Luxury fully en-suite self catering cottage for eight Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Luxury Loch Lomond Holiday Cottage - Two Years Old and a host of 5* reviews from guests
Appletree opened for business at the end of August 2016 and is now just over two years old. Not all guests leave us a review but we have had many five star ratings. Appletree Cottage was built in 2015-16 on the site of an old barn (which even though demolished in 2011 is still on google street view(!) The cottage is an architect designed timber frame highly insulated timber frame building with large areas of south facing glass to capture the sun and the stunning open views. Appletree from the start was designed for self catering holidays. All of the four bedrooms are fully ensuite each with shower or bath, wash hand basin, WC, heated towel rail and under floor heating. Luxury! With holidays for families and social groups in mind the living space is open plan with a spacious kitchen and breakfast bar at one end, an overhead lit dimmable dining area in the centre and a comfortable roomy lounge area at the other end which has TV (with Netflix) and wood burning stove. To make things even more comfortable the black nut wood floor of entire communal space under heated from an energy efficient district biomass boiler system which serves the whole farm and cottage. A huge sliding door from the living space opens onto the terrace area where alfresco dining can be enjoyed in tranquillity overlooking nine square miles of open countryside up to the famous Whangy rock formation in the distant Kilpatrick Hills.
Energy efficiency and comfort were foremost in the design when Appletree was constructed, hence the highly efficient thermal insulation.
A district wood powered biomass system heating the underfloor (living space and bathrooms), radiators (bedrooms) towel rails (bathrooms) and hot water throughout.
The solar gain from the expansive south facing windows and roof Velux windows play a huge part in keeping the cottage toasty.
In the two years since opening Appletree has played host to guests from all over the world.
It has proved to be particularly popular with those from North America and the Middle east who vast variety of spectacular scenery that the surrounding National Park has to offer.
We have also had may visitors from the UK, even some fairly local who just love to get out of the city and relax in peaceful beautiful countryside.
Groups from abroad tend to be those visiting Scotland for the first time, wanting to explore the best parts of country, many of which are within easy reach of Appletree Cottage. (see below)
The cottage is perfect for family and friend get-togethers and this accounts for a large amount of the UK visitors.
Other folk just like to get away for a few days to be closer to nature and peace.
A universal favourite activity is just sitting in the cottage staring out at the view!
The minimum booking of three nights is very popular.
People who are on two-centre holidays often say they wished that they were staying longer at Appletree.
Others say it is the best self-catering property they have come across.
Appletree Cottage Awards
Appletree Cottage has so far received the following rewards / ratings: Visit Scotland (the Scottish Tourist Board) 4 stars Visit Scotland: I Know Loch Lomond certificate TripAdvisor: Certificate of Excellence Association of Scottish Self Caterers: Committed to Quality certificate Reviews by guests of their stay at Appletree Cottage can be seen at the following: Airbnb: www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/14090422?adults=8&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=false&infants=0&pets=0&check_in=2023-04-22&check_out=2023-04-27&federated_search_id=a2288b21-474c-4057-85f6-5a0cc50d0e58&source_impression_id=p3_1681994979_RWS65%2B7Q4Qq%2B3Xzz Home and Away (formerly Owners Direct): www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p6856269?preferlocale=true&vgdc=HAUK TripAdvisor: www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g551935-d10808116-Appletree_Cottage_Luxury_Self_Catering_in_Loch_Lomond_Trossachs_National_Park-Drymen_.html Freetobook: via widget on the cottage website at www.lomondappletree.co.uk Google: Appletree cottage Loch Lomond or lomondappletree
More about Appletree Cottage
Appletree Cottage gets its name from the apple orchard close by. The owners (Murray and Alli) bought the small farm in 2013 when it was semi derelict. The buildings were in a terrible state, the barns had no doors and many of the house windows were boarded up, there were missing slates, here, there and everywhere. Those windows which were not boarded up had been broken and large sheets of Perspex screwed to the frames to keep out the elements. At time of purchase the building surveyor reported that although the building had secondary glazing it had unfortunately no primary glazing! It took three months to make the house habitable again. Shortly after moving into the house in March 2014 the owners commenced planting an apple orchard. Initially 99 trees the count has now reached 230 with an additional 200 planned for next spring. Last year the trees bore fruit and Shandon Bottled Apple Juice was born! This year with an increased yield it is hoped to have improved on last years' production. Guided tours of the orchard are available on request to guests staying at Appletree Cottage.
There are currently no animals on the farm but the occasional deer and pheasant are often seen wandering past the cottage, particularly in the early mornings.
A regular group of ornithologists have visited Appletree regularly and spotted a wide variety of birds, including a local Osprey.
Appletree Cottage is ideally situated...
Appletree Cottage is in a prime position within the world famous. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Lying at the southern end of Loch Lomond it is perfect centre for the huge range of activities the park has to offer. It is also within easy reach of several of the best places to visit and sights to see. Here are a few good activities and places within easy reach from Appletree: Sitting in the cottage staring out at the view (a favourite with many) Four distilleries offering tours: Glengoyne, Deanston, Lomond, Auchentoshan Nearby castles include Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, Dumbarton Castle, Wallace Monument, Inveraray Castle, Balloch Castle, Boturich Castle Inchcailloch Nature Reserve Island on Loch Lomond with ferry from Balmaha Inchmurrin Restaurant on an island on Loch Lomond with ferry from Arden Inchmahome Priory on Inchmahome Island on Lake of Monteith with ferry from Port of Menteith Loch Lomond Nature Reserve and Flanders Moss Nature Reserve Steamer trip up Loch Katrine (with optional cycle ride returning by traffic free shore road) The Maid of the Loch paddle steamer on Loch Lomond poised to set sail again in 2019 The sea-life Centre and quality shopping at Loch Lomond shores Sitting in the cottage staring out at the view (still a favourite) Loch Fyne Fisheries offering fresh seafood on Loch Fyne Blair Drummond Safari Park Go-Ape in Aberfoyle and Tree Zone in Balloch offer tree top high wire adventures Day round trip across Isle of Bute with two ferries and a spectacular drive Visit to Oban - for pier-side fresh sea food and wonderful scenic drive (or by train on the West Highland Line) Loch Lomond Sea Plane experience Dumbarton Maritime Museum Salmon Leap at pots of Gartness Glasgow Museum of Transport (free) Kelvingrove Museum Glasgow (free) Shopping day out (by train) Glasgow Woodland Fairy Experience Killearn and Luss Benmore botanic Gardens near Dunoon Many beautiful walks of all levels, hill walking, rock climbing, cycling 16 Golf Courses within a 30 minute drive Boating, canoeing, kayaking, pleasure boating, loch ferries, speed boating Angling, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, Drifting off to sleep whilst sitting staring out at the view (you can't beat it) Spa, gym and swimming pool close by with daily membership. Visit local farmers markets at Gartocharn (10mins drive) and Arden (20 minute drive) Excellent Tea Rooms at Duck Bay Marina (20 mins) Gartocharn (10 mins) Three Sisters of Killearn (15 mins) and fabulous Stronachlacher, Loch Katrine (25 minutes) Dining out: The Clachan and Drymen Inn, Drymen Old Mill Killearn Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha Tully and Loch Lomond Inn Lake of Menteith Hotel The Byre, Brig o'Turk Loch Lomond Arms Hotel, Luss Princess Rose Chinese Restaurant, Balloch Loch Fyne Fisheries, near Inveraray George Hotel, Inveraray At the end of the day... Watching the sunset from the patio at Appletree Cottage