Countryside Cottage in Ayrshire

Resting on the National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle estate, boasting wonderful sea views across to Arran, is Royal Artillery Cottage, a characterful, all ground floor holiday home at the heart of the castle’s sandstone stable block. Once the living quarters for the grooms, coachmen and stable boys responsible for the Marquess’s horses, it now offers a group of four a highly desirable base for a coastal escape to Scotland. This accessible cottage is well suited to a variety of groups, with sliding doors and a ramped entrance offering an accessible entrance for all.

Venture inside and discover a charming living/dining room with a warming electric fire at its centre, providing a homely ambience in the winter months, while the surrounding soft furnishings offer a lovely spot to spend quality time with loved ones or relax with your favourite DVD on the television. Sit around the table with a homemade meal, prepared in the amply equipped and contemporary kitchen, or sit outside in the courtyard and dine alfresco amidst the fresh countryside air, enjoying the splendid sea views.

At the end of each day, seek comfort in one of the two well presented bedrooms, consisting of a double with a convenient zip/link function that can be made into a twin on request, and a further twin, both served by the accessible family bathroom with a bath and a separate wheel-in shower with a chair.

With 600 acres of woodland and formal gardens to explore, you can find plenty of scenic splendour on your doorstep, as well as three miles of coastline with beautiful seascapes and water sports for the keen adventurer.

Choose Royal Artillery Cottage for your next coastal escape to Scotland.

A collection of five spectacular National Trust for Scotland cottages, resting amidst the splendour of the Culzean Castle & Country Park, this group of historic holiday lets can be found resting on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland, on the outskirts of the charming town of Maybole. Designed by Robert Adam in the 1770s on one of Scotland’s most dramatic cliff top sites, affording panoramic views over the Firth of Clyde, these properties make a splendid choice for groups of friends or families seeking a scenic escape to Scotland. The grounds on which the properties are situated offer plenty of natural wonders well worth exploring at any time of the year, including around 600 acres of woodland and formal gardens, and three miles of varied coastline; it is a true haven for wildlife watchers. Each property offers its own unique and predominantly traditional interior with contemporary touches throughout, creating a wonderfully relaxing retreat. Spend time together exploring the Swan Pond, Adventure Playground and Deer Park, something the little ones are sure to delight at where you can adopt your very own deer, or enjoy a special moment with your partner amongst the romantic aura of the castle, with the Armoury, the Library and the famous Oval Staircase all worth seeing. The grounds also boast a farm shop and kitchen, catering to all of your culinary needs, while a wider selection of eateries can be found in the local town of Maybole, where you can take your pick from pubs, restaurants and tearooms, as well as a selection of shops for picking up any fresh ingredients. The town hosts an impressive 19th century town hall and an equally imposing castle, the perfect stop off for any history lover, while a more relaxing day can be found on the golden sands of the beach. Just a short stroll away from the properties, the beach is the perfect place to make precious memories with your loved ones or perhaps even try out a new watersport, for those feeling more adventurous. The cottages rest within easy reach of the popular coastal town of Ayr, home to a selection of shops where you can pick up the perfect souvenir or enjoy a day of retail therapy, as well as a pretty esplanade with a wonderful sandy beach, Ayr Racecourse, three golf courses and much more. The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, also owned by the National Trust for Scotland, rests just outside the town, and is well worth visiting to learn about the life of Scotland’s national bard. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the Galloway Forest Park, or simply soak up the beauty of your surroundings from your wonderful holiday homes, the Culzean Castle Cottages.

MAYBOLE Ayr 5 miles. Maybole, the ancient capital of Carrick, has a recorded history dating back to the 1100s. The high street is especially striking, with its imposing 19th Century town hall and impressive Maybole Castle, believed to date back to 1560. Once an area famous for shoe manufacturing, the village now affords a variety of shops and pubs, and a rather quirky parish church of prominent orange stone. The wonderful Ayrshire coastline is within easy reach, whilst the busy market town of Ayr, the capital of Burns Country, with its host of amenities, is just 5 miles away. Galloway Forest, a mere 10 miles away, provides excellent walking opportunities, and captivating Culzean Bay, with its grand castle and delightful gardens, is within a 12 mile drive. A wonderful, peaceful location, perfectly located for exploring the beautiful West coast of Scotland.