and very well equipped kitchen, utility room large enough for anything you might want to store. Good sized garden with picnic bench and partial view of Loch Indaal. Two large and comfortable bedrooms. One bathroom downstairs. There were only two of us but the house is easily big enough for four adults. No fuss at all from the owners. Always easy to park outside. Would strongly recommend.

Highly recommended

Brilliant base to explore Islay! We were quite comfortable and the history of the buildings made it even cozier. The cottage contained everything we needed, and then some. Be warned that you’ll want to buy bottled water, as the tap water is peaty/brown. Great communication, well-appointed. Highly recommended!

Lovely cottage

Stayed in the cottage for a week. Everything you need for your stay is provided. The accommodation was great and clean. The coal fire was an added bonus and I would highly recommend going outside to see the night stars. We had the fantastic added bonus of seeing the Northern Lights.

Testimonials