Instead of staying in a hotel room that's inside a Castle, you can also rent a complete castle. But you're probably used to prices that go above something like £30,000 per week. Now, this Ayrshire Castle is something different. It starts with a price of only £5,206 per week, for a complete, ancient castle! This allows everyone to spend an unforgettable time in an exclusive holiday home. What about a special family event? Or a gathering with friends. Or a business event. Or even a wedding? 

Now, where is Ayrshire known for? What makes it special? Ayrshire is a county that's filled with history. Located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde, you will discover incredible views over the beautiful coastline. In fact, on the western coastline of Ayrshire, you can find Ayr Beach, which is known as one of the best beaches in Scotland. It even has been rewarded a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. Ayrshire has absolutely some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in Scotland.

Besides, one of the largest industries in Ayrshire is agriculture. You can find root vegetables such as potatoes everywhere in the region. But that’s probably not the main reason you want to visit this county. I think the main reasons are the history and the natural scenery. Find ancient castles, learn about the Vikings who once set foot on these shores, and explore all the other tasty treats in and around Ayrshire. Not to mention that there are world-famous golfing courses in the area.

Are you ready to learn more about the nicest and most affordable castle to rent in Scotland?

Ayrshire Castle - the most affordable castle to rent in Scotland

Can you see those mountains in the back? In South Ayrshire alone, there are 313 named mountains. Combined with the coastline you'll get the best of two worlds. One of the highest points in Ayrshire is Kirriereoch Hill, which is 786 metres high. It lies on the border of Kirkcudbrightshire and the old counties of Ayrshire. You can also find it on the border of South Ayrshire and the modern regions of Dumfries and Galloway. As you can tell from all these names, there are lots of things for you to do and see when you decide to stay in Ayrshire Castle. What's for sure is that you'll create memories that you'll never forget.

Ayrshire Castle has also been mentioned in The Telegraph, and for a reason. This relatively affordable castle (compared to other castles you can rent) is the perfect choice for family and friends, weddings, corporate events, and even photo shoots or videos. Located at the foot of Law Hill, this castle has been home to many lives. Originally, Ayrshire Castle has been built as a wedding gift for Princess Mary, daughter of James II of Scotland, and her husband Thomas Boyd, the Earl of Arran. This was in the 15^th century. And now, about 600 years later the castle has become an amazing holiday home for up to 14 guests.

I love the size of this castle. It's not a part of a castle that was once been huge, but it's always been this size. It's a cute little wedding gift, right?

By the way, the castle has gone through a lot and still has remarkable original features. Its history even includes life as a court and as a prison! Wait, a prison? Yes, there's a hidden prison under a flagstone door, a secret staircase, and a murder hole where they used to pour oil on intruders.

Ayrshire Castle – Pricing

How much does Ayrshire Castle cost? The price of this castle to rent in Scotland depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £5,206 and £7,356. Throughout the whole year, apart from special holiday periods, you can rent this castle for £5,206. For the latest prices, please use the button below.

Inside Ayrshire Castle

Let's have a look inside Ayrshire Castle. Because this is where most magic happens. Inside, you will be surrounded by stone walls and tapestries, ancient relics, and stone baths. The atmosphere is warm and lovely (not even close to a prison, as I mentioned before, so don’t worry about that). What they've done amazing, is that there's the perfect blend of contemporary and medieval. Discover majestic four-poster beds, velvet drapes, wood-burning stoves, and tapestries alongside a large television. There's even underfloor heating as well as modern roll-top baths.

Ayrshire Castle has five floors with a spiral stone staircase connecting them all:

• Ground floor: 2 atmospheric vaulted rooms (one of them is an en-suite bedroom, which is perfect for elderly or immobile people too, and the other one is a utility kitchen)
• First floor: the charming Great Hall, a fully-equipped kitchen, a cloakroom
• Second floor: 2 bedrooms with double bed, both access to en-suite shower rooms
• Third floor: 2 bedrooms with double bed, one of them has an en-suite bathroom
• Fourth floor: a master bedroom, family bathroom, and living room with sofa bed

There’s internet throughout the castle, a TV & DVD, a washing machine and dryer, a travel cot & highchair which are available on request, and there’s parking space for 6 cars.

Outside Ayrshire Castle

A great feature of this castle is that, when you go to its roof, you can admire the Isle of Arran, the Forth of Clyde, and West Kilbride! They have truly chosen a brilliant location for this wedding gift. The castle also has 1 acre of gardens to stroll along. When you’re someone who loves the outdoors, you’ll have an excellent time exploring the coast of Ayrshire.

Besides, in Ayrshire, you can feel the rich history with the famous William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. They have their roots based here. Some other interesting facts are that the very first Scottish Parliament was held in Ayr after the Battle of Bannockburn. Another one is that Mary Stuart was born at Linlithgow Palace. She was the daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise.

West Kilbride

West Kilbride is a small town in North Ayrshire. This is where you can find several world-famous courses. Moreover, there's also a wonderful array of craft shops, galleries and studios. Fun fact: West Kilbride is known as Scotland's first craft town. I also highly recommend visiting the Barony Centre in West Kilbride if you’re interested in art and history. Within this exhibition space, there’s lots of history to discover.

Plus, West Kilbride has the nearest bar/pub and restaurant as it’s only 1km away. Whilst the golf lovers are out there golfing, you can enjoy wonderful strolls on the Ayrshire coastal shoreline. If you like fishing, you can also fish in rivers or lochs.

How to get to Ayrshire Castle

Ayrshire Castle is easy to reach, as the nearest Airport is within Glasgow or Prestwick, only 21-25km away. This also makes Glasgow a perfect destination for a day trip. And what about Edinburgh? Edinburgh is about a 2-hour drive away from Ayrshire Castle. This is a city you must have seen once in your lifetime. It has striking architecture, historic cobbled streets, literary heritage, and much more. No city can compare to Edinburgh. It’s been the capital of Scotland since the 15^th century.

P.S. We also wrote an article about the 5 best luxury cottages in Edinburgh.

After the most affordable castle to rent in Scotland

There’s much more to see and do in Scotland. What’s for sure, is that when you stay in Ayrshire and specifically within the most affordable castle to rent in Scotland, you’ll have an unforgettable experience. If you’re still hungry for more inspiration about this incredible country, then have a look at these articles:

• 5 Best Luxury Cottages in Edinburgh
• 5 luxury villas to rent in Scotland – Wow factor
• Waverley Castle Hotel – Our full review!
• 14 Luxury cottages in The Highlands
• Our Scotland hot tub lodges top 3!