Cèilidh Cottage

A History of Groups, Gatherings and Celebrations

Built in 1920, Cèilidh (pronounced KAY-lee) Cottage has been a gathering place for families and friends for more than 100 years. Since the 1980s, hundreds of children have spent weeks of their summers at the home as they attended youth group camps at nearby Montreat Conference Center. Though it has been known by many names over the years (First Place, The Burlington, Boardwalk), the home was named Cèilidh by its owners, in recognition of its long history as a gathering place, and in honor of the countless memories made within its walls.

“Cèilidh” is a Scots-Gaelic word for a social gathering or party. In days of old, in the Scottish Highlands, Ireland, and Wales, friends, family, and neighbors would gather in a house to hold a “cèilidh” and entertain each other with poems, songs, folk music, ancient stories, and traditional dancing.  

Not surprisingly, Cèilidh is designed to accommodate up to 10 guests and is ideal for family/multi-family vacations, large groups, reunions, youth groups, book clubs, hiking clubs, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Pets are welcome.

In 2023, this authentic 1920s-era mountain cottage was beautifully and lovingly renovated with fresh coats of paint, new furniture, three remodeled bathrooms, updated electrical service and a new heating and air-conditioning system. The 3-story, slate-blue home tucked into the Appalachian mountains features craftsman style appointments, hard wood floors, authentic cedar shake shingle siding, and elegant modern amenities.