Tell us about your visit:
Review submitted by patrick from edinburgh (Submitted: 8 Jul 2010)
Everything was done to clean high standards, sitting outside with a bottle of wine as the night fell was a beautiful sight overlooking the bay, and to be so close to the sea makes this cottage perfectly placed, it was also very cozy when we made fire and watched a dvd, I would recommend that the owners would print out a little map of the town as we couldnt find the cafe all the time we were there! apart from that everything we expected was at hand and we will be booking it again hopefully for a week the next time, our overall holiday in Gardenstown was a 10/10, also its worth taken the short walk along the shore to the neighboring town of Crovie,
Review submitted by Sara from Canberra, Australia (Submitted: 30 May 2010)
This is coming from Inverness as we continue our holiday in Scotland. We will not be back home until 15 June.
We both enjoyed our stay at Tidewater Cottage. I bumped my head at the front door on the first day - it hurt so much I made sure I didnt do it again! David managed to escape the experience.
There are some items in the info@ printout that are incorrect.
1. We could not find any logo on any pane.
2. When we arrived the parking place at the end of the gable was occupied. Talking to a local named Jed we were told that the space was available for anyone to use, was not reserved for the cottage, and that the end of the cottages boundary was at the low wall. He also said there had been some dispute about this in the past. Anyway, as it turned out, we always went to the end of the road and used the carpark (even if the "reserved" space was available) as we found it much easier than trying to manoeuvre in a small area.
3. There was no retractable table or 2 stools in the kitchen. I really cant see how they would fit anyway.
4. There was no Corby trousers stretcher in the bedroom (or the cottage).
5. There is no heating unit in the hallway, but evidence that there once was.
We used the washing machine but found it difficult to lock the door and then to unlock it.
The weather was lovely and we didnt need to use the fireplace or the heater in the lounge-room.
The cottage was thoroughly cleaned, except for mopping the floor, before we left. I hope your cleaning person gave you a good report.
We would certainly stay at the cottage again if travelling in the area.
Thank you.
Sara York
Review submitted by C from SHEFFIELD (Submitted: 6 Oct 2009)
The location of the cottage was perfect and the sea views from the lounge were stunning.
The cottage is quite small and compact.
Review submitted by rosie from dunblane (Submitted: 29 Aug 2009)
location was perfect, could not have been anymore idyllic. i was amazed that such a picturesque, charming village existed in scotland and we enjoyed exploring the surrounding towns. the locals were more than friendly and always happy to help. one suggestion would be to have more up to date tourist information guides and leaflets. also could not work the central heating but this was a minor problem.
Review submitted by Ben from Norwich (Submitted: 7 Sep 2008)
The property was nice..v.close to the harbour wall and water. The weather while we were there was sunny and calm (early Sept) but it would also be an excellent place to buckle down and watch the waves crash over the houses from. The people we met were so friendly. Ill definitely be visiting Gardenstown again..mackerel season next year.
Review submitted by Richard from Laren (Submitted: 14 Aug 2008)
We have spent a week of our holiday in tidewater cottage. In our opinion, it can be a great place to spend your holiday, iunfortunately upon arrival, it was not as clean as one might hope. In short: we started doing the dishes, before we started cooking the first day. Also we used the vacuum cleaner right after settling in. This is the reason we think the value for money was fair and why we were a little disappointed at first. In all fairness: we were contacted by the owner during our stay and he asked about the state of the cottage upon arrival. When we told him, he told us that he was changing the person that cleans up the place. Because of this, I would recommend it to a friend. The location is lovely, and you can spend a great holiday there. Our overall rating for the cottage is fair. However, if the place would have been cleaned properly, our rating would have been good to excellent!!
Review submitted by Nicola from Liss (Submitted: 11 Jul 2007)
The best bit about the cottage was its location - you could not get much closer to the sea! Although it was very small, this meant it was very cosy, especially in the evenings. A cot was provided as promised and all the bedding and towels were supplied for our use as well. There was a good choice of books and videos and the kitchen was extremely well stocked. The shower was always hot. Parking was also provided although the road was a little bit scary to negotiate the first couple of times!
Gardenstown is an extremely pretty fishing village - but there are very few amenities. And to anyone else planning a visit - book the Harbour Restauarnt the minute you arrive as they they were booked up all week when we went and we never did get to eat there!
This was a great base for exploring but our 2 year old was happiest on the beach - which is literally on the doorstep. My defining memories of our Scottish holiday will be of him marching down to the beach, bucket and spade in hand - and never looking so happy.
Review submitted by Nik from Cambridge (Submitted: 22 Jun 2007)
We very much enjoyed our holiday in Gardenstown – it’s a fantastic place for a relaxing break away from everything. Friendly people, beautiful scenery, peace, quiet and no mobile phones.
The village of Gardenstown has a small beach, which varies from sandy to pebbly depending on what the sea has thrown up. The Harbour Restaurant does wonderful seafood, while the butcher and baker on the High Street both sell top-quality produce.
Worthwhile attractions nearby include the aquarium at Macduff (and nearby, the lovely Inshore Fishmongers), the large sandy beaches at Boyndie and Sandend, as well as the picturesque fishing villages of Pennan and Crovie. There are some lovely walks around the area, although the cliff-top walks aren’t as accessible as you might think as the land is farmed right to the edge of the cliff.
Tidewater cottage is clean, compact and neat, with a well-equipped kitchen and most of the things you’d want for a week or two of peace and quiet. Don’t forget to take a good book to curl up with in front of the coal fire in the evenings.
The cottage is large enough for a couple and a child who’s young enough to use the (supplied) travel cot, but an active child of 2 might need a little more space, especially if the weather were to close in.
Review submitted by alessandro from reggio emilia (Submitted: 20 Jun 2007)
Il cottage offre tutte le comodità anche se in uno spazio ristretto.
La posizione è splendida.
Review submitted by Shawn from USA (Submitted: 22 May 2006)
My only complaint concerns cleanliness. The cottage when we arrived, particularly the bathroom, was NOT clean. A cleaning service should be engaged on changeover days. You could charge a non-refundable cleaning fee. Many self caterings do and this is perfectly acceptable as you know the place will be clean when you arrive.
Review submitted by Annegret from Berlin/Germany (Submitted: 12 Nov 2005)
We felt very welcome, it is a beautifull place, very warm and friendly people in the lovely village
Tidewater Cottage is a very cute little house, very comfortable
We will keep lots of nice impressions in our mind
Review submitted by sara from madrid (Submitted: 29 Sep 2005)
escocia es precioso y hemos estado muy agusto en el cottagge esta muy bien preparado y muy acogedor, tiene de todo y limpio y Gardestown es muy bonito y tranquilo.Roberto el dueño del cottagge muy amable y muy atento con todo y precupandose por todo en todo momento.
Review submitted by betty from milano (Submitted: 28 Sep 2005)
wonderful position, in a quite village in front of the sea, ideal to explore the best of scotland (in the middle of coastal trail, castle trail and whisky trail).the cottage is confortable,intimate and very equipped.(my 1 year baby spent holiday with us in tidewater and we found all the necessary also for her).very very good choice!!!!!
Review submitted by William from Rome (Submitted: 11 Jun 2005)
At the sea's edge off Moray coast in a "retired" old fishing village. A bit out of the way, but close enough by car for shopping or larger towns and historical site. The cottage is simple, but adequately supplied. We were looking for simplicity and quiet, and found it. The seas, winds, gulls, and an occasional muffled voice of a neighbor were out companions for 5 days in June.