Cottage industry success story
A 15-year labour of love to create luxury self-catering accommodation in rural Argyll has come to fruition for Home Farm Cottages on Glendaruel Estate.
The business set up by David and Anne Sutherland has several high quality cottages for let from the north, the islands and down to Argyll.
But a converted dairy farm steading on the Cowal Peninsula is the jewel in the crown for the couple, and the flagship for the family business.
With so much emotion invested into the 1890s homestead, it is no wonder it has taken 15 years to turn Anne’s childhood home into a holiday stay sensation.
Home Farm Cottages has respectfully transformed Glendaruel Farmhouse and outbuildings into four and five star accommodation.
The company originally created six unique cottages which sleep two to six people, and are perfect for intimate breaks for family groups.
Last year (2011) the renovation project on the Argyll homestead was complete when The Coachhouse and Glendaruel Lodge were added to the company’s portfolio.
David said: “The 15-year journey we have embarked on has seen the painstaking restoration of the old steading which was originally designed by famous Scottish architect William Leiper.”
He added: “The steading was literally falling down and our options were to knock it down or develop it, so we decided to develop it, but with very little ‘new build’ so as it keep it in the same mode as Leiper’s vision a century earlier.”
Each property is furnished to the highest standard and contains all the modern facilities to provide the creature comforts of home.
The pet-friendly holiday cottages are situated in 150 acres of idyllic countryside, which includes a magnificent waterfall, and a six-mile stretch of the River Ruel with free salmon or sea trout fishing for guests.
Home Farm Cottages has also created a number of stunning walks around Glendaruel Estate, so visitors have the opportunity to appreciate the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings.
Other features include a fishing lodge brought back to its former glory on the banks of the River Ruel to make the perfect picnic site, and a cowshed converted into a games room with an adjacent office for the discerning business visitor who cannot quite switch off!
Glendaruel is the ideal base to explore the marvellous rural delights of Argyll and the Cowal Peninsula, which is often described as one of Scotland’s best kept secrets.
There are many fine restaurants on offer where you can sample the wonderful seafood. While the regular ferry service from Portavadie gives easy access to day trips around the Islands of Bute and Arran, and to Sir Paul McCartney’s Mull of Kintyre.
Home Farm Cottages also has luxury self catering accommodation in other rural beauty spots across the Highlands and Islands.
Kyles View cottage on the Isle of Skye has floor to ceiling windows to give a wonderful panoramic outlook over the sea to the Isle of Raasay.
Summer Cottage in Brora comes with a private garden and is only two minutes from the sandy beach and links golf course. Guests staying at the property also have access to the leisure and spa facilities at the neighbouring Royal Marine Hotel.
The Old town of Leys Farmhouse on the outskirts of Inverness provides the best of both worlds, with high quality accommodation and beautifully landscaped garden in a rural setting within easy commuting distance of the city.
David said: “We have invested heavily in the tourism sector in Scotland in the last few years, and we now have a portfolio of properties which are much sought after .The cottages are of an excellent standard which we would expect ourselves, and have generated a huge repeat business from our satisfied clientele.”
A property near Aviemore, in the stunning Spey Valley, is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio and is available to book now.
Home Farm Cottages also has a sister business Ness Castle Lodges, which has five properties situated on the beautiful banks of the River Ness. Two of these properties, River Lodge and Ghillies Lodge are five star rated.
To book a stay in one of Home Farms luxury self-catering cottages, visit www.homefarmcottagesscotland.co.uk or telephone 07886 524740/07778 503350. To reserve one of the Ness Castle lodges visit www.nesscastlelodges.co.uk or call the numbers above
