Dog-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.

Situated on the owners’ beautiful small estate, with river and woodland walks direct from the door, these two beautifully converted cottages were formerly part of the Victorian stables to the main house (named Grey Man and Blue Peter, after horses who lived in these stables). Set within extensive grounds, visitors also have access to the tennis court.

Auchendrane Stables are in the heart of Robert Burns country, close to the village of Alloway, and the area is steeped in tradition and history. In Alloway itself you will find Burns’ cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig O’Doon - the bridge from the famous Tam o’ Shanter poem.

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 and spectacular views across to Arran and up the Firth of Clyde. You may be lucky and spot deer, otters and seals and it is also a haven for birdwatchers.

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 ( 25 minutes away) and the Turnberry Hotel with its spa and outdoor centre. Attractions also include Culzean Castle (National Trust for Scotland) and Dumfries House, both with stunning gardens.

Day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan, while Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. There are ferry links to the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae. Ayr is 10-minutes away and is a traditional seaside town with its own racecourse.

Ayr has many wine bars and restaurants, 5 miles. Beaches 5 miles. Small local shop and restaurant ½ mile, pub 4 miles.

No 1 The Stables (UKC845) and No 2 The Stables (UKC844) can be booked together to accommodate up to 10 guests.

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 spacious, detached, single-storey cottage has been fully renovated to a very good standard, and is situated on the owners’ a working sheep and dairy farm. With its own private hot tub and barbecue area, the cottage offers views over open countryside and is situated close to the towns of Dalry and Lochwinnoch. For walkers or those bringing their four legged friends, there are dog and boot washing facilities.
Located on Scotland’s west coast, the property is ideally located to explore the beauty of the Ayrshire coastline. Ayrshire offers a varied coastline with villages, beaches and rocky coves to explore, and is 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 opportunities to ride, fish and golf (the world famous Turnberry course is nearby). Culzean Castle Country Park, extending for over 550 acres, has a network of wooded trails passing along the beach. For water sports, Castle Semple is within easy reach, and mountain bike hire can be found at Lochwinnoch, 5 miles away.
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. Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily reached for a day trip. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

This charming cottage is situated in the small coastal village of Ballantrae, and boasts direct access to the beach and fantastic views over the sea. The detached cottage is situated on the Ayrshire Coastal Path, one of Scotland’s long distance walking routes covering 100 miles 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. 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 and there is a visitor information point to help you plan your days.
Inland there are gardens and castles to visit, horse riding 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 seaside town of Girvan, with a harbour and leisure centre with swimming pool, is only a 10-minute drive away. Boat trips can be taken out to Ailsa Craig to see the varied birdlife, or Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily reached for a day out. Beach 150 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 350 yards.

This spacious barn conversion has been refurbished to a high standard and is both modern and stylish. Situated within walking distance of the village of Tarbolton, it is close to the pretty coastal towns of Ayr, Troon and Prestwick with numerous shops, eateries and historical places of interest. For walkers, the Ayrshire Coastal Path is easily accessed with a fantastic panoramic coastline and views over the sea to the mountains of Arran. The River Ayr Way, a source to sea walk, is also easily accessed making this an ideal location for the outdoor enthusiast.

The Galloway Forest Park is 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, 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 Observatory and is only a short drive from the property.

Ayrshire offers many gardens and castles to visit, as well as activities such as horse riding, racing and golf, including the world famous Royal Troon and Turnberry courses, both close to hand. Culzean Castle and Dumfries House are both spectacular and are 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 Ayr for a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow and also historic Edinburgh. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is an hour drive and is well worth a visit. Beach 7 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Situated in the coastal village of Ballantrae, this beautiful, detached, upside down style cottage boasts stunning views from the upstairs living room, with patio doors leading onto a large decking area. A private hot tub in the garden also benefits from the most amazing seascape and is perfect to relax in after a day of exploring the surrounding area.
This is a fantastic area for walkers. The property has river and beach walks direct from the doorstep and is situated directly on the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal route with stunning views and scenery. The seaside town of Girvan, boasting a harbour and leisure centre with a swimming pool, is only a 15-minute drive away. Boat trips, both fishing and bird watching, are available. The towns of Ayr, Troon and Prestwick are all good for a day out, with plenty of restaurants, shops and bars. Heading further down the coast, you can catch a ferry over to the islands of Great Cumbrae, Bute and Arran. Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily accessible for a day out and Dumfries and Galloway is only a short drive, where there are many coastal villages, sandy beaches and rocky coves to explore. Beach 100 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

These two spacious, detached cottages, The Groom’s Cottage (ref UK31337) and The Brewers Cottage (ref UK12527) which is next to the owner’s home, are situated on a quiet country lane and both have their own private hot tub with shared use of tennis court and croquet lawn to enjoy after a day’s exploring. 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.

Popular with walkers, the Ayrshire Coastal Path is close by with 100 miles of superb coastal walking to enjoy, with a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde. The River Ayr Way, a 40 miles source to sea walk, is also easily accessed. There are many gardens and castles to visit, and activities such as horse riding, racing and golf are available nearby. The world famous Turnberry golf course, with fantastic spa facilities and outdoor centre, and Royal Troon Golf Club are close by.

Culzean Castle National Trust and Dumfries House are spectacular and are among Ayrshire’s most popular tourist attractions. The Galloway Forest Park is easily accessed 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, 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. 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 and The Trossachs National Park, with ferry links to the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae all within easy reach. Beach 12 miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.
The properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 10 guests.

Belstane Cottage is a semi-detached cottage with a large, shared garden and enjoys lovely views over the surrounding countryside. It is quietly situated next to the owner’s home on the edge of the very pretty conservation village of Straiton, voted one of the ten ‘Best Villages in Scotland’, and featured in the book ’The Most Beautiful Villages of Scotland’. The entire area is known for its gently rolling landscape, its hills dotted with sheep and traversed by the winding River Girvan, and is a hugely popular area with walkers and cyclists of all abilities.
Belstane Cottage is located on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, 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. Dalmellington is home to the Scottish Dark Observatory, and is only a short drive from the property. 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. Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh are perfect for a day out, as is Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Ayrshire is home to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk with fantastic views over to the mountains of Arran. 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, as well as 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, and Dumfries House is also worth a visit.
Belstane Cottage nestles in the heart of ‘Burns’ Country’, which is steeped in tradition and fans of the poet can visit Burns Cottage, The Burns Memorial Museum and the Brig O’ Doon, the bridge from the famous poem ‘Tam o’ Shanter’. Beach 14 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Surrounded by Ayrshire countryside and set on a working farm, this pet-friendly, large detached house is ideal for groups of up to 12 people and family get-togethers. The attractive accommodation is set over two stories and includes six bedrooms (4 en-suite and 2 dedicated bathrooms), large kitchen, sunroom and spacious comfortable living room with four sofas and plenty of extra seating – ideal for social gatherings. The games room can be found in the converted double garage and caters for all ages. One bedroom and a dedicated shower room is located on the ground floor, perfect for those who prefer not to use the stairs. The grounds offer up plenty of walks and unobstructed views across the mountains of Arran.
Despite Yonderton being in the open countryside, Ayr is only 15 minutes away, where you will find almost everything! This Victorian seaside town is steeped in history and has great eateries where you can sample a wide variety of locally grown produce. Ayrshire’s many golf courses are only minutes away with Trump Turnberry and Royal Troon being some of the top-rated courses in the world.
It truly is the gateway to the west of Scotland - with Glasgow only 50 minutes away, and trips to the Isle of Arran are possible with only a short drive to the ferry terminal. You can also see the Isle of Arran from the farm - offering up some of the best sunsets you will ever see. Ferry services go from Ardrossan, Gourock, and Wemyss to Arran, Argyll and Bute, Cumbrae and the Mull of Kintyre. The Ayrshire Coastal Path is 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. Mountain bikers will love a visit to Galloway Forest National Park.
Local amenities include an independently run pub, village shop and restaurant – all within 2 miles.
Yonderton House can be booked together with Yonderton McGill Cottage (ref UK11182) to accommodate up to 18 guests.