We are so excited to introduce the incredible Esox Cottage - a truly spectacular house in a stunning location! Perfect in every way, this 5* cottage would make the ideal escape for a special occasion - honeymoon, special birthday, or anniversary perhaps..?
Sleeping 8 in 3 bedrooms, with 3 bathrooms, games room and a wood burning hot tub, there is everything you could need for a family or romantic break. The quality of finish is truly remarkable - the love and care that has gone into this cottage is evident from the moment you set foot through the door. It really has to be seen to be appreciated!
Entering through the side door, you'll find the spacious dining kitchen, with everything you need and more - from the solid stone worktops and ample storage; a dishwasher; coffee machine; fridge freezer; microwave; oven and grill; as well as all the usual equipment you would expect. The solid wooden dining table with bench as well as chairs provides the perfect space for the family to gather at mealtimes.
From here, the Scottish flagstone floor continues throughout the downstairs - through to the large living room 70" TV [with Sky package?], big comfy corner sofa and state of the art recliner massage chairs. You're guaranteed to find yourself standing at the huge patio doors, gazing out to Loch Awe - open them up to the decking area and bring the outdoors indoors during the summer! The large wood burner is perfect for cosy nights in - and the beautiful, handmade mantlepiece completes the room perfectly.
Downstairs, there is a double bedroom which can be accessed off the living room, or via the Jack & Jill bathroom. The house has been designed with accessibility in mind - the downstairs bathroom has a walk-in shower and plenty of space to manoeuvre, whilst the tasteful sanitaryware and quality finish is a far cry from normal 'accessible' facilities. The flagstone floors throughout the ground floor ensure a level surface, without any door strips or steps. A shower chair and toilet seat can be provided on request.
Heading up the bespoke oak staircase (admiring the copper chandelier on the way), upstairs you'll find two further bedrooms, with solid wood parquet flooring throughout. One bedroom has a super-king sized bed which can be split into two singles on request, as well as a double sofa bed (proper double, not small double), and TV with Playstation 5 games console. It enjoys views out to Loch Awe from the dual aspect windows. The en-suite has a walk-in shower.
Down the hall, the master suite is breathtaking! A super-king sized bed sits in the middle of the room, and you'll immediately be drawn to the huge patio doors and out to the covered balcony, which offers a place to sit and enjoy the views (or Northern Lights!) from regardless of the weather. Back inside, there is a Dudgeon sofa which also enjoys views out of the doors, a dressing room/study with work space area, offering privacy for anyone needing to work remotely as well as ample space to lay out paperwork etc, and a state of the art bathroom - complete with stunning roll-top bath, marble counter-tops, and the cottage name engraved on the traditionally-styled toilet (if there was ever a time to call a toilet beautiful, this is it!). It also has a walk-in shower.
Heading outdoors, the wrap-around tiled patio area provides the perfect space to relax. The games room is set out beside the kitchen, with a covered area supported by oak pillars joining the two - meaning you can use all year round, without having to get wet. It features a pool table and [???]. The covered patio area provides reclining outdoor furniture (probably the most comfortable you've ever sat on!), and a place to leave wellies/hang wetsuits/outdoor gear to dry. There is an overhead rainfall shower, as well as a hand-held shower and dog-washing station - all conveniently located under the canopy so that you can dry off afterwards, whatever the weather. To the front corner of the decking, you'll find the wood burning hot tub, along with a ping-pong table.
The same building which houses the games room also provides a separate utility/laundry room (washing machine and dryer provided).
There is a private driveway with parking for multiple cars (and a boat at the top, if you want to bring one). It is the ideal place to bring kayaks/SUPs if you have them, with Loch Awe being within sight.
In the local area, we are just over a mile to Portsonachan Hotel which offers meals throughout the year, and only half a mile from the launching slip onto Loch Awe (fees may apply for launching boats - contact ??). It is perfect for those with kayaks/SUPs which can also be launched from here, and stored in the grounds around the cottage. There are many forestry tracks ideal for cycling, running or out-of-the-way dog walks within the surrounding hills.
It is under 20 minutes drive to Inveraray, which offers a whole host of brilliant places to eat (and most are dog-friendly), visitor attractions - the Castle and Jail (Jail is dog friendly, as are the Castle grounds), small independent shops, and even boat/fishing trips and a monthly Farmers Market on the newly renovated pier.
We are within easy reach of Oban (around 40 minutes drive), which offers ferries to the Inner and Outer Hebrides as well as various shops and many places to eat. Renowned as Scotland's Seafood Capital, it is definitely worth a day trip.
We are also just over an hour to Dunoon, and down towards the start of the Kintyre Peninsula (which features ferries to Islay, Arran and Gigha, as well as West Port/Machrihanish Beaches and Golf Club further down).
Dogs are very welcome provided they are kept downstairs to avoid damage to the staircase/flooring upstairs. Please ensure you use blankets on soft furnishings/bed before allowing them up. They are well catered for, with the outdoor dog-washing station, bowls, and a bed provided.The decking area is fenced to the front but the garden is not fully enclosed - however we are not beside any main roads - beyond the track down to the house, the closest road is the single-track B840, just over 200 meters away. The main road (A819) is around 2 miles from there.
We do not limit the numbers/size/breed of dogs you can bring - the whole of downstairs is hard floors, so you should find it very easy to look after. It is also textured flagstones rather than wooden flooring, so should be suitable for older dogs who don't like slides floors. Dogs are charged at £20 each per week, so we just ask that you confirm in advance the number you are to bringing, and leave the property clean and tidy.