# Shorefield House Eco-friendly holiday home in Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay with wind and solar power. Private woodland and ponds (looked after by Islay Natural History Trust). Perfect for nature lovers, bird watchers, and coastal walks. Sleeps 6. Pet-friendly. Source: https://portbahnislay.co.uk/accommodation/shorefield-house Sleeps: 6 | Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 2 | Dog-friendly: Yes ## Overview Shorefield is an eco-friendly holiday house with private woodland and ponds on the shore of Loch Indaal in Bruichladdich on the Isle of Islay, Scotland. It sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms and runs primarily on its own wind and solar power. The Islay Natural History Trust now looks after the ponds for the owners. Shorefield is a characterful eco-house in Bruichladdich on the Isle of Islay in Scotland, sleeping 6 guests in 3 bedrooms. This well-insulated property runs primarily on its own wind and solar power, making it a great base for eco-conscious travellers and nature enthusiasts visiting the Scottish Islands. Shorefield is the family creation of George and Megan — they built this eco-house because they felt it was the right thing to do. Details matter. They planted every tree, created the woodland and ponds behind the house, and filled it with paintings, books, maps and curios from their travels. Their enthusiasm for nature and the world beyond is all through the house. The Islay Natural History Trust now looks after the ponds for the owners, and recently helped clear an invasive Floating Pennywort weed from the water. It's quirky, full of personality, and not for everyone — but if you value a house with a story over modern minimalism, Shorefield is really wonderful. One guest described it as “like a big hug” and that's how we feel about it whenever we go round. Bruichladdich Distillery is a 10-minute walk along the coastal cycle path - easy to stroll to, easy to stroll home from. ## Bedrooms & Bathrooms Three bedrooms comfortably accommodate 6 guests in this characterful eco-house. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, split between upstairs and down. Upstairs, the master bedroom has a superking bed, an antique wardrobe, a Persian rug, and George's paintings in the recessed wall nooks. It has beautiful views out over Loch Indaal and binoculars to keep an eye on the bird life from the windows. There is also a twin room with bird watercolours and Velux skylights, and a family bathroom with a big, deep bath, a separate shower, toilet and Velux. Downstairs, a separate ground-floor double bedroom faces the garden, with an African textile print from the owners' travels and an antique chest. There's a toilet and shower room downstairs too — so this floor works well if anyone in your party would prefer not to use stairs. Like the rest of the house, each room has its own character — paintings, books, pieces the owners collected. Not styled. Just lived-in and loved. - Master bedroom with superking bed and sea views (upstairs) - Twin bedroom (upstairs) - Double bedroom with sea views (downstairs) **Bathrooms:** - Spacious bathroom with deep bath, separate shower and toilet (upstairs) - Shower room and toilet (downstairs) ## Living Spaces The kitchen is built around the Everhot range cooker - cast-iron, always on, powered by renewable electricity, and the heart of the house on a cold day. There's a farmhouse table seating 6 in the kitchen, and a separate dining room that seats 6 for bigger meals. The sitting room has a wood-burning stove, comfy sofa and armchairs for the evenings. One honest note: there's no dishwasher. The owners just never had one. A washing machine is available for laundry. The walls are full of paintings, books, maps and curios from the owners' travels — everywhere you look there's something to read or look at. On a rainy day, light the fire, grab a book or the binoculars from the study, pick a board game from the shelves — there's plenty to choose from. Wifi throughout. **Kitchen & dining:** - Microwave - Oven - Refrigerator - Toaster - Coffee machine - Vacuum cleaner - Children's high chair - Kitchen stove/range - Dining table for 6 **Living areas:** - Separate sitting room - Separate dining room - Sea views - Wifi/broadband - Books and games - Double glazing ## Outdoors & Garden Behind the house are private woodland and ponds — the owners planted every tree and shaped the whole habitat themselves over decades. The Islay Natural History Trust now looks after the ponds for the owners, and recently cleared an invasive Floating Pennywort weed from the water (see the [INHT pond-clearing video](https://youtu.be/t5lrdqw43jo)). Borrow the binoculars from the study and head out into the woodland. Or let your children roam free, make dens and play hide and seek, get muddy and messy and come home with big grins. You can watch waterfowl, woodland birds, or just sit quietly looking across to Loch Indaal. Birders and nature lovers specifically book Shorefield for this, but we've had plenty of non-twitcher guests find themselves out there for hours, just seeing what they can spot, or soaking up the island air. There's a picnic table in the garden for morning coffee, which is a real sun trap when the weather plays along, and the shoreline is just across the coastal road - rocks, seaweed, waders, the Paps of Jura in the distance and the coastal path to Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. The solar panels and wind turbine supply most of the house's power. You don't really notice them unless you look out for them — Shorefield was built as a genuine eco-house because the owners cared. - Private garden - Sea views - Woodland/nature area - Ponds - Walled garden - Elevated position ## Location Situated above the shoreline on the coastal path between [Bruichladdich](https://www.bruichladdich.com) and [Port Charlotte](/explore-islay/islay-villages) Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Scotland Postcode: PA49 7UN ## Nearby Attractions - Bruichladdich Distillery, 10 minute walk - Bruichladdich mini market and coffee shop, 10 minute walk - Port Charlotte village, 2 miles, 30 minute walk - ## Dog Policy Dogs are welcome at Shorefield House at £15 per stay — no size or number limit. - Private woodland and loch-shore grounds — unusual space for dogs to explore. - Loch Indaal shore accessible from the garden. - Coastal path connects to Port Charlotte beach and beyond. ## 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. ## Bruichladdich Proximity You're a 10-minute walk from the pioneering Bruichladdich Distillery along the coastal cycle path — 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. ## 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. ## Barnacle Geese on Islay Every October on Islay, a great spectacle in the birdwatching world takes place — around 30,000 barnacle geese migrate from their Greenland breeding grounds and settle on the fields across the island, particularly around the broad estuary of Loch Gruinart where the RSPB sanctuary is. Standing watching a vast flock lift off in a synchronised ripple, turn and settle again is quite a mesmerising sight. ## Guest Reviews Total reviews: 156 Airbnb: 4.97/5 (86 reviews) Booking.com: 9.2/10 (57 reviews) Google: 5/5 (13 reviews) **Guest highlights:** > "Shorefield is like a big hug. It feels like home, not a rental. The personal touches and character throughout made our stay so special." — Airbnb, January 2025 > "The house has a story - you can feel the love and care the owners have put into it. The bird reserves and woodland are extraordinary." — Booking.com, November 2024 > "We loved the quirkiness and all the beautiful paintings and artifacts. This is not a soulless rental - it's a real home full of personality." — Airbnb, October 2024 > "The kids spent hours exploring the woodland and ponds. We adults loved the cosy wood burner and peaceful atmosphere. Perfect retreat." — Google, September 2024 > "Eco-friendly without compromising comfort. The wind and solar power, well-insulated design, and thoughtful sustainability impressed us." — Booking.com, August 2024 ## Good to Know - **No dishwasher:** Mentioned in 5-6 reviews. Washing machine and dryer available. Most guests say it wasn't a problem, part of the slower pace. - **House is quirky and full of personal items, not a minimalist space:** If you prefer modern/minimal, this may not suit. But 90%+ of guests LOVE the character and personal touches. It's what makes Shorefield special. - **Woodland can be muddy in winter:** 2-3 reviews mention this. Bring wellies! Part of the authentic nature experience. - **Worn carpets:** The house is old and lived in; some of the carpets are a bit threadbare in places ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What makes Shorefield different from the other properties? Shorefield is George and Megan's creation — they built this eco-house powered by wind and solar, planted every tree, created the woodland and ponds behind it, and filled the house with paintings, books, and curios from their travels. It's quirky, full of personality, and a bit tired in places. This isn't a styled rental; it's a real family home. Over 90% of guests specifically love the quirky charm and personal touches. ### Does Shorefield have a dishwasher? No—it's part of Shorefield's character as an eco-house with a slower pace. There's a washing machine and dryer available. Most guests say it wasn't a problem and fits the property's vibe. If a dishwasher is essential, Portbahn House has one—but guests who book Shorefield prioritise charm over modern conveniences. ### What's special about the wetlands and ponds at Shorefield? Behind the house are private woodland and ponds — the owners planted every tree and shaped the habitat themselves over decades. The Islay Natural History Trust now looks after the ponds for the owners, and recently cleared an invasive Floating Pennywort weed from the water (short INHT video: https://youtu.be/t5lrdqw43jo). The house is stocked with binoculars, bird books and wildlife guides from the owners' personal collection. Birders and nature lovers specifically book Shorefield for this. ### Is Shorefield in good condition? Shorefield is very clean and well-maintained (5.0 cleanliness ratings), but a bit tired in places: carpets are worn and furniture well-loved over years of family use. If you prefer modern finishes, Portbahn House might suit better. But if you value a house with a story and authentic charm, Shorefield is wonderful. One guest wrote that the house feels like "a big hug." ### How far is Shorefield from the beach? Portbahn Beach is about a 5-minute walk via the war memorial path—three sheltered bays with rock pools, safe swimming, and stunning views across Loch Indaal. You'll often have it entirely to yourselves. Port Charlotte Beach (family-friendly, sandy) is a 5-minute drive. The dramatic west coast beaches—Machir Bay and Saligo Bay—are 10-15 minutes by car.