Croftbank

You arrive at Croftbank to find a single-storey living space opening onto an open-plan sitting and dining area with a wood burner, then a kitchen equipped for proper cooking—oven, hob, dishwasher and all the basics. A utility room with washing machine and ground-floor bathroom complete this level. Upstairs are three bedrooms: two doubles with ensuite showers, and one with bunk beds. The third bathroom serves that top floor. Heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and wifi are all included; logs for the wood burner come with the booking, with more available locally.

The real draw is outside. From the patio you see across Lochranza Sound towards the castle and the Kintyre hills beyond. There's a firepit, a summerhouse for watching the light change, and an enclosed garden where a one-dog guest stays free. Parking for two cars sits on the property, with overflow on the road. The beach lies fifty yards away. Smoking is not permitted inside. Families may find the travel cot and highchair useful; dog owners get crates and extras in a welcome pack.

Lochranza itself has a castle to explore and a working distillery with a visitor centre. The Arran Coastal Way circles the whole island on foot, Brodick Castle and Goat Fell draw hikers, and there's a nine-hole golf course nearby. You could take the ferry from Lochranza pier across to Argyll.