Location

Enjoying a rare secluded coastal location, Porta Leacach Cottage sits on the edge of the village of Kildonan, at the southernmost point of the beautiful Isle of Arran, Scotland's most southerly and one of the most accessible islands.    Approximately 60 miles round, Arran has fine sandy beaches, excellent walking and rambling and both sea and trout fishing. Tourist attractions include the Arran Aromatics centre and shop, the Arran Heritage Museum, the Lochranza Distillery and Brodick Castle. There are seven golf courses on the island and Porta Leacach Cottage is well situated for access to Whiting Bay Golf Club and Lamlash Golf Club.

The island is often referred to as "Scotland in miniature", as it is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault. It is a popular destination for geologists, due to the substantial volcanic activity around 16 million years ago in the Tertiary period. There are many stone circles and standing stones dating from Neolithic times, including those on Machrie Moor and the Giants' Graves above Whiting Bay.   The village of Kildonan boasts an idyllic white sand beach and spectacular views over the Ayrshire coastline to the island of Pladda amd Ailsa Craig. The village hall is the main community hub and the Kildonan Hotel, which has a restaurant and bar. Kildonan Castle is within a short walk of the property and the area is a haven for wildlife, including otters and seals.   

A wider range of services including newsagent, post office, pharmacy, café/bar and bistro, hardware store and a farm shop are available in nearby Whiting Bay where there is also a craft store and art gallery along with an 18 hole golf course. There is a village primary school and a new high school at Lamlash. The surrounding area provides some of Arran's most scenic walks, not only along the shoreline but also through the forest to the Glenashdale Falls.

Description

Porta Leacach Cottage was built in the early 1900s as a traditional Scottish farmhouse and has since undergone an imaginative and thoughtful programme of refurbishment and extension, creating the superb family home which exists today. Its almost unrivalled position, which is reached by a shared drive that leads from the main road down to the water's edge, is rare for the island: most properties are set further back and this is one of very few which have direct access to the shore. Set over two floors, the house offers a versatile layout which is perfect for both a modern family lifestyle and entertaining.

Entered from either the front door or sunroom, there is a welcoming reception hallway, off which all the main living accommodation is set. The main reception rooms are to the front of the property and benefit from the spectacular outlook. The fantastic sitting room has windows on two sides with a wood burning stove at the centre and French doors leading through to the sunroom which offers a tranquil space space to enjoy the coastal views. Located off the hallway is the spacious dining room with wood burning stove at the focal point with ample space for a large dining table and chairs.
The bright and well-appointed kitchen is at the heart of the property. Equipped with wall and floor mounted cabinets, an AGA and separate oven, there is generous space for a dining table with built in seating. A utility room, two shower rooms and a guest bedroom are located downstairs in the most recently extended portion of the property.

Upstairs there are two further bedrooms including the principal bedroom which is flooded with light from large windows and has a luxurious adjacent bathroom. A third double bedroom along with office space on the landing and an attic complete the accommodation.

Externally, Porta Leacach Cottage has wonderful gardens and grounds extending to around 2.7 acres that stretch along the Kildonan coast line and include a heated outdoor swimming pool with terrace, kitchen garden and paddock.

The property benefits from a number of outbuildings including a wooden garage, two greenhouses and a separate studio apartment with kitchen and bathroom.