Fernlea , Pirnmill

Nestled within lush green gardens, with an elevated position overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound, this two / three bedroom semi-detached cottage promises a tranquil haven for holidays or an idyllic permanent residence. The 19th-century property retains all its traditional charm and has been extended to create a versatile two-storey home with multiple living areas, including a sunroom enjoying breathtaking views. 

Behind the front door, a bright porch and adjoining entrance hall are laid with rich terracotta tiling, a warm and welcoming feature that continues through much of the ground floor. The hallway leads into a sunny and spacious triple-aspect living room with a wood-burning stove, exposed stonework, and a beamed ceiling resulting in a wonderfully homely sitting area or third bedroom. On the other side of the hall, the quintessential country kitchen boasts a social central dining area and classic chalk-white cabinetry, as well as space for a free-standing fridge/freezer and a Rangemaster cooker, characterfully offset by ceiling beams and exposed stonework. Accessed from the kitchen is a sunroom adjoined by a handy utility room with a free-standing washer/dryer and garden access. With a focal solid-fuel log burner and extensive dual-aspect glazing, the spacious sunroom represents the perfect year-round spot to relax and marvel at the property’s ever-changing vistas. Completing the ground floor is a shower room with a WC-suite, a modern shower, a towel radiator, and a built-in linen cupboard. On the first floor, a landing leads to two good-sized bedrooms – nestled beneath the eaves, with comfortable fitted carpeting and rustic pine panelling creating delightfully cosy sleeping areas. Also reached from the landing and providing excellent useful storage is a deep cupboard and a sky-lit store. The property benefits from oil-fired central heating and full double glazing.

Outside, the lawned grounds incorporate a suntrap front garden bordered by a dry-stone wall and a rear garden with a shed and a stunning water-facing outlook. Vehicles can park on the track at the front of the property.

NB: The fridge-freezer, range-cooker and washer-dryer are included, as is the large dresser from bedroom 1.

NB: the property is accessed via a track (approx. 500 metres) not suitable for all vehicles.

Directions

From the south with Machrie/Dougarie behind you. Drive into Pirnmill as far as the village shop. To your right, you’ll pass the shop, the Lighthouse Tearoom, and a house with a track to the side of it. Take this track, up the hill and over the cattle grid. Keep going up and round to the north, until you reach a cluster of houses, two on the left of the track and one on the right. Fernlea sits behind a dry-stone wall with a red front door.

Area

Fernlea is situated in an elevated position in the beautiful coastal village of Pirnmill, on the west coast of Arran. The house is in a position of dramatic scenic beauty, with the steep glens and mountains of the northern end of Arran to the rear. There are spectacular views across the Kilbrannan Sound (the body of water that separates the island from the Kintyre peninsula) to the eastern side of Kintyre. The village has a small primary school, an active local community, a post office with a shop and the Lighthouse Restaurant, renowned for excellent food. Pirnmill, once a stop of the famous Clyde Steamers, is now a busy tourist spot for visitors to the island. The west coast benefits from beautiful coastal and hill walking with plentiful wildlife easily spotted: red squirrels, red deer and even the occasional otter are regular visitors to Pirnmill. The coastal road (via Lochranza) leads to Brodick, the main town of Arran, where there are two Co-op supermarkets and a good range of further professional services. Brodick is the port from which regular ferries depart daily to the mainland at Ardrossan. Ardrossan has a mainline rail station and is approximately 30 miles from Glasgow City Centre.

Prestwick International Airport is 16 miles to the south from Ardrossan with Glasgow International Airport 26 miles from Ardrossan. Primary schooling is available at Pirnmill. The secondary school on the island is Arran High School in Lamlash. Lochranza, 6 miles to the north, is highly picturesque with its bay being dominated by the ruins of Lochranza Castle. The village also has a distillery with a visitor centre, shop and restaurant and The Lochranza Hotel. A frequent bus service runs around and across the island. Lochranza has a ferry terminal to and from Claonaig on Kintyre.