Dog-Friendly Holidays Ayrshire

This spacious holiday home sits within the Ayrshire countryside on a working farm, with walks from the door. Girvan, 6 miles. Explore the coast with sandy beaches or rocky paths. Golf at Turnberry, a short drive. Salmon and trout fishing available at cost. Explore the Solway from Newton Stewart. Wigtown offers many book shops and cafes. Private fishing by arrangement. Shops and pub 6 miles.

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.

This all on one level cottage situated on a working farm has enclosed private gardens with its own private hot tub and external games room.
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 Royal Troon golf course is only a 5-minute drive. 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. Beach 3 miles. Pub 1½ miles and shop 2¾ miles.

Surrounded by beautiful scenery and away from the beaten track, Riverside Cottage in Barr offers a haven for wildlife and a welcome retreat to those seeking to unwind. There are many walking trails locally, of differing lengths and terrains, perfect for those out for a stroll or more challenging hikes for keen walkers and ramblers. The area has recently been awarded status as a UNESCO Biosphere and celebrates an environment that is wild and challenging, yet rich in diversity with flora and fauna to delight the naturalist, a haven for wildlife. For cyclists, the area lies on the Ayrshire Alps, a challenging 80-mile cycle route through great scenery, lovely villages and quiet roads. The town of Girvan is only a 15-minute drive away and boat trips can be taken out to Ailsa Craig to watch the nesting birds or for fishing trips. The town also has shops and a leisure centre with a swimming pool.
Ayrshire is steeped in history, with many ruined castles to explore, such as Dunure, Turnberry and Greenan Castle and all lie on the Ayrshire coastal path, a 100-mile coastal walk with a superb background of the mountains of the Isle of Arran. Also known as ‘Burns’ Country’, is steeped in tradition and history. Visit Burns Cottage, The Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig o’ Doon, the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’ Shanter. A visit and tour of Culzean Castle Estate are one not to be missed with its dramatic clifftop location, as is a trip to the 18th-century Dumfries House, home to an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture. The 2000-acre estate has been beautifully designed with stunning walks throughout the grounds. The islands of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran are easily reached for a day out and are well worth the effort.