A Crieff couple say their lives are being made unbearable by guests holding rowdy hot tub parties at the holiday cottage next door.
Celia Whitehead claims she and her husband have suffered “two years of constant noise” from visitors staying at Ruby’s Cottage.
The three-bedroom house is one of a growing number of Crieff properties advertised on holiday let websites, including Airbnb, Booking.com and Cottages.com.
Mrs Whitehead alleges bottles and condoms are regularly thrown across the fence into her North Bridge Street garden
She also claims police have been called and neighbours have thrown water over guests in an attempt to silence them.
And she says the disturbance and abuse has left the family at the end of their tether.
Now Mrs Whitehead is urging councillors to consider their torment when they are asked to grant a short-term let licence for the property next week.
In a letter to Perth and Kinross Council, she writes: “I am at the point of wishing my life to end.”
‘No escape and no privacy’
Mrs Whitehead describes parties starting as early as 8am and going on to 3.30am the next day.
“My whole garden is illuminated by the yard light over the hot tub,” she says.
“Music, laughing and foul language can be heard in every room in my house.
“There is no escape from the disruption,” she adds.
“I have no privacy”
She says the occasional “normal” holidaymakers do visit the property.
But most are attracted by the hot tub – and do not take well to requests to keep the noise down.
“When asked politely to make less noise (they) respond angrily, stating that they have paid a lot of money for the rental and will therefore do as they like,” she claims.
“Items, including bottles and used condoms, are frequently deposited over the fence into my property.
“I am at my wits end and – now retired to the property I have spent 10 years with my husband doing up for a peaceful retirement – cannot afford to move away.”
Crieff cottage is Airbnb favourite
Ruby’s Cottage is highly rated on a number of platforms.
It is described as a ‘guests’ favourite’ on Airbnb, with a rating of 4.78. Booking.com gives it 10/10. Hoseason’s rates it 4.7 out of 5.
The owner, Gavin Roberts, is seeking a licence as a result of Perth and Kinross Council’s new policy regulating short-term lets.
Mrs Whitehead says she and her family don’t have a problem with it being granted a licence – so long as the hot tub goes.
“Hot tubs for holidaymakers are not appropriate in a quiet residential street,” she writes.
“Removal of the hot tub would still allow for a source of income for the owner without destroying the lives of those who have the misfortune to live nearby.”
The application will be considered when Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing committee meets on Monday.
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