This is a totally idyllic self-catering cottage on the lovely island of Arran - one of the most perfect Scottish holiday retreats you will find (and quickly accessed from the mainland!).
Banlicken is an outstanding location on the side of a heathery hill on the west coast of Arran and with fabulous views across the sea to Kintyre. The house successfully combines being in a wild and remote location whilst also being comfortable and contemporary. The renovation of the farmhouse and byre has sympathetically turned a Scottish croft into an extraordinary and peaceful haven. As you drive up the farm track to the house with every gate you go through you leave behind the outside world. The surrounding countryside is teeming with wildlife, and an easy climb up the hill will reward you with some breathtaking scenery, where you can see eagles and numerous species of birds or just sit and watch the sun setting over the sea.
The house and byre are in immaculate condition, decorated with shaker style furniture, kilims and wood panelling painted in colours influenced by the sea and countryside surrounding it. The accommodation consists of 5 lovely bedrooms all with a sea view and 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen/dining area and a comfortable and cosy sitting room with an open fire.
Car needed | yes |
Car available | no |
Location and Local Facilities: Often referred to as 'Scotland in Miniature', the Isle of Arran captures many aspects of the beauty of Scotland as a whole, from towering granite peaks to peaceful sandy bays overlooked by palm trees growing in the warm climate of the Gulf Stream. The wildlife is outstanding, with deer, pheasant and eagle readily seen in the mountains and colonies of seals at the seashore. There are over 100 species of birds on the island, and there is always a chance of sighting an otter, basking shark, mako shark, porpoise or minke whale. Coastal caves, trails and pathways to mysterious Bronze Age Stone circles can be explored, hills and paths enjoyed by walkers and climbers, and many relaxing angling hours can be spent fishing by streams or by the sea. The Isle of Arran has seven challenging golf courses to tempt the golfer, whilst history and heritage is catered for at Brodick Castle and various museums. In the summer there is the chance to go aboard the last paddle steamer on The Clyde, which makes a weekly visit to Arran and the Holy Isle. For the more adventurous and active, there are round the island tours by boat on a high speed rib as well as quad bike trails, climbing, archery, pony trekking and helicopter rides.
bedroom 1: 1 x king double
bedroom 2: 2 x single
bedroom 3: 1 x bunk bed
bedroom 4: 1 x king double, 1 x single, 1 x bunk bed
bedroom 5: 1 x single
bathroom 1: bath, toilet
bathroom 2: bath, toilet
General | |||
central heating | air conditioning | fireplace | telephone |
fax machine | internet access | linen | towels |
sofa bed | baby high chair | baby crib | hair dryer |
disable friendly | computer available | wifi | sauna / steam room |
gym | indoor pool | ceiling fans | high speed internet |
home security | gated community | water view | lift /elevator |
Kitchen | |||
oven | hob / stove | dishwasher | washing machine |
clothes dryer | fridge | freezer | microwave |
coffee maker | toaster | iron & ironing board | condiments/essentials |
Entertainment | |||
tv | vcr | cd player/hi-fi | dvd player |
cd library | video library | dvd library | cable / satelite tv |
ipod dock | |||
External | |||
parking | garden / yard | shared pool | balcony/terrace |
outdoor grill | private hot tub | outdoor furniture | private pool |
shared hot tub | garage | beach / water front | canoe/cayak |
Services | |||
nanny /babysitting | caretaker | housekeeper | cook |
gardener | doorman | resort privileges |
Credits | 23 to 28 |
Low season 16 credits per week - January, February, November, December. Mid Season 20 credits per week - April, May, June, September, October. High season 24 credits per week - July, August, Easter, Christmas, New Year, some UK School holidays and 1/2 terms. | |
Cleaning included | yes |
No Smoking inside
Pets considered
No wheelchair access
The following 2 websites best illustrate the house: https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p404739 http://www.aboutscotland.com/arran/banlicken.html
Swimming (15 minutes drive)
Horse riding (15 minutes drive)
Fishing (15 minutes drive)
Golf (10 minutes drive)
Tennis (10 minutes drive)
Sailing (40 minutes drive)
Hiking / Walking (on site)
Bicycling (20 minutes drive)
Canoe/Kayaking (30 minutes drive)
Boating /Sailing (30 minutes drive)
Shops (20 minutes drive)
Restaurants (15 minutes drive)
Culture (20 minutes drive)
Gym / Health Club (15 minutes drive)
Wildlife Viewing (on site)
Beach (on site)
Galleries & Museums (30 minutes drive)
Public transport (10 minutes walk)
Town (30 minutes drive)
Country club/Resort facilities (30 minutes drive)
Nearest Railway Station: Glasgow city centre 40 minutes by train from Ardrossan station
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport 40 minutes from Ardrossan
The road to the house is a rough farm track and not suitable for low slung or heavily laden cars or nervous drivers! Suitable for 4X4 vehicles or adventurous drivers in normal cars who take it very slowly.
We thoroughly enjoyed our week on Arran. The house was cosy and well appointed and the location wonderfully remote in feel but accessible to the joys of mountain walking and sightseeing all the island. We had a misunderstanding about access to the smaller cottage which we would have appreciated when we had additional guests on the weekend. Apart from this all the arrangements worked well. We would highly recommend this house.
Ms Rosemary L- Australia (12 Jun 2014)
Just had a wonderful two weeks at Banlicken. It certainly lived up to its billing as a remote hideaway! It is a comfortable cosy family home, with all the equipment anyone could want for 12 people. It would be extremely suitable for a couple of families with school age children - the playbarn with the tennis table would be a boon. The description was accurate, though the photos glamorise the accomodation - shabby homely would be my overall description. But what would you look for in a cottage on a Scottish Island! The description of the track leading to the house is accurate - quite adventurous, through dips and a ford, and by the end of our two weeks the bracken and brambles were meeting on the windscreen in places. Our main concern (and this is not mentioned on the website) is that the responsibility of checking on the water tank every two days rests with the guests - the directions to find it were minimal, and did not mention climbing over a 3' fence and stumbling through clumps of heather and bracken with no obvious route. On our first week we were six seventy plus year olds, and quite worried. (We did leave a very detailed diagram behind!) Note also that in the main house there is only one bathroom downstairs to serve four bedrooms - this is in the description, and may not be a problem.
A bit more strimming generally would have helped. This may sound very negative - it is not intended to - we had a great time - but simply to help potential members decide.
Pat (13 Jul 2010)
Property | House/Villa (vacation home & rental property) |
Exchanges | Credits Exchange |
Credits | 23 to 28 per week |
Bedrooms | 5 |
Guests | 12 |
Min stay | 3 days |
phone verified | |
experienced exchanger |
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