East Firwood

We've had a lovely holiday here!

The house is magnificent, so charming and spacious, with views to die for. Perfect for a relaxing holiday. We were a group of 8 and found the house to offer more than enough space for our group size - we used all 5 bedrooms (there are two living rooms, one of which could be used as a bedroom with a very decent sofa bed). Previous reviews mentioned sofa quality in the main living room, which I can't agree with - we found sofas in the TV room more than adequate, and we spent every evening there unwinding and watching movies. As a host David is very responsive and helpful - he was even nice enough to arrange a Christmas tree for our arrival, which we are very grateful for. Overall highly recommended.

We've had a really lovely stay at East Firwood.

The house is gorgeous and very well located, close to Rothesay but plenty of great walks right on the doorstep - garden access to the woods behind the property is great for the dogs though for info the garden is not completely secure so they will probably need to be on lead. As others have said the seating in the living room is not very comfortable, but this didn't detract form the stay, especially with the fire in the spacious kitchen - we found ourselves spending a lot of time in there. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Bute!

Beautiful home, well maintained however the couches were a little bit uncomfortable although I wouldn’t say that was a major problem.

The owner was very helpful and responded to any issue that I had. We had an amazing time and would definitely book this property again.

Lovely house in a very picturesque setting, we had a lovely week and although the weather was very changeable we got out a lot, saw a lot of the islands scenery.

It is beautiful. I can fully recommend The Kingarth Hotel, Stravanan, a lovely meal and very friendly staff. We found the seating in the lounge very poor, the settees were not comfortable. The kitchen although had everything we needed could do with a little maintenance. I did notice that we had to bring tea towels which is unusual but there was no hand towels there either and no shower mat in the downstairs bathroom. The overall cleanliness was good though.

A brilliant family sized house with lots of room for everyone.

A great location, quiet with beautiful views. Rothesay is a short walk either along the waterfront (beware it's quite a steep hill back up to the house) or out of the back gate through the woods, good if you have dogs. Best bits, house is well equipped, spacious, large garden (not entirely enclosed), the comfiest beds and bedding and a good base to explore the island. Not so good was the rather uncomfortable living room furniture and the fact there's not any proper garden furniture (a couple of wobbly benches and a broken rusty table), to eat outside and enjoy the garden/views. That said we would definitely book again and be happy to recommend East Firwood to family and friends.

Lovely house, couches need replacing very uncomfortable and a mop and bucket

Beautiful setting and lovely house.

Pristine inside. However, small issues arise in that bucket for mopping floor was burst, the dustpan was also broken and leaking. These need replaced. In addition, the area around the rear kitchen door is untidy with garden debris and overall the garden, while nice in some respects, is overgrown in several areas. That said we will no doubt be back for our 4th visit.

Lovely accommodation in a great spot, great views from the front of the house, would be good if you had some control of the heating, other than that it was perfect.

We really enjoyed our stay.

The property is very unusual we would have loved to have found out more about it's history. We didn't watch tv at all. Loved the changing sunsets from the lounge window. It was very clean except for dog hairs in the lounge and many when we swept the floors. The only real issue was the lack of a working toaster but this didn't spoil our holiday. Sad to go home Loved the pace of life on beautiful bute.

This is a great place, easy access to the entire isle and beyond.

The house has amazing views which is an enhancing feature, the facilities are also great with everything we needed to have a lovely stay. An area that could be considered is the living room furniture, these are a mix of a low back sofa and sofa bed which has lost most of its comfort. As this is the only lounge area the seats are uncomfortable and difficult to sit on after a long day exploring. The use of the abundant cushions helped but the sofa bed offered little comfort or stability even with cushions. Also this is a property seeking to accommodate up to 10 people which could be considered if new lounge furniture is considered. This was a beautiful place on a beautiful island, and we thank the owners for letting us share this property. Our comments are not negative but constructive and hopefully that’s how they will be taken. Thanks again.

I felt it was expensive but just basic one toilet roll per toilet no sugar if you had put milk in fridge a packet of shortbread tea bags snd coffee That would be a nice gesture

Stunning location and could be a stunning venue/accommodation.

Decor dated and damaged in places, furnished with second hand and worn furniture, main settee had no cushioning and was uncomfortable. Upstairs shower tray wouldn't drain, only used once and had to shower downstairs for remainder of week. Slight smell of damp/fusty particularly in wardrobe and downstairs bed rooms (not used, kept clothes in case). Left house cleaner that what we found, on arrival. Foodstuffs/sauces on tray on kitchen out of date. All said a peaceful week relaxing week (Have photos if requested)

Beautiful aspect with stunning views.

Very comfortable accommodation with a nice big kitchen. The only niggles were that the door knob of the front door was difficult to turn and we had difficulty closing a window but the owner was immediately helpful when we contacted him. We would thoroughly recommend this property and would be happy to return one day.

The house was great for a big family , climbing the hill every day was hard even for the young members of family.

There was everything you could want in the kitchen. I will say, The maintenance/Cleaning was disappointing The hoover would not pick up , there was no floor brush , I bought one to brush everywhere. The Iron was not great, had to clean, couldn’t get marks off. The pillows are stained in every room A couple of mattresses are stained The extractor filters were disgusting, I had to scrub them. Maintenance company Howarts need checking more. Thank you Mary McKenzie

We immediately fell in love with the beautiful Victorian house, which was even more beautiful than the photos had showed us.

It had lots of space was so cozy and comfortable, with lovely sofas in the living room, where we could enjoy the fantastic view over the water and the mountains that disappeared in mystic grey or appeared in beautiful pastel shades depending on the weather. The wonderful beds with crisp bedding, the comfortable down duvets and the generous pile of towels gave us a luxurious hotel feeling. We made extensive use of the very well-equipped kitchen and on rainy days we lit the wood stove there, wood was for sale in the Coop. In the kitchen we were only missing extra dishcloths and tea towels and some matching glasses. The wine glasses did not fit well in the dishwasher, they were better washed by hand, we noticed when one glass came out broken. The garden must be lovely when the weather is nice, and through the gate at the back you walk via a beautiful forest path to the village. The island is so lovely, and there are beautiful walks to take. The house is a 15 minute walk from the ferry and shops in Rothesay. A car is not really necessary. We highly recommend this house for an unforgettable holiday.

East Firwood is absolutely lovely, a beautiful home from home with the most amazing views.

The facilities were great and we were very comfortable

Very comfortable and well equipped property with amazing views

Lovely property with modern kitchen, very comfortable accommodation and situation; close to town centre but rural feel and stunning views.

Wonderful view, house perfect for our 4 generations of family and a dog !

All large rooms, very nicely decorated and furnished, very comfortable.

Fabbo views from the front of the house and garden, though the latter would benefit from some better furniture.

Garden very shaded even on sunny days and the monkey puzzle tree will scrape your roof box as you come up the drive. The double bed in the master bedroom was broken, with at least half the slats on the left hand side dislocated at the centre. If I had a stronger back and were I not supposed to be on holiday, I would have fixed this (the mattress is heavy). As it was, only one could sleep on this bed on its right hand side. This is a major failing, since two previous lots of guests reported the same problem during previous months in the house log book, to no avail. Additionally, the blind pulleys constantly break and have to be reconnected - another issue for virtually all previous guests which has gone unattended to. The other major gripe is the get out by 10 with all the beds stripped condition - providing for a stressful start to a day with a 450 mile drive home ahead of us. Surely 11 wouldn't be asking too much?

A stunning semi-detached property.

Better than the photos. The house is extremely clean and well equipped. Luxury accommodation in a gorgeous house with high ceilings and Victorian appointments. The views over the sea and island are amazing. Ample space for our group of 6. Take eye masks as blinds are quite transparent if you are someone who needs a dark room. Good base to see all the island has to offer.

I love Rothesay and East Firwood was the perfect place to stay I told my grown up kid’s & grandkids they loved it so hopefully we’ll all be back nest year Kath Friel

What a beautiful place to enjoy our break - the view was something amazing.

From the morning to night ever changing colours around the hills and sea. Beds were super comfortable and the whole house just so full of character. The surrounding woodland and hilltop location provided much needed privacy and break from our busy lives. Thank you for having us!

Lovely large home within beautiful grounds and direct access into the woods behind.

Kitchen a dream for any cook. Linens are of an excellent standard. View spectacular

Outstanding in every way.

Thank you.

Gorgeous house with a spectacular view.

Fantastic big spaces perfect for our family group. Two beautiful deer spotted in the garden to. East firwood was decorated beautifully and the beds and bedding were luxurious, we had 2 great restful nights here. We would definitely recommend a visit and will certainly be booking here again for future visits to Rothesay.

Owner accommodated a very last minute, next day arrival!

Despite the late notice, we found the house fully prepared for our arrival. We loved our 4 nights in this property. Lots of space, was beautifully warm, loved the under floor heating! Beds were very comfortable. Perfect location to explore the Isle of Bute. Wonderful to return to this beautiful house, with its spectacular views, after a full days walking and exploring! Definitely planning a return trip!

Absolutely beautiful house.

We had a wonderful stay. Stunning views, extremely comfortable house. Perfect for the dogs. We'll definitely be back

We would highly recommend East Firwood, its a large very well equipped home with a commanding view over Rothesay Bay.

The host was most helpful and easy to contact. This was our second stay and we have booked to return again in 2024.

Booked this for the second year running.

Excellent again. Had a wee problem on check in but the maintenance team / owner were very responsive. Driveway has been redone and access up the hill and parking is a lot better. Firmly recommended without hesitation.

East firwood was well equipped and accurately described on the Internet.

Comfy beds, walks straight from the property and amazing views from the windows. Bute is a lovely island and the small ferry from the North takes you in to some very dramatic scenery with Pucks Glenn well worth a visit. Will definitely recommend to friends and family.

Second time we’ve used the property and as happy as last time.

The location is perfect and the views never failed to amaze us. Disappointed with the outside the drive was too hard to drive up, even in our 4x4 it really does need improving and the fact that it could do with an outside seating area. The outside does not compare to the high quality interior at all.

We have stayed at this property before and it is beautiful and peaceful to holiday in.

The property itself is perfect and feels like home from home. Even my two Springadors love it. However, my main grouch relates to the drive leading up to the property which is not only very steep but is undulating and incredibly bumpy. It needs resurfaced otherwise I may not be back in Rothesay.

A spacious and well equipped property with stunning views over Rothesay Bay.

Perhaps the listing should mention feather bedding since many people, like we do, have allergies and so visitors could take their own bedding. A fantastic holiday. We all enjoyed staying here and would highly recommend it.

This is a great property overlooking Rothesay Bay.

Well equipped, clean and a great base for exploring Bute.

What a fantastic holiday we enjoyed in a lovely house in a beautiful setting.

Everything we needed and even woods just out the back gate for dogs and children. The home is so well equipped. Ticked all our boxes and will definitely stay again.

The service from Sykes was excellent and East Firwood Lodge was a stunning house in a fabulous location.

The beds and bedding were extremely comfortable and the shower room and bathroom were high spec. as was the kitchen. There were, however, a few minor improvements which would have enhanced our stay, some of which had been mentioned by previous visitors: * there was only one set of knives and forks for 8 people ( we bought spares at a local charity shop) * the double ovens were excellent but we missed having a microwave for general defrosting and quick reheating * only 4 toilet rolls were provided for 7 of us * we had a few glitches with the central heating going off and it wasn’t straightforward to work it * the views from this beautiful lodge are magnificent and the woodland garden was gorgeous and very well maintained with quick access from the rear to woodland walks into town are further along the island. Many of the original features in the Lodge made it a very special place to stay * the house is very dog friendly and “lived-in” enough for us not to worry about our dog being there * access for a disabled member of our party was good and the downstairs of the house was easy for to negotiate * we would be happy to book this place again and will recommend it to friends- great for a large group of people to get together but also have their own space. Thankyou for a lovely break.

The position of the house snd it’s views; being able to walk out onto a lane through the woods right out of the back door; well-equipped

A beautiful house with amazing views.

Maintained to a really high standard. The owner and housekeeper went out of their way to ensure our stay went ahead despite complications in the days beforehand. Ideally located within walking distance of shops, cafes and beaches. A beautiful island with so much to do. The only thing we noticed was that there was no microwave which would be useful but this is only a tiny thing, we would happily return.

This is a beautiful property in a lovely location and within walking distance of the town itself.

We certainly will be back. Three small issues : 1 . It would benefit from a microwave. Most modern properties have them. 2. Lack of small convenience bins in the bedrooms. 3. The track up is both pebbly and undulating and would benefit from being re-done.

We didn’t want for anything during our stay.

Everything was well considered and provided for from generous wood bundles for the fire to an immaculately stocked kitchen. The small details really do make a difference. Also the woodland immediately out of the back garden with direct access is stunning. With thanks

We really enjoyed our stay at East Firwood.

The setting was beautiful and we embraced the peace and quiet to spend quality time in Scotland. The house, albeit listed as a detached which is isn’t, was lovely and very welcoming. The main room and kitchen were our favourite to spend time in. The only thing I’d raise is that we found some of the furnishings were a bit old or in some cases broken such as door handles etc. We were interested to note that previous tenants had mentioned similar issues so it’s obviously been an issue for a while. It would be of benefit to the owners benefit to take note. However we’d happily come back again.

Lovely house in a delightful wooded garden.

Very secluded. Spacious property, recently renovated, with one excellent bathroom upstairs and a toilet/shower room on ground floor. Large, well equipped kitchen with wood burner. Underfloor heating in kitchen and bathrooms - radiators elsewhere. Has stunning view across Rothesay Bay towards Loch Striven and the Kyles of Bute. Very close to pier and town centre. On arrival, the house was spotlessly clean and pleasantly warm. Highly recommended.

Great house.

Wonderful views. Access up the hill a bit of an issue. Only real problem was the luxury feather bedding was wonderful for everyone except the person with asthma. Some kind of flag at booking would be helpful

East Firwood is a beautifully restored Victorian Villa with fantastic views from Rothesay to Cowall, you can watch the ferry coming and going but it is also very private and quite being up the hill from the main road and at the end of the road.

It is possible to walk into Rothesay from the house but be warned the road and driveway are a steep walk back. Very well equipped, we had everything we needed. Bute as lovely, fairly easy walking and lots of nature and archaeological interest.