OId Byre, Port Charlotte, Islay The Old Byre is a 19th Century barn converted into a lovely home-from-home with an enclosed garden in the conservation village of Port Charlotte

Built in the late 1800’s and nestled in the heart of Port Charlotte, the Old Byre was previously a home from home for cattle, feed and hay. It was converted in to a residence by the owners of the nearby Lochindaal Hotel in the 1980's and we took ownership of the property in 2017.

Uniquely, in the main hub of this pretty conservation village, the Byre enjoys a lovely sun-trap garden contained within a dry stone dyke wall - which makes it perfect for families and dog owners. As well as a grassed area with a drying line for clothes, the garden also has a paved area for seating and plants and bushes which attract birds, bees (there is an active bee regeneration programme on the island) and butterflies.

At garden level, you enter the house via a small porch area with seating. The upper level of the Old Byre houses a refurbished open plan living area with high ceilings and feature lights. The living area includes a fully equipped kitchen with fridge freezer, Denby crockery, and a John Lewis wood and iron breakfast table with two bar stools; a lounge area with feature stove for burning logs and peat on colder evenings, comfy sofas and a TV; and a utility area (housing a microwave and washer/dryer) accessed by a sliding wooden barn door that then leads on to a toilet and shower room.

Through the former hay door opening in the lounge, stairs lead down a lower level with back door access to the lane behind Port Charlotte’s main street. A wide hall room with coat closet and a Monks bench, a small step leads you to two cosy bedrooms with sliding access doors. The double room  – a double room with en-suite toilet and a twin bedroom, which is perfect for adults and kids alike.