C4682T
August 2021
The other visitor reviews have provided a good summary regarding local amenities that will be interesting for a stay in Cullen. Take note of the comments below that are specific to the property.
This is our second time at 85 Seatown. As previously commented by the owner, there have been some improvements made that have added to the character of the property. We found it to be clean on arrival, but unfortunately with no house visiting instructions. Hopefully the comments below will help future visitors.
Be aware of the issues surrounding parking. We parked our car on the kerb outside the property. The following day we were offered a parking space at the front of No.146, as parking outside the house made it difficult for passing vehicles. The Seatown streets are narrow, so be mindful if you have a large vehicle.
We had a query regarding rubbish bins. We eventually found the bins for the house, but they were already filled by the previous residents. We were offered access to the bins of No.146, but all this confusion wasn’t really needed on holiday. You will find the bins of the property right at the very end down a narrow passage. Bin collection day is on Friday. There is a leaflet on the wall next to the kitchen door about the bins that are available to you and waste collection.
The kitchen dishwasher does not appear to work very well. Only half of the items had been cleaned, as the cleaning tablet was not being dissolved during the wash cycle. We ended up washing the plates by hand for most of the week. The owner had upgraded the oven which is really helpful when cooking for everyone. Dripping hot and cold taps in the kitchen -washers need replacing.
The toilet upstairs needs a cistern clean or upgrade, as it constantly runs water after a flush. Very noisy and annoying! The bathroom is clean with a good shower.
As for cleaning the house throughout the week, there is a broom available, but a wider broom with a soft brush would have been really useful to sweep out the house properly. The same goes for the hoover, which had difficulty sucking anything up.
I think having access to the house via two doors is a great idea, especially when cooking in the kitchen or needing a cool breeze to pass through the rooms.
Cullen is about getting out and discovering places, but there are days when we just wanted to watch a bit of T.V. I think you will need to rely on your tablets and phones, as the current television struggled with certain channels. I think an upgrade to a smart T.V would be a nice touch, so visitors can sign in to Prime or Netflix. The wifi did its best to cope with all our devices. Don’t expect fast wifi speeds! Have a game of cluedo. Jigsaws available and a small book library.
I will briefly touch on a couple of things to consider in Cullen. We were disappointed with the local fish and chip shop. Try the fish and chips in Portknockie. First class. Chinese takeaway in Cullen also really good. The co-op is really handy, with a Tesco available in Buckie for a big shop.
To summarise I think you need to accept the ‘ways of the house’. All of my comments are only a slight, with suggestions that could only improve the experience. I think many would agree that 85 Seatown is a lovely little cottage, ideal for a family wanting to get away. I believe that it is good value for the quality of the cottage in the summer period. For this we wish to thank the owners. We will no doubt return to this property if we come back to Cullen.