Gruinart Farmhouse is a 5 bedroom new build eco house that sleeps up to 12 people
This architect designed holiday house on the Isle of Islay sleeps up to 12 and is located in one of the most beautiful spots on the island. Lying in the heart of the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart, the house enjoys stunning views across Loch Gruinart and as far as Colonsay and Mull on a clear day.
The house is constructed from green oak, is super-insulated and has an air-source heatpump feeding its underfloor heating. Attached to the ajacent barn are solar panels providing green energy direct to the national grid. This holiday let was designed to take advantage of the glorious Islay views, whilst being a modern, spacious, warm and luxurious retreat.
Gruinart Farmhouse is styled with a blend of stone floor tiles, hardwood floors and cosy carpets in colours that compliment its oak construction and its natural surroundings, and the views that dominate at every turn.
The holiday house is designed around a large open plan kitchen, dining and living area with picture windows extending up to the first floor affording stunning views of Loch Gruinart, the Paps of Jura, surrounding moorland and grazing marshes.
Relax here in a deep leather sofa with a dram and perhaps dip into the range of wildlife and other books provided, watch TV or a DVD, or listen to music.
As you enter the holiday let through the rear you will find a warm utility room to your right, with plenty of space to place your shoes and hang up your coats. Here you will also find the washing machine and tumble dryer.
Just ahead is a large welcoming entrance hall, with access to the beautifully crafted oak stairs, downstairs accessible double bedroom, downstairs shower room, and the open plan living room with incredible views looking down Loch Gruinart
The kitchen is modern and exceptionally well equipped with an electric Aga, microwave and wine chiller. There is a large separate larder with ample storage and a fridge freezer. NB there is no conventional cooker.
There is a beautiful island at the center of the kitchen, perfect for food preparation whilst having a drink and socialising.
The spacious Master bedroom (kingsize) on this floor has high ceilings, a comfortable sofa and an ensuite bathroom with spa bath and shower.
On the first floor you will experience even more glorious views from the mezzanie, an upstairs living room that overlooks the downstairs living area and Loch Gruinart.
The mezzanine is perfect for a spot of relaxation and makes an excellent telescope viewing area for all the wonderful wildlife beyond.
The 1st floor has two further bedrooms in addition to the Master bedroom. One is a small but cosy double bedroom. The other has two single beds, perfect for when you have kids.
The family bathroom can also be found on this floor, with a free standing bath and separate shower.
The 2st floor has another master bedroom with a kingsize bed and optional folding child's bed.
Nextdoor is a luxury shower room with rainfall shower and a built in sauna - excellent for soothing those muscles after a long walk
With fabulous views across the sound and beyond, there is an expansive games room/artist studio with table football, table tennis and lots of space for teenagers and others to lounge about. This room sleeps two in adult sized bunk beds and has floor cushions.
Master 1 - sleeps 2 in kingsize bed
Twin - sleeps 2 in single beds
Double - sleeps 1-2 in double bed
Master 2 - sleeps 2 in a kingsize plus a child folding bed
Master 3, sleeps 2 in double bed
Studio - sleeps 2 in bunk beds.
There are two tariffs:
High - £1950 per week
1st May to 30th September.
Low - £1450 per week
1st October to 30th April
10% discount for returning customers
The holiday house is available on a seven day let available at 3PM on the day of arrival. We ask you to leave by 10AM on the day of departure. We can be flexible about our letting but prefer Saturday to Saturday where possible.
Please email to agree dates and make a deposit of £250 to secure your booking. This will be returned seven days after departure unless there has been any damage or breakages or additional cleaning the value of which will be deducted.
You will need to make arrangements to pay for the holiday let in full six weeks prior to your dates of occupation. Please ensure you have some kind of travel insurance or cover in case for some reason you don’t get the ferry or plane or adverse weather as the accommodation charge is not normally refundable unless we are able to let the house again at very short notice. Sub-letting is not permitted.
Please leave the property in the same clean and tidy state as you find it in and please report any breakages or damage to the housekeeper prior to departure. If you stay for more than one week the bed linen will be changed for you on the Saturday.
The holiday home is not ideal for children under five or for pets. In both instances please speak to us first to obtain permission. Smoking is not permitted in the house or grounds.
There is mobile signal but it is variable. Internet access is poor on this remote part of the island. While we have a mifi hub you should not expect to get more than intermittent access to email and it will not support downloading, uploading or streaming. There is a 5GB download limit per week, therefore download before you come! The TV has an HDMI lead so you can plug in a laptop.
The house is in the middle of a nature reserve and we ask you to abide by the requirements of the RSPB. Please enjoy the hides and paths and be considerate to the environment and wildlife as there are nesting birds close by. Please note that country sports such as shooting are prohibited in and around the reserve. Photography while in general is encouraged, is prohibited at certain times and circumstances as there are a number of rare bird species nearby - so if in doubt speak to the warden.
For enquiries into booking Gruinart Farmhouse please email John French at
orka.consulting@btinternet.com
For enquiries into booking Gruinart Farmhouse please email John French at orka.consulting@btinternet.com
'Myself and eight others enjoyed the Gruinart Farmhouse during a six night stay in March 2015. Being members of an amateur birdwatching and wildlife group, we were quickly entranced with the flocks of Barnacle Geese, Brown Hares and Roe Deer cavorting around the garden and adjacent fields! The Farmhouse was well-equipped, spacious and comfortable and the modern design permitted wonderful views across the beautiful Islay landscape, particularly accommodating when it was windy and wet outside. We made full use of the facilities of this idyllic property, which includes a large kitchen, lounge and a variety of bedrooms as well as ample off-road parking. A very comfortable experience which served to further enhance our Islay experience'.
'Myself and eight others enjoyed the Gruinart Farmhouse during a six night stay in March 2015. Being members of an amateur birdwatching and wildlife group, we were quickly entranced with the flocks of Barnacle Geese, Brown Hares and Roe Deer cavorting around the garden and adjacent fields! The Farmhouse was well-equipped, spacious and comfortable and the modern design permitted wonderful views across the beautiful Islay landscape, particularly accommodating when it was windy and wet outside. We made full use of the facilities of this idyllic property, which includes a large kitchen, lounge and a variety of bedrooms as well as ample off-road parking. A very comfortable experience which served to further enhance our Islay experience'.
Islay is a wild and beautiful island on the west coast of Scotland. Click the places on the map below to find out more.
Thank you to Partick Hadfield for providing the stunning pictures of the aurora borealis at Gruinart Farmhouse.
To see more of his photo's check out his blog here
Gruinart Farmhouse is located in the Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve and is surrounded by abundant wildlife
Listen to some of the sounds of Islay by hovering over the images below.
Thank you to James Howe of the RSPB for providing the Sounds of Islay
Each year during the last week of May the Islay Festival of Malt and Music (Feis Ile) takes place.
The Islay festival is a celebration of the heritage and culture of the Island and it's people
Each year there is a diverse programme featuring traditional music, ceilidhs, Gaelic lessons, golf, bowling and whiskey tasting.
Walk Islay is a week of organised walks, long and short, during April.
Walk Islay is a great opportunity to see the beautiful Islay scenery and wildlife
Each year in September the Islay Jazz festival takes place.
