Guests say
Castleside Croft is a charming, traditional cottage in a stunning, peaceful location near the beach and castle ruins, perfect for those seeking a tranquil getaway and beautiful views. Guests appreciate the spaciousness, comfortable beds, and quirky vintage furnishings. The cottage is well-equipped for self-catering and offers easy access to local walks and wildlife. While some maintenance issues and cleaning concerns have been noted, the overall experience is positive, with many guests expressing a desire to return and recommending the property for its unique character and idyllic setting.
Several guests found the cottage generally clean, especially the beds and main living areas, but noted issues such as dust, cobwebs, dog hair on sofas and carpets, and occasional lack of attention to detail in the kitchen and porch. The downstairs toilet and porch area were frequently mentioned as needing improvement.
The location is consistently praised for its beauty, tranquillity, proximity to the beach, castle ruins, and scenic views of Pladda and Ailsa Craig. Guests love the peaceful setting and easy access to local attractions, making it a highlight of their stay.
Guests found the cottage spacious and the beds very comfortable. The traditional furnishings add to the cosy atmosphere, though some found the sofas worn. The peaceful environment and well-laid-out rooms contribute to a relaxing stay.
The cottage is well-equipped for self-catering, but recurring issues include a leaking porch, broken or missing kitchen items, maintenance needs (e.g., broken blinds, faulty doors, water ingress), and occasional problems with hot water. Some guests noted the need for updated kitchenware and minor repairs.
There were no welcome gifts or starter packs provided, and guests noted the absence of basics such as tea, coffee, and milk. While some thoughtful touches like books and local information were appreciated, the lack of small extras was mentioned. Please note that gifts or welcome packs are not guaranteed.
About this property
Enjoying picturesque views across the Firth of Clyde, this traditional cottage is in a beautiful setting, close to the ruins of Kildonan Castle..
Ground Floor:
Living room: Freeview TV, CD Player, Electric Fire, Patio Doors Leading To Garden
Dining room: Books, Games
Kitchen: Electric Oven, Electric Hob, Microwave, Fridge, Dishwasher, Washing Machine
Utility Room: Tumble Dryer, Toilet
Bedroom 1: Bunk (3ft) Beds (Children Only)
First Floor:
Bedroom 2: Double (4ft 6in) Bed, Juliet Balcony
Bedroom 3: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
Ensuite: Toilet (Only)
Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Heated Towel Rail, Toilet.
Electric storage heaters, electric heaters, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Large lawned garden with garden furniture. Private parking for 2 cars. No smoking. Please note: This property has a natural water supply via a spring.. Castleside Croft is a beautiful semi-detached cottage which enjoys views across the Firth of Clyde towards Pladda and Ailsa Craig. As the name suggests, the cottage is beside the old ruins of Kildonan Castle (no access to the castle), giving a unique view of the castle and the sea. The living room has patio doors which lead out to the south-facing garden. Outdoor furniture is provided so guests can enjoy the sea views whilst relaxing in the sun. Inside, the bedrooms are traditionally furnished. There is a bunk bedroom on the ground floor, ideal for children, and two bright and spacious bedrooms on the first floor. The double bedroom has a Juliet balcony overlooking the garden, with castle and sea views. You will find a beautiful beach just a 5 minute walk away, where seals are a common sight. Castleside Croft is in an ideal location for families and friends wishing for a relaxing seaside holiday. Hotel bar and restaurant 5 minute walk.
Free WiFi
The water is from a spring, well or borehole, and not a mains supply.
There are low ceilings, doors and/or beams within the property.
We highly recommend that you book your ferry as soon as possible as ferries get very busy. You can call Calmac on 0800 066 5000. For ferries that travel to Orkney are Northlink Ferries 08001114422 and Pentland Ferries 0800 688 8998.
Scottish Letting Licence No: NA00547F
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Reviews (17)
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Confirmed Guest
We've booked this property for many years due to its location near Arran's best beach and fabulous views. That said, we've tolerated poor kitchen equipment and regular water ingress in the downstairs toilet. This year however, the situation had deteriorated significantly: main door handle was snapped off; blind in bedroom broke twice obscuring sea views; garden overgrown with one window covered by vegetation; 3 of 5 bulbs in bedroom not working; 1 of 4 hobby on cooker not working; damp and rotten would through downstairs bathroom; kitchen knives blunt to the point of being dangerous; tile fell off roof. A sorry tale of no investment in maintaining the place. We're not the complaining type but this went beyond anything we'd experienced previously. If a great coastal location is your thing this house is amazing, and it's comfortable, but...check the owner has invested in it.
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Confirmed Guest
We had a wonderful week at Castle side croft. This is in such a quiet and beautiful location. The weather was kind to us and the beach is literally 2 mins walk away. The cottage itself was very comfortable and seemed to be very reccently updated. The kitchen was well stocked and the beds extremely comfortable. Hoping to go for 2 weeks next time. Thank you!
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Malcolm Struthers
A lovely cottage in an amazing location. Full of character with bags of charm and stunning views. Arran itself is a wonderful place to visit and this is a great base to explore. A perfect peaceful getaway..