Pet Friendly Holidays Ayrshire

These historic cottages (refs SSAJ to SSAQ) are set within the stunning Blairquhan Castle Estate in a beautiful valley with the River Girvan winding through. Blairquhan Castle, a Regency era castle, is protected as a category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens. Used as a location for the Oscar winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren, Blairquhan has also featured in other TV programmes.

The stables, designed by William Burn in 1820-24, are also of architectural interest and, along with the lodges on the estate, form the holiday accommodation. Blairquhan Bridge was also designed by William Burn; it is a single arch, stone, hump-back bridge, possibly 18th-century and B listed. The woods of Blairquhan are a major feature of landscape. Beautifully integrated into the 200 acres of parkland that make up the estate, the unique gardens at Blairquhan Castle were originally laid out back in 1816 and much of the landscaping still remains to this day, most notably the unique walled garden. The rising ground to the south allowed the landscapers to create an unusual three-walled perimeter. During its construction the main wall was built with flues installed so that it could be heated to protect the precious fruit trees during the colder Scottish months. A famous tree at Blairquhan is the ’Dool’ tree, a large sycamore sited on the lawn to the east of the house was used for execution by hanging after trial by the laird. With well-established woodlands, beautifully manicured lawns, an avenue of 18th-century lime trees and many other magnificent vistas, the estate creates a unique atmosphere and provides the ideal holiday surroundings to escape everyday life.

Nestled in the heart of Burns’ Country, the area is steeped in tradition and history. Fans of Burns will be able to visit many attractions including Burns Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig o’Doon - the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’Shanter. Blairquhan is within walking distance to the small Ayrshire village of Straiton, and a short drive from Kirkmichael and Maybole. The entire area is known for its gently rolling landscape and hills dotted with sheep and traversed by the winding River Girvan. On a clear day, Ailsa Craig can be seen in the distance.

Ayrshire is home to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk with one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles. Crowned with a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, including red squirrels, deer, otters and seals; it is also a haven for bird watchers.

Inland, there are gardens and castles to visit and activities such as riding, racing and golf to enjoy. The many golf courses include the world famous Turnberry course which is close at hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction.

Day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan, and a short drive leads to Ayr, a traditional seaside town. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, with ferry links to the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae all within easy reach. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

These historic cottages (refs SSAJ to SSAQ) are set within the stunning Blairquhan Castle Estate in a beautiful valley with the River Girvan winding through. Blairquhan Castle, a Regency era castle, is protected as a category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens. Used as a location for the Oscar winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren, Blairquhan has also featured in other TV programmes.

The stables, designed by William Burn in 1820-24, are also of architectural interest and, along with the lodges on the estate, form the holiday accommodation. Blairquhan Bridge was also designed by William Burn; it is a single arch, stone, hump-back bridge, possibly 18th-century and B listed. The woods of Blairquhan are a major feature of landscape. Beautifully integrated into the 200 acres of parkland that make up the estate, the unique gardens at Blairquhan Castle were originally laid out back in 1816 and much of the landscaping still remains to this day, most notably the unique walled garden. The rising ground to the south allowed the landscapers to create an unusual three-walled perimeter. During its construction the main wall was built with flues installed so that it could be heated to protect the precious fruit trees during the colder Scottish months. A famous tree at Blairquhan is the ’Dool’ tree, a large sycamore sited on the lawn to the east of the house was used for execution by hanging after trial by the laird. With well-established woodlands, beautifully manicured lawns, an avenue of 18th-century lime trees and many other magnificent vistas, the estate creates a unique atmosphere and provides the ideal holiday surroundings to escape everyday life.

Nestled in the heart of Burns’ Country, the area is steeped in tradition and history. Fans of Burns will be able to visit many attractions including Burns Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig o’Doon - the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’Shanter. Blairquhan is within walking distance to the small Ayrshire village of Straiton, and a short drive from Kirkmichael and Maybole. The entire area is known for its gently rolling landscape and hills dotted with sheep and traversed by the winding River Girvan. On a clear day, Ailsa Craig can be seen in the distance.

Ayrshire is home to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk with one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles. Crowned with a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, including red squirrels, deer, otters and seals; it is also a haven for bird watchers.

Inland, there are gardens and castles to visit and activities such as riding, racing and golf to enjoy. The many golf courses include the world famous Turnberry course which is close at hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction.

Day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan, and a short drive leads to Ayr, a traditional seaside town. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, with ferry links to the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae all within easy reach. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

These historic cottages (refs SSAJ to SSAQ) are set within the stunning Blairquhan Castle Estate in a beautiful valley with the River Girvan winding through. Blairquhan Castle, a Regency era castle, is protected as a category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens. Used as a location for the Oscar winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren, Blairquhan has also featured in other TV programmes.

The stables, designed by William Burn in 1820-24, are also of architectural interest and, along with the lodges on the estate, form the holiday accommodation. Blairquhan Bridge was also designed by William Burn; it is a single arch, stone, hump-back bridge, possibly 18th-century and B listed. The woods of Blairquhan are a major feature of landscape. Beautifully integrated into the 200 acres of parkland that make up the estate, the unique gardens at Blairquhan Castle were originally laid out back in 1816 and much of the landscaping still remains to this day, most notably the unique walled garden. The rising ground to the south allowed the landscapers to create an unusual three-walled perimeter. During its construction the main wall was built with flues installed so that it could be heated to protect the precious fruit trees during the colder Scottish months. A famous tree at Blairquhan is the ’Dool’ tree, a large sycamore sited on the lawn to the east of the house was used for execution by hanging after trial by the laird. With well-established woodlands, beautifully manicured lawns, an avenue of 18th-century lime trees and many other magnificent vistas, the estate creates a unique atmosphere and provides the ideal holiday surroundings to escape everyday life.

Nestled in the heart of Burns’ Country, the area is steeped in tradition and history. Fans of Burns will be able to visit many attractions including Burns Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig o’Doon - the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’Shanter. Blairquhan is within walking distance to the small Ayrshire village of Straiton, and a short drive from Kirkmichael and Maybole. The entire area is known for its gently rolling landscape and hills dotted with sheep and traversed by the winding River Girvan. On a clear day, Ailsa Craig can be seen in the distance.

Ayrshire is home to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk with one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles. Crowned with a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, including red squirrels, deer, otters and seals; it is also a haven for bird watchers.

Inland, there are gardens and castles to visit and activities such as riding, racing and golf to enjoy. The many golf courses include the world famous Turnberry course which is close at hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction.

Day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan, and a short drive leads to Ayr, a traditional seaside town. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, with ferry links to the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae all within easy reach. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

These historic cottages (refs SSAJ to SSAQ) are set within the stunning Blairquhan Castle Estate in a beautiful valley with the River Girvan winding through. Blairquhan Castle, a Regency era castle, is protected as a category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens. Used as a location for the Oscar winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren, Blairquhan has also featured in other TV programmes.

The stables, designed by William Burn in 1820-24, are also of architectural interest and, along with the lodges on the estate, form the holiday accommodation. Blairquhan Bridge was also designed by William Burn; it is a single arch, stone, hump-back bridge, possibly 18th-century and B listed. The woods of Blairquhan are a major feature of landscape. Beautifully integrated into the 200 acres of parkland that make up the estate, the unique gardens at Blairquhan Castle were originally laid out back in 1816 and much of the landscaping still remains to this day, most notably the unique walled garden. The rising ground to the south allowed the landscapers to create an unusual three-walled perimeter. During its construction the main wall was built with flues installed so that it could be heated to protect the precious fruit trees during the colder Scottish months. A famous tree at Blairquhan is the ’Dool’ tree, a large sycamore sited on the lawn to the east of the house was used for execution by hanging after trial by the laird. With well-established woodlands, beautifully manicured lawns, an avenue of 18th-century lime trees and many other magnificent vistas, the estate creates a unique atmosphere and provides the ideal holiday surroundings to escape everyday life.

Nestled in the heart of Burns’ Country, the area is steeped in tradition and history. Fans of Burns will be able to visit many attractions including Burns Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig o’Doon - the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’Shanter. Blairquhan is within walking distance to the small Ayrshire village of Straiton, and a short drive from Kirkmichael and Maybole. The entire area is known for its gently rolling landscape and hills dotted with sheep and traversed by the winding River Girvan. On a clear day, Ailsa Craig can be seen in the distance.

Ayrshire is home to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk with one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles. Crowned with a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, including red squirrels, deer, otters and seals; it is also a haven for bird watchers.

Inland, there are gardens and castles to visit and activities such as riding, racing and golf to enjoy. The many golf courses include the world famous Turnberry course which is close at hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction.

Day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan, and a short drive leads to Ayr, a traditional seaside town. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, with ferry links to the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae all within easy reach. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

South Steading is located on a small farm, on the outskirts of West Kilbride; Scotland’s first accredited Craft Town. It’s been lovingly converted by the owners, with views overlooking the surrounding countryside, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings whilst having village amenities only a short 5 min drive away.

Converted by the owners, South Steadings is rich in character with traditional stone floors. All on one level, the barn offers a high standard of comfort throughout and is a great choice at any time of the year. Ideal for couples or families, there are three bedrooms with welcoming cosy beds, a king-size bedroom with en-suite walk-in shower room, a double room and a twin served by a stylish family bathroom with bath & shower over. The large open plan living/kitchen/diner is a great social space with a log burner to keep you warm whatever the weather!
Perfect for families, there’s a large enclosed garden with Hot Tub, log cabin, plenty of toys/books to occupy the kids plus a travel cot & highchair available. Storage space for outdoor gear, bikes and kayaks in private barn storage. Dogs are most welcome who will also enjoy the enclosed garden, with an outside tap, ideal for giving them a bath or cool down!
Just 2 miles from South Steading, is the pretty seaside town of West Kilbride with fantastic views across the water to Arran and surrounding islands. Designated Scotland’s first Craft Town, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the village where they will find a range of cafes, mini galleries, a dedicated craft centre, pubs and gift shops. Also offering the more practical elements for your holiday such as a post office, small supermarkets and a railway station.
Ayrshire is famous worldwide for golf and offers world class championship courses at Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick. The West Kilbride Golf Club offers a championship links course located in Seamill, 3 miles from the farm.
Largs and Ardrossan are popular seaside towns, 8 miles and 7 miles away respectively, where there are watersports offered. Sandy beaches in Seamill. The Firth of Clyde has excellent sailing with yachting clubs and marinas at Ardrossan,Largs, Inverkip and Troon. There are also good opportunities for hill walking and mountain biking, field sports including horse riding, shooting and fishing. Visitors will enjoy visiting the historic castles at Portencross, Hunterston and Law Castle and enjoy the views from the local Tarbert Hill and Law Hill.
Ferries from Ardrossan a short distance from the barn take you to isle of Arran and short ferry hop from Largs to the small island of Cumbrae to visit the only town on the island, Millport for an icecream or enjoy a cycle, 11miles around the whole island.

Situated on the Isle of Cumbrae this spacious ground floor holiday apartment is situated only 100 yards from the waters edge. Millport sports a beautiful sandy beach, with tropical palms fronting the promenade and yachts moored out in the sheltered bay. From here you can explore the charm of a seaside town with café’s, shops and bars and bistro. A haven for wildlife, Cumbrae attracts migrant birds from around the world, and the flora of the island is equally varied with a visit to the island’s Marine Research Station with museum and aquarium a must. Millport is also the home of Europe’s smallest cathedral and Britain’s narrowest house. An ideal location for cycling, walking and golf, and the National Watersports Centre offers courses to suit all aspect of water based activities. The main Newton Bay offer sheltered anchorages and secure moorings. Beach 100 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Kitty’s Cottage lies only 150 yards from Girvan’s lovely sandy beach and promenade, with stunning views over to Ailsa Craig and the mountains of Arran beyond. Girvan also has a wide range of shops and a modern leisure centre with a swimming pool. There are a number of good restaurants, take-aways and friendly pubs. Girvan Golf Course is a short 18-hole par 64 course, and is an interesting mix of links and park land golf. Girvan has a fairly busy historic harbour with a small marina, RNLI station, and a busy working boatyard servicing vessels from all over the country.
Girvan makes a really good base for day-trips, historical, cultural and outdoor. Here are a few suggestions the owners recommend. The historic town of Ayr is only 20 miles away to the north, and en route you can visit the clifftop Culzean Castle, designed by Robert Adam, Turnberry Lighthouse and the remains of Bruce’s Castle. Also on the Ayr coastal road you can visit the historic villages of Maidens and Dunure, beaches and castles. Closer to Ayr is Alloway, home to the Burns Birthplace Museum, a must-visit. Ayr itself merits a whole day out, with its fantastic town beach, interesting river front, historic buildings, a good shopping centre, and countless pubs, restaurants and cafés.
Heading south from Girvan, head down the coast road with its views to Ailsa Craig, the Mull of Kintyre and even the north of Ireland on a clear day. Visit the historic village of Ballantrae on the way to Stranraer, the Rinns of Galloway and the historic village of Portpatrick with its spectacular clifftop walks, remote coves, pubs and restaurants.
East and south from Girvan lies the Galloway Forest Park with great scenery, easy and difficult walking terrain, and some of the most attractive uplands in the south of Scotland. Carry on south to visit the market town of Newton Stewart on the River Cree, and the quaint villages of the historic Isle of Whithorn on the Solway Firth.

Balig Cottage is a delightful and cosy cottage, offering the most amazing views of Ailsa Craig from the garden and kitchen. You will certainly know you have arrived in Scotland once you open the door and step into the cosy living room, with its eye-catching feature wallpaper depicting a life size stag, and warm tartan walls.
Balig Cottages is situated on the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal route with stunning views and scenery, the perfect location for walkers. With a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, including red squirrels, deer, otters and seals, and is a haven for bird watchers. The cottage is available all year round and is in the perfect position for access to all the local sporting estates in the local area for shooting and fishing, two kennels are also available for working dogs.
Just a mile away from Balig Cottages, Ballantrae is a pretty village overlooked by the ruins of Ardstinchar Castle, and guests will find plenty of opportunities for fishing nearby. During the summer months the village hosts a variety of events. The seaside town of Girvan, boasting a harbour and leisure centre with a swimming pool, is only 11 miles up the coast where you can take a boat trip to the famous Ailsa Craig, a small Island upon which ‘blue hone’ micro granite is quarried to make curling stones. The island is now a bird sanctuary and home to more than 70,000 birds including gannets, guillemots and puffins.
Inland there are a number of wonderful gardens and castles to visit, horse riding to enjoy and a choice of golf courses available. Culzean Castle, owned by the National Trust for Scotland, is spectacular and is one of Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attractions. The surrounding country park, extending over 550 acres, has a network of wooded trails passing along the beach. The islands of Arran and Cumbrae are easily accessed and make for a lovely day out, while day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan. The local community pub only opens at weekends in winter and please do check the location as we are 15 miles each way to the nearest town for the supermarkets for a big shop,
please keep this in mind its a place to get way from it all not to be in the middle of town. Beach 1½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This beautifully renovated, detached cottage is full of character and sits in secluded gardens with the most stunning views over the Ayrshire coast to the Isle of Arran. The garden boasts a fantastic studio from which to sit and admire the views, pick up a paintbrush or simply relax in.
Glen Rosa nestles in the heart of Burns Country, close to the village of Alloway in an area steeped in tradition and history. Fans of the poet, Robert Burns will be able to visit many attractions, including Burns’ Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig o’Doon - the bridge mentioned in the famous poem Tam o’ Shanter.
The Ayrshire Coastal Path is one of the finest coastal walks, with superb views of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde. Steeped in history and teeming with wildlife, there are plentiful beaches to explore, as well as many castle ruins.
The quiet country lanes in the area are very popular with cyclists, and the coastline is ideal for various watersports. There are many golf courses close by, including the world famous Turnberry course, with its fantastic spa and outdoor centre, and Royal Troon is also nearby. The National Trust Culzean Castle is spectacular, as is Prince Charles’ Dumfries House, both are definitely worth a visit.
The observatory at Dalmellington, on the edge of the Dark Sky Park, is also hugely popular with many coming to wonder at the stars. Ferry hop over to Arran, Cumbrae or Bute for the day, or from Arran take another ferry to explore the Kintyre Peninsula. Day trips can also be taken to Ireland from Cairnryan.
The seaside towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon are all easily reached and various shops, restaurants and cafés to enjoy. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, reached in around 45 minutes. Beach 2 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This cosy cottage lies a mere 100 yards from the sandy beach with superb views over Ailsa Craig and Arran. The magnificent Ayrshire coastline and countryside is a paradise for walkers, bikers and hikers, with numerous coastal trails and country tracks to explore. The Ayrshire coastal path runs along this coastline and is very popular with walkers. The area is steeped in history, with many ruined castles to explore, such as Dunure, Turnberry and Greenan. A visit and tour of Culzean Castle, designed by Robert Adams and truly one of his masterpieces, is one not to be missed with its dramatic clifftop location, as is a trip to the 18th century Dumfries House, part of the Princes Foundation and home to an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture. The 2000 acre estate has been beautifully designed with stunning walks throughout the grounds. The world famous Turnberry Resort is only a 5-minute drive and, in addition to golf, has a fantastic spa and outdoor centre. Take a boat trip from Girvan out to Ailsa Craig to see the nesting birds, or a fishing trip. The town also has a leisure centre with swimming pool. The pretty seaside towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon are only a short drive and there are very good rail links for a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow. The islands of Cumbrae and Arran are easily reached for a day out whilst day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan. Beach 100 yards