On the left side of Scotland, you’ll find the beautiful county with isles named Argyll. Sometimes it’s called Argyllshire or known as the ‘’Coast of the Gaels’’. What makes this county special? Well, it’s of ancient origin and filled with history. Once Argyll was a medieval bishopric with its cathedral at Lismore, as well as an early modern earldom and dukedom, named the Dukedom of Argyll. Furthermore, Argyll once was a big part of a Gaelic kingdom named Dál Riata.
Argyll has 8 different areas, which means that you’re in for a treat. With a high variety in nature and many things to do and see, Argyll won’t disappoint you. It’s been a popular holiday destination for a reason. It has an incredible coastline, many lochs and rivers, glens and mountains, and even a National Park.
I made a list of the 8 best cottages in Argyll. With one of these, you will be guaranteed a fantastic stay in Argyll. Let's get started!
1. Tarbert Country Manor
As you can see in the picture above, Tarbert Country Manor is located on the shores of West Loch Tarbert (inland loch). When you stay in this mansion, you'll feel like you wake up in a dream every single day. Why? The surroundings are wonderful and the views through the windows are amazing. In some bedrooms, you only have to turn your head a little and you'll see nature and the loch. Tarbert Country Manor is a baronial mansion from the 19th century. Still, you can find its original charm even though it has modern amenities and updated interiors.
Tarbert Country Manor has space for up to 17 guests across 9 bedrooms. This makes it a perfect, special setting for family events, reunions, friend groups, and more. The atmosphere is warm and cosy, and the living room has a working fireplace. What's even more interesting are those views through the windows. You will find quite a few paintings throughout the house as well (you can say these contribute to the original charm feel). Besides exploring the lovely surroundings, there's something for everyone to do inside the house. Think about a cinema room, a pool table, and WiFi throughout the house.
Tarbert Country Manor – Prices
How much does Tarbert Country Manor cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £1,873 and £7,902. Dec 14th - Dec 20th, and Jan 3rd - Jan 6th are the most affordable periods. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
2. Old Argyll House
Old on the outside, luxurious on the inside. That's when we talk about Old Argyll House. It has a stunning location in Argyll as it's situated on the Cowal Peninsula. Also, it's on the southern edge of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. This means that you'll have the must-sees of Scotland almost at your doorstep. The national park has amazing scenery including forests, glens, mountains, and lochs. As there's so much to see, you won't finish this in one day and you'll need repeated visits. Therefore it's an ideal choice to stay in Old Argyll House: the starting point for exploring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Old Argyll House is only a few minutes away from Dunoon, which is the main town on the Cowal peninsula. As it lies on the western shore of the upper Firth of Clyde, you will find an attractive promenade and beautiful scenery. Dunoon is famous for its large Victorian pier and it’s also the gateway to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Besides, Dunoon is built around the historic Castle Mound.
As you can see in the picture below, Old Argyll House even has a hot tub. And you’ll be surprised what you’ll find inside this house: luxurious bathrooms, cosy living rooms and a working fireplace, a sauna, a game room including a pool table, and much more. From some rooms, you'll even get breathtaking views of the Holy Loch. Do you want a peaceful and tranquil starting point for exploring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park? Then this is your best choice!
Old Argyll House – Prices
How much does Old Argyll House cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £5,617 and £7,257. Dec 13th - Dec 19th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
3. Seal Bay Cottage in Argyll
Do you want great value for money? And a cottage that's located on the shoreline of Loch Fyne? Then I highly recommend Seal Bay Cottage. It's called like that for a reason too, as chances are that you'll spot seals. Seal Bay Cottage is built with one purpose: to be the ideal holiday home and getaway for those who seek peace, tranquillity, and stunning nature. Also, it’s close to the so-called ‘’Argyll’s secret coast’’. It’s not an old cottage, as it’s built in 1999. Inside, you’ll see that the house makes the most of light and sunshine.
The decoration is very tasteful. Every room is colourful and different. For example, the cosy living room comes with blue walls and a working fireplace (interesting to mention). The kitchen has a more peachy colour. And every single bedroom looks quite different, too. A red carpet, a blue carpet, a lavender carpet, you name it. There's even an indoor spa room complete with a hot tub whilst you can enjoy amazing views! It's easy to say why Seal Bay Cottage is highly loved by all ages. The spa room also opens out to the decking area, where you'll find comfortable outside furniture. Think about al fresco dining or a BBQ in summer.
If you seek great value for money in a special cottage, where you have the option to stay with a bigger group as well, then definitely consider Seal BayCottage.
Seal Bay Cottage – Prices
How much does Seal Bay Cottage cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £1,344 and £2,957. Dec 14th - Dec 21st is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
4. Ardentallan Cottage in Argyll
Once you get to Ardentallan Cottage, you never want to leave. If small, simple, and comfortable are your style, then this is your pick. There are not many holiday cottages where you'll get such an amazing view. There's even a working fireplace that warms a big part of the cottage, and inside it's very well-maintained. This is not the cottage that will give you a ''wow effect'' on the inside. It has all the amenities that you need including a well-equipped kitchen. But the main reason you want to stay here is because of the surroundings. Just look at the picture above. Speaks for itself, right?
Ardentallan Cottage lets you experience the wilderness on the striking Scottish coastland. From each room, you'll get stunning sea views. It's perfect for cosy nights and to recharge for the next day of exploring the dreamy area. There are two bedrooms including a family bathroom. One of these bedrooms is a double room looking out upon the sea, and the other one is a twin bedroom. Ardentallan Cottage is the perfect retreat for a busy lifestyle. You deserve to recharge, and this cottage gives you everything you need to recharge.
Important: there’s no WiFi. Do you dare to truly disconnect from the world?
P.S. It’s the most affordable cottage on this list!
Ardentallan Cottage – Prices
How much does Ardentallan Cottage cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £1,484 and £2,099. Dec 13th - Dec 17th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
5. Loch View House
The name of this cottage is quite obvious. You'll get views of the loch! Well, that's probably something you'd love to have. Wonderful views like this will truly help you relax, no matter what. Loch View House is close to Seal Back Cottage, as this one is also located in a secluded part of what is known as ''Argyll's secret coast''. An interesting fact is that this house has been used during WWII as a base for the Norwegian commandos. Back then, they went on the 'Heroes of Telemark' raid, one of the most successful acts of sabotage in the whole war.
This holiday cottage has never been like this. It's tripled in size. There's even an indoor swimming pool! Furthermore, there's a drawing room with large windows and stunning views, a games room, a spacious dining room, and a well-equipped kitchen. Loch View House has space for up to 16 guests to stay. This makes Loch View House an ideal choice for families or friend groups, too. And if you take only a few steps when you get outside, you'll be at the beach.
You will have fun, children will have fun, and you can even make use of a motorboat for guests’ exclusive use (subject to conditions).
Loch View House – Prices
How much does Loch View House cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £3,763 and £6,450. Dec 14th - Dec 20th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
6. Kyles of Bute House
Located on the banks of the popular seaside village named Tighnabruaich, you’ll find yourself in an area of incredible beauty. In case you didn’t know, Tighnabruaich is a hidden gem on the southwest tip of the Cowal peninsula in Argyll. It’s bordered by both Kyles of Bute, a narrow sea channel, and Loch Fyne. Be ready to see a rugged coastline, clear waters, oak woodlands, sandy beaches, hills, and much more. Tighnabruaich is even home to one of the best beaches in Argyll and probably even Scotland: Kilbride Bay. This is the perfect destination to swim during Summer.
Tighnabruaich is also part of ''Argyll's secret coast''. Besides, it's an ideal starting point to explore the rest of the area including Glasgow, which is only an hour and a half away. Inside, you can see that the house is modern and well-maintained. It has a modern look and all the amenities you need during your holiday. Kyles of Bute house has room for up to 18 guests to stay. Even though there's a lot to see and do on the outside, there's a lot to do on the inside as well. Think about a family-friendly games room, which boasts a pool table and a TV with Xbox.
Kyles of Bute House – Prices
How much does Kyles of Bute house cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £5,644 and £8,982. Dec 13th - Dec 19th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
7. Argyll Country House
This is in my opinion the first house on this list that has some interesting architecture. This is a Victorian country house with a wealth of period features. It’s also set in mature gardens close to one of the oldest settlements in Kintyre: the village of Clachan. This is an absolute must-visit. Argyll Country House is booked for many weddings, and you can tell why. It has all the space you need for a perfect wedding. Besides weddings, it’s also perfect for a Scottish business event, a family get-together, a surprise party, and much more. Good to mention is that Argyll Country House is easily accessible by car, plane, or boat.
Located on a hillside on seven acres of peaceful grounds, you'll experience complete peace and tranquillity. It has twelve en-suite bathrooms and an additional children’s play/bedroom, a fully equipped country kitchen, a Victorian dining room, three large public rooms, a cosy room with a bar and a wood-burning stove, and much more. Your private bar is empty so you['ll have to stock it yourself. And once you did, you'll have everything you need out of a bar. You can even decide to run it (there's usually always a member who likes to have such an experience).
Anyways, Argyll Country House is a beautiful historic home that offers you breathtaking scenery and of course, the possibility to shoot amazing pictures.
Argyll Country House – Prices
How much does Argyll Country House cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £6,595 and £8,728. Dec 13th - Dec 19th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
8. Seaview Mansion
Want to feel like you’re a king of the hill? Seaview Mansion has a truly wonderful position, located in the popular town of Oban. As you can see in the picture above, the views are extraordinary. You can see the Firth of Lorn, the island of Mull, Kerrera, and Lismore. This makes it also an ideal starting point for those who are interested in island hopping (P.S. there are excellent ferry services nearby). Seaview Mansion has room for up to twenty-two guests across eleven bedrooms. Inside, the look is very clean and modern. There are even two elegant reception rooms which makes it the perfect place to stay for special events, too.
The living room has a working fireplace and amazing sea views. Furthermore, there's a cinema room and the kitchen is fully equipped with a spacious dining room. So you'll get all the tools you need to make delicious meals. The bedrooms have either an en-suite shower room or an en-suite bathroom, and three of the rooms share one family bathroom. All members will enjoy their time in the games room which once was an old ‘’carriage house’’. Outside Seaview Mansion, there’s half an acre of gardens with plenty of lawned space. This is perfect for children, too. And not to forget, there’s a hot tub as well!
Seaview Mansion – Prices
How much does Argyll Country House cost? The price of this cottage to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £8,500 and £9,900. Dec 13th - Dec 19th, Jan 6th - Jun 23rd, and Sep 27th - Dec 20th are the most affordable periods. For the latest prices, please use the button below.
After the best cottages in Argyll
Argyll is the perfect place to stay in Scotland if you seek an amazing coastline, the opportunity to explore multiple islands, and many areas filled with history. But as you probably expected, Scotland has a lot more to offer. Therefore, have a look at these other articles for more inspiration:
