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Gateway Cottages brings you a stunning, two-bedroomed cottage with amazing panoramic views of Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument and the Ochil hills situated near to a working arable and pedigree beef farm, on the edge of the historic city of Stirling. Our location is perfect for walkers, shoppers, birdwatchers, golfers, historians and families of all ages.
Please contact me before booking at Gateway Cottages to confirm availability of your dates and up to date prices. If fully booked please check out my other property - Partridge Cottage, which is very similar to Mallard Cottage. I also have my own website.
It provides a convenient base from which you can explore the surrounding area such as the Blairdrummond Safari Park, local farm shops and the many historic buildings of Stir...Gateway Cottages brings you a stunning, two-bedroomed cottage with amazing panoramic views of Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument and the Ochil hills situated near to a working arable and pedigree beef farm, on the edge of the historic city of Stirling. Our location is perfect for walkers, shoppers, birdwatchers, golfers, historians and families of all ages.
Please contact me before booking at Gateway Cottages to confirm availability of your dates and up to date prices. If fully booked please check out my other property - Partridge Cottage, which is very similar to Mallard Cottage. I also have my own website.
It provides a convenient base from which you can explore the surrounding area such as the Blairdrummond Safari Park, local farm shops and the many historic buildings of Stirling. In addition it is ideally located to enable you to go on day trips to Loch Lomond, the Trossachs (Scotland's first National Park), Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and St Andrews either by car or train from the local train station (approx. 2 miles away).
Stirling is the centre of Scotland where Highland mountains and lochs meet the lowland cities. It is often known as “The Gateway to the Highlands”, due to its historic strategic position. The city of Stirling is only a few minutes' drive away where trendy shops in the Thistles Shopping Centre combine with the heritage of Stirling Castle and the Old Town.
The property is also perfectly suited for the active holidaymaker with excellent sporting facilities at the Peak sports village (incorporating an indoor swimming pool and ice rink), and the National Tennis Centre at Stirling University, all within a few miles of the cottage.
The cottage is furnished and equipped to the highest standard allowing you to relax and enjoy your surroundings and holiday to the fullest. All bedding, towels, electricity, central heating, sample toiletries, a small supply of domestic goods (toilet rolls, dishwasher powder, washing-up liquid etc.) & unlimited Wi-Fi are included in the price. In winter a starter pack of wood is available for the wood-burning stove, with further wood available to be purchased.
A fresh flower arrangement and a small complimentary basket will be awaiting you on arrival along with tea/coffee and a selection of home made baking.
For the young at heart a guided tour of our farm is available on request, where children can visit our prize winning herd of pedigree Limousin cattle and see the day to day running of a working farm, however they must be supervised at all times by an adult when on the farm.
2 Flexi bedrooms – can be made up as either single or super-king sized beds
Sleeps 4.
Oil fired central heating with under floor heating in living area and adjustable radiators with thermostats in bedrooms.
Travel cot and high chair are available on request.
One well behaved pet by arrangement (to be kept in the living area of the cottage).
Unlimited WI-FI.
Non-Smoking.
Accommodation:
Living area:
This comprises a large open plan fitted kitchen, dining and living area, with triple bi-fold doors that open out on to a private garden patio with spectacular views.
The lounge part is equipped with the following:
• 3-seater leather sofa bed.
• 2-seater leather sofa.
• Hwam wood burning stove.
• LG smart 42” LED 3D Television with digital Freeview channels, built in Wi-Fi and Netflix film channel.
• LG Blu-ray DVD player.
• Sony CD player with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and iPad/iPod docking facilities.
• Wii Games console and a selection of games.
• Selection of games, books, DVD's, local maps and plenty of tourist information.
The kitchen part is fully equipped with modern appliances that include:
• Integrated AEG fridge
• Integrated AEG freezer
• Integrated AEG slim dishwasher
• AEG Microwave/Grill
• AEG Ceramic Hob
• AEG Oven/Grill
• Dualit 4 slice Toaster and Kettle
• Expresso coffee maker – coffee not supplied
In between the kitchen and lounge area is the dining table able to seat 6 persons.
Bedrooms:
• These both have zip and link beds, which can be made up as either singles or converted in to super-king size on your request.
• One bedside table is provided if beds are made up as twins, two bedside tables are provided if beds are made up as super-kings.
• Radio alarm clocks are available in both bedrooms.
• One bedroom has a fully fitted wardrobe with excellent storage facilities; the other has ample storage in a freestanding wardrobe and chest of drawers.
• A combi TV/DVD is also available to be located in the bedroom of your choice.
• All windows in the bedrooms have blackout curtains; in addition the south facing windows have blackout roman blinds.
• Hairdryers in each room.
Bathroom:
• Excellent Grohe rain spray shower with coordinated hand and head shower.
• Large separate bath.
• Large landscape mirror featuring LED lighting, Heated Pad, shaving socket and on/off sensor function.
• Large heated towel rail.
Utility area:
• Indesit washer/dryer.
• Iron and Ironing board.
• Cordless Gtech Hoover.
• Inside collapsible clothes airer.
• Combi hot water and central heating boiler.
Outside:
• Patio area with table and four chairs.
• Fully landscaped garden.
• Barbeque available on request.
• Wooden bench.
• Enclosed garden.
• Large lawn area.
• Washing line.
• Off-road parking for three vehicles.
• Access ramp.
House Rules
Pet-friendlyKid friendlyNo smoking
No parties allowed. Dogs must be kept in the tiled living area of the cottage and are not allowed on sofa's and must not be left alone in cottage unless crated.
Bedrooms
1 Super King2 Singles
Bathrooms
1 Full bath
Meet the host
Wendy C
Hosting since April 2013
Languages spoken: English
Response Rate: 92%
Response Time: Within a few hours
Interaction with guests: As I only live next door to the cottage at Bolfornought Farm, I am at hand to help with anything during your stay.
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Wendy the owner greeted us as we drove into the property. What a welcome! She took us around the property which was beautifully appointed and decorated to a very high standard and spotlessly clean. There was also home baked scones, jam, bread, butter, milk, eggs, wine and a box of chocolates awaiting us.
The views across to Stirling Castle and The Wallace monument are just stunning!
The location is perfect, with a supermarket a max 5 mins drive away and access to Stirling and many other places of historical and scenic interest.
We will definitely be returning!
Thank you Wendy 😊
Visited May 2023
Written 30 May 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DayTrip56062343820
Beautiful Stay
The cottage is really close to Stirling town center by car and its in a beautiful setting. The log burner was amazing and the cottage was so bright with views everywhere you looked. You can see both the Wallace monument and Stirling castle whilst sat eating your brekki!
The cottage is very private, beautifully decorated and immaculately clean.
We felt as though we were staying in a fancy hotel with all the little treats.
There were spa type slippers sat on the clean bright white towels on our beds and new toiletries left in the bathroom. There was also wine and chocolates, fresh eggs, milk, butter, tea, coffee and even freshly baked scones!
Visited October 2020
Written 14 October 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alison
Rotherham, United Kingdom7 contributions
Amazing cottage with great views
A fabulous cottage that felt like home with amazing views of The Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle and the farm limousin cattle! Very warm, cosy and clean with outstanding attention to detail (loved the underfloor heating) and well equipped with everything we needed. The flowers, chocolates, milk, eggs, butter, shortbread biscuits, Scottish tablet, wine, jam, croissants and homemade scones were a wonderful surprise and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Our children loved the large garden to run around in and saying goodbye morning’ and ‘goodnight’ to the moo cows across the drive. A good selection of books, DVDs, information leaflets and children toys/games were also supplied, as well as toiletries. I asked if a bed guard, high chair/booster seat and a stool for toileting could be provided and they were. Nothing was too much for Wendy and she was really helpful when I was asking lots of questions before our stay.
A perfect base with easy access to places of interest such as the Falkirk Wheel, Edinburgh castle, Linlithgow Loch, the Bridges at South Queensferry and Blair Drummond Safari Park, to mention just a few we visited. Morrisons and Greene King pub at the end of the road too.
Even though Covid-19 restrictions were still in place we felt really comfortable and sanitiser, wipes, spray and masks were provided as well as plastic sleeves for the remote controls and a box to isolate any books, games, DVDs we’d touched/used.
Thank you also Wendy and Ian for our guided tour of your working farm and allowing the children to sit in some of the machinery - they loved it.
Have recommended to family and friends and we even posted some of the cottage post cards. Would definitely stay again.
Visited August 2020
Written 28 September 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teetay
Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom89 contributions
THIRD VISIT...SAYS IT ALL!!!
Our third and, and not our last, visit to Mallard. It's the only self catering property we've ever returned to. You can totally believe all the reviews. This is self catering at its best. Totally immaculate with owners who go above and beyond. We couldn't have felt safer for our post-Lockdown break. We're already booked in for next Spring, this time with our extended family!!
Visited July 2020
Written 16 July 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wendyhryniw@yahoo.com
4 contributions
Superb in every single way
Wow, if you are staying in Sterling you could not possibly do better than Mallard Cottage. The location is close to everything yet you are situated in the country with a view of Sterling Castle and the William Wallace monument - both lit up at night.
We were so surprised when we got off one of the exits on a round about to find we were on a winding narrow country road, we were sure we had to be lost but we were hoping we weren't as it was such a pretty drive in. Sure enough there was the cottage with a fenced in yard surrounded by fields and cattle but absolutely no smell of cattle. Our host met us and welcomed us with freshly made scones, jam, small container of milk in the frig and a couple of small bottle of wine. We had just got off the plane from Canada so these little extras were so welcomed and appreciated.
The entire home is beautiful, sparkling clean, wonderful appointed bedrooms and bedding. There were two couples and just one large bathroom, but big enough for all of us to put our stash of things. We stayed for five nights and did all the surrounding area as well as Glasgow, Edinburgh and further south in Scotland, all nicely within easy driving back and forth distance. All in all, just an incredible place to stay for accommodation and location. It exceeded our expectations.
Visited September 2019
Written 25 November 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Loraine M
6 contributions
Short stay
Absolutely delightful cottage. Great views and complete peace and quiet. Wonderful place to chill and unwind. Wendy provided lots of extras, which were unexpected but appreciated. Exceptionally clean and well maintained . Central to all the tourist trails. Highly recommend this cottage.
Visited April 2019
Written 10 April 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jonw27
Thornton Cleveleys, United Kingdom6 contributions
Excellent
Wendy takes a lot of care to ensure there is a very warm welcome.. The cottage is well appointed and better than the pictures. Ours was a short stay but I wish it had been longer. I hope to come back soon.
Visited April 2019
Written 6 April 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Passenger24554520425
EXCELLENT COTTAGE IN LOVELY SURROUNDIGS
lovely modern cottage with everything you need + lots of extras very close to stirling and p+r and supermarket less than 1mile away owner very helpful and will be booking again
Visited February 2019
Written 20 February 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
polly2603
Brisbane, Australia11 contributions
the best self catering accommodation I've stayed in
I simply cannot fault Partridge cottage. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing place to get away from everything but at the same time be accessible for all tourist activities then Partridge cottage is perfect.
The hosts were lovely going over and above, we arrived to hot fresh scones, coffee, tea, jam and cream. My husband loved them.
The accommodation has amazing views to Stirling castle, the monument and the rolling hills as such we took full advantage from the large private hot tub.
I have travelled to over 40 countries, staying in 6* hotels to desert camp-sites and I can honestly say this is one of the best accommodations I have had the pleasure of staying in. The photos don't do justices as to how cosy and warm this cottage is. Perfect for a family of 4, two couples or 4 friends.
We will definitely be back one day.
One tip the place is easy to get to however the enterance isn't easy to find. When you arrive at the round about at Morrisons retail park, you need to turn off onto what is sign posted a deadend on the roundabout sign, the track is directly opposite the retail park turnoff roundabout. we missed it 3 times.
Visited September 2018
Written 13 October 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
6heatherb6
Greater Sydney, Australia28 contributions
Perfection
From the time we arrived to when we sadly left Mallard Cottage was perfect. Impeccably clean and perfectly appointed Mallard Cottage was truly a home away from home. Quality through and through without pretentiousness. Everything we needed or wanted was available. Perfectly located in a peaceful rural setting yet close to all Stirling and surrounds offers. The views from every window are breathtaking. Wendy does an outstanding job and should be proud of her cottages. Thank you
Visited September 2018
Written 3 October 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mallard is located in the country but yet only minutes away from the Centre of Stirling and a great road network that can take you to many of Scotland's tourist attractions in a day, making Mallard a great base to explore many of the sites of Scotland.
Getting around
Stirling Park and Ride bus service is located at the farm road end (approximately one mile away), which gives you access in to Stirling City Centre and Railway Station for days out further afield.
Access
Car advised
How to get there
From Edinburgh take the M9 signposted for Stirling, exit motorway at junction 9. From Glasgow take the M80 signposted for Stirling, exit motorway at junction 9.Then from both directions take A91 signposted St Andrews, keep on the A91 through 4 roundabouts, at the 5th roundabout take the 4th exit signposted Upper and Lower Taylorton, Bolfornought. Mallard cottage is about 1.2km up the farm road on the left-hand side.
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
100% refund* if you cancel at least 2 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
About this property
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