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Private Beach Access - Dumbarnie Golf - Beautiful 2 B/Rm Cottage - Pet Friendly

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Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Bathroom
Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Leven, SCT
  • Elie Holiday Park
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Elie Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Leven Beach
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Dundee (DND)
    ‪58 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed

Main Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

En suite

Toilet · Shower only

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Beach Access - Dumbarnie Golf - Beautiful 2 B/Rm Cottage - Pet Friendly

The Old Stables at Strathairly Cottage offers luxury self-catering accommodation, sleeping 4 adults in a secluded coastal spot just outside the village of Upper Largo, gateway to the East Neuk of Fife. Fabulous enclosed gardens and access to beach.
Situated in a peaceful coastal spot within walking distance of the villages of Lower Largo and Upper Largo and with direct access to Largo Beach across an adjacent field, The Old Stables offers flexible accommodation for up to 4 adults over 2 floors. The cottage is located at the end of a long private drive within approximately 2.5 acres of the owner’s gardens and is surrounded by arable farmland with no traffic to disturb the tranquillity.
The ground floor accommodation comprises a large dining kitchen, living room with wood burner and patio doors to private patio and enclosed south facing garden looking towards the coast. In addition, there is a utility room with washer and dryer and downstairs toilet on the ground floor. On the upper floor there is a master room with king size bed and en-suite shower room. The second double bedroom can be configured as a twin room or double with king size bed. On the landing there is a family bathroom with over bath shower.
Additionally there is storage for push bikes.
Outside there is ample parking to the front of the property. To the rear there is a patio area with dining table and large fully enclosed south facing garden laid primarily to lawn – perfect for children and/or dogs – which looks towards the Firth of Forth. From the property there is direct access across the adjacent field to the Fife Coastal Path/Cycle Path and the stunning secluded beach which is a short walk of about 400m from the Cottage. From the Fife Coastal Path the village of Lower Largo is within easy walking distance and the other villages of the East Neuk can be accessed by foot or on bicycle.
15 minutes from St Andrews and within easy reach of over 20 golf courses, this means The Old Stables is a perfect spot for a golfing holiday - the new Dumbarnie Links Course is only 5 mins away.
Local restaurants include various Michelin Star options (The Cellar, Peat Inn, Craig Millar etc)The Dory Bistro, many fine local pubs/restaurants and the award-winning Anstruther Fish & Chip Restaurant (awesome). Within walking distance are the Upper Largo Hotel and The Crusoe Hotel and Railway Inn in Lower Largo which are all very popular.
Additional Information –
• WiFi
• Pet friendly - garden is dog-proof and we welcome dogs warmly!
• All linen and towels provided
• Private Parking
• FreeSat Television
• Woodburning Stove
• Central Heating
The lovely quaint fishing villages of the East Neuk such as Pittenweem (with its renowned arts festival), Anstruther, St. Monans and Crail, several good beaches at Elie and St. Andrews and the vast open spaces of the Lomond Hills are all within easy reach. In terms of visitor attractions, the area is well served by a number of National Trust for Scotland properties including Kellie Castle, Falkland Palace and Mansion Hill of Tarvit and there are some excellent restaurants and bars nearby.
Strathairly Cottage is a charming rural property, which dates from the 1750s when it was formerly the dower house to the Strathairly Estate. The lands of Strathairly are understood to have formed a Knights Templar encampment during medieval times. The house was extended to the north in 1911 in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style to create the distinctive architectural style that exists today with the feature turret and crow stepped elevations.
Please note that the cottage is located at the far end of a 600m gravel track. We regularly drive down it in our Jazz but it does occasionally have a few potholes (which we repair on a regular basis) so please get in touch if you have any concerns or questions re the track.

Property manager

Dr Helen Paterson
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
The cottage can take 2 med/large dogs.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We are very dog-friendly here but ask our guests kindly to keep their dogs downstairs only as we do get some guests with allergies to dog hair.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Leven

Located in Leven, this cottage is in a rural area and near the beach. Old Course at St Andrews and Lochs and Glens North Cycle Route are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Craigtoun Country Park and Leven Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Fife Heritage Railway and La Petite Epicerie. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Leven, SCT

What's nearby

  • Elie Holiday Park - 12 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Shell Bay - 14 min drive - 9.1 km
  • University of St. Andrews - 20 min drive - 20.2 km
  • Elie Beach - 20 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Leven Beach - 22 min drive - 7.9 km

Getting around

  • Markinch Station - 27 min drive
  • Dundee (DND) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Agenda - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Molly Malones - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Railway Inn - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Beach Access - Dumbarnie Golf - Beautiful 2 B/Rm Cottage - Pet Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Private Beach Access - Dumbarnie Golf - Beautiful 2 B/Rm Cottage - Pet Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Beach Access - Dumbarnie Golf - Beautiful 2 B/Rm Cottage - Pet Friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Beach Access - Dumbarnie Golf - Beautiful 2 B/Rm Cottage - Pet Friendly located?

Located by the sea, this family-friendly cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Leven Beach, Fife Heritage Railway, and Shell Bay. Elie Beach and Wood Haven are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 52 out of 55 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 55 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 55 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 55 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 55 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joachim Josef L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Week in Fife

We stayed one week in OldStables. Had a perfect week by enjoying the beach and silence with our dog. Helen and Ross have us good tips where to Go to discover Fife. The house is well equiped and spacious. Will be glad to stay there once again
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful cottage in stunning coastal setting

We stayed for a week in this lovely cottage. We were greeted by the hosts and treated to a lovely welcome hamper. The cottage was comfortable and spotless. Everything you could need for a week away from home was there. The cottage is located on the coast, with an easy walk directly to the, mostly deserted, beach. We toured the area, visiting many of the local fishing villages. Including Anstruther, Crail, Pittenweem and St Andrews. A brilliant week. Finally, the back garden is beautiful. We were lucky to have sunshine all week. The garden is the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee, or a glass of fuzz at the end of the day. Looking forward to retuning soon. Thank you Ross and Helen
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Holiday

Wonderful cottage, wonderful location with a short walk to the beautiful beach & wonderful hosts. Helen & Ross were very accommodating, they went about & beyond & provided us with a lovely welcome hamper filled with bread/butter/milk/cheese/wine/coffee/fresh flowers & more! The cottage was well equipped with everything we needed. Thank you for a perfect stay, we will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Florian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastische Woche in ruhiger Lage direkt am Meer / Fantastic week in a quiet location right by the

Das Ferienhaus von Helen und Ross ist fantastisch. Sehr ruhig gelegen, sehr sauber mit einem großartigen Garten und allem ausgestattet, was man braucht. Der Strand ist zu Fuß zu erreichen mit einem sehr schönen Küstenweg zum Wandern und Spazieren gehen. Helen und Ross haben uns sehr herzlich willkommen geheißen und es gab einen tollen Blumenstrauß und einen Präsentkorb mit Leckereien zur Begrüßung. Sie haben uns mit wertvollen Tipps für Ausflüge, Restaurants und Einkaufsmöglichkeiten in der Umgebung versorgt und waren immer sehr hilfsbereit. Die Umgebung ist wunderbar mit vielen Ausflugsmöglichkeiten und bezaubernden kleinen Fischerorten. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt und werden gerne wiederkommen. Vielen lieben Dank an Helen und Ross. Helen and Ross's cottage is fantastic. Very quiet location, very clean with a great garden and equipped with everything you need. The beach is within walking distance with a very nice coastal path. Helen and Ross made us feel very welcome and there was a lovely bouquet of flowers and some goodies to welcome us. They provided us with valuable tips for excursions, restaurants and shopping in the area and were always very helpful. The surrounding area is wonderful with many excursion possibilities and charming little fishing villages. We felt very comfortable and will gladly return. Many thanks to Helen and Ross.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wilson M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and great propert

Fantastic
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Zoe L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Refreshed and recharged

The cottage is in a lovely location ideally placed to access all of the Fife coast and its attractions. It is so quiet yet close to the beach. We truly loved our stay and Helen and Ross could not have been better hosts. It has all the amenities you’d expect and a few extra touches. We are leaving recharged and looking forward to a return visit. Margot and Freddy (dogs) couldn’t have been happier with the enclosed garden and walks available to them.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

karen m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning location & beautiful cottage

The most relaxing trip, so quiet and secluded yet a short walk along a sandy beach to a local village with a general store and a few pubs. Would highly recommend. My partner and I took our aging dog and went on a few trips further along the coast, St Andrews only 20 minutes away and the cottage was fully stocked with everything you would need not to mention the fabulous welcome hamper. Ross & Helen are fabulous hosts and ensured we had everything we needed
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Gem

A prefect place for a quiet holiday or a base to explore the wonderful East Neuk
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Duncan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful hideaway

Lovely, cosy, comfortable stay with easy access to beach and plenty of wildlife to spot. Cottage was well equipped and Ross and Helen were great hosts.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Stay!

After long days of study at St. Andrews, this cottage was the perfect place to unwind. The beach walks are lovely, and the area was spectacular in the late summer weather. Our dog was warmly welcomed.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carol Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Carol

Beautiful, clean and well equipped cottage in a stunning location. Great for our 2 dogs, with an enclosed garden and lovely coastal walks nearby. The cottage was very dog friendly (as we found the whole of Fife to be!) Plenty of local information in the cottage made planning our days out easy. Helen and Ross were incredibly welcoming and helpful on arrival and throughout our stay. We had a great time, with lovely weather and would happily return in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

First Visit

A fantastic property in a wonderful location. Helen and Ross were great hosts and really informative about the local area. Lola, our cockerpoo loved all the local beaches and the wonderful enclosed garden.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Torsten F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wundervolle Woche am Meer

Wir hatten eine wundervolle Woche mit unserem Sohn und Hund im Haus von Helen und Ross. Zur Begrüßung gab es einen tollen Blumenstrauß und einen Korb mit Leckerein, so dass das erste Frühstück mehr als gesichert war. Wir fühlten uns gleich sehr zu Hause. Das Haus ist sehr schön und liebevoll eingerichtet. Der Garten ist komplett eingezäunt , so dass unser irisch Setter sich austoben konnte ohne dass wir immer ein Auge auf ihn haben mussten. Vom Gründstück aus geht es über ein eingezäuntes Feld und eine eingezäunte Wiese direkt zum Strand. Besser kann man mit Hund gar nicht wohnen. Es gibt einen Kaminofen, den uns Helen auch an einem Abend netterweise angemacht hat. Si ehatte auch ganz viele Ideen für Sehenswürdigkeiten, lokale Spezialitäten und andere interessante Betätigungen. Wir würden jeder Zeit gern wieder unseren Urlaub bei ihnen verbringen. Vielen herzlichen Dank noch mal an Helen und Ross.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway

This was our first stay and it certainly won’t be our last. The cottage is set a in a truly tranquil and stunning location, with access to a scheduled beach and the coastal path which our dogs enjoyed as much as we did. Helen and Ross are excellent hosts, and made sure everything was perfect for our stay. Definitely a hidden gem!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jackie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Upper largo cottage

Very welcoming hosts, good communication throughout booking process and stay, short walk through fields to the long dog friendly beach, need to be reasonably fit to do this as fairly steep incline to coastal path. Dogs very happy large secure garden. Need a car as 5 to 10 min car ride to local towns. Lovely well equipped spacious property would rebook
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Helen r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The old stables

We were very impressed with the property. The owners could not have been more helpful. Cottage was excellently equipped and its location with private beach access was a real bonus and super for dogs.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a lovely location

This holiday property is in a hard-to-beat location: a short walk across the field and down onto a gloriously deserted beach with a ca. 1 mile walk to Largo village to the east, or 2 miles of wide sandy beach to the east. It is great for walking a dog - we usually did not see a soul. The cottage is very cosy with a log burner that is easy to fire up when needed. Our hosts were very helpful and welcomed us with a lovely pack of local goodies. We ate out as there are many pubs, bars and eateries in the vicinity: special mention to The Wee Chippy in Anstruther and the Crusoe in Largo and don't forget that most of the golf courses offer a bar/restaurant. We shall definitely visit again.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel McMeeking

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing relaxing week

Perfect location and hosts, the cottage was lovely and spacious and had everything you need for great stay. With the private access to a lovely beach a big plus for our dog. The peacefulness of the cottage coupled with ease to explore the whole area of lovely local villages, farm shops and interesting walks made it a really enjoyable stay for us. Thanks to Helen and Ross
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ruth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Off The Beaten Track

Super cottage a really peaceful week with our 3 Scottie’s. Host were so welcoming, even adding extra fencing to make sure our tiny pup couldn’t get out of the garden at all. View stunning, gardens totally enclosed and safe. We were lucky to see so much wildlife, roe deer, heron, and lots of pheasants. Lovely welcome pack and excellent ideas for meals out places to visit. Nothing too much trouble.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful home from home in peaceful & tranquil surroundings

We had a fantastic week in this extremely comfortable and well-equipped property - the best aspect of which was its location! A five minute walk from the beach and within easy reach of the coastal villages of Fife. We fell in love with this part of the world and will be back! The dog loved it too!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A lovely cottage in a beautiful location

If you love breathtaking scenery, fascinating history and want to stay in a beautiful country cottage then this is the location for you. The period accommodation was homely and inviting. Moreover our hosts were friendly, knowledgable and couldn’t be more helpful. It’s a 10 out of 10 rating from us!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Golf and Scotland Paradise

Wow. What an amazing location, property and hosts. This place was a slice of heaven. Located a short 15 min drive from St. Andrews. PERFECT location for a golf trip. Played dumbarnie and went to St. Andrews for the open. Ross and Helen were amazing and gave us all tips we needed to enjoy our stay. They were also very accommodating with our travel delays. I could not of asked for a better place to stay. Also a short walk to the beach and 15 minute walk to dinner a long shore line. Less than a mile from the most beautiful golf courses I have ever played (Dumbarnie). Highly recommend for the ideal Scotland golf trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

David G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very peaceful quiet place to stay.

We enjoyed our stay at the cottage, the short walk to the beach and coastal path was excellent for our dog. The surrounding towns are very picturesque with friendly folks. We had great weather the week we stayed.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carole B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect spot

The Old Stables was a beautiful cottage with all the amenities needed for a relaxing holiday. Ross and Helen were amazing hosts and the basket of welcome goodies was a wonderfully thoughtful touch. My dogs loved the garden and being so close to the beach was a definite plus. We will definitely return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

John L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A real getaway.

Clean, charming place, well off the beaten path yet accessible to many coastal outings.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Dr Helen Paterson

Host profile image
Helen has been a GP since the mid 80s and Ross has been in the RAF for over 35 years. We have recently moved here and are delighted to offer the Old Stables as a Holiday Let.

Why they chose this property

Very quiet, unspoilt location away from the crowds with private beach access (500 m) and a self contained high standard cottage with enclosed garden and all modern facilities. A real haven away from the busier tourist parts of Fife but with excellent access to the most popular sites.

What makes this property unique

Private access to the Coast Path and beach - very quiet/secluded and private, yet only 20 mins to St Andrews. 5 mins drive from the outstanding new golf Course at Dumbarnie Links.

Languages:

English, French

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests