Overlooking the Pentland Hills and Cobbinshaw Loch, Gairnshiel Cottage offers a serene retreat surrounded by wildlife and picturesque views. With a multi-fuel stove in the living room, games for entertainment, an enclosed garden with decked seating area and access to walking trails from your doorstep.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms1 bathroom93 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Rural Cottage With Beautiful Loch And Hill Views nr Edinburgh
Located down a lochside track, surrounded by wildlife and views, Gairnshiel Cottage offers peace and tranquillity overlooking the Pentland Hills and Cobbinshaw Loch. This lovely 2 bedroomed cottage is the perfect retreat for a relaxing Scottish holiday while being only 22 miles from the centre of Edinburgh. The multi-fuel stove gives a lovely and cosy feel to the cottage living room and guests will enjoy all the books, toys, games, wealth of crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. Gairnshiel Cottage offers delightful romantic holiday accommodation. It is situated between West Calder and Carnwath in the heart of the Scottish countryside but still within 40 minutes drive of two stunning cities – Edinburgh and Glasgow. The views from the cottage are breath-taking: it has a wonderful position on the organic farm of South Cobbinshaw overlooking the Pentland Hills and Cobbinshaw Loch. The road leading to the cottage is an uneven farm track that crosses the loch via a causeway adding to the feeling of 'getting away from it all' while still being close to civilisation! A perfect place to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. The 310 acre loch was built in 1818 to feed the Union Canal and was also used by passing steam trains to collect water. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) due to wintering wildfowl and is popular with anglers and birdwatchers. For those who enjoy the outdoors nearby Harburn Golf Club is a challenging 18-hole parkland course and there are walks of all levels starting literally on your doorstep. If shopping is your thing - the designer shops of Livingston are 15 minutes away and unique little shops and galleries are found in Biggar and Peebles.
The cottage has been furnished to a high standard and has an enclosed garden with a decked seating area with views over open fields towards the Pentland Hills. The galleried entrance hall and Shaker-style kitchen have flagstone floors and the kitchen has access to the back garden. The kitchen itself is equipped with everything you need for your stay including fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, fan oven and hob.
The sitting room has a solid wood floor and includes a wood burning stove, colour TV, free view and DVD. The separate dining room, also with a solid wood floor, has a table to seat 6+. There is a newly refurbished shower room on the ground floor.
Upstairs there are 2 beautifully decorated bedrooms one with a king-size bed and the other with twin beds. The bathroom has a white bathroom suite with a Victorian-style shower attachment.
The short drive to the cottage from the main road is a mini adventure in itself. The track can be a wee bit bumpy in places but take your time, pick your line and enjoy the scenery!
The cottage is next to other properties but the enclosed rear garden is very private with stunning views.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Fenced yard
Garden
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
2 pets total (up to 55 lbs per pet)
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
In the mountains
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near an outlet shopping mall
Things to do
Golf
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Golfing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
General
Garden
Unit size: 1,001 square feet
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You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
No pets upstairs or on any furniture. Gate, dog bed, towels etc provided
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 55 lbs per pet)
Note from host: £25 charge
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Located in West Calder, this cottage is in a rural area and in the mountains. Linlithgow Palace and Hartwood Hospital are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Five Sisters Zoo and Almond Valley Heritage Centre. Traveling with kids? Consider Almond Valley Light Railway and Scottish Owl Centre. Kayaking offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby. Visit our West Calder travel guide
Is Rural Cottage With Beautiful Loch And Hill Views nr Edinburgh pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 55 lbs per pet.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Rural Cottage With Beautiful Loch And Hill Views nr Edinburgh?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Rural Cottage With Beautiful Loch And Hill Views nr Edinburgh?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Rural Cottage With Beautiful Loch And Hill Views nr Edinburgh located?
Located in the mountains, this family-friendly cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Five Sisters Zoo, Almond Valley Heritage Centre, and Livingston Designer Outlet. Almondell and Calderwood Country Park and Linlithgow Palace are also within 9 mi (15 km).
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Rural Cottage With Beautiful Loch And Hill Views nr Edinburgh Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We stayed at this cottage for 12 days. It was beautiful and quiet. Located on a farm the scenery was breathtaking. Cottage was very clean and Lynda was so easy to communicate with and so kind. Would stay there again
Beautiful property in lovely location. Very well equipped and spotlessly clean. The dog and children were very well catered for. Would certainly recommend.
Exactly what we were looking for. A bit remote but gorgeous surroundings. Rustic chic looking but with modern amenities. Epitome of peaceful and cozy. Hosts even provided a Christmas Tree!
We felt very comfortable. The opportunity to use the oven (wood was provided free of charge) is great.
The location is top. 1 hour to Stirling, Perth, less to Falkirk, Glasgow and Edinburgh. 30 minutes to the airport. I think we'll be back.
We loved our stay! Close to everything Edinburgh and surrounding area has to offer. Lots of pubs and restaurants to choose from that were only a 5-10 minute drive away. So much space for our family of 4 and such a cozy cottage. The view out the back door was everything we could have wanted. Extremely easy and smooth check in and check out. We were looking for a quiet retreat to finish off our month long adventure in the UK and this cottage was everything and more! We would definitely stay here again!
Great view, very quiet and beautiful surroundings. The hosts were wonderful at answering questions in a timely manner. The cottage is well kept and clean. I would definitely recommend staying, but suggest bringing wash rags and watch your head getting into bed. Due to the chilly weather keep the doors closed in the rooms you would like to keep warm.
Jennifer B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Archival
6/10 Okay
Philip M.
19 March 2017
Quite comfortable cottage . Very remote
External photo very misleading! Owner's house 4 metres from your front door looking directly into your front room and dining room. Blinds had to be permanently drawn for privacy. When you go somewhere fairly remote and rural you expect exactly that. Does rather defeat the purpose and thus made it difficult for us as a family properly to chill out from our busy lives.
Besondere Unterkunft in toller Lage, sehr ruhig und guter Ausgangspunkt für Ausflüge. Der Weg zum Cottage ist schon das erste Abenteuer! Gemütlich eingerichtet mit allem, was man braucht. Sehr freundliche Vermieterin die sich sofort um Probleme kümmert. Einzige Kritik ist die nicht immer funktionierende Spülung einer Toilette.
Wij hebben een mooie tijd gehad in dit huisje dat van alle gemakken voorzien is en rustig ligt. Mogelijkheden om met de hond te wandelen zijn er genoeg maar wel altijd in de omgeving van schapen of koeien.
Süßes kleines Häuschen in sehr ruhiger Lage mit toller Fernsicht und unmittelbarem Zugang zum See. Wanderungen unmittelbar ab Haustür möglich und Städteattraktionen (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling u.a.) sehr schnell per Auto oder Zug erreichbar.
Unsere Woche in diesem Häuschen war wirklich schön. Es liegt sehr ruhig und die Auffahrt für über einen großen See. Wirklich verrückt. Das Häuschen ist sehr gemütlich und liebevoll eingerichtet. Der Blick morgens über die Weiten von Schottland war traumhaft. Ich würde das Haus auf jedenfall weiterempfehlen wenn man die Natur mag. Ein absolutes Muss ist aber ein Auto. Damit sind Edinburgh und Glasgow in 45 min gut zu erreichen.
Der Ort befindet sich etwas abgelegen, in toller ruhigen Umgebung und war optimaler Ausgangspunkt für Unternehmungen in die Hauptstadt, die Highlands und Städte der Umgebung.
Wir haben uns rundum wohlgefühlt. Das Haus ist gemütlich eingerichtet, sehr gut ausgestattet. Der kleine, sicher umzäunte Garten war perfekt für die Hunde. Nette Wege für Spaziergänge, direkt ab dem Haus. Glasgow, Doune Castle, Stirling und Edinburgh waren gut zu erreichen und wir waren abends immer froh, wieder in unsere ruhige Oase zurückzukehren.
We loved this place, especially the proximity to Sterling Castle, Edinburgh, Pentland Hills, Deanston Distillery, and privacy. This stop was a prefect yin to the yang of busy London (our other stop). We were also pleased with the beds, most VRBO's we've stayed at in the past have cheap beds, these were comfortable. There is a cool little shop (the size of my office) close by that has local foods that we all loved. Great to drink fresh bottled milk from cow that gave up the good just the day prior.
We recently stayed at the cottage for a family wedding. It was chosen on location, amenities, other reviews and it didn't disappoint! It really did tick every box and this made our stay thoroughly enjoyable. It is a dog walkers heaven with stunning views everywhere you look. The owner even booked an added surprise of snow! It is definitely somewhere we would like to return one day
The cottage was cosy and spacious - beautifully decorated and homely. Kitchen fully equipped and lovely outside space. Amazing views too!
Quiet location and lots of walks on the doorstep.
Just under an hour to Edinburgh.
Will definitely come back!