The House of Machrie

Why you'll love staying here

The House of Machrie is an impressive Victorian country that stands in beautiful grounds at Dougarie, a traditional sporting estate on the Isle of Arran. Extending to around 25,000 acres and dating back to the 1860s, the estate encompasses field sports, a golf course, forestry, nature conservation, and organic farming, offering a truly unique setting off Scotland’s west coast.

An exceptional base for extended families or groups of friends, the house is perfectly placed for exploring the Isle of Arran, often described as “Scotland in miniature”, as well as the wider west coast and Highlands.

Originally built as the principal farmhouse on the estate, the House of Machrie reflects Scottish architectural heritage through the ages, with crow-stepped gables and a circular tower that houses the main staircase. Thoughtfully modernised to an exacting standard, it combines contemporary comfort with timeless grandeur and elegance.

Guests arrive via a majestic tree-lined drive, entering a spacious hallway with a panelled, heated boot room providing ample space for coats, bikes, and outdoor equipment. The large contemporary kitchen has shaker-style navy cabinetry, white marble worktops, and a full range of modern appliances, ensuring cooking for a crowd is both easy and enjoyable.

The adjacent formal dining room boasts a generous table seating up to 14 guests, ideal for celebratory meals. Prints depicting the local area adorn the walls, while dual-aspect windows, frame views across the surrounding farmland.

There are two inviting living rooms, both with open fires and sash windows, decorated in soft, muted tones and furnished with comfortable seating, antiques, stylish accessories, and carefully chosen artwork. The larger drawing room, arranged for conversation, is perfect for planning the day’s adventures or relaxing with a book, while the smaller sitting room lends itself to board games or an evening film.

A conservatory runs the full length of the house, offering a spectacular space to watch the sun set over what was once the kitchen garden, with fields and sea beyond, an idyllic setting for an after-dinner drink.

Three en-suite bedrooms and a cloakroom complete the ground floor. Upstairs are four further bedrooms, two with en-suite facilities, in addition to a beautifully appointed family bathroom with the choice of a bath and shower. All bedrooms have been designed with restful sleep in mind, with deep mattresses, crisp Egyptian cotton linen, soft blankets, and carefully selected antique pieces.

Outside, a converted stone barn serves as a games room with table tennis and pool, perfect for entertaining younger guests on wet days. To the front of the house, an enclosed garden provides ample space for children to play and dogs to run around, as well as a lovely setting for leisurely picnics or barbecues under the stars.

The estate’s diverse habitats range from intertidal foreshore and farmland to woodland, moorland and montane terrain. The farm comprises 1,500 acres of lowland pasture and upland grazing, home to a flock of North Country Cheviot sheep. With certified organic accreditation and a strong commitment to animal welfare, the estate balances tradition with sustainability. Its broadleaf woodland, including oak, birch and the rare Arran whitebeam, supports iconic Scottish wildlife such as the red squirrel.

A wide range of activities can be arranged for guests staying at The House of Machrie. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy fly-fishing for salmon and sea trout on the River Iorsa, mackerel fishing, lobster potting trips, and private tuition. Shooting opportunities include clay pigeon shooting, small-bore rifle practice and driven pheasant and partridge days. Red deer stalking, considered among the finest in Scotland, offers breathtaking panoramas stretching from Northern Ireland in the south to Ben Lomond and the southern Hebrides in the north.

Photography workshops can be arranged for all levels, while culinary enthusiasts may enjoy salami and sausage-making classes. For relaxation, local beauty therapists offer in-house treatments, including facials and manicures.

For a more active stay, guests can take advantage of the estate-run nine-hole links course, with golf passes arranged prior to arrival. An all-weather tennis court is available, with racquets for adults and children available to hire. Bespoke nature tours and whisky distillery visits can also be organised, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.