Steading Cottage

Steading Cottage

Set just above the beach at Airds Bay, the Steading Cottage was originally part of the old estate farm-building on the Airds Estate. It is a charming and comfortable cottage with three bedrooms and three bathrooms set across two floors, surrounding an open-plan sitting room and kitchen.

Ideal for 6 people, but comfortable for 7, the property is accessed from a pretty courtyard, opening into a generous boot room and laundry (essential for coming home from a day exploring) and on into the main reception area. A separate door leads out into the garden with its outdoor dining area and down onto the grassy lane towards the beach.

Surrounded by the wildlife and wilderness of Argyll’s West Coast, Steading Cottage is the perfect retreat from your busy everyday life. Curl up with a book next to the wood burner, lie in bed watching the sea eagles soar above the trees, or put some music on and cook something delicious in our extremely well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy our comfortable beds, luxury linen and roll-top baths after days spent exploring the wild west coast.

All three bedrooms have super king-sized beds, any of which can be made up as twin beds. There is also the option of a third bed in one of the rooms which can be made up if required. Two of the bathrooms have beautiful en-suite bathrooms with roll-top baths and showers, and the third has a convenient separate bathroom with a shower and loo. There is a spacious living area with a wood-burning stove, and a very well equipped kitchen and dining area. The large boot room and laundry has a heated boot rack for drying boots after wet walks, and a separate back-door entrance has hooks for sandy towels and beach debris.

  • Luxury towels and bed linen
  • Additional beach towels
  • Super King Size beds
  • Heated boot warmers
  • Coffee machine and capsules
  • A copy of The Oban Times (our local newspaper)
  • Welcome basket including fruit and a box of shortbread
  • Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, milk, sugar
  • Luxury shampoo, shower gel and soap in the bathroom
  • Loo roll, kitchen roll & tissues
  • Washing-up liquid, laundry detergent & dishwasher tablets
  • Cots and high chairs on request
  • Wi-fi
  • Smart TV
  • Designated outdoor space and private parking
  • A BBQ area and 1-2 instant BBQs – bring more if you like!
  • The use/loan of OS Explorer maps of the local area
  • Dog friendly (charges apply upon booking)
  • Additional wood for the fire (one full basket provided free of charge)
  • Additional disposable barbecues
  • Cots and highchairs if required (no charge)
  • Car charging (chargeable)
  • Bike storage (no charge)

Airds Estate is the ideal gateway to the Scottish wilderness. Nestled in a calm, private bay, the cottages are just metres from a pretty shallow beach perfect for paddling and picnics. There is nothing between you and the view, or beyond the sound of the oystercatchers crossing the water, yet you are just a 5 minute walk from picturesque Port Appin with its excellent shop, award-winning restaurant, local craft and coffee shop, and ferry to nearby Lismore island. It is the perfect base for exploring the area, secluded yet within reach of everything you need, and all in under a 2.5 hour drive from Glasgow.

Surrounded by the wildlife and wilderness of Argyll’s West Coast, our cottages are the perfect retreat from your busy everyday life. Curl up with a book next to the fire, lie in bed watching the sea eagles soar above the trees, or put some music on and cook something delicious in our extremely well-equipped kitchens. Enjoy our comfortable beds, luxury linen and roll-top baths after days spent exploring the wild west coast.

The Steading Cottage has private parking and bike storage. It is 50m from the beach down a grassy lane, and an easy 5 minute walk to Port Appin with its excellent shop, restaurants, craft shop and cafe and ferry over to the beautiful isle of Lismore.

Enjoy lovely coastal walks from your door, along dramatic cliff paths and around to nearby historic Castle Stalker.

Within 3½ miles of the cottage, there is an excellent choice of cafés and inns, all offering breath-taking views and delicious local food. Visit the renowned garden centre and top up your car with fuel at the local independent garage.

Port Appin is within 20 minutes of the grandeur of Glencoe, with its stunning scenery, history, popular walks and climbs. The popular town of Oban is only 19 miles away. Famous for being the ‘Seafood Capital of Scotland’ it is considered the ‘Gateway to the Isles’ –  ferries leave for most of the inner and outer Hebrides from here.

The village is also just 45 minutes from Fort William, often known as the ’Outdoor Capital of the UK’, due to the huge range of outdoor activities on offer there and its proximity to Ben Nevis.

There really is something for everyone, from cosy days spent in the cottage, to time on the beach, picnics and barbecues, coastal walks and kayaking.

Join a local Wild Swimming adventure, go kayaking, climbing or horse-riding.

Look out for oyster-catchers, sea eagles circling off the point, the proud heron standing on the old dock.

Enjoy the wildflowers throughout the year: snowdrops in winter, bluebells and daffodils in spring, rhodedendron, foxgloves, wild orchids, thrift, wild blueberries and purple heather in summer, and blackberries and chanterelle mushrooms in autumn.

Explore the rock pools and coastal caves, clamber along the craggy cliffs, go crabbing off the dock in Port Appin and watch the boats come and go from the Pierhouse.

Take the ferry over to Lismore, hire bikes and enjoy the 9-mile one-track road along the island, rarely meeting a car as you do. Stop at the café half-way for a warming lunch or a piece of cake.

Go further afield and walk through majestic Glencoe, pick up an ice cream at Highland Fold at Barcaldine, collect some Oysters for dinner on the road to Oban, or head up to Fort William to enjoy the outward bound offerings in the “Outdoor Capital of the UK”.

FAQ's

Yes! We’re dog friendly. Just let us know when you book as there is an additional cleaning charge.

The Pierhouse – an award-winning seafood restaurant just 5 minutes from your accommodation in Port Appin

The Kitchen at the Airds Hotel – a bistro-style offering just 200 yards from your door

The Old Inn – a cosy local pub just 3.5 miles away, open weekdays between 4pm & 10pm. Steak and chips and local ales.

Lismore Cafe – if you’re spending the day on the nearby isle of Lismore, head here for lunch or a cup of tea and cake.

Castle Stalker Cafe – coffee, cakes, sandwiches and salads. Walk there in 40 minutes, or a 10 minute drive.

The Deck Restaurant at the Isle of Eriska Hotel – fine dining just across the water from us (or 25 mins if you drive round).

General Groceries

The Port Appin co-op is excellent and carries most essentials and a lovely variety of local produce.

Tesco and Morrisons both deliver. We suggest you book a delivery slot far in advance as they both get very booked up.

The closest large supermarkets are Tesco in Oban (30 min drive) and Morrisons or Marks & Spencer in Fort William (45 min drive). There is a medium sized Co-Op in Ballachulish (30 min drive).

Fresh Seafood

Ryan, a local fisherman, brings his van to Port Appin on Tuesdays at 10am. He will park outside the shop and sells a variety of fresh local fish and seafood, including dressed crabs, sea bass, sea bream, monkfish and fish cakes. He usually stays for about 20 minutes.

Iain Stewart delivers pre-ordered seafood on Fridays to the pier at Port Appin. If you email or call him earlier in the week (iainfishsales@gmail.com 07932328519) he’ll be able to let you know what he has and you can place your order. He usually has everything you can think of: cod, salmon, sea bass, mackerel, lobster, langoustines, mussels, scallops, oysters…

Oysters. 20 minutes down the road at Barcaldine, Judith sometimes fills the ice box by her gate with Oysters. Collect as many as you’d like and leave cash in the honesty box. Check her facebook page to see when they’re available.

Bakery

The Heritage Bakehouse delivers to the area on Wednesdays. You need to order ahead of time.

Meat

The closest butcher is in Oban (30 min drive). We like to order our meat from Macbeth’s.

There are endless options! From walks and picnics on the beach, kayaking and climbing, boat trips to local islands and cosy pub sessions. See here for lots more ideas.

Yes of course. We have dry, secure storage for them. We can let you know where to safely lock them up when you arrive.

By the way, we’re only 3 miles from The Caledonia Way!

We’re a 30 minute drive from Oban, 30 minutes from Glencoe and 45 minutes from Fort William.

Yes no problem. We’ll just ask you to let us know how many KW you draw, and we will charge you the day rate for that amount.

Reviews

Truly wonderful accommodation. In beautiful surroundings. Clean and comfortable, with little touches that make all the difference, including heated blankets. Felt really at home, everything you need with plenty of space for a large family. Amazing location and views! Can’t recommend this place highly enough!

Peter, UK

Fantastic autumn stay at Port Appin for 4 people and our dog. So much room for us all and plenty of comfortable living space for games nights and dinners. Cosy rooms and large baths and a great nights sleep after exploring the west coast. Gorgeous surroundings and the bay is a short walk down the bottom of the garden. Great location for visiting both Fort William and Oban as well as stargazing no a clear night.

Lynn, UK

Absolutely beautiful cottage, full of charm, character and delightful artefacts. Hard to find fault, we loved the cottage which is in an enviable position surrounded by beauty you can just sit and watch for hours! Literally a stones throw from a secluded beach which the dogs loved and I felt safe swimming at high tide. We walked a small circuit most days. Countless other stunning places to explore if you venture out. A very comfortable stay for myself, my Husband and our two Labs. We’re already discussing a return trip.

Natalie, UK

One of our favourite ever holiday spots. Lovely personal touches making it a true home away from home. We would highly recommend and hope one day to return ourselves.

Simon, London

Wow wow wow, my favourite cottage I’ve ever stayed in. The most amazing location with access to the loveliest little bay, an easy walk round to the village with an delicious restaurant and little amenity shops. You really step away from hectic life here. The house itself couldn’t be more comfortable, with every attention to detail. Everything you could need in the kitchen, the most amazing bathrooms, a rainfall shower and roll top baths. I plan on returning every year for the foreseeable now. A retreat amongst nature with all the home comforts you can think of.

Sasha, UK

Airds from the sky