Craig Ailey

Craig Ailey is a villa at Cove, originally named Italian Villa. The site above a craig (cliff) gives views over the Firth of Clyde and its junction with Loch Long. It was designed in 1850 by Alexander Thomson (later known as "Greek Thomson"), and built around 1852 by his client the builder and developer John McElroy,^[1] who had feued land in the Cove and Kilcreggan area from the 8th Duke of Argyll. Access to the house is by South Ailey Road.^[3] The house, on top of the craig above Craigrownie Cottage, can be seen from Shore Road.

Craig Ailey
Former names	Italian Villa
General information
Architectural style	Lombardic[1] Italianate[2]
Address	South Ailey Road, Cove, Argyll
Country	Scotland
Coordinates	55°59′32″N 4°51′07″W
Construction started	1850
Estimated completion	1852
Client	John McElroy
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Alexander Thomson
Developer	John McElroy
Main contractor	John McElroy
Listed Building – Category A
Designated	14 May 1971
Reference no.	LB43472

View from Shore Road of the house, perched on the crag-top above Craigrownie Cottage.