Dog-Friendly Holidays Ayrshire

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.

Located in rural Ayrshire this charming cottage boasts stunning views over the Ayrshire countryside and is a perfect location for the outdoor enthusiast.
The seaside towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon are all close by with beautiful sandy beaches and stunning views towards the Isle of Arran. Day trips can be taken to Arran and Cumbrae and are well worth the effort. 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 and is a haven for bird watchers.
Inland there are gardens and castles to visit, riding, racing and a choice of golf courses, with the world-famous Turnberry close to hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction. Ayrshire is also known as ’Burns’ Country’ and 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 Dumfries House is just a short drive away, this 18th-century stately home is set in 2000 acres, with the architecture of Robert Adam with the furniture of Thomas Chippendale. The New Cumnock Swimming Pool is unique in Scotland, being the only heated, open-air, freshwater swimming pool. It was opened in 2017 by Prince Charles who gave his patronage to ensure that it wasn’t demolished. The Galloway Forest Park is only a 30-minute drive away and is Britain’s largest forest park with 300 square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored.
The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, lochs and ancient woodland and a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats and many birds of prey. The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world and when the sun sets enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above. Beach 12 miles.

This cosy ground floor apartment is situated only 100 yards from the promenade and beautiful sandy beach in the seaside town of Troon and is ideally located to explore the beauty of South West Scotland. Troon has a wide range of amenities including shopping, restaurants, recreational facilities, Promenade and Yacht Marina, and is home to the world famous Royal Troon golf course. For walkers, the Ayrshire coastal path is easily accessed with a fantastic panoramic coastline, boasting beautiful views over the sea and across to the mountains of Arran. Ayrshire offers many gardens and castles to visit, alongside activities such as riding, racing and golf, including the world famous Royal Troon and Turnberry courses, both close by.

Culzean Castle and Dumfries House are both spectacular and it is well worth booking a tour. The islands of Cumbrae, Arran and Bute are all easily reached for a day out, while day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan. There are very good rail links from Troon for a trip to the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is just under an hour’s drive away and is well worth a visit.

The Galloway Forest Park is just a short drive away and is Britain’s largest forest park, with three hundred square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored. The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, lochs and ancient woodland, filled with a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats and many birds of prey. The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world and when the sun sets, enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above.

Located on Scotland’s West Coast this cosy cottage has fantastic sea views over the Firth of Clyde and is ideally situated to explore the beauty of the Ayrshire coastline, with villages, beaches and rocky coves to explore. An ideal location for cyclists and walkers with Skelmorlie heralding the start of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile-long coastal walk. Inland there is walking, cycling, gardens and castles to visit along with the opportunity to ride, fish, and golf. Culzean Castle Country Park, extending for over 550-acres has a network of wooded trails passing along the beach and Dumfries House, home to the world’s largest Chippendale collection, are both well worth a visit. The bustling seaside town of Largs is a short drive, with shops, restaurants and promenade. Explore the islands of Cumbrae, Arran and the Isle of Bute or catch a ferry to Dunoon and the Cowal Peninsula, which gives you great access to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. There are great train links from nearby Wemyss Bay to the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh for a great day out in the city. The property has a restaurant 50 metres away and is a 15-minute walk away (Wemyss Bay) from other cafés, takeaways (Chinese, fish and chips and pizza/kebab) and a dog-friendly pub/café within the train station to Glasgow, which is also the ferry terminal to Rothsay on the Isle of Bute. There is also a children and dog friendly village pub within Skelmorlie, although it is a bit up the hill.

This beautifully presented lower conversion of a Victorian Villa is situated only 200 yards from the lovely sandy beach at Ardrossan on the southwest coast of Scotland. Adjacent is a lovely park leading to the beach, ideal for walking the dog. Ardrossan has shops, restaurants, and pubs all within walking distance. Ardrossan is situated on the Ayrshire Coastal path with its stunning 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.

Ayrshire is 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. The area is steeped in history with many ruined castles to explore, such as Dunure, Turnberry and Greenan. A visit and tour to Culzean Castle, designed by Robert Adams and truly one of his masterpieces, is one not to be missed with its dramatic clifftop location. Also worth a visit is the 18th century Dumfries House, part of the Princes Foundation which is home to an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture. The 2000-acre estate has been beautifully designed with stunning walks throughout the grounds. There are many pretty seaside towns to explore such as West Kilbride which is our local ’Craft Town’ just 4 miles up the road and also Largs is a great venue for seaside walks, the Yacht Haven, with great bars and restaurants and the 10-minute ferry to the island of Millport. Other places to visit are Ayr, Prestwick and Troon and there are very good rail links for a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow and also historic Edinburgh. The islands of Cumbrae, Arran and Bute are all easily reached for a day out. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is just over an hour’s drive and is well worth a visit.

Set outside the charming Village of Darve, these two lovely properties The Hayloft (ref UK7384) and Chaff House (ref UK7385) are located in rural Ayrshire, providing a superb location for outdoor enthusiasts. The accommodation sits adjacent to and has direct off-road access to Whitelee Forest and Windfarm, the UKs largest Windfarm with more than 130 kms of trails to explore on foot, by cycle or by horse. Horse riding and interactive animal sessions with the resident goats, alpacas, donkey, tiny ponies, and other animals can be booked separately with the on-site owners.
Dumfries House, Dean Castle Country Park, and Ayrshire’s Number 1 tourist attraction Culzean Castle are popular days out. The Galloway Forest Park is only a 30-minute drive away and is Britain’s largest forest park with three hundred square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored.
The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, lochs and ancient woodland and a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe Deer, wild goats, and many birds of prey.
The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world and when the sun sets, enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above.
Dalmellington is home to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory and is only a short drive from the properties.
The seaside towns of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon are all close by with beautiful sandy beaches and stunning views towards the Isle of Arran. Day trips can be taken to Arran and Cumbrae and are well worth the effort.
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 and is a haven for bird watchers.
Inland there are gardens and castles to visit, riding, racing and a choice of golf course.
The Hayloft can be booked together with Chaff House (UK7385) to accommodate up to 6 guests.

This first floor apartment is located in the charming village of Ballantrae, only a 100 yards from the beach and harbour. Ballantrae has a local shop a short stroll away. Situated on the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a fantastic 100 mile walking route set along the beautiful Ayrshire coast, with views to the mountains of Arran and 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. Fly fishing may be available by prior arrangement.
Heading north, the seaside town of Girvan with its harbour and leisure centre with a swimming pool, is only a 15-minute drive away and boat trips can be taken out to Ailsa Craig to see the varied birdlife. The towns of Ayr, Troon and Prestwick are all good for a day out, with plentiful restaurants, shops and bars. Heading further up the coast, ferries can be taken over to the islands of Cumbrae, Bute and Arran. Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily accessible for a day out. Further south, you will find Stranraer situated at the head of Loch Ryan. The town has an array of shops and there are plenty of places to dine out. There are many castles and gardens to visit as well as lovely harbour villages including Portpatrick and Drummore, Scotland’s most southerly point at the Mull of Galloway.

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.

Located in rural Ayrshire on a working farm, this spacious cottage, with open countryside views towards the coast and the Isle of Arran, with a conservatory that has direct access to an enclosed seating area with a built-in barbeque area. It is a perfect location for the outdoor enthusiast. Dumfries House is just a short drive away, an 18th-century stately home set in 2000 acres, with the architecture of Robert Adam and the furniture of Thomas Chippendale.
The New Cumnock swimming pool, 3½ miles away, is unique in Scotland, being the only heated, open-air, freshwater swimming pool. It was opened in 2017 by Prince Charles who gave his patronage to ensure that it wasn’t demolished. The Galloway Forest Park is only a 30-minute drive away and is Britain’s largest forest park with 300 square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored. The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, lochs and ancient woodland and a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats and many birds of prey. The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world, and when the sun sets, enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above.
The seaside towns of Prestwick and Troon are close by with beautiful sandy beaches and stunning views towards the Isle of Arran. Day trips can be taken to Arran and Cumbrae and are well worth the effort. 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 and is a haven for bird watchers.
Inland there are gardens and castles to visit, riding, racing and a choice of golf courses, with the world famous Turnberry close to hand. Culzean Castle (owned by the National Trust for Scotland) is spectacular and is Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attraction. Ayrshire is also known as ‘Burns’ Country’, and 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.

The town of Girvan has shops, restaurants and a leisure centre with a swimming pool and has great train links to the cities of Ayr and Glasgow for a day out. You can book a boat trip from Girvan harbour out to Ailsa Craig to see the nesting birds or book a fishing trip. Situated on the Ayrshire Coastal Path, with over 100 miles of stunning coastline to walk, the area is teeming with wildlife including deer, otters and seals, and is a haven for bird watchers.
The world-famous Turnberry Golf Course and resort is only a 20-minute drive away where you can enjoy a round of golf, fine dining or indulge in the luxury spa. There is also a lovely spa at Pebbles where day spas can be booked, which is again only a 5-minute drive from Girvan. Turnberry beach is a beautiful sandy beach where you can walk along to the Turnberry Lighthouse for a coffee or a spot of lunch or continue on to the pretty harbour village of Maidens where you can walk along the beach and up into the National Trust Culzean Castle estate with its dramatic clifftop walks, a swan pond and beautiful gardens. The area is steeped in history, with many ruined castles to explore, such as Dunure, Turnberry and Greenan.
The world-famous Turnberry Resort is close by and in addition to golf, has a fantastic spa and outdoor centre. 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 Prince’s 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 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.