“Kiltearn by the Lake” is a warm and spacious lakeside home on Buck Lake in South Frontenac, about 30 minutes north of Kingston, Ontario. Situated on 11 forested acres with 400 feet of shoreline and its own private bay, KBTL offers the perfect family summer vacation: swimming, forest-bathing, messing around in small boats, spectacular sunsets on the deck, relaxing in the wood-fired sauna, and reading by the fireplaces and wood stove.
The space
GTA: 3 hours
Ottawa: 2 hours
Kingston: 30 minutes
Walk into the upper level of our two-level home from the parking area. The upper level has 12 foot ceilings with exposed beams, a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room with a unique homebuilt cedar table, spacious living room with leather furniture and a cut stone fireplace, office / den with brick fireplace, newly-renovated 3 piece bathroom, and master bedroom (queen memory foam mattress) with ensuite 2 piece washroom. Most floors are varnished pine, most walls are cedar. Walk out from the living room onto a large elevated deck with spectacular views over the lake, BBQ, and outside eating area.
The lower level includes three bedrooms with queen beds and a central recreation / play area with a wood stove. The insulated wood floors (with multiple area rugs for added comfort) keep the space cool even during the heat of an Ontario summer. There is a walkout leading to the rustic path to the private point (with sitting area and hammock), and down 20 steps to our mini-beach, dock, and kid-friendly shallow swimming area in our private bay. Older Kids and adults alike love swimming out to dive off the rocks.
In the backyard, you will find our kitchen garden, wood-fired sauna with shower, play area for kids, and firewood storage. (There is a separate bunkie that is used as a workshop but is not available to guests.)
There are several small craft available including a canoe, rowboat, and kayak. Two Sunfish sailboats and a windsurfer are available for individuals with previous sailing experience. For safety reasons please bring your own well fitting lifejackets. Use of watercraft is at your own risk: guests are required to sign a Release of Liability Waiver to use any watercraft.
Guest access
Guests have access to the entire home and 11 acre property. The only exception is an exterior bunkie currently serving as a workshop.
Other things to note
We are available for a week at a time Saturday to Saturday. Contact us if you wish to book for two full weeks.
Wifi is available but has limited bandwidth. No video streaming, but the TV can show downloaded movies that you bring with you, and there are plenty of books for summer-time reading.
Help yourself to fresh basil, dill, tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, and whatever else is available from our kitchen garden.
Drinking water comes from the lake and is potable after being processed through a high-end treatment system including dual filters and a UV sterilizer.
Our cottage guidebook includes:
• information about food sources and shopping in the local area,
• a description of “forest-bathing” possibilities on our 11 acre old-growth forested property
• a summary of other local hiking and biking opportunities. Frontenac Park borders the south-west side of Buck Lake, featuring access to the Slide Lake Loop of the Rideau Trail.
Extended families and close friends will be able to enjoy each others’ company, relax, and experience the bliss of a Canadian summer in our comfortable, scenic and quiet location. Extra guests beyond 8 must be requested and approved in advance. Kids at play are strongly encouraged: loud parties are not permitted. The exterior is monitored by a security camera and the interior has a sensor that monitors occupancy and excessive noise levels.
**Sorry, Kiltearn by the Lake is NOT pet friendly, due to our pet allergies. No outdoor fires by the lake due to forest fire risk, but you can enjoy two indoor fireplaces and a wood stove.
