Ballivicar Cottages

 

Ballivicar farm is a small family farm, with sheep and horses (chickens, dogs, cats and so on), run on traditional, environmentally friendly lines. We offer, attached to the farmhouse, three lovely self-catering and well-equipped apartments called The Chougherie, The Hayloft and The Bothy. All apartments have WiFi available.    



The farm is situated close to but quite separate from Port Ellen, it is within 15 minutes of Islay's principal ferry port, airport and its only golf course. The three most distinctive of Islay's eight functioning distilleries are also within easy reach. The sea and empty beaches are, of course, ubiquitous on the island, which is, in many ways, locked in a time-warp.

Wildlife, rare on the mainland, is part of everyday life, barn owls nest in the farm buildings, there are swallows everywhere (and bats), and since nothing is shot on the farm, pheasants, hares, roe deer (and some red) and rabbits abound. Buzzards are commonplace, hen harriers and peregrines are also part of everyday life. In the winter there are geese, Greenland white-fronts and barnacles in large numbers.



History surrounds the farm and island from iron-age forts, standing stones, deserted townships and celtic crosses, all within easy reach. But above all, Islay (and Ballivicar) is a healing place, a quiet, peaceful, un-polluted respite from an overcrowded world, 'remote', but in fact not remote at all, just a well-kept secret.

The Chougherie Apartment
The Chougherie has two bedrooms (one king size bed and one twin), lounge/living area, open plan kitchen and separate bathroom. We supply all linen and we also have a washing machine. WiFi is available for our guests.



The Hayloft Apartment
The Hayloft has one bedroom (twin beds), large living area, open plan kitchen and en-suite bathroom. WiFi is available for our guests. We are happy to accept well-behaved dogs. We supply all linen and we also have a washing machine.



The Bothy Apartment
The Bothy has one bedroom (twin beds), living area, open plan kitchen and en-suite bathroom. We supply all linen and we also have a washing machine. Well behaved dogs are welcome. WiFi is available for our guests.