Chauffeur's Apartment, Lochinch Castle

The Chauffeur's Apartment, is a newly refurbished, 3-bedroom self-catering apartment and is located in the picturesque, historic Victorian Stable Courtyard  at Lochinch Castle, the private home of the Earl and Countess of Stair.

Sympathetically renovated, and newly refurbished to a very high standard, the building maintains many original features alongside modern conveniences, and overlooks the Victorian Stable Courtyard, turreted Castle and two idyllic and unspoiled freshwater Lochs.

With three large airy bedrooms, an open-plan living area with log fires, central heating, a well equipped kitchen with laundry facilities, bathroom/shower room and additional cloakroom, wi –fi  and private car parking, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Lochinch Castle is part of Stair Estates. Situated at one end of Castle Kennedy Gardens (open to the public), the Castle is set between two large natural lochs which are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for breeding wader and wintering wildfowl,  and surrounded by 75 acres of beautiful sculptured terraces, avenues and gardens.  

Guests can enjoy free access to explore the gardens which offer a varied programme of regular events from children’s activities, to open air theatre, guided garden walks and annual festivals (visit www.castlekennedygardens.com).  Our apartment guests can also enjoy special discounts in our Gift Shop and Tea Room.  Fishing  permits for both Lochs can also be arranged as can a number of seasonal  activities within the Estate including: salmon and sea-trout fishing, Red deer stalking, duck flighting , pheasant shooting, private Estate Landrover Tours, walking and cycling. 

The surrounding area is full of scenic treasures, including deserted sandy beaches, exotic gardens, rolling hillsides and open estuaries. The Southern Upland Way is located close by as is the River Luce which offers excellent fly fishing. Stranraer town is just three miles away with a wide range of pubs, restaurants, shops and activities including cinema, swimming and a museum.  Other local attractions include a whisky distillery, Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, Wigtown Book Town and the picturesque sea-side village of Port Patrick where guests can enjoy excellent seafood restaurants, village stores and pubs.

For those who are interested in exploring further, there are numerous castles and historic attractions; book, music, food and art festivals as well as museums, visitor centres, and adventure playgrounds.

We have recently renewed our beddings - Deluxe Dream Mattresses and White Company for all bed and bath linen.

• Sleeps – 6
• Bedrooms - 3 (super-king or twin beds)
• Bathrooms - 1 bathroom with shower and bath
• Additional cloakroom
• Dishwasher
• Washer/drier
• Microwave
• TV, Video, DVD player
• Open log fire
• Telephone
• Cot and high chair available
• Rear garden with barbeque area and outdoor furniture
• Parking area
• Pets welcome with advanced notice
• Short breaks in off peak season

• Stranraer - 3 miles
• Airports - Prestwick 55 miles, Glasgow 87 miles
• Stations - Stranraer and Dumfries
• Pubs and restaurants - numerous close by
• Golf Courses: Stranraer 6 miles, Port Patrick 7 miles, Turnberry 30 miles
• Fly fishing on the fresh water lochs, salmon fishing on the River Luce
• Shooting and stalking available
• Bird watching on the doorstep
• Walking on the Estate and along the Southern Upland Way
• Cycling - bikes included at own risk
• Castles and historic attractions
• Museums and visitor centres
• Whisky distilleries

Accommodation

With its own private entrance and carport, the Chauffeur’s Apartment is located on the first floor of the Victorian Stable Courtyard.  An entrance hall and staircase lead directly up to the Apartment.  A large entrance hall leads to the main living area, bedroom 1, bathroom, cloakroom, store room and airing cupboard.

The first bedroom is a large double/twin with TV and Victorian furniture.  The spacious, light and airy open-plan sitting/dining room has an open log fire, plenty of comfortable seating, TV, DVD and Freeview Digital receiver along with an ipod dock/speaker system and a midi sound system. 

A selection of dvds, books and games should while away a few hours and a dining suite that can seat up to 6 completes the room which overlooks the Victorian Stable Courtyard and beyond to the turreted Castle and White Loch.  The large, well-equipped kitchen has a dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge, freezer and a microwave oven.

Beyond the sitting room are two further bedrooms; a large double/twin is situated to the rear of the building and two large windows look out over attractive rhododendron trees.  A cosier double/twin bedroom is to the front of the building anb looks out over the Victorian Stable Courtyard, Castle and on to White Loch.

Outside, there is a carport and log store.  Within the carport there is also a very useful shed containing a barbeque, 2 adult and 2 childrens bicycles, extra patio furniture and a sink.  This area is perfect to clean and store any fishing/outdoor equipment you bring with you.

A garden to the rear of the building is surrounded with mature woodland and is a wildlife haven.  A private picnic area nearby has an elevated view over Black Loch.
 

What's included in the price?

Everything is included in the rental price; heating, extra logs for the open fires, electricity, Wi-Fi, bed linen and towels.  A pay phone is provided.  Free entry to Castle Kennedy and Gardens and discounts for the Gift Shop and Tea Room are available.  Well behaved dogs are welcomed at an extra charge of £15 per dog per week.  There are 4 bicycles (2 adult, 2 child) available for use at own risk.

Additional activities can be arranged; fly fishing, course fishing, deer stalking, duck flighting, pheasant shooting, Estate Tours.

Cost and availability. 
 

This lovely self-catering apartment is rented out all year. 
Change over day is on Saturday with check in from 4.00pm onwards, and check out by 10.00am. (in certain cases alternative days may be available.)
Short breaks are available - in the off-peak holiday season only.

To enquire about availability for this historic Scottish self-catering property in Galloway, click the enquiry button below and see availability and prices.

Prices

The Chauffeur's Apartment, The Victorian Stables, Lochinch Castle self-catering rental rates:

Weekly Rates:

Low = £450.00 

Mid = £550.00 

High = £725.00 

Peak = £825.00 

In addition to the above there is also:
a £15 booking fee per booking
a £45 breakages deposit (refundable)
a £15 charge per dog per week (max 2 dogs)

Short breaks - Minimum Stay 3 Nights: Bookings for less than a full week may be available (minimum stay 3 nights).

Please contact Stair Estates on 01776 702024 for more details of Short Break availability and pricing.

Visit Scotland Grading 4 stars, 2024/25

Approaching from the West, The Chauffeur's Flat and Lochinch Castle are situated approximately 3 miles east of Stranraer on the A75. The entrance to the Castle is a pair of large iron gates, opposite Inch Church, on the left hand side of the road as you go up a small hill. If you reach Castle Kennedy village you have gone too far. Turn into the gates and follow the road for two miles until you reach Lochinch Castle. Drive past the Castle into the Stable Yard which is adjacent. Go through the Stable Yard and turn directly left. At the end of the building you will notice a driveway and the door.

Approaching from the East, The Chauffeur's Flat and Lochinch Castle are situated approximately 3 miles east of Stranraer on the A75.

From the nearest information centre:- From Stranraer TIC by car follow directions for the A75 and Dumfries. The Chauffeur's Flat and Lochinch Castle are situated approximately 3 miles east of Stranraer on the A75. The entrance to the Castle is a pair of large iron gates, opposite Inch Church, on the left hand side of the road as you go up a small hill. If you reach Castle Kennedy village you have gone too far. Turn into the gates and follow the road for two miles until you reach Lochinch Castle. Drive past the Castle into the Stable Yard which is adjacent. Go through the Stable Yard and turn directly left. At the end of the building you will notice a driveway and the door.

Getting there by railway:- Nearest Stations are Stranraer and Dumfries.

Getting there by aeroplane:- Nearest Airport is Prestwick which is about 55 miles from Stranraer or Glasgow which is about 87 miles away.

Getting there by ferry:- Cairnryan is the nearest port.

Here is some feedback from our guests in 2012 –

“Thank you so much – we loved our time here, so relaxing.  Nice to feel special.”  (November 2012)

“The flat is beautifully furnished and we are especially glad to see that the character of the bedrooms has not been compromised.  A magical place.” (November 2012)

“Thank you for the wonderful place.  Everyone was very helpful from the day I booked the flat.  We had a great time and enjoyed the gardens and wildlife.” (October 2012)

“Wonderful stay as always – despite some wet weather.  Enjoyed watching the hares and red squirrels”. (September 2012)

“We had a great time in the Chauffeur’s Flat. So many space and secret places outside.  Our children loved bicycling and the Shetland ponies and we enjoyed walking through the gardens.” (August 2012)

“A holiday that will never be forgotten.  The best holiday yet again.”  (July 2012)

“Thank you for helping us to have a lovely holiday and for giving my elderly Mum a new lease of life!  She loves gardens, and this idyllic setting was perfect for her.  We appreciated the little touches to make us comfortable.” (June 2012)

“You have been working so hard since the last time we were here, decorating etc in flat.  We’ve had a lovely time. “ (April 2012)