Where the gentle waters of Loch Long meet the wooded shores of the Cowal Peninsula, Pier View occupies the sort of position that stops you mid-sentence. This mid-terrace cottage in the peaceful village of Blairmore sits directly opposite the old Victorian pier, with unbroken views across the loch to Cove and Kilcreggan that guests say they never tire of, rain or shine.
Blairmore is a quiet, welcoming wee village on Argyll's Secret Coast, just a few miles from the larger town of Dunoon. A well-regarded café and art gallery sit barely fifty yards from the front door, while a local pub serving proper food, a newsagent, and a post office are all within a mile's stroll along the shore road. Dunoon itself is served by a regular bus service and offers a high street of independent shops, coffee houses, and restaurants specialising in local seafood. From here, the whole Cowal Peninsula unfolds: Benmore Botanic Garden with its towering giant redwood avenue, the ancient forests of Argyll Forest Park, and Argyll's beautiful coastline of sparkling sea lochs and romantic ruins.
Step inside from the rear hallway, hang up your coats and boots, and the living room draws you straight to the windows. The view across Loch Long is the kind you plan your day around, whether watching the morning light crawl across the water from a Hypnos super-king bed upstairs, or settling into the big snuggle seat by the wood burner as evening falls. The stove fills the room with warmth, while 100% renewable electric heating keeps the rest of the cottage comfortable. A well-equipped kitchen sits next door with everything a self-catering cook could ask for: oven and hob, dishwasher, coffee machine, and a fridge-freezer. The dining table seats the household comfortably, making lazy suppers a highlight of the stay.
Upstairs, two generous bedrooms enjoy those loch views from the pillow. Both feature Hypnos super-king beds, the kind that earn mentions in guest reviews for sheer comfort. A third small single room works well for a child or as a quiet study. The ground-floor shower room has a walk-in cubicle, and a separate cloakroom completes the layout.
Outside, an enclosed front area with a table and chairs provides the perfect spot for morning coffee with the loch stretching out before you, while a rear patio offers a more sheltered alternative on breezy days. Wildlife is part of daily life here. Seals and harbour dolphins are regulars from the pier, and sharp-eyed visitors have spotted sea otters and the occasional basking shark. Wild deer have been known to wander right up to the rear garden to nibble the flowers. In summer months, the PS Waverley, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, calls at Blairmore Pier, and a voyage aboard is one of those experiences that stays with you.
For those who like to roam, forest walks start from the doorstep, and a scenic golf course in Blairmore welcomes visitors. The ferry at Colintraive crosses to the Isle of Bute in just three minutes, opening up Mount Stuart House and the Victorian seaside charm of Rothesay. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park lie within easy reach to the north, and Loch Fyne, with its famous oyster bar, makes for a memorable day out.
Pier View is the sort of lochside cottage where days blur contentedly together, with walks, wildlife, and that view pulling you back to the window one more time before bed.
