Gate Lodge

We arrived to find the cottage was clean and tidy.

There was kindly left a small loaf of bread, cookies and crisps, a 1 pint of milk, plus some flowers in a vase, which was a nice touch. But unfortunately we had a few snags during our stay which sadly let things down. The information booklet wasn’t actually that informative. We had to look at the modem to read the WIFI code as it was poorly written and would not connect. The chairs at the table were very unstable and one appeared to be broken. On the first night of the stay unfortunately my brother in law had an asthma attack due to a very strong smell, which we came to discover was cleaning products, such as mould remover and fire lighters in the under-bed storage. Even after removing them, it still smelt very strong throughout the stay. Also the slats were broken at the top of that bed, which each night had to be boosted up to even it out. We used the cooker the second night which had the most awful smell, which then made it a horrible evening to sit in the lounge area being that this is all open plan. That night we were awoken by the shrill sound of the smoke alarms! After that we didn’t use the cooker, which made things a little difficult with meals. The towels and the bed linen were all beautifully clean, but I think the pillows could definitely do with being replaced, they were the most uncomfortable pillows ever. I think they’ve seen better days.

On arrival the property was spotlessly clean.

Plenty of crockery, glasses and cooking utensils were available. If I was to be really picky, there was a shortage of storage for the groceries we'd brought with us. I work in a supermarket so the last thing I want to do when on holiday is to go food.shopping.The bed was extremely comfortable. The grounds are extensive with a small loch to walk round, take wellies if it's been raining as it can be quite muddy in places. There is a train line just at the rear of the garden and although trains can be heard it didn't disturb our stay. We spent one morning at the local zoo which is only about 3 miles away. The animal were very well cared for and had plenty of room in their enclosures. Most of the week was spent watching the garden birds and 2 grey squirrels which visited daily. We even saw a tree creeper and a goldcrest. On the whole a lovely relaxing stay.

We absolutely loved our stay at this lovely little home.

We were surprised with how spacious the lodge was after reading the description, especially the garden! We were also quite surprised at how close to civilisation we were, as we expected to be in the middle of nowhere. There is a large outlet centre approximately 10 minutes away if you forget any amenities! If visiting with children we’d highly recommend going to the Almond Valley Heritage Centre, we had a great day out here, there was so much to do and see which kept our 2 year old entertained for hours. Overall we had a brilliant stay, we were so sad leaving as we just adored this little lodge so much! Thank you.

Had a great stay, with my 2 girls and the dog.

Plenty of room for 3 adults. Very relaxing and well placed for visiting the surrounding area. Would definitely stay here again.

The interior pictures on the Sykes website and the location are what attracted us to the Gate Lodge.

However, the interior decor has been changed which lessend the warm inviting appearance. My main concern is the use of power extention leads in the main bedroom that are not necessarily required, which made the property floor look untidy. The property would benefit from some re-decoration, specifically the en-suite shower room. The property instructions require updating such as the Wi Fi code which did not work (the owner swiftly and kindly rectified this during our stay). We put the refuse bin out on Tuesday evening ready for Wednesday as instructed, but the bins were emptied on the Monday?

We had a lovely stay in Scotland and used the cottage as a base for sightseeing and as such it was great.

We booked for 6 adults and 4 of us subsequently went. It was in no way big enough for 6 adults. The lounge space only has seats for 5! The kitchen table and chairs are very rickety and need updating. That said the cottage was clean and tidy and warm.

Wonderful place.

Very peaceful, the grounds were stunning. 5 of us, all grown men, stayed there, and yes you need to get on with each other, but it didn't feel too cramped as some cited. Though we had good weather so we could go outside. Just remember there's only one living area inside, but when weather is good, dinner and breakfast in the garden made it feel less cramped for 5. Finally, yes there's some noise from the flight path out of Edinburgh, and the train line behind, but the windows are VERY well sealed. So unless you're a light sleeper or you've got the windows open, you'd barely even notice. The Golf Club up the road (2 min walk) served some of the best food we've had. An entire Vegan menu too, which was both a surprise, and a delight. Honestly one of the highlights of our stay and well worth visiting.

A lovely little lodge, no way big enough for 6 adults though.

2 to 4 max. I've no idea how 6 are supposed to sit round the table . You could hardly walk round the beds in the twin room. The nicest room had a double. The king-size room definitely needs an update, the bed was comfy apart from the wooden frame the mattress sat in had handles and if not careful as there's hardly any space could be a bit painful when it catches your leg. On the plus side it was clean, well equipped in the kitchen, you wouldn't go cold as the heating kept kicking in and we kept turning it right down. Major point for dog owners is the garden although it did say enclosed its not and it is right next to a road . The estate was nice for a dog walk on lead. The lodge seemed not to be a part of the rest of the estate though that also had accommodation. Overall a nice stay in a lovely area, friendly people. Oh and I saw it mentioned in other reviews about the trains, it didn't bother us at all. Plus there are quite a few coming and goings through the gates of visitors etc. To be expected ,but if you don't like train noise then that would bother you.

It it such a wonderful little place and we could easily have stayed more days.

My children felt that it was a fairytale cottage. It was so nice that there was coffee and fresh milk and croissants. That made us feel very welcome.

We booked a 4 night stay for 3 adults & 1 dog.

It was raining when we arrived & it took us a while to find the key box, the instructions said it was on the left but it’s actually on the right hand wall facing the road & hidden in the climbing plant so this information does need updating. The cottage is lovely, clean & well stocked with everything needed for a very comfortable stay. On arrival we had been left a few supplies such as milk, biscuits, bread tea & coffee which were very much appreciated. The beds are very comfortable & towels are fluffy

Very warm cosy , that feels homely , it would be a tad snug for 6 adults, however apart from the occasional train ( we come on holiday to go out for the day) , it’s ideally based .

35 mins from Edinburgh , 30mins from forth bridges and 45 mins from Glasgow. If yr into history houses and gardens” fill yr boots “ so much to see and do two weeks wouldn’t be enough let alone one. Strongly advise trip to Japanese gardens at cowden but book in advance as rarely tickets on the day. All the attraction we went and we went to loads everyone made us more than welcome and happy to impart information to us . Hopetoun was a great example of such hospitality

Wonderful little place clean and well maintained.

Everything you need from toilet roll to washing up Liquid .just 5 min from train station makes getting to Edinburgh & Galgow a Breeze.

Ah lovely little home!

set in a beautiful estate, I truly loved our stay here. The beds were so comfortable. I was very grateful for the Easter treats and milk kindly left for us, thank you! I hope to come back one day. One very small thing to mention, in one of the bedrooms has black mould creepy in and close to the bed and in the bathroom. As an asthmatic I was a little concerned, but we opened the windows to air the room during the night.

We had a wondreful stay at Gate Lodge, it was exactly as desribed and I would highly recommend anyone looking for a base to explore the area not to hesitate in booking here.

We went into Edinburgh twice as it only took 45 minutes, the museum was a great day out as was the mile and castle. Livingston is just up the road with every shop, restaurant and amenity you could possibly want yet when you get back to the lodge, it feels so peaceful you feel in the middle of nowhere. Kate is a wonderful host, quick to respond to messages but left us to it otherwise which is exactly how we like it. The Lodge was cleaned half way through our 2 week stay and it was immaculate when we arrived and after the clean. Walking our dog around Harburn Estate was lovely most days, all in all we had the most relaxing, lovely holiday, exactly as we'd hoped.

We had a very enjoyable 4 night break at Gate Lodge.

Its location was superb for what we wanted. We spent a day at Rhoslyn Chapel - well worth a visit, the intricate stone carvings throughout are amazing. Having spent the next day enjoying our time at the cottage, we spent the last day in Edinburgh. We used the Hermiston Park & Ride which is no more than 30 mins away and was very convenient. The cottage is very comfortable, cosy and very clean.Being there for a short time we didn’t explore the grounds of the estate. One small criticism, was the state of the saucepans and frying pan. Previous guests had obviously used metal utensils in pans with the result that most of the non-stick coating was coming off. Not wishing to use them, we purchased our own. This did not spoil our holiday at all but would suggest replacing them. Otherwise the cottage had everything we needed and we would certainly book it again.

We were really impressed with Gate Lodge.

It is exactly as described - compact but comfortable! We were 6 adults with a small dog and didn’t feel too cramped at all. There is a lack of clothes hanging space in the bedrooms and some of the information in the instructions folder was incorrect/out of date - the wifi password and the bin collection schedule (we never did work that out!). However, when we had an issue with a constantly dripping kitchen tap the owner quickly got it sorted as soon as Sykes passed on our complaint. There were welcome snacks and milk when we arrived and everything we needed in the kitchen. The showers were powerful and hot and all the beds were comfortable. Unfortunately our holiday was cut short due to a family emergency but we were more than happy with everything up until that point. Thank you for looking after us.

Perfect stay at a beautiful cottage.

The Gate Lodge is a beautiful cottage with great facilities and amenities to make this a very comfortable stay. It is very well-equipped, especially the kitchen, to enable you to self cater. Better than most I've visited in the past.

The property was gorgeous, well kept and comfortable!

Luckily, it was snowing when we went and it felt like the perfect little Christmas Romance movie setting!

Gate Lodge was very well equipped and felt cosy despite freezing temperatures outside.

The beds were lovely. As previous guests have said the cottage is compact and though there are bedrooms for 6 the space isn't really big enough for 6 adults. For example the kitchen is small and there is no cupboard space to store food. It would have been nice to have maps/guides/local information in the house, there was nothing like that at all so make sure to bring your own books, games etc. There was an issue with the wifi not working for part of our stay (apparently an issue in the area) and the 4G signal not good inside so be aware if that is important to you.

Beautiful cottage in the gorgeous Harburn Estate.

Great facilities and very comfortable. Can barely hear the occasional train so not an issue at all. Close to amenities yet very quiet.

Cottage was beautiful & really well presented.

The little touches like soaps, treats, blankets & throws were lovely. Having hair dryers (although we didn't know about them) was great. Would have been helpful to know that there's no wardrobe storage in 2 of the bedrooms...we did over come this by using the clothes airer as something to hang clothes on. Having plenty of logs was great. Only thing that may be beneficial is to have a curtain to draw across front door as there was abit of a draft as no internal doors for the lounge/kitchen area. Location was great for exploring. Welcome book needs updating as day bins are collected is wrong & WiFi password is incorrect (use the one on the BT hub). The grounds are gorgeous & would highly recommend the cottage.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this cozy cottage.

It truly exceeded my expectations! The living area was perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring, complete with a plush sofa and a lovely fireplace that created a perfect ambiance for cozy evenings in. The kitchen was well-equipped, making it easy to prepare meals. I especially appreciated the coffee and snacks selection provided. The bedrooms were true haven, with soft bedding and plenty of natural light. The outdoor space was equally charming, offering a serene spot to unwind with a book or enjoy a morning cup of coffee. The location of the cottage was ideal for exploring nearby attractions, yet it felt wonderfully secluded. I loved being able to take peaceful walks in the surrounding area and enjoy the beauty of nature. Overall, I highly recommend this cozy cottage to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat or a romantic getaway. I can't wait to return!

Stunning location, the grounds of Harburn Estate are magnificent and we really enjoyed them.

The cottage itself was pleasant in appearance but had multiple issues. The living room seating was inadequate with wobbly dining chairs and not enough comfortable seating for the amount of guests. The beds, although dog friendly which is fabulous, were covered in dog hair from a previous visit and one of the double beds squeaked horrendously with even a slight turn of your body; so bad that my husband and I resorted to pushing 2 singles together instead. The TV was badly situated and not fully visible from half of the seating provided. The kitchen was adequately stocked and extras provided such as washing up liquid, tea towels etc. The washing machine was very welcome but a washer/dryer would have been better and no start up washing powder/tablets available to use. We were a party of 4 adults and 2 dogs and the property was manageable …. Just, with regards to space. The garden was beautiful but the table and chairs were incredibly aged and uncomfortable. Over all we enjoyed our stay but that was mainly due to the grounds and location as the property itself wasn’t the best with lots of dust on skirting boards etc and cobwebs around the ceilings and in the radiators…. and of course old dog hairs. The rug was also caked in dog hairs and was dangerous as it was a trip hazard, very thin with no anti slip underneath. We adore dogs and understand pet hair but this should be cleaned thoroughly between guests. I bought lint rollers and used those on the bedding and rug. Such a shame as all issues totally avoidable and the location is perfect.

Lovely, cosy and comfortable cottage.

Prepared warmly to greet us, sweet little soaps, tea, coffee and biscuits were so much appreciated. We found everything we needed for our stay plus beautiful surroundings. We definitely will be coming back in the next few years. Thank you. Agata and Mariusz PS. I would like to make one little suggestion to repair side lamps in the sitting room as the shades are very wobbly and I was in fears of them coming off.

Bedrooms were a nice size but kitchen and living are only really suitable for 4 people.

No recycling facilities which we found disappointing as we feel everyone should be doing their part for the planet. Nice quiet location, easy access to bigger towns and cities.

We had lovely days in West Calder.

The house is beautifully situated on the edge of a park-like area. Perfect for a morning walk with the dog. We only saw the train that runs nearby but didn't hear it in the house. The facilities are good but some of them are a bit dated. The cottage is much too small for six people, there were four of us and the space was at its limit, especially at the dining area. The bedroom with the attached bathroom smelled very damp the whole time. The cleanliness was okay, but the glasses were all dirty, for example, and we had to wash them again. This should be checked more closely. We still had a lovely stay. There was no contact with the agency and inquiries before the trip were not answered.

Great stay in this compact cottage, the scores don't really reflect how good this one really is, there are a couple of minor issues though, The first is lack of seating for six people, the wingback chairs are very low so not suitable for older guests and the dining chairs have seen better days.

The rug in the seating area is prone to sliding about which is not good as a trip hazard etc. During our stay there was a spot lamp in the main bathroom which needed replacing it was constantly flashing on and off and the bed in the double to the rear creaks loud enough to wake the occupants of the twin room. Whilst characterful the flooring is uneven and difficult to maintain balance on and again is a trip hazard if wet. Lastly, the ensuite in the double room is poorly designed, the toilet is too close to the door and shower knees hitting the door during use it would be better as a cupboard/ wardrobe and remove the bath in the main bedroom for a walk in shower. It is a great cottage and we had a good holiday here despite the weather but I wouldn't book to stay again as a first choice.

This cottage is welcoming and homely.

We felt at home immediately. 4 Adults was about the maximum for the dwelling difficult to sit more round the table. Kitchen had everything you could ever need. Bedrooms were very comfortable. Holidays are what you make them and we had a great time.

Lovely little cottage in beautiful grounds.

It was very cold in Scotland when we visited and it took a while to heat up the cottage as it is open plan. If I could change one thing I would put a door between the living room and front passage to hold the heat in. We had the wood fire on a lot which was lovely. The garden is well maintained and a good size. I would definitely return to this cottage in the warmer months. The key safe is actually to the right of the cottage as you face the front door not to the left.

Great location for walking, cycling and easy train trips to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The cottage was really well equipped, immaculately cleaned and tastefully fitted out. There were a few signs of tired decor but that helped us relax compared to cottages we have stayed in which are more like show-homes. We struggled to get the heating/water temperature right but that was probably due to the strange weather with big deviations in temperature outside. The biggest negative was the directions sent prior to arrival. They took us to the wrong cottage and even the key safe was at the opposite side of the house to the instructions provided. We suspect that Sykes simply sent us info for another cottage on the same estate, especially as the instructions for the bin collection was incorrect too.

Gate Lodge is a lovely, cozy cottage in the countryside.

We were a group of 5 and feel that 4 would be ideal as the living area is a little tight for 5 or 6 round the table. However, the kitchen was well equipped and easy to work in, and the sitting room comfortable (especially with the log fire going).

There was a serious mouse problem.

Dishes, pots and pans were not clean from previous tenants. The hot water was inconsistent, especially in the bathroom close to the entrance. The range of pots, either extra large or very small. The house was nicely decorated for Christmas, and the welcome gifts were nice, but unfortunately both were attacked by the mice. We tried to purchase mouse traps, but unfortunately the local stores told us this was a seasonal item. The lockbox for the key was also not on the side indicated. We did enjoy the surroundings and scenery.

Brilliant cottage in an amazing location.

Loved the Harburn Estate which the Gate Lodge is part of. Livingston is fantastic for shopping and the Outlet Village had some unbelievable offers Major shops all there. Had a wonderful day in Edinburgh and also in Glasgow, which are both close by. Attractions are plentiful and easy to access Will definitely come back next year

On the whole the property was good, location for surrounding areas was ok.

layout of the property was adequate for our needs. in the main it was clean and well stocked with what you need for your stay. but thought our stay we started to notice that the cleaning is surface only and the property need a deep clean. the only other issue is wardrobe space and area to store clothing.

We were a little worried after reading some of the reviews for the cottage and went with an open mind.

We were pleasantly surprised and found the cottage to be great for our needs. There is a few maintenance jobs needed (towel rail in the twin room falls out the wall, blind in double room falls off regularly when opening and closing and Ill fitting lamp shades). The cleanliness of the rooms was good but a deeper clean is needed (under beds and in drawers). We also felt that the information book could be more detailed in how things worked. Overall though the cottage had everything we needed for a lovely stay and even though we were 4 adults and 2 children (10 and 13) and a dog we didn’t feel cramped and throughly enjoyed our stay and wish we had longer to explore the beautiful grounds. We would book here again.

Das Haus ist wunderbar gelegen und absolut perfekt für 2 bis max 4 Personen.

Wir wollten eigentlich zu sechst kommen und sind heilfroh, dass es nicht dazu gekommen ist. Für uns zwei war es Luxus. Die drei Bäder sind eigentlich nur eines plus 1 x Toilette und Waschmaschine und 1 x Toilette und Dusche, beides auf engstem Raum. Zu zweit in der Küche kochen erfordert schon eine kleine Choreografie und wie der Esstisch für 6 Personen plaziert werden sollte, ist mir ein Rätsel. Für 2 ist auch der fehlende Geschirrspüler kein Problem. Dass der Garten der Lodge direkt an gut befahrenen Bahmgleisen liegt, war uns beim Buchen auch nicht aufgefallen. Bitte nicht falsch verstehen, wir hatten wunderbare Tage in der Lodge, aber zukünftige Gäste sollten all das wissen.

Nice location.

More info about local area and walks would have been good

We had a relaxing week in this comfortable holiday home.

It is in a very quiet location. The countryside invites you to go for a walk. Shopping facilities are a bit far away, but by car you can quickly reach West Calder or the outlet centre in Livingston. Around the corner, Bistro 19 of the Harburn Golf Club invites you to enjoy delicious food. Many places of interest nearby. Pets are welcome. We would be happy to recommend this house.

Gate Lodge is in a lovely position to explore the borders.

However it is very compact and 6 people would be very snug. We were a party of four adults. Although we enjoyed our stay there were aspects of the cottage that were problematic. The main bedroom was very tight in space. The en-suite barely had enough room to sit on the toilet comfortably and also hard to dry from the shower. The sink in the room was a squash to wash properly. Both the other bedrooms lacked space for hanging, and putting stuff. Some shelves and hooks would improve the situation as would some in the bathroom. The kitchen needs a washing up bowl and a teapot. The welcome pack was lovely but unfortunately the biscuits were unopened on the side and the next morning we woke to them having been attacked my mice with biscuits, crumbs and mice droppings covering the top and the floor. We then noticed all the mice dropping around the fridge! Not enough comfy chairs in the lounge area. Only the settee and one armchair. The other chairs are not comfortable to sit in long periods. We had one dog with us and on arrival the grass was well due a cut and the dog could not go in garden unless on a lead as open access to the front and the road. The grass was cut on the fourth day as well as a table and chairs arriving in the garden. It is a shame that these points stopped as feeling we could give any more stars to the lodge. Beds, linens and towels good .

Lovely little lodge!

Our group comprised 4 adults, 1 teenager, 1 child and 1 dog, so we filled the place! However, we weren't uncomfortable at all. Previous issues highlighted, such as the leaky shower screen, have now been rectified. Plenty of hooks and storage. Well equipped kitchen had everything we needed, including washing up liquid etc. Welcome pack of bread, milk, etc, was a bonus. Perfect location. Grounds are beautiful and perfect for walking our dog. We visited Edinburgh, Loch lomand and local country parks. Almondell was a highlight and not far. 10 mins drive to a choice of supermarkets, shops and restaurants. Property is a little drafty, but you can easily control the heating. We'd definitely return! Thank you

A wonderful stay and we'll 100% be back again, cosy, relaxing and so lovely to have walk around the grounds.

The facilities were perfect and the bed was comfortable and shower great. The local Golf Club, Bistro 19 was excellent for some food too. The only downside to our trip was on our last two days workers from the railway came and were walking through the garden and drilling and putting up additional fencing from 8am-5pm each day which impacted our ability to lie-in on our holiday and caused us to need to go out for the day as the drilling and dust was causing a headache - this wasn't Sykes or the owner's fault but it would've been good to know in advance.

Entry into Gate Lodge was warm and welcoming, made all the more pleasing by the generous spirit of what was provided.

Thank you.

This property was very clean and well equipped for every thing we needed it was very welcoming and the area around the lodge was beautiful I'd definitely stay again if it's available

We had a lovely stay at Gate Lodge, the cottage has character and was very clean, warm and modern inside.

Excellent location. The restaurant at the nearby golf club was very good and within walking distance.

Great property, brilliantly decorated and at a great location to explore Edinburgh and nearby places.

It was awesome to see the place and its deco and wibe when we reached The directions to the gate lodge could have been better that’s just one improvement I would recommend.

Beautiful cottage with a very well equipped kitchen.

Lovely and clean. Nice touch with a small milk in the fridge, loaf of bread, mince pies, crisps and cookies. Cottage tastefully decorated for Xmas. Salt, pepper, sugar, teabags and coffee pods. Really enjoyed our stay. Had some lovely walks in the estate with our dog and would consider coming again. Please share with the owner that we think there is a small leak from radiator in the bathroom. Only really realised at the end as it wasn’t obvious. May need to re- position the shower wall on the bath. At the moment there’s a gap between the shower wall and the bath tub so water runs unto the floor. Also the shower wall is not very tall so our 6’ 1 son found it impossible to use that shower as water went everywhere but the bath. Okay if you are short though. He just used the shower in our en-suite after that. The wood burner was lovely but there wasn’t enough wood for a 3 night stay so had to buy more wood and kindling. Would definitely recommend. Great place.

Great place to stay.

.only thing l would request is a headboard on the bed in ensuite room as wall cold..

Firstly thank you for the bowl of items and the milk in the fridge, gratefully received.

Lovely base for visiting our family. This would be a beautiful place to stay if some maintenance issues were addressed. The main bathroom was really unsuitable to have a shower in as the massive gap between the bath and the shower door allowed so much water out it became very unsafe for my older parents to use. Also we found that two showers could not be run at the same time because it took pressure away from the other. We resorted in 5 people having to share the tiny ensuite shower which wasn't very helpful when trying to leave at a decent time in the morning. The tiny ensuite had no where to place any washing bits apart from the floor and no hook to hang your towel so we ended up placing on the back of the toilet. The ensuite was also freezing cold as there is no heating in there so taking a shower wasn't enjoyable. One of the main reasons I booked the gate lodge was due to the log burner, we tried 3 times to light the fire and there seemed to be no draw in it so the logs would not burn, it seems like the chimney could be blocked. On arrival we noticed none of the outside bins had been emptied and the recycling had all been mixed. My dad had dropped something under the bed of the double room and when he went to retrieve it he noticed the extremely disgusting old bed base, when charging so much money for a stay I do not think its a lot to expect a clean decent bed to sleep on. The heating system was an absolute nightmare, the heating wouldn't come on when we needed it but was red hot at night when we didn't require it. There were no instructions on how control or manage it either. It was difficult having 6 of us in the property with limited comfortable seating and would of been suited more for 2 adults and 2 children. This cottage is beautiful and could be made to be perfect with some of the feedback taken into consideration.

Once arriving at the property I was a little confused as the property looked nothing like the images on the website, the roof was in a very poor state with the guttering leaking, and was full of vegetation!

As to where we park 2 cars as there were no designated parking spaces only the muddy track lane in front of the property was not in the description advertised. I arrived just before 3 pm as instructed in the confirmation email. Once I obtained the front door key I proceeded into the property with my shoes covered in mud from the outside area as there was nowhere to wipe my feet only the coarse rug inside the property, this soon became even worse once we had all arrived and throughout the week it was very difficult taking our shoes off before entering the property through the wet thick mud that was constantly there due to the heavy downpours of rain all week. The area once entering the property had little space to put the muddy shoes upon entering as 80% was needed for the door to open and close so we had to cover the unit with black bags and newspaper to be able to put them on. In the confirming emails sent by yourselves, it stated that there would be everything we needed to start a fire. The property was freezing cold and damp so it was vital for me to get the fire going in preparation for the rest of the family to arrive. I was unable to do this first because there were no fire lighters or kindling wood to get it going and the tray beneath the log burner was full of ash which I then in turn had to clean and empty into a silver ash box next to the fire but it was already full! resulting in me having to go out and look for a shop that sold the starting wood and lighters. Once I finally managed to get the fire started I had to close the burner door with a handle that was being held together by a loose screw! the house started to warm up I then proceeded to figure out how the central heating worked, there was a round thermostat in the living room that controlled both heating and hot water, but there were no instructions to be found anywhere, this was a nightmare as it decided to come on and off at 4 am! It took us a few days to finally understand the thermostat to set it to come on and off when needed. This was highly inconvenient and an instruction book should be available for all persons who stay in the cottage. The floors of the property were very dirty and worn. The living room and kitchen floor were painted with original floorboards that were very slippy and uneven to walk on not to mention the dust and dirt that was on them and when walked across they bounced! The advertisement for this property stated it was large enough to accommodate 6 persons, we struggled with 5! The property was very small, the bedrooms had very little room to move around as did the living room and kitchen, The dining table was set against the wall at the end of the kitchen, which meant that only 3 people could sit at it as there was no room to pull the table out for people to sit on the other side so both my mum and I had to wait to have our meals after my sister and children had finished theirs. 3 of the chairs were also damaged wobbly and unsafe to sit on All the walls were scratched or had stains on them paint chipping off in places and all the skirting boards were filthy and had a thick layer of dust on them. My mother has coronary lung disease (COPD) and she never stopped coughing the whole time we were there. The main bathroom was not clean, there were hairs on the floor and the bath shower screen which was glass is water damaged causing green algae to grow on the seals. The bath also sinks when you lay in it creating a gap all the way around the bath revealing more mold and lime scale. The bathroom sink was scratched and damaged and the plug hole was so rusty that the plug didn’t fit resulting in losing water when washing. The toilet was not clean and even more so the toilet brush was also filthy. There was no extraction fan in the bathroom so it would get very steamed up causing extreme condensation with water dripping from the toilet cistern onto the floor causing more hazards for both me and my mum to slip over on. The en-suite in bedroom one was so small you were unable to sit on the toilet with the door closed there just wasn’t enough space to do so and again the en-suite was filthy and unclean with mold and lime scale growing behind the toilet on the wall and on the shower cubicle tiles, the toilet brush was disgusting not to mention the thick urine stain on the toilet seat screws and there was mold growing in the basket that stored the toilet roll as the room was too small to put a toilet roll holder on the wall so the paper used smelt fousty and damp all the time. The main bathroom over the bath shower was dangerous as it would decide on its own to go either cold or the opposite scorching hot! It happened a few times my sister and mother took showers and the water went scolding hot, we were lucky the 12 and 4-year-old took baths instead. The living room was small and the sofa and chair were very old and stained, the fireplace had no safety fire guard in front of it and as our main source of heat for the property, it was very difficult keeping an eye on a 4-year-old trying to play on the living room floor with a red hot log burner on especially as there were 1.5 meters from the sofa to the fire!. As for the bedrooms well, where do I start? Bedroom 1 near the front door stank of dampness! There was very little storage with what draws were there, they were dirty inside and I could barely open and close them, being stiff and jammed so I kept my clothes in my suitcase instead. This was the only hanging space wardrobe on the property!! A very small wardrobe that had room for little clothing as it also store the hoover in also as there was nowhere to put it without causing a hazard and above the small wardrobe was an even further surprise, a filthy child’s mattress, and yellow stained pillow that no mother would want to use and thank god my nephew is older and we didn’t have to result to using it. Storage draws under the bed were full of Christmas decorations and cleaning products that clearly had not been used. The bed looked like it had been slept in as did all other beds with dirty pillowcases and bedding we were forced to wash all the bedding on day 2! And there was a small clothes horse no tumble dryer or outside clothesline to be able to dry the bedding resulting in me having to sleep in a dirty bed until the rest of the family's bedding was dry enough to wash mine! The sink in bedroom one was inaccessible, due to the bedside cabinet being in front of it and it was impossible to put it anywhere else in the room, for a disabled person with mobility issues this became impossible so I had to use the main bathroom instead. The bed had no headboard! The pillows were touching the wall and upon further inspection, there was black mold all along the wall where the head part of the bed was which resulted in damp moldy pillows! And certainly not good for my health! The main wall adjacent to the bed was the chimney wall as there was a clear band of wet wall stain indicating there must be a leak in the roof or chimney which is showing on the top of the wall. The other two bedrooms were just as much of a letdown and health hazard, the single beds were falling apart with screws on the bed frames either hanging out or not there at all, and the mattresses were dirty and damp as well as rusty around the mattress air vents! The 3rd bedroom was also damp, the bed was a miss match with a very old base and dirty mattress that had not been cleaned for a very long time. Not one pillow in the property had a hygiene pillow protector on either! The windows were constantly wet with condensation and black mold in the corners, this, however, was confusing as the rooms never felt warm, and only half the radiators were fully functional, others like the one in the hallway and living groom remained cold, this is due to the heating not functioning correctly and the heating needs to be balanced out, the radiators were also full of dust on the top of them which didn’t help my mum with her chest having COPD. Now I move on to the window fittings! The blinds to be precise! There was a horrible fousty smell in all 3 bedrooms the main being in the first bedroom I was sleeping in, upon further inspection I found another cause of the small, the roman blinds were completely covered in black mold! This mold is a serious risk to any person's health and there was nothing we could do about it! They were black with mold! Lack of ventilation and inadequate heating and condensation had done this over a long time! Every item of furniture had a layer of dust on it making me believe that the house was not cleaned thoroughly before we stayed there! So having to hoover and mop floors and clean bathrooms and toilets and bedding before we even got to enjoy our holiday was not acceptable. There was a gap around the front door where daylight entered and clearly this was another issue losing heat we had tried to maintain in keeping the property warm in November! The hoover was completely full and upon inspecting it was found to be blocked with disgusting dog/human hair and dust! We put in a black bag to throw out but to our shock, the main refuse bin was full to the rim and we were unable to place any rubbish in the bin for 4 days listing. As for health and safety, there was no fire extinguisher on the property if the log burner caught fire and there was no fire blanket in the kitchen if the cooker hob caught fire either! We were looking forward to a quiet family holiday and were instead having to spend time cleaning and washing bedding before we had even spent any time together, this is not how a holiday let should be run. We feel totally misled by the advertisement of the property, not one photo realistically represented the actual holiday let, not one! There were no pretty fur throws on the beds, the ones used had food or stains on them and we had to wash them also! Images of the clean kitchen and bathrooms! It was all dirty and was a health and safety hazard, especially with the black mold! I put this as my review so as not to let any other families be fooled into thinking that this is a pristine cottage stay as it is not and the owner gets away with it blaming it on being an old property unless you choose to go to the small claims court!

The cottage was a wonderful base for us while visiting family comfortable clean with everything we needed the only downside was due the the weather it was very muddy getting from the front door to the car

Really enjoyed our stay at Gate Lodge, it was a great base for a busy half term week with the kids.

It warmed up nicely, nice bathrooms and the beds were comfortable. Only minor points would be a bit of TLC needed around certain areas of maintenance but this would not put us off coming again.

We stayed at the lodge last year and it was great then so we booked up for our honeymoon and it was great this year aswell .

It really is a great little lodge to stay in and with the tv being updated so we had the comforts with the likes of Netflix and Amazon and also being able to walk around the lake and also the Christmas Trees trying to see the wildlife was nice but with kids that was a no go (lol) and on the last night we went to bistro19 and had a fantastic meal .

The property is situated in a lovely tranquil location yet still within a short drive to every amenity you could want.

However the property is in need of some serious TLC. The pictures on the website are in need of updating if the property doesn't get the TLC. The main bathroom has a bath side that is water damaged behind the door and this is due to a discoloured (green) and badly fitting shower screen. The bath also sinks when you lay in it and this the creates a gap all the way round the edge that isn't pleasant. Moving to the kitchen, the cooker is in need of being replaced. It is rusty around the top and also on the bottom. I'm just glad we ate out every day and didn't need to use it. The dining facilities are really cramped and not suitable for 6 people. This table was wobbly and needed pushing back together most days. One of the chairs was broken and we didn't want to use it at all. The furniture layout of the cottage wasn't like the photos and again these need updating. There is a lack of hanging space for clothes and this could be something that needs addressing, especially as most of the drawers are dirty inside and require cleaning. Most of the walls have marks on the but in some places these are furniture scuffs due to the compact nature of the property and shows the need for some fresh decoration. The sofa and chairs have stains visible and require cleaning or replacing as the first impression isn't the best. Finally a couple of the floor boards need securing a little better as the bounce a bit. The character they provide is lovely but they do bounce and squeeze in places.

A nice and lovely cottage in a lovely area.

There was enough space in the cottage, except the dining area. That was rather small.

Lovely, spotlessly clean, well equipped, warm and comfy cottage.

We returned to Scotland looking forward to seeing the beautiful countryside once again and visiting some of the sights. The cottage is well positioned to be close enough to local attractions but private and stood well back from the road. The rooms were really clean, airy and beds very comfy, the bedding spotless. Having en-suite bathrooms was a boon for the 3 of us in our party. Heating was easy to control, the wood burner was amply supplied for the duration of our stay and we enjoyed its extra warmth for a couple of hours during the cool evenings. We really appreciated the welcome pack waiting for us on arrival. The kitchen is very well equipped, with all utensils. All in all a great stay. Would recommend and we will return.

It is said that a lot can be gathered from first impressions of something and this property did not disappoint.

We had to check we were at the right cottage as this one looked more derelict from that of the brochure. Inside failed further to impress. We found 2 large bath towels laid over the bath, Wet. Hair in a sink with broken drainers and beds looking as though they had already been slept in. A large 1m square open access hole was evident at the rear and to the underneath of the property which would give access to inquisitive young families or even untold wildlife. Space restricts a full list of problems we found, and due to our thoughts of COVID and the fact of doubts of cleanliness, we departed to find alternative accommodation.

Property was smaller than expected.

Not much room in two of the bedrooms to get dressed, en-suite was equally tiny. Could not recommend for a party of 6. Items missing from inventory, not enough cups or bowls for 6. Very small lounge for 6 people to relax comfortably.

Unfortunately I cannot recommend this property wholeheartedly.

Whilst there are beds and facilities for 6 adults, the general upkeep of the lodge is not so good : the 2 seater sofa is very old, uncomfortable and stained, one of the double beds has a very old mattress with no support in it whatsoever, the bedding did not include hygiene pillow protectors, and towards the end of our stay, we had mice in the cottage. We found traps beneath kitchen cupboards, set them and caught 2 - we also found droppings beneath the sofa. The owners were unapologetic, saying that it is to be expected in a rural location. We have stayed in many much more rural locations and have never had this issue to deal with. Having to empty a mouse trap around midnight is not part of an enjoyable break.

We had a delightful stay in the quaint ‘Gate Lodge’ which is warm, pleasant and homely with a lovely and very welcome hamper of goodies waiting for us when we arrived, thank you.

There are beautiful walks throughout the estate directly from the front door which is a real bonus. The lodge has its own garden but dog owners be aware it is not secure and a determined dog could gain access onto the train track, a torch would also be worth bringing as it’s very dark after nightfall. Some of the fixtures and fittings would benefit from upgrading and headboards on both double beds would improve the standard greatly. This was our first trip to Scotland, we will be back regularly as our daughter is attending Edinburgh university and would definitely consider staying at the Gate Lodge again.

The property was just as expected.

It is clean and well presented. The adjacent train line wasn’t an issue as many of the other reviews I had seen. The estate is good and plenty of pleasant walks to be had. Would I stay again yes without hesitation.

We had a lovely Christmas at Gate lodge.

The cottage is on a Christmas tree estate which was great to walk around. The facilities are great and despite a small kitchen, it’s well equipped. Thank you for a lovely stay.

Great cottage all on one floor.

.booked to go back agn nxt year..

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at Gate Lodge.

It was filled with everything we could need on our week stay plus a few little goodies to get us started. Highly recommend and planning to come back!

A lovely cottage and an enjoyable stay, for a small family it was perfect- but not large enough for 6 adults.

This is due to the lack of seating space and the size of the fridge. Otherwise it was a lovely cottage in a lovely setting.

The cottage was a lot smaller than expected a tiny fridge freezer well equipped kitchen and neat and tidy bedrooms.

Lovely scenery and the train track noises were barely heard so definitely recommend for small families.

Lovely lodge in lovely grounds.

The only downside of the lodge was that the drawers and wardrobes could do with some TLC, and it would be good to have a mirror above the radiator in the room opposite the front door, so that you don't have to lean across the basin. Also, the folder at the cottage did not give much info about what to do and see, good places to eat etc. However, these are very minor things, and we had a really lovely stay there.

Clean, great location and comfortable.

Large smart TV great for keeping kids entertained on an evening. Just be aware that the WiFi signal is prone to dropping out so might be worth downloading stuff and researching activities beforehand.

There are many things which disappointed us with this property.

I have, as requested, made contact with Sykes Cottages within twenty four hours of arrival and have been given a contact person - Simon - and a reference number - COR-225976-CF. Please refer to these comments. I have been informed that Simon has contacted the owner about my concerns and is waiting for a reply. Hopefully this will not take too long and my concerns will be addressed. We have used Sykes Cottages to book properties prior to this one and will continue to do so. My concerns are that whoever inspected this property before accepting it to go on your website did not do a thorough job and that this property is not a good advertisement for your company

The cottage is tiny, but lovely.

There were not even comfy seats to sit on to watch the tv. One of us had to sit on a hard chair. It’s a lovely cottage but much smaller than we thought it would be

Lovely location, nice and clean .

would recommend no more than four adults due to size.The key safe is located to the right hand side as you look at the front door.

We had the most wonderful stay in this cottage.

The location is superb. Beautiful and quiet with wonderful walks filled with nature. Not too far from Livingston for shopping and takeaways. An easy 40 minute drive to Edinburgh for day trips. The cottage itself was just lovely. Clean and spacious. Everything you could need supplied in the kitchen and a log burner with a starter kit and a well stocked log shed included. The only thing I could say needs changing is the duvets and pillows are feather; this could have potentially caused an allergy issue. I would definitely recommend this cottage and look forward to returning.

I feel it would be very crowded for 6 people.

also the garden space needed a secure fence all the way round and the garden its self was not very inviting

The location of the cottage was great and we all had a really great time staying at Gate Lodge.

Would recommend.

The cottage was far prettier than the photographs and they were good.

.. It was situated in a great location for getting out and doing some sightseeing... was lovely and clean and cosy... with everything you could want to make the stay welcoming and comfortable. The train line was not an issue... In fact if hadn't read about it... probably wouldn't have noticed it. We would definitely stay there again and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to stay in that area of Scotland.

We had a lovely stay!

The cottage was very clean, the shower was good and beds comfortable. There was plenty of room for myself, my husband and our toddler but may have been a squeeze if we had used the third bedroom. Train line behind the cottage did not cause any issues as could hardly hear this. The cottage is situated on a lovely private estate which you can walk around. The location was rural but only 10 minutes drive away in Livingston there were numerous shopping centres / supermarkets / food outlets where you could find everything you need. Very easy to get into Edinburgh, we parked for free at Livingston South train station and it only took 20 minutes on the train for a low cost. We spent a day at five sisters zoo just 5 minutes down the road which was lovely and despite being smaller than Edinburgh zoo, had plenty of big animals and also a soft play next door. Would definitely recommend this cottage if you want a comfortable stay in a quite area with easy access to amenities and a good base to explore the central belt of Scotland!

Fabulous holiday lodge.

Just perfect for us all. Thankyou. One minor point for improvement....You may want to clarify where guests can and can not walk around the estate as we did have an encounter with a grumpy Estate Manager on one occasion who made us feel like we were trespassing. The sykes team and the owner were quick to resolve this though so this was great. May be the estate manager just didn't have any pickle with his cheese sandwiches that day which made him feel a bit grumpy. Apart from that....perfect!

Extremely basic cottage.

Cottage was tight for two adults and two children and I’d see no way of hosting six adults as advertised. On suites are so small to such an extent that the basin is actually in the main bedroom but could be used as it was blocked by the bedside table. Beds have drawers with handles below the mattress that we hit our shins on constantly such was the size of the room. Bed advertised as king size which is inaccurate. WiFi switched off after two days with the error message that Advised it was a setting to restructure to usage rather than an actual error. Heating is also controlled by the WiFi which meant for a very cold last night. We did use the fire but no kindling was provided. Back garden useless as it was a complete bog in the middle of July. For the price it was very disappointing.

We very much enjoyed our stay in the Gate Lodge.

The house was clean on arrival and we found a welcome package and a basket full of logs for the fire. It had the right size for our family of 5. The house is nicely decorated. The beds were good, the kitchen well equiped. We enjoyed walks and runs at the estate. Edinburgh and Glasgow are just around the corner and so are several walks for families in the Pentland Hills. We would love to visit again.

We wanted a cottage in a quiet position to visit Edinburgh and surrounding areas, the cottage was fairly recently renovated I think, but it was "tatty" around the edges.

We visit many cottages around Great Britain as we have a small dog and prefer to take her with us. The cottage was supposedly for 6 people, I feel there is no way on earth 6 people could stay there comfortably. There are enough beds for 6 people but the living area is very small and the lounge and small kitchen are together. There were no table mats, no bottle opener, we managed to open a bottle with the scissors, only the basic cooking utensils were there. We rang Sykes Cottages a couple of times while we were there, we were told there was a log fire, but there were only a few logs and no kindling so we couldn't light a fire until we went to the local shop to buy some. (Sykes Cottages were told about this and said they would contact the owner for more wood, but that didn't happen). The shower in our bathroom came off the wall before I'd even turned it on so I didn't use it. The floor in the main areas, hall, lounge, kitchen was awful and got very dirty as the week went by, so we kept wiping it over, it's old wooden flooring painted gray. A main electric line ran directly behind the cottage, but this was not mentioned in the details, we couldn't let our little dog of the lead in the garden as the fencing wasn't safe and she could have got through the fence onto the railway line. We haven't stayed with Sykes Cottages before and we won't be recommending you I'm afraid.

The cottage itself is lovely, although probably lacking in a few kitchen basics.

We loved the welcome bag of groceries and biscuits and chocolates. Thank you. You really might struggle though, if you fully did self catering here. For two people the dining table was ample, but I can’t see it being big enough or their being the space if all rooms occupied (6 person occupancy). Some information on the local area.... local shop, doctors etc is usually standard in holiday cottages , but not here. Biggest gripe..... the bins!!! Having to load our bin bags in the car and drive almost two miles is totally unacceptable. You really need to sort that. Other than that, very comfortable and clean, but probably not practical for any party over over than four.

A great holiday cottage in a great location and set in beautiful grounds.

As to previous mentions of a train line in the back garden, yes this isn't mentioned in the description, and there's no reason why it should be as it's nothing to worry about. The train line runs past at the far end of the garden and once inside the cottage you can hardly hear them. The volume they pass is no more than a gust of wind, distant passing plane or car - don't let it put you off as it wasn't an issue for us. The garden is spacious enough to let the dog have a sniff about (on a lead as it's not fenced in), and would perhaps benefit from outside security lights as it's very dark at night, would recommend taking a torch. Watch where you're stepping too thanks to previous dog owners not tidying up (no wonder some places don't allow them!) Inside it's great to have 3 toilets to use, yes the shower room loo is a little tight, but you've got 2 others to choose from and we never had an issue with it. Lovely shower off the double bedroom too, plenty of drawers and hanging space in there, the double single bedroom doesn't have as much for clothes storage, but we just utilised our cases, and off here is where you'll find a great washer, airer, ironing board and another loo. Beds were very comfy too. There are a few signs of wear and tear after a busy season, but nothing that put us off. Great log fire, good sized TV with Freeview, and options to plug in Amazon, etc The kitchen is a good size and we had no issues with the oven. A few things were missing from the utensils like a masher, no large serving bowls and no corkscrew/bottle opener, although you could just about manage with one of the blades of the scissors. We bought (and left) a couple of larger sized glasses and a wine glass. The bins are like we've not seen before - Your rubbish has to be taken on a 2 mile round trip to the edge of the estate, won't be ideal if you have no car. Would be a massive help to have a bin/s around the back or the side of the house, after all the neighbours on the street have them. All that said those niggles shouldn't put you off, just worth baring in mind before you arrive as you can not beat the location. It feels like you're in the middle of nowhere, and you kind of are, but you're also just 10mins drive away from a massive retail park that has all the high street names you can think of, all the supermarkets from M&S to Aldi, cheap petrol, fast food, restaurant food and everything in between. You're also perfectly situated for quick trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh. We will definitely be back, tried to book for same time next year, but the site won't allow us, as yet

Although this lodge looks beautiful and is decorated very nicely, it failed to meet our expectations in many areas.

The listings stated that the property was pet friendly; unfortunately this did not apply to the garden which was not fenced in and not secure. The property is extremely close to a railway line which we do not recall being mentioned when booked. Difficulty closing the shower room/toilet door in the main bedroom as it is so tiny your knees hit the toilet door, no space for clothes as the wardrobe is taken up with the hoover, drawers under the bed were dirty and had hair in them. The bed in the double bedroom at the back of the lodge is extremely uncomfortable, you can feel the springs through the mattress and limited storage for clothing. Beds in the twin bedroom was comfortable but again, no clothes storage. The living room/kitchen/dining room was extremely cramped and not a comfortable place to relax in; we were a party of four adults and we found it very difficult to get comfortable. Kitchen is not very well stocked at all, six very small glasses and no spare crockery. Oven was not the best as not fan assisted and therefore food took longer. Although this property can sleep 6 people, I feel that the comfort of the guests is extremely compromised by the lack of space in the living area and fail to see how 6 people, especially if all adults would manage staying in this property.

The Gate Lodge has been the perfect place to relax and unwind after a very hectic few months.

It is in a great location for what we wanted to do: visits to Edinburgh; walking in the hills; relaxing in comfort. The Gate Lodge is well equipped, and the minor issue I had with a rose bush was quickly dealt with by the care taking staff. Highly recommended.

Fridge did not work No oven or grill trays Limited storage in kitchen and bedroom Open ditch in garden wasn't a big issue as we couldn't have used the garden anyway as it was water logged Grounds beautiful around the big house

I feel that the property description should include the fact that a busy train track passes right by edge of cottage's garden.

Just a few recommendations that would be of benefit, there was no grill pan, so grill was useless and having some shelving installed in main bathroom would be helpful. - other than these two minuses, the cottage was perfect.