Knock Old Castle Largs

Knock Old Castle is just outside Largs. It's a real, 14th-century castle that we've restored. Sleeps eight, four bedrooms, three bathrooms. It's got a 5 Star rating, which means everything works properly and it's comfortable.

It is a castle, so the layout is unusual. Doors are shaped oddly. Walls aren't perfectly straight. You'll get used to it. The stairs to the main tower are stone and spiral. It's worth it for the view from the top.

There's a sauna built into one of the towers. The roof has wildflowers and grass growing on it, so sheep sometimes graze up there. The main sitting room has a high, painted ceiling and a woodburning stove.

You're on your own here, about 200 yards from our house. It's private. The shore is a short walk down the hill. Largs is about a mile and a half away for shops, places to eat, and the promenade.

You can get ferries from Largs to the Isle of Cumbrae. With a bit more driving, you can get to Arran or Bute. If you drive the other way, you can get a ferry to Dunoon and then into Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

The Ayrshire Coastal Path starts nearby at Skelmorlie. Culzean Castle and its country park are about a 30-minute drive south. There are golf courses all along this coast, including the famous ones at Troon and Turnberry.

For a day trip, Glasgow is under an hour by car or you can get the train from Largs. Edinburgh is about two hours by car.

Facilities: it has a washing machine, dishwasher, TV, WiFi. Bedding and towels are included. There's parking right there. We can take up to two dogs. There's a cot and highchair if you need them. The garden is yours and there's a BBQ.

Useful links for planning: National Trust for Scotland - Culzean Castle and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.