The Old House

Glen Orchy, Argyll & Bute
Self-catering
+44 (0)1838 200399
Visit owner's website

From
£170 - £250
per night
From
£900 - £1450
per week

An old sporting lodge in Argyll renovated with sensitivity – fish in the river, gaze at the night skies, climb Ben Udlaidh

Bed

5 beds

Bedroom

3 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 6

Children welcome
Pets welcome

£170 - £250 per night

£900 - £1450 per week

The Experience

An extremely secret hideaway for two or up to six. You’ll feel miles from anywhere – the night skies are gloriously unpolluted – yet the sleeper train from London chugs into Bridge of Orchy, 4.5 miles away. 

This former sporting lodge sits next door to John and Erica’s house and has been sensitively renovated along green lines, with solar panels and a Micro-Hydro scheme which produces electricity from the stream. The spacious sitting room has a wood-burner for when the evenings draw in and you’ll find all you need in the kitchen plus fresh eggs from the happy free range hens.

Wander the extensive grounds to discover sculptures and installations, explore Glencoe and Glen Etive, enjoy views to the islands from the top of Ben Udlaidh. There’s a secure shed for bikes and a pretty garden; unwind in the evenings on the decking with a sundowner.

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £170
Weekly price
from £900
Damage deposit
£100
1 House for 6
From £1705 beds3 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
4-5pm
Check out
11am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. Extra £75 per additional guest (up to 6) per week. Please get in touch for early or late check out. STL licence number AR00891F & EPC rating: 08000246 / D.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property
Dogs

Biscuits, water and blankets. Expert advice on wild, carefree walks and a special welcome from Honey, a very friendly Border Terrier .

Dogs £15 per pet per week.

Secure garden, river to jump in, woodland walks surrounded by working farm - sheep, be careful!

Meals
Pub 4 miles.

Reviews

A wonderful and spacious cottage in a fantastic and peaceful location. We found the cottage very comfortable and warm and had a lovely week. Thank you

Andrew & Lorna, Ebchester

Every bit as good as I remember from my last stay a few years ago.

Nicholas, London

We had a wonderful stay at this hidden gem in beautiful Glen Orchy. Great house at a stunning location with very friendly and helpful hosts. Great base to relax in the Glen, walk the Highlands and tour the magical area from Oban to Glen Coe. We even spotted otters in the river Orchy during a Riverside Walk. Highly recommended!

Sandra and Steven, The Hague

Our return to the Old House for a second time speaks volumes, indicating our high regard for this wonderful accommodation. Exceptionally well-equipped with thoughtful amenities, it lightened our travel load. The generous supply of games and cosy fireplace delighted both teens and adults alike. More than enough space for 4 people ensured privacy. Local walks and drives in the surrounding beauty captivated us. In such peaceful surroundings, city dwellers will relish the tranquillity. Have we explored all Scotland offers in this region? Certainly not. Would we return? Without a doubt.

Sonja, Kiel, Germany

We had a magical time during our stay at The Old House. It is the perfect place to escape the stresses of everyday life. The location is stunning and so peaceful and quiet. Oban and Fort William were both within an hours drive and there’s a couple of village stores only 20 minutes away. We had plenty of days out, made better knowing we were returning to the coziness of The Old House at the end of each day. The house itself has everything you could possibly need and it really felt like home. The owners are so welcoming and friendly and have created a perfect paradise that we miss already.

Alice, Stoke-on-Trent

If you’re looking to leave the world behind and have an ‘off grid’ experience without sacrificing life’s luxuries, The Old House is just the ticket. Set in the most picturesque glen, about 4 miles from the main road, the peace and tranquility is unmatched. The Old House is spotlessly clean, spacious and equipped with everything you could possibly need. The beds are really comfy with excellent quality bed linen, and a warm and welcoming living space whatever the weather. A memorable holiday, thanks to the warm hospitality of the owners and Highland spring water on tap!

Jo, Plymouth

After 10 years we were finally able to revisit our favourite Scottish home from home. Having rented about 25 holiday cottages in Scotland, this one still stands by far on our nr 1. It's remote, peaceful, cosy, spacious, warm, clean, enough bathrooms, comfy beds... and very friendly hosts. The kitchen has more than you can use in just one week. There was also enough firewood to keep us warm during the chiller evenings. The area is breathtaking, couldn't get enough of looking at the waterfalls down the street as we drove by. Thanks again John and Erica and hope to get back again soon!

Sofie, Kapellen - Belgium

The Old House is very comfortable, providing all we could possibly require and it sits in the most gorgeous surroundings. We (our dogs included) enjoyed the grounds that the house is set in, not to mention seeing the deer, sheep and pigs just outside the property. It is blissfully peaceful. It's a perfect location with Kilchurn Castle and St Conan's Kirk just a short drive away. Glencoe, Oban and Fort William are no distance at all. There is also a lovely walk along the river, accessible just up the road from The Old House, where we saw salmon leaping. Erica & John are the perfect hosts

Darren, Woking

We absolutely loved our stay in The Old House - one of the best holiday cottages ever! The house is a joy to behold - so well-equipped, with everything you could possibly need, beautifully appointed, light, bright, so warm and in a stunning location. The owners really have thought of everything and gave us lots of helpful advice on where to go, places to eat etc. So much to see and do both nearby and within an hour or two's drive and the scenery is quite spectacular. The dog loved it all too and thought he was in heaven in the garden. A week wasn't long enough; we will definitely be back!

Gill and Steve, Carrshield, Hexham

Absolutely beautiful house. Perfect location for walks from the doorstep as well as within a good driving distance. The hosts live next door and offer a warm welcome and are just lovely, they simply want to make sure you are ok. We will be back…. If you will have us. Thank you Erica and John

Richard, Shabbington

Just the most magical combination of location, accommodation and hosts. Erica and John have created a haven of comfort that is totally off grid. Coming at the end of autumn we have loved the sense of being off the beaten track with no other people around. Perfect base for exploring, hiking or just chilling in the wonderful gardens and spacious lodge.

Sue, Bristol

Lovely location and environment. Spacious and comfortable with just short drives each day to the mountains. Quiet and magical in the evenings. A short drive off the A82 to peace.

Mike, Kelsall

We stayed with you last September. We have been dithering about where to go for our 30th anniversary; Florence, Capri, Sicily, Amsterdam,.... Then brainwave....Glen Orchy!

Tess, Carlisle

The Old House is an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts to stay. Walk straight the from the door and climb up your first Corbett - remember to take your binoculars to spot the amazing wildlife. I watched a Dipper catching his lunch in the River Orchy. John and Erica are next door and full of good advice on where to visit and walk. Enjoy the stars on a clear night; they are quite magical.

Karen, Sawday's inspector

A perfect place to get away from it all, the owners are very welcoming and helpful but not at all intrusive. They have made the house very comfortable and homely . The setting is very peaceful and beautiful. It’s a great base from which to access both the coast and the mountains with ease ,good roads and transport links if required. Would recommend to anyone.

Billy & Elaine, Edinburgh

We and our friends had a most enjoyable stay at Glen Orchy along with our 2 dogs. The location is quiet, beautiful as well as being unspoilt with the house being very spacious, comfortable as well as being well equipped. It is an ideal location to tour the highlands with both Fort William and Oban being less than an hours drive. I would fully recommend a stay at Glen Orchy and would also suggest you purchase your eggs from Erica, they are so fresh and taste beautiful.

Peter, Ripon

A fantastic cottage in beautiful surroundings. A fully equipped cottage with nothing left out, 4 adults and 2 dogs had ample room, it was really comfortable and very warm. If you are looking for quiet this is the place and I would recommend without hesitation.

Stephen, Sheffield

John & Erica are the perfect hosts and have created a very special place at Arichastlich. The old house Is very homely and bright with great atmosphere. It is a very comfortable place to stay and is in a great location to explore the southern & western highlands. There is real peace and tranquility in the glen. Highly recommended.

Charlie & Sonia, Strathpeffer

We love this cottage which feels like a home from home. This was our tenth visit. Glen Orchy is beautifully quiet and unspoiled. The cottage is homely, spacious, comfortable and well equipped. We have found it an ideal centre for mountain walking. We appreciate the fact that the cottage is heated and powered ecologically. The hosts are exceptionally kind and welcoming.

Deborah and Malcolm, Cambridge

This is a super place and am loth to recommend it in case we have trouble being able to rebook! Great place to stay with a Springer Spaniel as the deer proofed garden means he can wander without us worrying (luckily for us he ignores the chickens!). Always have a lovely welcome from John and Erica and next year will be 10+ visits.

John, Darlington

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

The Old House is one of only five houses up a ten-mile road, so traffic noise is very rare - look out for wild deer, eagles, badgers and pine-martens. The river offers seasonal salmon and trout fishing as well as canoeing and white-water rafting. The nearest village, Bridge of Orchy, is 4.5 miles; there are two excellent hotels and a railway station. Oban for day trips to islands is an hour’s drive.

Local points of interest from John & Erica Kerr

  • If you drive, there are Climbers' Inns, Tradtional Pubs and all classes of restaurants, including possibly the best Seafood in Scotland, within easy reach.
  • Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Castle and Castle Stalker are all a short drive away.
  • Marine life and seal-watching boat trips from the Argyll coast.
  • Skiing and snowboarding, a 20-minute drive away.
  • Within walking distance of the Caledonian Pine Forest, the River path and the farm.
  • Glencoe, Glen Etive and the Hollow Mountain, are within a short drive.

Introducing

John & Erica Kerr

John and Erica are both retired - apart from running the holiday house - and divide their time between gardening, sailing, skiing and their grandchildren. They love living in Glen Orchy and they’re happy to advise on walks in the area as well as other activities.