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Blacksmith's Bothy

Blacksmith's Bothy

4.9
out of 5
Ratings from 13 reviews
100% of guests
recommend
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.8
Condition
4.9
Location
4.9
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0


Two bedroom detached cottage built on the site of the former smithy. Lovely outdoor garden area, fabulous views out to sea, across toi Kintyre and northern Ireland.

Lovely wee place for a short break

Review submitted on Mon, 20 Oct 2025
4.8
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The cottage is in a peaceful location with lovely views, also detached which was great.
Kitchen has everything you need. Living room is cosy with log burner. Double bed was comfy, and the bathroom was good, didn’t use the shower but it was lovely having a bath. Also the complimentary items were a nice touch. We enjoyed our peaceful break on Arran. Recommend the cottage but maybe wouldn’t be suitable for people not so mobile as the spiral stairs need to be taken carefully! Thank you for a pleasant stay.


Lindsay from Lockerbie stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 2 nights in October 2025


Island Escape

Review submitted on Thu, 16 Oct 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We picked the cottage because it was slightly off the beaten track and it certainly lived up to our expectations - a totally peaceful location with wonderful views. The house was very comfortable and well equipped. Jim was an excellent host, lighting the wood burner for us on arrival and making sure we were settled in. Ate a couple of times in The Kinloch, Blackwaterfoot - VG. Also cooked in the cottage as the kitchen was very well equipped. Lots to see and do on the island. Hope to return before too long.

Guest from Perth stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 5 nights in October 2025


Blacksmith’s Bothy

Review submitted on Mon, 13 Oct 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We have stayed at the Blacksmith’s Bothy, and the Hayshed (before it was extended), on numerous occasions. The properties are alway very clean and comfortable. The views are wonderful and the area is very quiet. The Tait family are very friendly and very helpful and we would not hesitate to book a holiday again at this quiet, idyllic spot on Arran.



June from CALLANDER stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 5 nights in October 2025


A cosy retreat

Review submitted on Sat, 11 Oct 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
This charming bothy was a lovely spot for a few days on this beautiful island. Comfy beds in bedrooms with amazing view and a lounge diner with a wood burner to keep the chills out, although even in October we never had to use it. Again views from the lounge, the kitchen and the conservatory. Well equipped kitchen and a spacious bathroom.

Excellent communications from host Jim both before arrival and on the day, with updates on the weather conditions (Storm Amy was making her presence felt).

The spiral staircase takes a bit of getting used to but added to the charm and we'd happily return if revisiting Arran.



Alison from Gloucester stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 4 nights in September 2025


Late Summer Stay

Review submitted on Sun, 28 Sep 2025
4.8
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
4.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We loved the great view and the attention to detail that went into turning a historical building into a comfortable vacation home. Nice welcome gift and easy access to the house. If you like a cozy place with a great ocean view on the south tip of Arran, that’s your place. We are considering coming back and recommend it. (Next time we would love to meet the hosts who were not in the area during our stay.)

Catherine from Staefa stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 5 nights in September 2025


Beautiful cottage with stunning views

Review submitted on Sun, 28 Sep 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We have just returned from a week in the fantastic Blacksmith’s Bothy. This cottage is so cosy and well equipped with everything that you need. The stunning views took our breath away, each window having a different perspective and something different to see. The conservatory is an added bonus at the end of a day of walking and exploring, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sunsets.
The location is also perfect, not too long a drive from the ferry and a good position for exploring this beautiful island.
We also enjoyed several walks from the cottage down to the shoreline below, definitely worth exploring.
We had some amazing walks to the King’s Caves, Lochranza, Brodick Castle and Gardens, Kildonan and Lamlash, as well as an afternoon out with Mogabout Tours.
Jim and Katie are great hosts, so friendly and welcoming, thank you for everything, we had an amazing holiday.


Catherine from Barnstaple stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 7 nights in September 2025


Absolutely Fabulous Stay

Review submitted on Tue, 09 Sep 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had an incredible 3 stay at the Blacksmith Bothy Cottage and it was wonderful in every way.
Jim and Kate were incredible hosts and the cottage was absolutely perfect. A lovely welcome gift of cheese and accompaniments greeted us on arrival with stunning coastal views and a sense of peace.
The cottage is well equipped, very comfortable, quiet and close to west coast attractions like the Machrie Stones, Kings Caves, Eas Mor waterfall walk, Kildonan and the Lagg Distillery. Arran isn’t a big island but she is diverse, beautiful and positively enchanting.
It was hard to leave but I know I’ll be back and would definitely return to Jim and Kate’s cottages.
Many thanks from Deb and Sam


Deborah from Ballater stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 3 nights in September 2025


Blacksmith’s Bothy, August 2025

Review submitted on Mon, 01 Sep 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We returned to Blacksmith’s Bothy this year having stayed there in 2012 and were pleased to find that the property was still owned and managed by the Tait family. Little had changed in the intervening years and Jim and Katie made us very welcome. The Isle of Arran is a very special place and Arran Far Horizons is a perfect base to explore it from, with the south coast of the island on the doorstep and the east coast and Brodick ferry easily accessible via the String Road. The local shore (rock and shingle) is a short walk from the cottage and is frequented by seals, while the sandy beach at Blackwaterfoot is only a short drive away. Blackwaterfoot has a shop/Post Office for your everyday needs and now also has a craft bakery which sells delicious sourdough bread and cakes - get there early before they sell out!
The cottage is clean and tidy and is equipped with everything that you might need. We enjoyed sitting out in the private garden on warm days and on cooler (or damp) days the conservatory provides beautiful views over to the Kintyre peninsula and is also a great place from which to watch the stunning Arran sunsets. We’ve greatly enjoyed our stays here and would thoroughly recommend the property to anyone looking for a quiet location as a base for exploring this wonderful island.


John from Cambridge stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 14 nights in August 2025


Third time stay at Blacksmith's Bothy- the Castle family, Perth

Review submitted on Sun, 10 Aug 2025
4.7
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We first stayed at Blacksmiths Bothy for a week in 2019 with our 2 teenagers. We all returned for 2 weeks in summer 2021 & a further week August 2025, with our son & daughter both staying for part of the time.
We all love the secluded location ; sitting watching wildlife (in the garden or conservatory), walking in the area, watching the sunset & exploring the shore.
The Bothy is cosy & well equipped; it has everything we need. Although the cottage is small, the use of space has been well thought out eg the spiral staircase & small upstairs toilet. Our hosts are so friendly & we have never been stuck for advice or information.
We consider our stay at the Bothy really good value for money. The also appreciate the Friday changeover day as this means we get to fully enjoy the weekend on Arran & is less busy when booking the ferries.


Gail from Perth stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 7 nights in August 2025


A great place to be

Review submitted on Sun, 13 Jul 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
There were four of us and we had wonderful and very relaxing days in the cottage "Far Horizont", which we enjoyed every day from the conservatory.
Our hosts gave us a lovely welcome and were always ready to help. It's a lovely walk to the nearest beach, which is beautiful! We would love to come back!


Madeleine from Berlin stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 7 nights in July 2025


Perfect stay on sunny Arran

Review submitted on Sat, 05 Jul 2025
4.8
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Jim & Katie went above and beyond to help us during our stay with two small children, from giving advice on places to visit, to providing a stair gate, some beach items such as buckets and spades and windbreaks, and a barbecue for our use. Evening views from the conservatory are hard to beat, mist rain or shine. The cottage is well equipped, and the location is just about perfect, with beaches and attractions within easy reach in both directions. While we were generally lucky with the weather, the wood burner added coziness when the storms rolled in.
We highly recommend a stay at this very reasonably priced cottage overlooking the hills and the sea.


Christopher from North Berwick stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 7 nights in June 2025


Excellent accommodation with amazing views!

Review submitted on Sat, 28 Jun 2025
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We have visited the Blacksmith’s Bothy a few times over the years and enjoy the peace and tranquility there. The views from the cottage are amazing, looking over the Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre. The Lagg Inn is only five minutes drive away and the meals are lovely and reasonably priced.

Loraine from Edinburgh stayed at Blacksmith's Bothy for 7 nights in June 2025


Demo review - A real family holiday location!

Review submitted on Wed, 01 Jan 2020
5.0
out of 5

Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
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