The Old Manse

Couples and small families will find The Old Manse works well for a few days away. The cottage has two bedrooms—a king and two singles—plus one bathroom, and the whole place is yours alone. It sits in Lochranza, a village where the landscape opens onto hills and the shoreline is within reach. Parking for two cars comes with it, and one well-behaved pet is welcome.

The ground floor holds a living room with television and DVD player, a kitchen fitted with a dishwasher and electric range, and direct access to a rear garden. Upstairs are the bedrooms. Essentials like heating, electricity, bed linen and towels are covered, along with WiFi. Everything is in working order and the stone walls carry a proper cottage atmosphere without feeling cramped or dated.

Lochranza itself has a distillery, a castle to explore, a small beach, and a ferry to Kintyre if you fancy a day trip. Arran's walking routes and wildlife draw people out of doors, though the village shop and restaurant mean you needn't venture far either.