We have been short term rental hosts for several years with Premier Host status in our personal family homes in Scotland and in London. You can also check out our other 5-star-rated listing called: "Your Central London Home Base" with over 150 reviews. Pricing is simple: seasonally adjusted base price for 4 guests, then GBP 20/extra guest/night. No hidden cleaning or other fees from our side - just the VRBO guest service fee in addition to the fees we pay them as hosts..
The cottage stands in its own large garden, with open fields in front and a small wood and lake behind, about 1 km from Evanton village. It has stunning views in front down over the Cromarty Firth, and behind up to Fyrish Hill with its famous monument. Deer, stoats, pheasants, woodpeckers are among regular visitors in the garden (check out our online feed for more photos: @balavoulin_cottage). The Black Rock Gorge, filmed in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is just a 10 minute walk.
Contactless self-check-in is standard. Ideal for family Staycations, with lots of room to spread out and relax indoors and out in the safe garden. Nearest neighbours are 300 metres away. For people needing/wanting to Work From Home, there is good fibre-optic WiFi; a printer/fax/scanner/copier; dedicated spaces with desks/tables (we have regularly operated 3 workstations in parallel in the house); ergonomic desk chair.
Sleeping arrangements: The cottage is ideally suited for large family groups, and sleeps up to maximum 10 guests (adults or children). It has two large bedrooms on the ground floor (one with a superking-size bed, one with two single beds that can be moved together), a full bathroom with separate shower and bath, and a second bathroom with large shower. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms with king-size beds, a bathroom with bath and toilet, and a TV room area with a double sofa bed. All bed linen and towels are provided. We also have a baby travel cot.
The large kitchen and dining area is fully equipped for 10 guests, with crockery, cutlery, dishwasher, tea and coffee, etc. Off the kitchen is a laundry room with washing machine and separate clothes dryer. The main kitchen window looks onto the back garden, where you can often watch deer and pheasants while eating your breakfast
The large sitting room runs the whole length of the cottage, with a beautiful old stone open fireplace at one end. A glass door leads out onto the front lawn, where you can enjoy the long summer evenings.
The cottage has all the amenities you would expect: washing machine, clothes dryer, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, TV, DVD, fibre internet & WiFi, kitchen equipment (espresso machine, filter coffee machine, Kenwood blender, dishwasher etc.) 100% Renewable Energy - Heating via an air-source heat pump; electricity supply 100% renewable.
Pay-as-you-go smart charging point, type 2, with maximum power output of 7.2kW, for the exclusive use of our guests.
Occasional Little Visitors – Please note and excuse:
Balavoulin is a rural cottage and surrounded by beautiful flower gardens so on occasion, and despite our best efforts, a stray bug, spider, or other nature-loving creature may wander inside, especially if a door is left open.