If this pretty lovingly restored detached cottage could talk it would have some fascinating tales to tell as it was originally a toll cottage on the old Ayr to Newton Stewart road and horse and carriage would have been the mode of transportation then. Nowadays Auchalton Toll Cottage sits detached in peaceful retirement within this pastoral valley. As a base it is simply marvellous with the stunning Ayrshire coast within a short drive; the magnificent Culzean Castle; the conservation village of Straiton and the glorious Galloway Park, the UK’s largest. Golf is available nearby. The Ayrshire coast offers tantalising images of the Isle of Arran which has the best of what the rest of Scotland has to offer from quiet sandy beaches and rugged mountains to rolling green pastures. However if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the mainland the Ayrshire Coastal Path at over 90 miles runs from Glen App in the south to Skelmorlie in the north. Inland the cottage is surrounded by pretty villages. Culzean Castle and Country Park, is often described as the ’Jewel in the Crown’ for the National Trust of Scotland offering history, romance and culture all delivered in a stunning package. The Galloway Forest is close by and the drive from Straiton is lovely. The ’park’ is not just about trees, there are challenging hills to explore and serene lochs for skimming stones. Wildlife galore and mile after mile of forest walks ideal for cycling. The 7Stanes at Glentrool offers World class mountain biking in a spectacular setting.