Cottage Holidays Scotland

Holiday cottages in the West of Scotland and Islands – rugged beauty at the heart of Scotland

The wild west of Scotland includes some of the most rugged and inaccessible coastline in the country. Covering Argyle & Bute, Stirling, and the islands (Islay, Jura, Colonsay and hundreds of smaller ones), it is a veritable labyrinth of firths and lochs, bays and coves, inlets and rocky headlands.

The Mull of Kintyre, a rocky headland at the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, was made famous by Sir Paul McCartney in his song of the same name. And the region boast the equally famous and beautiful Loch Lomond, immortalised by that popular Scottish folk song, 'The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond':

Oh ye'll take the high road and I’ll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland before ye,
But woe is my heart until we meet again
On the bonnie bonnie banks O’ Loch Lomond

The most common interpretations of this song is that two of Bonnie Prince Charlie's men were captured and left behind in Carlisle after the failed rising of 1745.

One of the young soldiers was executed and the other released. The Spirit of the dead soldier travelling by the 'low road' would reach Scotland before his comrade, who would be struggling along the actual road over high, rugged country.

A cheery note about holiday cottages in Scotland

On a cheerier note, you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of holiday cottages on the Hebridean islands, the charm of rural villages and marvel at the natural frontier that separates the magnificent West Highlands from the gentler beauty of the Lowlands. If you’re lucky, you may glimpse an eagle, an osprey, a wildcat, a fine antlered stag or even whales and dolphins in this diverse region. Or, you can enjoy a Highland Games, the warmth of a traditional folk night or the fun and flavour of a local food festival, before retiring to bed in your self catering cottage, enjoying the holiday you deserve.

Here too, you can follow in the footsteps of heroes like St Columba, Sir William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots ... not to mention the infamous outlaw, Rob Roy.

You have the freedom to tailor your own Scottish break and this is a unique part of a cottage holiday experience, and for many visitors to a small friendly country village it's a great excuse to spend time exploring the area and meeting the locals.