Guestbook

My husband and I stayed at Fairy Hill the week of July 19th and had such a wonderful experience. We are both wildlife lovers and were thrilled to see all the red, roe and fallow deer, multiple golden eagles, seals and their sweet pups, and an otter. I am a wildlife rehabilitator back in the states so it was especially connecting to learn that our hosts are also bat rehabbers.
The location is so tranquil and within walking distance to great archeological finds. The ordinance map was our friend as we bushwhacked to find all kinds of ruins. When we weren't out exploring, we were really enjoying the cottage. It is perfectly appointed with very comfortable beds, good water pressure from a natural spring, and a harp in the living room. I actually learned to play! Not as well as the fairies residing on the hill above us but ok for a week's practice. And speaking of fairies, even if you aren't a believer, know that Fairy Hill is the site of one of Scotland's oldest tales about the Queen of the fairies and if you aren't moved by the majesty of these claims, perhaps your dreams will be. While there, I dreamt that a fallow deer birthed a fairy-sized deer and sought me out for help. It was just a magical dream, one I'll always remember, just like our beautiful visit at Fairy Hill Cottage!

— Melissa and Chip Morris, 05 Aug 2025
We stayed in Fairy Hill cottage for a week at the beginning of May 2025. This was our second stay here, we returned having thoroughly enjoyed our stay last year.
We were very lucky with the weather and managed to explore all four corners of the island. We managed to hike to the highest point on the island Beinn Bheigier, the start of which is a short drive from the cottage.
There is fantastic wildlife on the doorstep and back garden including the resident deer, bats, house martins, swallows and cuckoo's to name a few.
It is a very peaceful place if you want to get away from it all, with stunning bays and beaches within walking distance.
The facilities in the cottage are great, like a home from home. The welcome goodies (including whisky!) was very appreciated. The electric blanket made it extra cosy.
Having the opportunity to have a go at playing the harp was also a great experience.
Thank you to Michael and Hannah for another wonderful week. We won't hesitate to return. We will be back!

— Ellen Speight , 16 May 2025
We had the most wonderful week on Islay. The cottage was a great place to stay with everything we could possibly need and more. So comfortable. Everything had been thought of. There were even electric blankets on the beds! Wildlife was all around us. House martins were nesting in the eaves, deer were grazing in the surrounding fields, seals were lounging on the rocks in a nearby bay and on our last evening a Golden Eagle soared high above. A magical place indeed!
John, Lynn, John and Lisa.

— John Harries, 05 Jun 2024
An absolutely stunning cottage in a fantastic location, which was the perfect retreat for us on our recent stay. We were entertained by Fallow and Red Deer in the adjoining field and outside our front door and the resident bats provided further delights during the evenings. The complimentary milk, cookies, coffee and Whisky were very much appreciated and provided a lovely welcoming gift. The cottage itself was very clean, well equipped , comfy and roomy, the living room being very cosy during the evening. A particular highlight was the opportunity to play the harp whilst relaxing in the living room with a wee dram or two. A ten minute walk takes you to the nearest coastal bay, where we were lucky enough to see a White Tailed Eagle whilst we were Kayaking there one day. The views from the top of Fairy Hill at the side of the cottage are well worth the effort of walking up it and is highly recommended. A fifteen minute drive takes you to Port Ellen, please be advised to make any reservations ahead if you are planning to eat at any of the restaurants there, as they are usually fully booked up. Over the years we have explored many areas of the West Coast and Isles and always try somewhere new every year. However, we were that impressed with this accommodation and the Island itself that we’ve already booked the cottage again for next year 😁

— Wayne & Ellen, 25 May 2024
We had the absolute pleasure of week’s stay at this gem of a cottage. Fairy Hill is cute and romantic inside and out. It may look small but there is lots of room in the light, airy yet cosy rooms. The cottage is situated in the most perfect of locations, set away from any neighbours it offers complete privacy and total relaxation where you can truely connect with nature but it’s only a 15 minute drive to Port Ellen. I cannot tell you how much we loved this cottage and location and we will be back. Thank you Michael for making your cottage very welcoming and the very useful information pack you sent before hand was very thoughtful - the cookies were delicious too.

— Jane, 20 May 2024
We had the most wonderful two weeks at Fairy Hill Cottage and would highly recommend it. It is in the most beautiful location with stunning beaches and woodland a stones throw from the cottage. The cottage itself is very comfortable and has lots of lovely little touches. We couldn’t have been more impressed with Hannah and Michael and their willingness to make our stay as pleasant as possible. We will definitely be back!

— Emily Randall, 25 Aug 2020
We just spent a week in this wonderful & cosy cottage. We loved everything about it: The location is perfect (you see more deer than people:-), it is lovely decorated, the harp sounds beautiful & the nearby beach is very romantic!
Hannah & Michael are very nice people who are very helpful & who gave us great tips for what to do & see on Islay.
The isle and it’s nature are breathtaking!
Thank you for having us :-)

— Andrea & Benedikt , 17 Jul 2018
I recently stayed here for a week on a hiking holiday. The cottage is lovely and perfectly located, the surrounding landscape is stunning. The famous Islay mist rolled in on the first evening and I was treated to visitations by hungry roe deer everyday (as well as huge marauding pheasants). The cottage is well-equipped with everything you need; if supplies are needed, Port Ellen is only 15 minutes away. Highlights of the trip are hikes on the Mull of Oa and the Bridgend Woods, the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte, the distilleries at Ardbeg, Bowmore, Kilchoman, Laphroaig and Lagavulin plus Finlaggan as well as many more. Dinner at the Seasalt Bistro is highly recommended. Was very sorry to leave, had a great time. I'd stay here again! Many thanks, M.

— Megan Stoakley, 15 Apr 2018
I recently stayed here for a week on a hiking holiday. The cottage is lovely and perfectly located, the surrounding landscape is stunning. The famous Islay mist rolled in on the first evening and I was treated to visitations by hungry fallow deer everyday (as well as huge marauding pheasants). The cottage is well-equipped with everything you need; if supplies are needed, Port Ellen is only 15 minutes away. Highlights of the trip are hikes on the Mull of Oa and the Bridgend Woods, the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte, the distilleries at Ardbeg, Bowmore, Kilchoman, Laphroaig and Lagavulin plus Finlaggan as well as many more. Dinner at the Seasalt Bistro is highly recommended. Was very sorry to leave, had a great time. I'd stay here again! Many thanks, M.

— Megan Stoakley, 15 Apr 2018
We had the pleasure of staying at Fairy Hill Cottage in May 2017 there really is nothing I can add that hasn't already been said - the location is perfect; near enough to everywhere but also beautifully quiet with plenty of wildlife to enjoy. The inside of the cottage is charming with everything you need - I would happily have stayed all Summer! The owners were also really friendly and helpful and happy to help in any way. I would recommend Fairy Hill Cottage unreservedly 😀

— Julie Jones, 09 Jun 2017
We stayed at the cottage last week May/June 2017. It is beautifully equipped and atmospheric. The owner seems to have remembered everything guests will need. We loved the decor - lots of attention to detail right down to the fairy doors! The location is beautiful: deer on the hillside,all kinds of birds, and windows looking out to the fairy hill. We'll be coming back.

— Sally Pearson, 04 Jun 2017
We stayed at the Fairy Hill Cottage with another couple friends. We had a fantastic stay and loved the location. It is close enough to town for convenience, but you also get the pleasure of deer in the neighbouring field and a few peacocks you pass as you go down the road. All in all a very enjoyable stay on Islay!

— Kristen, 11 May 2016
My girlfriend Manuela and I stayed a few days in the cottage during october. It was a wonderful time and the best choice we could have made for a beautiful and unforgottable stay on Islay!
A special thanks to our host, Michael who cared very much about us and helped us with a lot of little problems, showed us the island and gave us useful advice and tips.
Fairy Hill Cottage is a wonderful place to be and a place you want to come back to!
Hopefully soon!

— Tim, 22 Nov 2015

Guestbook

— Melissa and Chip Morris, 05 Aug 2025

— Ellen Speight , 16 May 2025

— John Harries, 05 Jun 2024

— Wayne & Ellen, 25 May 2024

— Jane, 20 May 2024

— Emily Randall, 25 Aug 2020

— Andrea & Benedikt , 17 Jul 2018

— Megan Stoakley, 15 Apr 2018

— Megan Stoakley, 15 Apr 2018

— Julie Jones, 09 Jun 2017

— Sally Pearson, 04 Jun 2017

— Kristen, 11 May 2016

— Tim, 22 Nov 2015