Great Machrie Tower

This fantastic 19th-century tower house provides everything that you could wish for in a holiday to the beautiful west coast of the Isle of Arran. Looking as though it could be from the pages of a storybook, you can feel like a real Duke or Duchess staying here; after all, it was originally built for the Duke of Hamilton and has now been renovated to provide the height of luxury. Whilst the building itself is fabulous, the location – with great countryside views over parkland and across the sea to the Kintyre Peninsula – makes it truly something special. Take endless beautiful walks to the stone boathouse on Loch Lorsa, spend time fishing (available by separate arrangement) on one of the two beats nearby, or spend an afternoon on the secluded Dougarie Beach. As Arran is only 55 miles around, you can also reach a wealth of places easily including the distillery, (8 miles) brewery and Brodick Castle and Gardens, both 11 miles away. Or try out an island safari with Mogabout Safari (11 miles) which provides forest or coast island tours in a four-wheel drive giving you access to some of the most pristine areas of the island.

Welcoming eight guests, you can celebrate a special occasion here. The property is brimming with history and whilst not a castle proper, it certainly resembles one with its arrow slit windows, castle-like walls and the arched entranceway. Spread over three floors, there is a real sense of style inside with carefully chosen furnishings to accentuate the building's history. On the ground floor, you'll find a well-equipped kitchen with double glass doors through to a large lounge/diner, complete with an open fire – a great spot for gathering together. Doors lead out to the garden. There is also a utility and laundry room on this floor to leave outdoor clothing as well as a useful cloakroom with WC. On the first floor are three delightful bedrooms: two twin beds with en-suite shower rooms, and a sumptuous super king-size, as well as a separate bathroom. The second floor features a fantastic super king-size room, complete with the authentic tower slit windows and an en-suite shower. But it is the third floor which really steals the show as it takes you to a magical rooftop terrace where you can sit and marvel at the gorgeous views across farmland, the Kilbrannan Sound and to the hills of the Kintyre Peninsula – an absolute reason to book this property!

Outside, there is a garden to the rear with a picnic table which is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy a morning coffee or an al fresco meal. There is also parking available.