Portbahn Islay
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Curlew Cottage garden in summer, looking out over farmland to Loch Indaal, Isle of Islay Scotland, 15-minute walk to Bruichladdich Distillery

The Family Retreat · Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay

Curlew Cottage

Self-catering holiday home · Sleeping 6

Sleeps6 guests
Bedrooms3
Bathrooms2
PetsWelcome

Curlew Cottage is a pet-friendly, cosy family holiday cottage — a converted stone steading in elevated farmland between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte on the Isle of Islay, Scotland. It sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms with a private access road, walled patio garden, and sea views across Loch Indaal.

Family sitting room with gingham sofa, framed Islay prints and wooden sideboard, Curlew Cottage Bruichladdich Isle of Islay

Guest Review

The host was extremely kind and responsive. The house felt like a home.

Airbnb, August 2025 — Portbahn House · ★★★★★

Living Spaces · 01

Inside, the hearth.

The ground floor is the heart of this holiday home, with bright windows looking out over the private garden and fields across Loch Indaal to Bowmore. The separate living spaces are great for people to get together and have a blether, or just to find a quiet corner with a book.

The main large family room has a big, cosy sofa, Islay seascape prints on the walls, and a wood-burning stove that gets the house toasty warm on cool Scottish evenings. There's a TV with an Apple TV box for streaming.

A second, bright living space has books and board games and a TV with Freesat — perfect for family nights in when there's a storm outside.

Next door, adjoining the kitchen there is a dining room — with a proper table for big hearty meals, and a door straight out to the summer garden where there's a bench for catching the morning sun with a cuppa. There's also a little snug area with a sofa and chairs, just off the kitchen, for coffee and wool-gathering.

The kitchen has grey shaker cabinets, oak worktops, a Dualit toaster, gas hob, dishwasher, microwave — simple, but fully equipped with all you need.

A separate laundry/utility room is by the back door with a washing machine, tumble dryer and an airing pulley for when the rain sets in.

The cottage has oil-fired central heating, double glazing, and a wood-burning stove — so it's warm year-round, not just a summer house. Wifi throughout.

Family sitting room with gingham sofa, framed Islay prints and wooden sideboard, Curlew Cottage Bruichladdich Isle of Islay
Open-plan family room and dining room with gingham sofa, dining table and garden door, Curlew Cottage Bruichladdich Isle of Islay ScotlandFamily sitting room with Loch Indaal sea views through windows, home-from-home holiday cottage, Curlew Cottage Bruichladdich Isle of IslayDining room and family sitting area with garden door open to summer garden, dining table in foreground, Curlew Cottage Bruichladdich Isle of IslaySitting room with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and bookshelves, home-from-home family holiday cottage, Curlew Cottage Isle of IslayWood-burning stove in wooden fireplace surround with log basket, bookshelves and framed Islay seascape prints, Curlew Cottage family holiday cottage Isle of Islay

Bedrooms & Bathrooms · 02

Where you sleep.

The cottage has three bedrooms, sleeping six, all upstairs - a superking, a double and a twin. Two share the main landing and use the family bathroom downstairs, and the third is reached via its own separate stair and has its own small bathroom - nice for privacy if you've got teenagers or older kids who want their own corner.

Each room has its own character: the master bedroom, with superking bed, has dark blue painted furniture and botanical cushions; the double has a teal geometric throw and Moroccan patterned cushions; and the separate-stair twin room has a dormer window and a writing desk. All have sea views out over the loch.

The main family bathroom is on the ground floor — bath, shower, pedestal sink, spacious wooden shelving. Upstairs, serving the twin room, there's a smaller bathroom with toilet, sink, and a small bath with shower over the bath — so it's really 1.5 bathrooms in total. To manage expectations: the upstairs bath is small with the shower over it, not ideal for larger guests.

One honest note: one of the bedrooms involves a separate stair, and the split staircase between rooms might not suit everybody. There are no bedrooms on the ground floor - possibly not ideal if stairs are a problem, but the ground-floor main bathroom means nobody has to climb for basic needs.

Upstairs double bedroom with sea views, Curlew Cottage Isle of Islay ScotlandUpstairs super king bedroom with sea views, Curlew Cottage Isle of Islay ScotlandUpstairs super king bedroom with sea views, Curlew Cottage Isle of Islay ScotlandPeaceful sea and farmland views from the superking master bedroomTwin bedroom with two single beds and en-suite bathroom, Curlew Cottage Isle of Islay ScotlandGround-floor family bathroom with bath, pedestal sink, wooden shelving with towels and ikat curtain, Curlew Cottage Bruichladdich Islay ScotlandUpstairs ensuite bathroom with bath, Velux skylight, slate floor tiles and rustic wooden shelving for the twin bedroom, Curlew Cottage Isle of Islay Scotland

Outdoors · 03

Out the door, the loch.

Curlew sits in an elevated position surrounded by farmland, between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte, with sea views across Loch Indaal. The private access road is shared only with two neighbouring homes - very quiet, very safe for kids playing outside.

The walled rear patio garden has an old greenhouse and the original stone outbuildings from when this was a working farm steading - the cottage itself is a conversion of the same steading, so the old stonework is a real feature of the property inside and out. Ample parking for several cars.

On warm spring and summer days, the front door opens straight onto the garden and a lovely bench for a morning brew - the front door leads from the dining room / snug area so the garden is on tap when you want it.

In winter, the view from the sitting room window - snow-dusted fields, Loch Indaal in the distance, sunset behind the Paps of Jura - is one of the best things about Curlew. Winter in the islands is often underestimated.

Dogs are welcome at Curlew Cottage, with one note: they must be on a lead when out the front of the property, which opens onto the neighbouring properties and farmland, but can be let off the lead in the back patio garden area. Please keep dogs on leads at all times when around farmland and livestock and be sensitive to the neighbours.

Curlew Cottage exterior at winter sunset, coastal Bruichladdich Isle of Islay Scotland, near Port Charlotte coastal walk
Curlew Cottage exterior in winter snow showing converted stone steading and main house, Bruichladdich Isle of Islay ScotlandCurlew Cottage, converted stone steading and south facing cottage garden, Bruichladdich Isle of Islay Scotland

Good to Know About Islay

Things worth knowing before you arrive.

Dog-Friendly Properties on Islay

All three properties — Portbahn House, Shorefield House and Curlew Cottage — welcome dogs at £15 per dog per stay, with no size or number limit. At Curlew Cottage, dogs must be kept on a lead at the front of the property and around neighbouring farmland; they can be let off the lead in the walled rear patio garden. Portbahn Beach is a 5-minute walk from all three properties. Islay is one of the best dog destinations in Scotland: empty beaches, quiet roads, and open countryside.

More about Dog-Friendly Properties on Islay

Walking Distance to Bruichladdich Distillery

You're a short walk from the pioneering Bruichladdich Distillery along the coastal cycle path — 10 minutes from Portbahn House and Shorefield House, 15 minutes from Curlew Cottage. Tour the distillery, then walk home. Portbahn Beach is 5 minutes the other way. Port Charlotte village (restaurants, shops, museum, and petrol) is a 5-minute drive. Bruichladdich's central location means all eleven distilleries and Islay's best beaches are within easy reach.

More about Walking Distance to Bruichladdich Distillery

Port Charlotte Village

Port Charlotte village is a 5-minute drive — perhaps Islay's prettiest, with the Port Charlotte Hotel (300+ whiskies, live music Wed & Sun), Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen (order the platter 24h ahead), Islay Museum, local shop, and the Port Mor playground for families.

More about Port Charlotte Village

Where You Are

Bruichladdich

Peaceful secluded hideaway between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte, set back from the road with sweeping sea views

  • Bruichladdich Distillery
    15 minute walk
  • Port Charlotte village
    30 minute walk along coastal path or 5 minute drive
  • Portbahn Beach
    5 minute walk
  • Port Mor children's playground at Port Charlotte
    5 minute drive

Guest Reviews

What guests say.

19+ reviews across platforms

  • Booking.com · August 2026

    ★★★★★

    Good location well equipped plenty of space.
    Deborah
  • Airbnb · July 2026

    ★★★★★

    We’d love to stay forever and wake up every morning to the sound of sheep and the view of the sea!
    Tom
  • Booking.com · July 2026

    ★★★★

    We enjoyed our stay, overall the cottage was very comfortable and I would highly recommend staying there.
    Jacqualine
  • Airbnb · July 2026

    ★★★★★

    The cottage is clean, spacious and extremely comfortable.
    Lora
  • Airbnb · June 2026

    ★★★★★

    Felt right at home. Would come back just to relax in this house.
    James

    Our reply

    Love that you mentioned the 'little sheep' in your review James! Just the icing on the top! You were a delight to host, genuinely, and would be very welcome back. Best wishes to you all from Pi & The Team

  • Booking.com · June 2026

    ★★★★

    What stands out most is the kindness and care Pi showed throughout.
    Charlene

    Our reply

    Dear Charlene, I want to be transparent with our future guests: your arrival experience was not acceptable, and I'm truly sorry for that. As a new season host at Curlew, I was not able to oversee the preparation of the cottage personally before your arrival, and the standard fell well below what we expect and what our guests deserve. That has since been addressed. What I can promise is that every issue raised has been fully resolved, a thorough deep clean has been completed, and we have put proper processes in place to ensure this does not happen again. Meeting you, your family and your wonderful mum was an unexpected joy. Islay and Jura will be here waiting when you're ready for that wellness weekend, with the wild sauna on Jura and some Atlantic dipping! With warm wishes, Pi

  • Airbnb · May 2026

    ★★★★★

    Beautiful location overlooking Loch Indaal.
    Mairi
  • Booking.com · April 2026

    ★★★★★

    Overall had a very pleasant stay and would love to return in the future.
    Alison

    Our reply

    Ah, that is a nuisance! Thank you Alison for bringing this to our attention, exactly what we hope our guests will do as it helps us improve our guests' experience of staying. I shall double check that we have left sufficient suggestion forms for our guests as we develop Curlew Cottage. Best wishes!

  • Booking.com · August 2026

    ★★★★

    Perfect location for exploring the island by car. Good size property and well equipped. Washing facilities worked well, including tumble drier, which is a bonus in holiday homes.
    Liz
  • Booking.com · August 2026

    ★★★★★

    Lots of room, plenty of room at the back for bikes. Bit of a walk/ ride to get food.
    Kim
  • Airbnb · August 2026

    ★★★

    Stunning location and a short walk from the village
    Georgia
  • Airbnb · August 2026

    ★★★★

    Fantastic cottage and view, comfy beds and good info. Drawback broken light (happens but was not fixed) and info saying coffee was stored but there was no coffeee. Otherwise well equipped.
    Kerstin

    Our reply

    I am completely to blame for 'Light-Gate' Kerstin! It appears I passed on the wrong advice, and our housekeeper discovered this morning that the light does indeed work, and that I had pointed you to the wrong light switch altogether! I am so sorry!! I wholeheartedly understand your disappointment at there not being any coffee available...as would any coffee drinker! Not our usual standard of care, and I hope you can accept my apologies. Sending well wishes to you all, Amba

  • Booking.com · August 2026

    ★★★★★

    there was no safety box. the door of the cottage was open.
    Andrea

    Our reply

    Thank you for a clean sweep of Tens Andrea!! If I can address your comments to avoid any confusion for any readers; we do leave the door open for new arrivals as there isn't a keysafe. However, guests do have access to keys for security once inside. As islanders, it's not unusual to leave your door unlocked, even when leaving the island, but we appreciate this is a strange practice to most. Please be assured, the house is lockable and keys area available. Best wishes to you and yours Andrea, from Pi & The Team

  • Booking.com · July 2026

    ★★★★

    Geräumig, gut für Familien, 2 Bäder. Gute Lage. Tür ging nicht zu verschließen.
    Michael

    Our reply

    We discovered the key Michael; it was on the press as suggested! But well done for making a plan, our guests are incredibly resourceful! Best wishes from us all.

  • Booking.com · June 2026

    ★★★★

    Great space, pretty Location, good amenities. A bit remote to get to get to, and heavily wooded so midges kept us from being outside...which looked lovely.
    Chris

    Our reply

    Oh my days, too a man you'll not hear Islay is a bubbling metropolis Chris, but it's really not so remote when one considers, perhaps, Tiree or Benbecula for example. And if you're talking about the cottage, it's a stiff 15-minute stroll out of Bruichladdich, unless you've had a few drams and then I suppose it could turn into a marathon. As for The Midge, The Pesky Midge, naughty as they are, they are a West Coast inhabitant too. As welcoming as any one of us! And, for the uninitiated, not just forest dwellers on remote islands either. They love an urban garden just as much ;) Just not a breeze. Best wishes, and thank you for the smile!

  • Google · June 2026

    ★★★★

    After a very upsetting start to our stay at Curlew Cottage, our host Pi went above and beyond to rectify the situation. As soon as she became aware of the issues we faced on arrival, she was with us within an hour.
    Charlene McMenemy

    Our reply

    Dear Charlene, thank you so much for taking the time to update your review. I want to be transparent with our future guests: your arrival experience was not acceptable, and I'm truly sorry for that. As a new season host at Curlew, I was not able to oversee the preparation of the cottage personally before your arrival, and the standard fell well below what we expect and what our guests deserve. That has since been addressed. What I can promise is that every issue raised has been fully resolved, a thorough deep clean has been completed, and we have put proper processes in place to ensure this does not happen again. Meeting you, your family and your wonderful mum was an unexpected joy. Islay and Jura will be here waiting when you're ready for that wellness weekend, with the wild sauna on Jura and some Atlantic dipping! With warm wishes, Pi

  • Booking.com · May 2026

    ★★★★

    The host told us to collect the keys from a key box - there was no key box. It was also difficult to operate the TV. Otherwise, all was very good and the cottage had a beautiful view.
    Tom

    Our reply

    Thank you for staying at Curlew and for taking the time to post a review Tom. Curlew Cottage is our newest addition and we are grateful to our guests for their interaction, for raising issue such as these during their stay. I have amended our welcome information to reflect the key box being out of use: that's a hiccup on my part. Readers will be pleased to note that our gem of a 'always goes the extra mile' housekeeper was able to resolve the TV remote issue during Tom's stay, and a simple 'How To' guide has been added to our welcome information. Best wishes, Amba

Good to Know

One bedroom has separate stair access

The twin bedroom with ensuite is accessed via a separate staircase. Provides privacy but may not suit guests with mobility concerns.

Indicative rates

What Curlew Cottage costs

Curlew Cottage indicative nightly rates by month
PeriodPer night
JanindicativeFrom £119
FebindicativeFrom £119
MarFrom £209
AprFrom £207
MayFrom £232
JunFrom £232
JulFrom £240
AugFrom £232
SepFrom £232
OctindicativeFrom £237
NovindicativeFrom £149
DecindicativeFrom £149
Fèis Ìle week28 May–6 Jun 2027 · book well aheadFrom £330

Accommodation only. Cleaning fee £120 per stay.

We update our rates week by week based on a number of local factors, so always check the live rates for the dates you'd like to book. These are average rates for the time of year, to give you an idea.

Check live rates and availability →

Common Questions

Everything guests ask before booking.

Why are there no reviews for Curlew Cottage yet?

Curlew is Alan's family retreat, and he's opening it to guests for the first time in 2026. We (Pi & Lynton) manage Curlew with the same care we give Portbahn House and Shorefield. We hold a 4.97/5 rating across 600+ guests since 2017, with Airbnb Superhost status and 5.0/5 communication. Over 30 reviews mention our legendary ferry crisis support. You're getting the same level of care—just at a property new to the market.

Can we bring our dog to Curlew Cottage?

Yes — Curlew Cottage welcomes dogs at £15 per dog per stay, with no size or number limit. Dogs must be kept on a lead at the front of the property (which opens onto neighbouring properties and farmland), but can be let off the lead in the walled rear patio garden. Please keep dogs on leads whenever around livestock and be sensitive to the neighbours. All three of our properties — Portbahn House, Shorefield House and Curlew Cottage — welcome dogs on the same terms.

Is the walled garden safe for children?

Yes — the walled rear patio garden is fully enclosed and private, perfect for kids to play safely without supervision concerns. The property is off the main road with its own private access, shared only with two neighbouring homes. Families with young children specifically choose Curlew for the combination of safe outdoor space and quiet location.

How many bedrooms does Curlew Cottage have?

Curlew has 3 bedrooms sleeping 6 guests: two bedrooms on the main floor (accessible without stairs) and one twin bedroom with ensuite accessed via a separate staircase. The separate staircase provides extra privacy (great for teens or separate families), but note this if you have mobility concerns.

What's the character of Curlew Cottage?

Curlew is Alan's family retreat—filled with his family's personal effects and holiday things like books, games, comfortable furniture. It's cosy, authentic, and genuinely feels like home from home. This isn't a styled, minimalist rental—it's a real family cottage with personality intact.

While You're Here

Explore Islay

Eleven distilleries, miles of deserted beach, barnacle geese, white-tailed eagles, and a whisky festival in May. We've been here since 2017 — ask us anything.

Availability

2-night minimum staySingle nights between bookings can usually be booked — contact us if you have any questions.
SEP 2026
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