Set amid the rolling countryside near the village of Drymen, Gaidrew Cottage is the kind of place guests return to year after year. This lovingly renovated single-storey retreat sits within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, surrounded by the gentle green folds of the Campsie Hills and mere miles from the bonnie banks themselves.
Drymen is one of Scotland's most charming gateway villages, a favourite stopping point on both the West Highland Way and the Rob Roy Way. The village green is fringed with welcoming pubs, a well-regarded butcher, and independent shops. From the cottage, a converted railway path leads to a local café, perfect for a morning coffee before deciding which direction to explore. Glasgow sits less than an hour south, Stirling Castle roughly forty minutes east, and the shores of Loch Lomond are barely a twenty-minute drive through some of the finest scenery in the Highlands.
Walk through the front door and the attention to detail is immediately apparent. The open-plan living space is bathed in natural light, anchored by a woodburning stove that fills the room with warmth on cooler evenings. Squishy sofas and armchairs invite you to settle in with a good book, while the contemporary kitchen is kitted out with everything a keen cook could want: dishwasher, coffee machine, electric oven with hobs, and generous worktop space. A rustic dining table seats the whole party comfortably, and bifold doors open directly onto the patio, blurring the line between indoors and out on fine days. Guests regularly mention how spacious and bright the cottage feels, and how the views of open countryside drift in through every window.
The separate snug provides a welcome retreat, complete with its own Smart TV. For families with teenagers or couples who fancy different evening entertainment, it means everyone gets their own space without compromise.
Both bedrooms are beautifully appointed: choose between a super-king or a king-size, each with quality linens and the kind of mattresses you will not want to leave. Two bathrooms, one with a walk-in shower and one with a full bath, both feature underfloor heating and heated towel rails. After a day on the hills, stepping onto warm tiles is a small luxury that makes a real difference.
Outside, the enclosed garden is a private haven. Watch visiting birds over breakfast, fire up the barbecue in the evening, or simply sit on the patio and let the Campsie Hills fill the horizon. Off-road parking keeps everything convenient.
For walkers, Conic Hill and Ben Lomond are close at hand, and the West Highland Way passes through Drymen itself. Golfers can choose from Strathendrick, Buchanan Castle, or the acclaimed courses at Cameron House. Glengoyne Distillery, sitting right on the Highland Line, offers tours and tastings within a short drive. For a wider day out, Blair Drummond Safari Park and the shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch are all within easy reach.
What truly sets Gaidrew apart is the warmth of the welcome. Freshly baked treats greet you on arrival, thoughtful notes help you plan your days, and the hosts genuinely care that every detail of your stay is right. It is the sort of cottage that feels less like a holiday let and more like coming home to a place you never want to leave.
