Simply the top 7 cottages near Loch Lomond you can’t afford to miss out on, including pet-friendly cottages and lodges with a hot tub.
Sometimes you just want to break free from the city and lap up the fresh Scotland air, surrounded by landscapes such as valleys, lochs, mountains and countryside.
If it’s time for you to take some time out, Loch Lomond is the sort of wildlife haven that will renew and refresh your energy. This Scottish freshwater loch landscape is part of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, which is carved out with hiking and cycling trails.
On all sides, Loch Lomond is surrounded by the Scottish countryside, where there are ancient villages, hills and lochs to explore. Loch Lomond’s water’s edge is 153 kilometres long, making it the ideal spot for a lochside pedal or wander. There’s the water itself too: with boats for hire, you could take a pit-stop tour of all of its small islands, and more adventurous sorts can dabble in water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing or wakeboarding.
With Glasgow only a 50-minute drive to the south, it’s also easy to combine your outdoor adventures with a classic city break. After that, all that’s left to do is to select one of the beautiful cottages in Scotland as your base, pull on your sturdiest walking boots, and get exploring. Whether you’re searching for a long holiday or a short break, the following list includes pet-friendly holiday homes and properties with fantastic views and a private hot tub.
List of Loch Lomond Cottages
1. Tigh Beag
2. Ellanderroch
4. Cairn View
5. Duneira
6. Heatherbank
7. Cedar Villa
Tigh Beag
Location: Balloch, Argyll and Bute
Best for: A romantic retreat near Balloch on Loch Lomond
Tigh Beag is located within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, only a few miles from Balloch, a town framed by mountains on the southwest shore of Loch Lomond. If that doesn’t sound like a perfect location already, just think about lounging around in front of the cottage’s open fire or cradling a brew on the two seats in your evergreen enclosed garden. With one double bedroom to sleep a couple, this is the ideal location for a romantic getaway. There’s also off-road parking for one car, making it easy to get to and from the property.
This romantic getaway has a homely feel, thanks to wooden furnishings and a warm, beige-toned lounge. That’s likely to be exactly what you’ll need after getting out into the surrounding area.
In Balloch, you can pick up a bicycle or Segway from Loch Lomond Shores to make your way around the water’s edge, or there are pedal boats and canoes for hire if the water looks too tempting to bypass. When you’ve done enough exploring for the day, grab a malt whisky in the town’s food hall or return to the pub that’s situated under four miles from your accommodation. There’s a shop just down the road for those of you who like to do your own chopping and dicing. After all, the spacious accommodation has its own self-catering, fully-equipped kitchen.
Facilities: Tigh Beag certainly has a cosy set-up. This romantic retreat offers a private setting with a patio, an outdoor seating area and a comfortable lounge equipped with WiFi and a TV. Across the ground floor, there’s a bathroom with a shower-over bath and a contemporary kitchen with a fridge-freezer, electric oven, hob and microwave to keep you feeling well-fed. In case your clothes gather any muck or grease from the day, the kitchen also has a washing machine.
Ellanderroch
Location: Drymen, Argyll and Bute
Best for: A family holiday in a remote location near the loch
Ellanderroch is located in the peaceful village of Drymen in the Loch Lomond the Trossachs National Park. Sleeping four, just south of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and around four miles from the southeast shore of Loch Lomond, pursuits such as mountain biking, horse riding, and bird watching are well within your grasp. Whether you arrive for short breaks in the winter or a more significant stretch in the summer, it’s a convenient location all-around. There are local restaurants nearby serving Central Scotland specialities and a small supermarket a short drive away for when you want to create some concoctions of your own in the self-catering kitchen.
A fine example of Loch Lomond cottages in a more off-beat location, you’ll be well-based to explore some of Scotland’s less-trodden trails and parts of the Loch Lomond National Park that aren’t listed in your guidebooks or holiday magazines. These could include the Balmaha West Highland Way or the Rob Roy Way, great alternatives to the big hike up Ben Lomond. Handily, there’s secure bike storage at the front of the cottage if you’re a fan of pedalling your way over rolling hills with breathtaking views.
If you’ve worked up an appetite by the end of the day, simply hang up your walking boots and put on your kitchen apron, as this mid-terraced cottage is fitted out with a contemporary kitchen. The cottage is part of the owner’s property, so there’s a shared lawn at the front of the cottage where you’re welcome to eat.
Facilities: After rolling out of bed at Ellanderroch, head down to the kitchen and diner to rustle up breakfast using the electric oven and hob, microwave and fridge. There’s a bright lounge area and a dining table where you can eat, as well as entertainment in the form of books, games, DVDs, a Smart TV and WiFi. If you want to freshen up before the day starts properly, there’s a walk-in shower in the bathroom on the ground floor. All that’s left is to round up your group, which can include the whole family given that the cottage includes a kingsize bedroom, twin room and a travel cot, highchair and stairgate available upon request.
McCaig’s Tower Apartment
Location: Oban, Argyll and Bute
Best for: A break in Oban with magnificent loch views
McCaig’s Tower Apartment is 35 miles from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, but its stunning scenery and location alongside Loch Linnhe mean that it should certainly be on your radar. The apartment has magnificent views over the busy resort of Oban, where there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Visit the Oban Distillery to sample some classic Scotland whisky, dance to traditional Scotland tunes in the bars or board one of the boats departing from the harbour.
The apartment has four bedrooms, making it an ideal Scotland location for larger families, but one of its biggest attributes is its position with stunning views over Oban Bay. Watch the boats come and go, spy on the lovely views of the hills in the distance, and plot out your plan of action. Hill walking, watersports, mountain biking and cycling will all make a memorable experience.
If you want to visit Loch Lomond too, the property is around a 50 minutes’ drive from the edge of the national park and an hour and 10 minutes’ drive from the very northern tip of Loch Lomond. There are waterfalls, castles and nature reserves along the route if you fancy stopping off on the way.
Facilities: With old-school sitting room décor and a contemporary kitchen, McCaig’s Tower Apartment is ideal for those who are looking for unique holiday homes with spectacular views. There are four bedrooms across one second-floor, including a kingsize bedroom and a twin bedroom, both with loch views, and a further two bedrooms including a kingsize and a double. If you’ve been searching for Loch Linnhe or Loch Lomond cottages with en suites, the first kingsize bedroom also has its own en suite, saving any queues for the main bathroom. To feed hungry mouths, amenities in the kitchen include a fridge, dishwasher, microwave, oven and stove, and a toaster.
Cairn View
Location: Arrochar, Loch Long
Best for: Laidback loch views for up to five
Located in the picturesque village of Arrochar on Loch Long, there’s no doubt that Cairn View is in an excellent location. In fact, Cairn View has magnificent views out over Loch Long, which is 20 miles in length. There is a private slipway with direct access to the water, as well as secure bike storage if you’d like to pedal around the shore in the morning. On top of that, the location is just 10 miles from Loch Lomond, meaning that you get the best of both worlds in one family-friendly and pet-friendly property.
The self-catering accommodation sleeps five people across three bedrooms. If you’ve been searching for dog-friendly cottages near Loch Lomond, you’re also in luck. The cottage is pet friendly, and the invitation is extended to up to two well-behaved canines. There is no shortage of places for walkies in the surrounding area, whether it’s around Loch Long, the Loch Lomond shores, Ben Lomond or the Argyll Forest Park.
The back garden is directly on the loch, meaning that if you decide to sit on the patio and rustle up a quick barbecue, you’ll have loch views for your side dish. There’s a pub next door too, perfect for when you’d rather let someone else do the hard work for you.
Facilities: This pet-friendly, Loch Long cottage is technically a ground-floor apartment with three bedrooms, a bathroom, and an open-plan living room and kitchen. This includes a double, twin and a single bedroom, exactly what you need to sleep a family of four or five. With thoughtful touches such as bed linen, books, and games, a Freeview TV, WiFi and bike storage, it’s safe to say that Cairn View is a well-rounded, pet-friendly, central Scotland holiday location with direct access to the loch via the slipway.
Duneira
Location: Rhu, Gare Loch
Best for: A large reunion in a traditional holiday home near Gare Loch
Looking for a luxury cottage with its own hot tub, games room and three floors of fine furniture? Duneira fits the bill. Located in Rhu on the shores of Gare Loch, under a 20 minutes’ drive from beautiful Loch Lomond, this pet-friendly property is a romantic getaway in the old-school sense of the word. The cottage evokes life in the older days: a huge seven bedrooms, including a handful of en suites, a utility room and a large private lawn with a charcoal barbecue for communal dinners.
When guests aren’t in their living quarters, they can gather in the study, games room, gym, dining room or sitting room. The hot tub is located indoors and is likely to be in high demand with your group too. As there’s a pet-friendly rule in play, plenty of space, and traditional décor, this might be the sort of place for a reunion with the wider family or perhaps a group of work colleagues or old friends.
As easy as it is to spend time at Duneira, the cottage also has magnificent surroundings. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are a short distance away if you’d like to rent a boat and explore. Fort William is an hour and 50 minutes’ drive to the north, and around an hour’s drive to the southeast are Stirling Castle, Glasgow and the River Clyde. Gare Loch also makes a scenic setting for peaceful strolls, while some of you may want to challenge yourself to climb Ben Lomond.
Facilities: Your search for Loch Lomond cottages with a hot tub ends here. Duneira has a host of luxury features, including the indoor hot tub, off-road parking for 12 cars, an outdoor terrace, and several different communal spaces such as the study, games room, and sitting room to play games or read in quiet. When you’re not tracking down fine dining or pub destinations in the local area, the three-floor property is also fully self-catering. The amenities include a gas range oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, washing machine and dishwasher.
Heatherbank
Location: Garelochhead, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute
Best for: A contemporary hot tub lodge that sleeps eight people
Heatherbank in Garelochhead is a four-bedroom cottage in an excellent location for exploring Loch Lomond, Loch Long and Gare Loch. Based in Garelochhead at the northern tip of Gare Loch, the cottage has mountain views, and it’s well-based for everything fishing and boating. You might want to go scuba diving in Loch Long, extend your adventures to Loch Goil a little further out, climb Ben Lomond or visit Loch Lomond, a short, 15-minute drive to the east.
One of the best bits is certainly the wooden patio overlooking the enclosed garden, complete with a bubbly hot tub, which is lit up at night. As well as the hot tub, this ground-floor cottage near Loch Lomond the Trossachs also has a barbecue for more evenings spent sharing stories and food with your loved ones. On that note, there’s plenty of space for you all, considering that there are four bedrooms, including two double bedrooms with en suites and another two doubles with a shared bathroom area.
Facilities: Heatherbank has very fine facilities, along with a central location a short drive from Loch Lomond and other beautiful Highlands landscapes. Ways to unwind include the hot tub, barbecue, or entertaining yourself with the cottage’s selection of books, games, DVDs and CDs. There’s a dedicated bar area for any evening celebrations, along with a refurbished kitchen where you can put together any nibbles or full meals. With off-road parking for four cars, WiFi, a Sky TV and electric central heating, you’re bound to feel right at home. If it’s a hot tub retreat with your kids you’re looking for, a highchair and cot can also be requested.
Cedar Villa
Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife
Best for: A holiday home for day trips to Loch Lomond and Edinburgh
Cedar Villa is located in central Fife, just outside of Kirkcaldy. Sleeping up to six, this is the place to be if you’re looking to take day trips to both Edinburgh and Loch Lomond. The big city is under an hour’s drive to the south, and the lovely Loch Lomond is an hour and a half’s drive to the west. As well as having both city and Loch Lomond views well within reach, you’ll find that you’re based in the centre of golfing country, with iconic golfing destinations also just a short drive away, such as St. Andrews and Gleneagles.
With so much potential for hiking, sightseeing and golfing on your visit to Fife, Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond in Scotland and the Highlands, the cherry on top is that Cedar Villa is one of those rare Scotland lodges that has its own indoor hot tub. Surrounded by sun loungers at the back of the property, the hot tub is sure to soothe your feet and act as the ideal setting for a singalong rendition of Bonnie Banks, inspired by your visit to Loch Lomond.
Lodges in this area are also well-based for capers along the Fife Coastal Path or in the Lomond Hills Regional Park. As for the convenient aspects, there’s a shop just down the road and whenever you fancy a tipple, there are several pubs within walking distance of the property.
Facilities: There’s a lot to like about Cedar Villa, especially if you’re a fan of holiday lodges that have a modern, well-lit backyard, equipped with outdoor furniture, sun loungers and a covered hot tub for relaxation – come rain or sun. Indoors, the holiday home has a spacious lounge with a large Sky TV and Bluetooth, and there are three bedrooms, all equipped with luscious Egyptian cotton bed linen, robes and slippers, including one en suite bathroom. With parking spaces and a secure gate monitored by CCTV, you don’t need to worry about where to store your cars when it’s time to visit Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and other spectacular Scotland landscapes.
Book Your Next Scottish Break with Breakfree Holidays
Spectacular Scotland landscapes don’t get much better than those surrounding Loch Lomond. So, make sure that you don’t miss out on booking the top cottages in Scotland with Breakfree Holidays. There’s something for everyone, including families, groups with pets, and even those who simply must stay somewhere with a private hot tub. What are you waiting for? Get booking your next amazing break today!
Credit: Some of the images in this post have been provided by Sykes Cottages.