From the moment we enquired about the cottage availability to the morning when we sadly had to leave, our expectations were exceeded on all regards.
After booking the cottage Peter responded all my questions and offered generous advice on clothing, local means of locomotion, weather conditions, etc. A couple of days prior to our departure he e-mailed us a Happy Journey note. In retrospect, I believe this msg was the real beginning of an exceptional vacation because we felt appreciated as guests even before leaving home and reaching our destination.
When we arrived, Peter and Herruh welcomed us with such warmth and friendliness, that we never felt we were outcomers. We loved Heeruh from the very first moment and she made us feel as thought we were coming back to old friends. There were sweets and chocolate on the kitchen counter and fresh flowers in the next room, which topped off such jovial and kind welcome greetings.
The cottage was spic and span, inside and out. Everything was clean and bright. Peter demonstrates impeccable taste and creative space management talent. The cottage is intended for guests' utmost enjoyment and comfort. You will notice large spaces designed for storing suitcases and guests' belongings, besides the large closets in both rooms. The kitchen is equipped with everything one might need for cooking a real meal. And everything is spotless: oven, fridge, dishwasher, washer/dryer, pots and pans, mirrors, outside and inside windows. This is the cleanest cottage for rent we have ever slept in. At the entrance door you can find an umbrella and a flashlight, and there is a first aid essentials bag in the kitchen cabinet; we have never used any of these but their simple presence is so relevant to the owner's thoughtfulness. The bathroom upstairs is large and has an outside window towards the hill, same as the bedroom. Bath tub looks impeccable besides the fact that it is large, and there is a lot of storing space for bathroom accessories. Hot / cold water is available at all times, night and day. There is also a bathtub caddy for your convenience and a laundry basket to help you keep the bathroom and personal belongings organized. All these details show a sincere intention to accommodate guests' needs and help you feel at ease, unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of this place. Towels are impeccably white, the sheets are immaculate, fresh and high quality, and same thing I should say about the mattress. Sometimes vacation rentals owners decide to cut down the expenses by purchasing cheap mattresses, and you only find out when you get there and it's too late. This is NOT the case at Brockieside. The mattress is high quality for a comfortable night rest - the prerequisite for the next joyful day of discoveries. There is even an electric blanket for cold wintery nights. Water is filtered and tastes absolutely great, so you don't need to buy bottles. Actually you don't have to buy anything except for your food. For the rest, just bring with you zest for exploring, joy, love for nature and interest for history and Scottish spirit, and be prepared to be amazed.
The cottage is almost 2 miles up hill from Kilsyth downtown. It is comfortably close to markets and stores, but distant enough to give you the feeling of being far and away. It is advisable, first and foremost, to have a car at your convenience when staying there. Having chosen this cottage as your vacation rental, you would be rewarded with exceptional views toward both Edinburgh, Glasgow and everything in between. Sip your coffee or tea on a glorious morning in front of your door, or have a drink on a calm and clear evening, dive into this remarkable vista, and you will feel both lucky and lavishly inspired to explore. A short and easy hike on the hill will unveil a breathtaking 360* panorama that you might never forget. Don't miss your binoculars!
By its strategic location, Brockieside unfolds a long list of alternatives and choices for every taste and vacation style: it is close to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, to name just the most obvious ones. If you like old and beautiful towns, be it for lunch or a walk, you might want to consider Callander. Stirling is a beautiful place, few miles North from the cottage. While there don't forget to visit Stirling Castle - a 15th century marvel, and also Wallace Monument - standing bold and enduring time facing the castle. On coming back, you could pass by Battle of Bannockburn site and see the monument. Then, there is the natural beauty of Loch Lomond (remember the song?!) and dozens of other smaller accessible lochs, then Balmaha, Aberfeldey, Glencoe, the beach in Portencross area, and the list may further continue with places of fascinating beauty.
We were amazed by people's display of friendliness and kindness. There are numerous instances I could cite here as evidence, from the reactions we got from people on the street and in stores to the unreserved support that we received when we experienced a flat tire and had to enter the first front yard that we encountered. It is the Scottish nature and spirit that we affectionately respect and we feel connected to for life.
Peter, our host, is a genuinely welcoming, well intended and gracious human being. Always supportive, willing to help and very effective every time we faced issues that required us to call home or when we needed guidance. It would be impossible to imagine a more gifted, tactful, courteous, considerate and knowledgeable host. We arrived to Brockieside as guests and we left as friends and fans for life.
Peter, it's been our privilege to have met you. Thank you for your hospitality and companionship. The time we spent together, with you, Kim and Heeruh will always be regarded as a beautiful gift. Thank you for all your support and for making our vacation an unforgettable, rich and unique experience to remember.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.