Guests say
Castleside Croft is a charming, traditional cottage in a stunning, peaceful location with beautiful views of the sea, castle ruins, and easy access to the beach. Guests appreciate its spaciousness, quirky vintage furnishings, and comfortable beds. The cottage is well-suited for those seeking tranquillity and a base to explore Arran. Some maintenance issues, particularly with the porch roof and downstairs toilet during heavy rain, have been noted, as well as occasional lapses in cleanliness and kitchen equipment. Overall, it offers a memorable and relaxing stay for those who value character and location.
Several guests found the cottage generally clean, especially the beds and main living areas, but noted dust, cobwebs, dog hair on sofas and carpets, and some unclean kitchen surfaces and plug holes. The porch/toilet area was frequently mentioned as needing attention, particularly after rain.
The location is consistently praised for its tranquillity, proximity to the beach, castle ruins, and stunning views of Pladda and Ailsa Craig. Guests loved the peaceful setting and easy access to local walks and attractions, though it is somewhat remote from shops and cafes.
Guests found the cottage spacious with comfortable beds and a cosy, traditional atmosphere. Some mentioned creaky stairs and worn sofas, but overall comfort was rated positively, especially for those who appreciate vintage charm.
Facilities are mixed: the kitchen is generally well-equipped but lacks some basics and has mismatched crockery. Maintenance issues include a leaking porch roof, broken freezer, and minor plumbing and door lock problems. The property would benefit from some updates and repairs.
There were no welcome gifts or starter packs (such as tea, coffee, or milk) mentioned, and guests noted the absence of some basic supplies. If gifts are provided in future, please note they 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
Nearby points of interest
- Kildonan Castle
- Machrie Moor Stone Circles
- Brodick Castle
- Culzean Castle
- Kildonan Beach
- Goatfell Mountain
- Isle of Arran
- Glenashdale Falls
Reviews (15)
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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..
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Linda Wood
We have just spent a lovely week at Castle Croft The cottage is spacious a very clean and well equipped The furniture is dated but quirky and we loved that The only downside was on our last day it was torrential rain and the downstairs toilet flooded several times and I spent a lot of my time mopping it upThere was also a leak in the kitchen and the guttering was blocked so it looked like a waterfall coming down outside the patio doors I gave reported these and hopefully they will be addressed but overall I would recommend staying hereIt is a five minute walk to the beach A 10 minute walk to a bistro selling amazing fish and a chips and very close to the Kildonan cafe
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Confirmed Guest
We really enjoyed our stay in this lovely cottage, right by the castle ruins and sea, with wonderful views of Ailsa Craig and Pladda. NB There's a nearby (steep) path, so you can get down to the ruins and beach.The kitchen was well equipped, and we loved the vintage furniture throughout. The collection of books, especially on Arran, was helpful too. Both bedrooms were spacious and comfortable, and the main one, with french doors, delightful.The entrance porch, with washer, dryer, butler's sink and toilet, is a very useful area, especially when you come in with muddy or sandy shoes, however, be prepared for the roof to leak in times of heavy rain, and the visible signs of water ingress (NB coats and boots kept to the right were fine and dry).The storage/electric heaters and fire made it nice and warm when needed, but you must use the boost for hot water (and it only stays hot for a few hours).As Kildonan is off the main road, it is a very peaceful place to stay. The nearby campsite has a useful shop, as does the village hall/café. For electric cars: well priced charger in the Kildonan Hotel car park.