Reviews
"This house contributed enormously to a lovely vacation. I highly recommend it.”
I am a native of Islay who left the island 60 years ago. My American wife and I returned for a three-week vacation and chose Ellister Lodge through TripAdvisor. We also had three other family members spend time with us.
The house was the best furnished and best equipped of any home-stay we have ever experienced. It is located south of Port Charlotte, two miles from Portnahaven on a working farm. We thoroughly enjoyed that aspect, especially the fresh eggs from the free-range chickens, and waking to highland cows grazing in the fields outside.
The house was spotless, quiet, the beds comfortable, the showers all worked, and the washer AND tumble dryer were much appreciated. There is plenty parking for several cars. A comprehensive instruction manual for most appliances was provided. The large kitchen was perfect for our home-cooked meals. When we had minor problems with equipment, they were quickly resolved by a phone call to Ian, the owner.
The sheets and towels were changed for us once a week - thanks Rebecca. We appreciated the food basics that were provided when we arrived late in the day, milk, eggs, tea, coffee. sugar, butter, oatcakes, etc. The two bicycles provided were in good shape and tools were available for normal adjustments.
This house contributed enormously to a lovely vacation. I highly recommend it.
Melville Mackintrye, Trip Advisor
"Thank you for two fantastic weeks in Ellister Lodge!”
The house, the views, all the animals around, the silence, this is what we really needed to forget the stress at home and just be able to enjoy every day!
The house is really fantastic, very spacy, the kitchen is so well equipped, there were things inside that I never saw in my whole life! And then all the books, the binoculars (I don´t know the English name for those bigger ones, very impressive), the dvd collection, the games, the small details.
We had all the same opinion, that you furnished the house with love for the details. We really liked it. So thank you for everything, we hope to return to Islay as soon as possible!
Thorsten
"I couldn't ask for more.”
Amazing house in a lovely setting overlooking the sea, Highland cows in the field opposite (a new baby arrived during our stay), I couldn't ask for more.
My two teenage boys and a friend each also stayed and loved the house. The kitchen was very well equipped with Aga knives and plenty of pots/pans.
I'd recommend a day trip to Jura, Colonsay and the sea fishing with Islay Sea Adventures. Also if you like gin, try The Botanist Tour as an alternative to whisky!
Antonia Harrow, Trip Advisor
"Thank you – we had a fabulous time!”
Thought the house was wonderful and my dad was so impressed with the number of books on Islay you had!
The kitchen was well stocked and the rooms great. The girls loved Alexa as we don’t have one at home!
Rowena Duncan
"This is a fantastic house with a comforting feel...”
The house is fabulous and we have been so lucky so far with the weather – it’s been absolutely glorious and spent this afternoon on one of the beaches. Stayed in this wonderful place for a week during the Feis Ile 2018. Had lovely weather, so the use of the decking, barbeque and bikes was highly appreciated. This is a fantastic house with a comforting feel and amazing views. Would recommend to anyone, especially if wanting to go to the Whisky Festival.
Sue Davis
"Loved the house, it was spacious and very well appointed and in an excellent spot.”
We had a lovely time there and thank you for the welcome pack.
Phil D
"A great house, excellent accommodation in a fantastic location with outstanding views.”
Derek, Airbnb
"Loved Islay and loved this house!”
"Highly recommend staying here! Beautiful, spacious, great for families with kids and the communication throughout was great. Hope to be back one day. Took our kids, age 4 and 6 pony trekking at Ballivicar Farm near Port Ellen. It was Feb half term so very cold but we got lucky with a blue sky. We saw all kinds of weather during our 5 day stay but Islay will always be a favourite destination after this!
Husband got to visit 7 distilleries too… some of them in stunning locations (Caol Ila at Port Askaig.)
Happy kids… happy parents. Thank you for having us Ellister Lodge.
Ali, Airbnb
"Hope to be back”
"We’ve had a wonderful week in this amazing house, and have loved getting to know Islay and its lovely people. Thank you for the great welcome pack and all the amazing resources and equipment.
Hope to be back.”
Julia Evans
"We loved the place, enjoyed our stay very much.”
Donald Dansereau
"Beautiful house - very well equipped and the views stunning. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay."
Jean Allan
"Never stayed in a self-catering accommodation which has been so well stocked”
“Everything was perfect and scenery just added to the whole experience. Everything is great, the lodge is lovely and we are all enjoying the superb weather. Stunning views from a beautiful lodge, we could see over to Ireland this morning and made friends to a very large hare that joined us on the veranda for breakfast!
Home from home, well stocked with everything you need and more. Very spacious even for six adults that like their own room.
Fantastic time back on Islay to revisit our family’s home and rekindle fond memories. Thoroughly enjoyed staying in your lovely cottage with wonderful views.
Our stay at the lodge was superb, it was home from home with everything we needed on hand. I think I may have to return as I only completed one jigsaw and ran out of time.
Very satisfied with all aspects of booking and information supplied by Ian the owner. Thanks again for a perfect stay.”
Eileen McKie
“Wonderful holiday house”
“The kids loved running around, especially on the terracing. We loved Islay and had a great time. Carsfull of whisky to take home!”
Helen Leake
“It was perfect again”
“This is the second one we've stayed at Ellister Lodge and it was perfect again. The house is big and cozy, so great for an extended family holiday. The kitchen is very well-equipped, so we could cook big meals easily. And the location is so scenic. We enjoyed bike rides to Portnahaven.”
Lisa de Bruine (returning) – AirBnB
“Perfect house and location”
“Back on Islay after 30 years being away. Fabulous house which made our stay all the better. Amazing!”
Alan Hannah
“surprised and impressed everyone”
“Many thanks for the welcoming basket which was greatly enjoyed. It is a lovely house in a picturesque location. The kitchen is a cooks' pleasure to work in, thank you. The range of books in the house surprised and impressed everyone.”
Nancy Todd
“Beautiful house, beautiful place. Quiet and peaceful with superb views. Loved it.”
Patricia Antell
“Stunning house and surroundings”
“Felt very homely and well kept. Immensely enjoyed our stay and we’re so sad to be leaving the house.”
University of Glasgow Remote Scotland Expedition Team
“All is Perfect!”
“Marvellous house, wonderful landscape! And a welcome basket... What else?! All is Perfect! Many thanks! And thanks for the sun!”
Laurent Girodengo
“beautifully located, spacious and comfortable”
“Spent a week in Ellister Lodge using it as a base for a cycling trip with two friends. The house is beautifully located, spacious and comfortable with amazing views. We particularly enjoyed cooking in the well-equipped and amazing kitchen, enjoying the late afternoon sun on the extensive decking, watching the inquisitive local wildlife (stoats, deer, birds) and relaxing in the lounge next to a warm fire. Ian was a great host responding to any requests immediately and providing clear directions & instructions. Thanks for everything, house is fantastic and we've had an amazing week there.
Highly recommended!”
Lee B – AirBnB
“The most wonderful cottage”
“Amazing views, very comfortable. Wonderful time on Islay. Won’t be long before we come back.
Thank you.”
Alison McCaig
“Extremely well equipped and cosy house in a stunning location.”
Mike Ireland
“house and in particular, kitchen, very well equipped”
“We spent a lovely week at Ellister Lodge. It is a very spacious and comfortable house with lovely views looking across the water to the Oa peninsula. There is lots of wildlife in the vicinity and we enjoyed spotting deer and birds from the decking. The house and in particular, the kitchen, are very well equipped. Ian was an extremely obliging, friendly host who went out of his way to help us.”
Grant Fitzgerald
“2nd visit to Ellister Lodge. Wonderful time again. We’ll be back X”
“We spent a lovely week at Ellister Lodge. It is a very spacious and comfortable house with lovely views looking across the water to the Oa peninsula. There is lots of wildlife in the vicinity and we enjoyed spotting deer and birds from the decking. The house and in particular, the kitchen, are very well equipped. Ian was an extremely obliging, friendly host who went out of his way to help us.”
Graham & Sue Cullen (returning)
“perfect place to take in amazing views...even in chilly February”
“Amazing stay! What a great find! I visited Islay with my parents and a friend over half term and we just loved Ellister Lodge. It's spacious yet cosy with everything you may possibly need...the complimentary honey was a firm favourite with Mrs C! The outside space is a perfect place to just take in the amazing views...even in chilly February. Wildlife can be seen in every direction and I grew rather fond of the daily greeting from the neighbouring sheep. We didn't get to take advantage of the bikes...probably wise after one or 2 distillery tours, but the lodge is on a bus route if you don't fancy the drive (the friendly bus driver dropped us at the bottom of the lane). Communication with the owners was fab and instructions on how to find the lodge were clear and easy to follow. Will definitely be back again!”
Sarah Cullen
“First visit, beautiful place. Lots of fun had.”
Sam Pike
"Amazing stay!!!"
"Beautiful location, amazing views, great decking providing ample outdoor space and somewhere to eat when the weather is good.
Loved this place and didn't want to leave. Have to say Ellister lodge is very well equipped, you could make a full Sunday roast or chill out on the decking with a bbq - our choice was the bbq as the weather was amazing.
Ellister lodge was spotless, very clean and comfortable, the attention to detail with the wee packs in all the bathrooms and the welcome pack of prosecco, honey, oat cakes, milk and bread was lovely.
I can't recommend Ellister lodge highly enough and I hope to return soon xxx"
Yvonne – TripAdvisor
"fabulous value for money"
"We approached Ellister Lodge and were welcomed with free range chickens going about their daily business. Cows, sheep and ponies surrounding the perimeter of the lodge. Inside we were blown away by the quality of the property, it was spotless, spacious, cosy, well equipped and beautifully decorated throughout with stunning views to top it all off. Outside there was a Barbeque and a shed where there were bikes.
On the worktop lay a welcome pack of assorted goodies - bread, honey (from their own apiary), oat cakes and Prosecco to name but a few.
The weather was great which was a brilliant excuse to use the very efficient gas barbecue on our return from sightseeing. There was plenty of places to sit outside to enjoy the breathtaking views on the endless decking. Had it been raining, there was plenty to do inside from having a strum on a guitar, looking through telescopes, watchingTV, a selection of DVDs and wi fi etc, infact it would be possible to have a dull moment!
I will definitely be back, it is fabulous value for money and I would have no hesitation in recommending a stay at Ellister Lodge to anyone. Thanks to you all for a wonderful stay.”
Gaylor MacNicol – TripAdvisor
"just wonderful"
“Ellister Lodge is just wonderful. We visited here with our two young children and the place is incredibly kiddie-friendly. It's in a beautiful location over-looking the sea and there are chickens roaming about (the kids loved it!). It's very well furnished and peaceful. A lovely touch having the telescope and guitar, too! The owners were very hospitable, despite the late hour of us turning up. Thank you so much for a lovely stay and we're already planning our next trip.”
Caitlin Hayward
"wouldn't hesitate to go back"
“Lovely house, plenty of space, fabulous views. Really nice helpful owner, nothing too much trouble. The kitchen was great to use and really well equipped. In fact everything in the house was fresh and clean. We were sad to leave and wouldn't hesitate to go back.”
Fenella Mason – TripAdvisor
"Everything really was perfect"
“This was the perfect Scottish island holiday. The house is gorgeous and the views are spectacular. The beds are comfy and all the amenities work perfectly. The house is in a great location for getting to various beach walks. We liked Silago Bay the best. There's a good playpark a 15-minute drive towards Port Charlotte if you have kids with excess energy. We'd definitely come back.”
“Everything was so clean and the house so well-appointed. We didn't lack for any comforts.”
“Everything really was perfect.”
Lisa de Bruine – AirBnB
"The location is stunning."
“Excellent home to share with a group of people. Many large spaces (it's even bigger than the photo's allude to!) The location is stunning. On the western side of the island. And the living room catches the sunrise. It definitely the side of the island to stay on. When getting around the Islay the best views – from the car – was on the stretch of road next where the cottage lies. It was also nice to wander around and near the cottage. Word on the street (or Island) it that's there a terrapin living in the pool near the shore. There were issues with the water supply when we were there and Ian went out of his way to get everything fixed promptly and keep is on the loop. Thank you Ian. The kitchen is very well stocked too and sociable space for everyone to cook/sit around. It also has views on to the neighbouring field with lots of things to look at while munching on some cereal. There was a nice welcome pack on arrival for us too.
But I won't spoil the surprise.”
Ross Cairns – AirBnB
"well equipped and very comfortable"
“Ellister lodge is spacious, clean, well equipped and very comfortable. Ian was very helpful and accommodating in the booking process. The sea views from the large living room and decking outside are spectacular. The house had a very warm, homely feel. We wouldn't hesitate to stay again.”
Emma Thomas – TripAdvisor
"“Had a fantastic week staying here!
Islay is a beautiful island, xx”
Eve Bjonness
"we just loved it"
“Ian's description of Ellister Lodge was perfect. We wanted a short break getaway that would be quiet and remote but not too remote. For us Islay was the perfect place and Ian's place made our day. On farmland, with panoramic views of the coastline, we just loved it. Pure joy at the clear skies and starry nights even in January and the decking provided the perfect place to enjoy it. Lots of clear instructions before and after we arrived and a delightful welcome package. We have already raved about it to our family and friends and we definitely plan to go back.”
Lydia Delaney – AirBnB
"We had a wonderful stay"
“Beautiful surroundings and a lovely house. Just as in the photos! We had a wonderful stay and really enjoyed the beautiful house and amazing honey!”
Phil Sargent – AirBnB
