The house has undergone major improvements and has been tastefully redecorated and furnished to a very high standard.
The accommodation in the house comprises an entrance porch, hall, a large sitting room with colour television and telephone, dining room to seat 14, a large lean-to conservatory, a drawing room, gun room, cloakroom, drying room and downstairs lavatory. The ground floor bedroom wing, leading off the drawing room, contains three twin bedded rooms with two bathrooms and lavatories (one en suite). On the first floor there is the master bedroom with twin beds and en suite bathroom. A further twin bedded room with en suite bathroom and a twin bedded room with wash hand basin and another twin bedroom, the last two sharing a bathroom and lavatory.
The accommodation in all, therefore comprises of seven twin-bedded rooms and five bathrooms, three of which are en suite. An outside Games room is also available and is ideal for reels or a barn dance, but also good for darts and ping-pong, both of which are provided.
Daily help is available in the house and is charged for separately.
Up to a maximum of four rods on the Iorsa and one rod on the Machrie are permitted. The Iorsa River, which runs through the estate, is divided into two beats and is primarily a sea trout river although it does also have a run of salmon. The owner has a policy of making continuous improvements to the river and the creation of new holding pools. There is an extensive re-stocking programme and a hatchery has been in operation for a number of years. A hill road (suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles) runs the length of the river as far as Loch Iorsa and the river is therefore easily fished. At the loch is a boathouse and a new wooden boat. There have, as yet, been no problems with the sea trout population and the owner takes particular care to conserve the fishery, with a total embargo on netting.
The estate also rents one rod on the Machrie, which is an excellent spate salmon river and has a run of sea trout. It is different in character to the Iorsa and its run-off is somewhat quicker, but provides a fascinating contrast for the enthusiastic fisherman. It is divided into three beats and has a separate worming beat. Both rivers are therefore predominantly fly only.
The Estate boatman helps tenants on both rivers and is himself an experienced fisherman with good local knowledge.
The sea fishing in the Kilbrannan Sound is first class. An Orkney Strike Fisher is the main boat used on the sea and can accommodate six people in comfort. The estate boatman, who is always in charge of sea fishing expeditions, has been particularly successful in recent years and is also responsible for working the estate lobster pots, which tenants are welcome to help haul (and eat the catch!).
The stalking at Dougarie is excellent, being the principal forest on Arran. There are several stalking beats; usually there is one rifle out every day but two parties can be on the hill as and when required. The Estate employs two keeper/stalkers and argocats are used for getting beasts off the hill.
The stalking ground runs between sea level and 2,706ft (Beinn Tarsuinn) and the scenery is spectacular, with wonderful views to the West when Islay, Jura and even Mull can be seen on clear days.
Between 35 and 40 stags are killed each year. The quality of the stags at Dougarie is amongst the best in Scotland, with some outstanding heads to be seen; average weights are also heavier than in most parts of the country with beasts weight over 20 stone being culled regularly.
The Dougarie Estate consists of approximately 25,000 acres and is situated on the north west corner of the Isle of Arran. The House of Machrie is situated some half a mile from the sea, facing south west over farmland and the Machrie Golf Course (9 holes) to Machrie Bay. It has magnificent views of the Kilbrannan Sound and the Mull of Kintyre.
