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The Bay is a comfortable, family holiday home situated on the sea front in Portnahaven. It has fabulous views directly onto the sea and the sheltered bay below the cottage is ideal for swimming, paddle boarding and hunting for crabs. The bench at the front of the cottage is the perfect vantage point to watch seals swimming in the bay and enjoy a glass of wine watching the sun go down.
The Bay is a traditional, two-bedroom fisherman's cottage arranged over one level. The sitting room and double bedroom look out to the sea and the back bedroom (with two single beds) and kitchen look onto the garden. The large, enclosed back garden is safe for children and pets and has a picnic table and bench plus an outdoor drying line for beautifully fresh laundry! The garden is on a gentle slope with a ...The Bay is a comfortable, family holiday home situated on the sea front in Portnahaven. It has fabulous views directly onto the sea and the sheltered bay below the cottage is ideal for swimming, paddle boarding and hunting for crabs. The bench at the front of the cottage is the perfect vantage point to watch seals swimming in the bay and enjoy a glass of wine watching the sun go down.
The Bay is a traditional, two-bedroom fisherman's cottage arranged over one level. The sitting room and double bedroom look out to the sea and the back bedroom (with two single beds) and kitchen look onto the garden. The large, enclosed back garden is safe for children and pets and has a picnic table and bench plus an outdoor drying line for beautifully fresh laundry! The garden is on a gentle slope with a path and a couple of short flights of steps.
There is free, off-road parking at the rear of the property.
Tourist License / Licencia de turismo N °: AR00199F
House Rules
Pet-friendlyKid friendlyNo smoking
Children are very welcome - let us know if you need a travel cot/highchair when booking. Well behaved pets are also welcome. Please bear in mind it is a small cottage and we allow a maximum of 2 dogs, so a party of 4 adults and 2 large dogs would probably be too much! Our property is non smoking. Smoking is not allowed indoors.
Bedrooms
1 Double2 Singles
Bathrooms
1 Full bath
Meet the host
Liz R
Hosting since April 2013
Languages spoken: English
Response Rate: 100%
Response Time: Within a day
Interaction with guests: Please let us know which ferry you are arriving on and the cottage will be left open for your arrival.
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One of our favourite places to visit and the best view in Islay!
Lovely hospitality and cozy stay as ever. Rooms looking great after a refresh and some new decor. Great for the kids too, who love being in the garden or on the beach
Visited July 2023
Written 9 October 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roger M
Edinburgh, United Kingdom4 contributions
Bayview, Portnahaven, Islay
Bayview Portnahaven on Islay.
Well maintained cottage in beautiful setting, providing everything a visitor could desire.
Visited September 2023
Written 17 September 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Explorer765488
2 contributions
Picture Perfect!
Loved The Bay! Clean, well-appointed, and great location along the Portnahaven Bay! I especially loved having a cup of tea in the morning and looking out the framed front windows along the bay--it was as if someone had hung beautiful new paintings each morning. Just lovely! Will definitely stay at The Bay again!
Visited August 2023
Written 26 August 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz R
Thanks so much for your lovely review! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and the views and look forward to seeing you again.
Written 28 August 2023. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amandavid F
1 contribution
Beautiful location, friendly people
We had a wonderful week in this beautiful and comfortable cottage in Portnahaven. Abiding memories include; sitting on the bench by the front door watching seals in the bay, amazing sunsets out to sea, the unintrusive friendliness of Jean and Iain next door, amazing local walks and of course lots of interesting whiskies. We will be back!
Visited June 2022
Written 18 June 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz R
Thanks for such a lovely review - we're glad you had such an enjoyable stay - it is such a beautiful island - and hope to see you again one day!
Liz
Written 9 November 2022. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Janet anne T
3 contributions
The bay cottage portenhaven
Lovely spacious cottage on portenhaven. Key holder next door for any help welcomed with fresh scones and jam which were lovely.
Weather wasn't to good but it didn't stop the enjoyment of waking up and going to sleep with the seal noises. Just sit and relax or there are plenty of walks and places to visit on the Island
Visited May 2022
Written 13 May 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz R
We're so glad you enjoyed your stay (and the scones and jam!) The seals practically on the doorstep are one of our favourite things too.
Best wishes,
Liz
Written 9 November 2022. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lgc180
Kelso, United Kingdom5 contributions
Just perfect
Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Granted we had great weather and past experience of windchill so longjohns are our friend but …. Almost didn’t want to review incase we encourage so many folk that we can’t find a time for us to return Sitting on the front step with a cuppa / glass watching the sun go down or sitting in the window watching the waves smash on McKenzie Island, the cottage is cosy and well equipped and a perfect place from which to explore the island. Have rebooked so safe to review now. Enjoy
Visited March 2022
Written 28 March 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz R
I'm so glad you had such a lovely stay - you certainly brought the weather with you for March! Thanks for the kind review and we'd love to have you back any time.
Written 10 April 2022. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rod2123
5 contributions
Outstanding
Perfect location views are fantastic. The Bay is an idyllic cottage, clean and cozy, with everything you could need for a self catering stay. Their are great walks right from the front or back door, and Portnahaven is a beautiful small village with a wee shop for all your basic needs. Jean next door is lovely, there were homemade scones and jam waiting for us on arrival. I'd recommend a visit to the islay celtic craft shop about a mile outside the village, lots of quirky and beautiful handmade stuff. 10 out of 10, would definitely return.
Visited September 2021
Written 10 September 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz R
Thanks for such an outstanding review and sorry it has taken me so long to respond! We're so glad you loved the cottage and the island and would welcome you back any day!
Best wishes,
Liz
Written 9 November 2022. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy M
1 contribution
Perfect cottage in a stunning location and stunning views.
What a fantastic place, lovely cottage, beautiful views from the front door and Jean and Ian couldn't have been better hosts.
So good that I've booked twice for next year.
Helen and I absolutely loved it, so did the dogs.
10/10.
Visited August 2021
Written 4 September 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liz R
We're so glad you all love the Bay and sorry it's taken so long to respond to your kind review. Looking forward to seeing you again in the summer!
Written 9 November 2022. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bill2y
Northumberland, United Kingdom22 contributions
Family and friends break
Wonderful little cottage set in a picturesque Village overlooking the sea where Seals regularly popped there heads up to look at you.
Well appointed warm and comfortable with kitchen diner - lounge with log burner and 2 good sized bedrooms with shared bathroom
Ideal base to explore the Island
Visited September 2020
Written 18 September 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Journey749471
Banchory, United Kingdom4 contributions
Lovely cottage in a picture postcard location
Just back from an amazing week at the Bay in Portnahaven. Jean and Ian greeted us on arrival and were extremely friendly and helpful throughout our stay. The scones are delicious and the cottage has everything and more you could ever need for your holiday. We were very lucky to have visited on the best week of the year so far, every day was a sunny day so most of our time was spent on a beach. Hard to say which beach was the best as they are all special. Would thoroughly recommend the Bay for anyone who is looking for an away from it all, quiet and peaceful break with beautiful beaches and amazing sunsets.....Enjoy! ❤️
Visited August 2020
Written 17 August 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Islay has many breathtakingly beautiful beaches and walks and it's easy to spend your whole holiday enjoying these. It is rich in birds and wildlife with seals swimming below the cottage and you might also spot otters, dolphins, basking sharks, sea eagles and choughs. In winter, Islay is visited by thousands of barnacle geese, a spectacular sight.
Islay is world-famous for its whisky distilleries, with nine (and counting!) plus more recent gin and rum distileries. Many have visitor centres with tours available.
Ileachs (people from Islay) are a friendly bunch who will make you welcome and will wave at you as you drive by!
Getting around
The easiest way to get around Islay is by car, as many of the beaches are quite remote.
However, if you're not driving, then there is also a very regular bus service on the island operated by Mundells - see Argyll & Bute's website for timetables.
The island is popular for cycling and walking too, and there are also several taxi companies if you have a night out in another village.
Access
Car advised
How to get there
Ferries to Islay are operated by Caledonian Macbrayne and sail several times a day from Kennacraig on the mainland to either Port Askaig/Port Ellen. You can sail in/out of either port, whichever suits your travel times. Please ensure you book your ferry as soon as the timetable is available as they do get very busy.
If you’re driving from Glasgow, head west on the A82 then A83 and allow three hours travel time to be safe. If you want to plan some breaks in your journey, Inveraray is a pleasant town to stop for a toilet break and cup of tea. Lochgilphead is handy to top up on petrol before continuing your journey to Kennacraig ferry terminal.
Scottish Citylink run several buses a day from Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow to Kennacraig, Service No. 926/Campbeltown
You can also fly from Glasgow Airport with Loganair.
There are several taxi services on the island – Islay Taxis/Carol’s Cabs.
Activities nearby
Fishing spots availableGolf course (within 30 mins drive)Horse riding facilities
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 3 pm • Check out by 10 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
50% refund* if you cancel at least 4 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
Notes from owner
Our changeover day is a Saturday. Short breaks are sometimes available at the end of the season. Please contact us with your dates for confirmation before booking.
About this property
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