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The Galloway Forest Park
On your door step lies the fantastic Galloway Forest Park this huge woodland park
of some 300 square miles (780 km2), includes moorland, lochs and from seashore to mountain tops a habitat for a variety of plants. Operated by Forestry Commission Scotland. The park, established in 1947, receives over 800,000 visitors per year. The three visitor centres at Glen Trool, Kirroughtree, and Clatteringshaws receiving around 150,000 each year.
Much of the Galloway Hills lie within the boundaries of the park, where you can enjoy a good peaceful stroll on one of the many woodland trails. There are a total of 27 waymarked forest trails to choose from, there is something for every walker, or if you fancy something a little more strenuous, head out to the hills and climb the Merrick, south Scotland’s highest peak.
You can also rock climb and ice-climb within the park. Within or near the boundaries of the park are several well developed mountain bike tracks, forming part of the 7stanes project. As well as catering for recreation, the park includes economically valuable woodland, producing 500,000 tons of timber per year. For the wildlife fan the park has some of Scotland’s most amazing wildlife - but without the long drive north! Red Squirrels, Otter, Pine Marten, Black Grouse, Golden Eagles, Red Deer and even Nightjar. For more details see the forest park wildlife page
The famous dark skies over the forest Park also offer ideal star gazing and there are some fantastic Fishing lochs and rivers here too, all in beautiful surroundings, featuring a variety of fish from Brown Trout to Salmon. Fishing permits are available from £6.00 it’s a great way to spend the day.
Other activities within the park include Canoeing and Mountain biking with some seriously amazing mountain bike trails. From beginner to adrenaline seeker, there is something for everyone. See the 7stanes website for more information.
"The sensational Galloway Forest Park...on your doorstep"
The region of Dumfries & Galloway
The region is well-known for its many famous artists and writers such as Robert Burns also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire and in Scotland as simply The Bard) was a poet and a lyricist, laid to rest in Dumfries he is regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. His former kingdom covers the majority of the Western area of the Southern Uplands, it also hosts Scotland's most Southerly point, at the Mull of Galloway in the west of the region. Kirkcudbrightshire bounded on the north and north-west by Ayrshire, on the west and southwest by Wigtownshire, on the south and southeast by the Irish Sea and the Solway Firth, and on the east and northeast by Dumfriesshire.
Dumfries and Galloway lies to the north of the Solway Firth and to the east of the Irish Sea making it the perfect touring base to explore all these regions. Bordering South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire to the North and in the east the Scottish Borders; and to the south the county of Cumbria in England.
Rabbie Burns, Kirkudbright harbour and Panorama of the Solway Firth
Activities on your doorstep & Barrhill
Barrhill & Newton Stewart
The nearest local village is Barrhill (2 miles) Local amenities include a village store and a Public House, "The Trout Inn" on the Main Street. There is also a train station and in the centre of the village is Barrhill Bowling Club, affectionately known to locals as "The BBC". The Cross Water of Luce (a tributary of the River Stinchar also flows through the village.
The local town of Newton Stewart commonly known as "Gateway to the Galloway Hills lies in the south west region of Dumfries and Galloway in the county of Wigtownshire. The town lies around the River Cree and was founded in the mid 17th Century by William Stewart, youngest son of the 2nd Earl of Galloway. The "New Town of Stewart" was granted Burgh status by charter from King Charles II allowing a weekly market and two annual fairs to be held.
The nearest quality Sandy beaches are to the South West in Luce Bay region (approx 15 miles) stretching over 3 miles at low tide. There is parking right by the beach, so a great place to have a picnic before walking on the beach.
Lovely clean sandy beaches can be found at Luce Bay and Sandshead
Today the main local industries are agriculture, forestry and tourism with many quality bars, cafes and Restaurants. There is a local museum at St. John's Church, a doll's house exhibition. Newton Stewart is also only 7 miles from Scotland's book town Wigtown. The town also hosts a local market, and a number of services to support the farming industry. Well connected by the main A75 trunk road running along the southern edge of the town, it connects the town to Stranraer in the west and Dumfries in the east. The Local transport in and around the town and to places in South Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway is mainly provided by Stagecoach Western and locally based company James King Coaches.
The River Cree Bridge and Newton Stewart
Fantastic Day Trips
Dumfries
An easy day trip East down the A75 brings you to county town of Dumfries with a population of around 38,000 sitting close to the Solway Firth near the mouth of the famous River Nith.
Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. It's nickname is Queen of the South. In 1186, Dumfries was officially given the rights of a royal burgh. Throughout the first 50 years of its foundation the town was at the forefront of the Scottish Borders until the consolidation of Galloway in 1234. A royal castle, which no longer exists, was built in the 13th century on the site of the present Castledykes Park, and before becoming King of Scots, Robert the Bruce slew the Red Comyn at Greyfriars Kirk in the town in 1306. His uncertainty about the fatality of his stabbing caused one of his followers, Roger de Kirkpatrick, to utter the famous, "I mak siccar" ("I make sure") and finish the Comyn off.
Dumfries High Street hosts many of the historical, social and commercial centres of the town. During the 1990s, these areas enjoyed various aesthetic recognitions from organisations including Britain in Bloom. The town offers the visitor every facility and attraction desired, with all the usual high street, shops, supermarkets, cafes and banks, along with numerous leisure centres, a swimming pool, cinema and Inter City rail station, with direct servicess to Ayshire and Glasgow in the North and Carlisle, Hexham and the lakes in the South.
Views of Dumfries and the River Nith
The Northumberland National Park
Further to the East and little more than 2 hours drive you reach the land of the far horizons - a landscape of limitless beauty from Hadrian's Wall to the Cheviot Hills is Northumberland's greatest scenic treasure. www.northumberland-national-park.org.uk It stretches for over 60 miles from the rounded Cheviot hills which form the border with Scotland to Hadrian's Wall in the south. The Park's 398 square miles contain delightful wooded valleys and some of the finest stretches of open moorland in the country. The Authority seeks to ensure that the landscape is conserved and that adequate provision is made for the public to enjoy the beautiful countryside. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the Park but wherever you go, please always follow the Country Code. The park is divided into two main sections: High Hills Country (the Cheviot Hills) This northern part of the National Park and is dominated by the Cheviot Hills. here a walk on the open hills without a living soul for miles around makes a profound impression. There are three main Cheviot valleys of interest to the visitor: The Harthope Valley, the Breamish Valley and Coquetdale.
and Reiver Country. Tynedale and Hadrian's Wall (Reiver Country) is named after the feuding border families who fought and raided each others homes in the 14th-16th centuries. The landscapes here are generally softer and more varied than in the Cheviots. Again there are three main areas of interest to the visitor: Redesdale, the North Tyne Valley, and Hadrian's Wall. Books and videos about the National Park are available from the Northumberland Virtual Gift Shop. For further information, contact the Park Authority 01434 605555.
Covering some 1800 square miles, the Scottish Borders stretch from the rolling hills and moorland in the west, through gentle valleys to the rich agricultural plains of the east and on to the rocky Berwickshire coastline with its secluded coves and picturesque villages. You will discover castles, abbeys, stately homes and museums illustrating the exciting and often turbulent history of the area. Celebrations of music, arts and literature, and local food and drink take place throughout the year. June and July are a great time to watch the Common Ridings. In high summer and autumn you can enjoy the attractions of sheep dog trials, Border Games and the Scottish Championship Horse Trials. The Selkirk Vintage Classic and Veteran Vehicle Show in September offers 2 days of pure nostalgia. The area offers excellent opportunities for walking, cycling, playing golf and horse riding. The River Tweed runs through the centre of the Scottish Borders. Fed by its many tributaries, it provides some of the best fishing in the country.
To the East the historic Royal Burgh of Jedburgh just north of the border with England. In 1566 Mary Queen of Scots stayed in the town at a house which now tells the story of her tragic life. Up on a hill overlooking the town, Jedburgh Castle Jail is also open to the public as a museum. The town's red sandstone abbey on the banks of the Jed Water was founded in 1138 by David I and was pillaged and rebuilt many times. Now cared for by Historic Scotland, the abbey is open to visitors all year round and the Visitor Centre portrays its turbulent past.
Winner of the country town prize in Beautiful Scotland in Bloom, Jedburgh offers an attractive setting to follow the town trail, take a riverside walk or browse amongst the shops in the colourful renovated buildings in the Market Place and Canongate. South of the town is the award winning Jedforest Deer and Farm Park. At nearby 16th century Ferniehirst Castle, the grounds and Kerr Information Centre are open to visitors on a limited basis. Near Ancrum to the north lies Monteviot House Gardens on the banks of the river and Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre offering exhibitions and indoor or outdoor activities.
"Views of Jedbugh High street and the Abbey"
Hexham, Hadrians Wall and the Scottish Borders
To the South East and within an easy 2 hour drive is Hadrians wall and the old border town of Hexham the largest town in West Northumberland standing on the banks of the River Tyne. It is a very ancient ecclesiastical parish in its own right and there are many ancient spellings vaiations of the town's name including Hutoldesham, Hestoldesham, Hextoldesham and Halgutstad. One interpretation is that the names refer to the tributaries to the Tyne which run through the town.
Here you can visit the Benedictine Abbey and church rebuilt in the 12th century. Close to Hexham is the world famous Hadrian's Wall built in AD122 on the orders of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and stretched from the East to West coasts of Britain, from Bowness on Solway in the West to Wallsend in the East. It is one of the most remarkable unique Roman monuments in the world.
Today, over 1800 years after its construction, Hadrian's Wall still offers spectacular remains for examination. When building the Wall, the Romans made use of the rugged landscape of Northumberland for defensive purposes, and the fact that the countryside has changed little since those times helps to transport the visitor back to those far-off days.In its heyday, Hadrian's Wall was garrisoned by thousands of troops, who watched over the northern horizon from turrets and milecastles placed at regular intervals along the Wall, and lived in a series of more substantial forts at strategic locations. Several of these forts are open to the visitor today, featuring substantial remains and museums and visitor centres of differing sizes and styles, giving an insight into the life lived by a soldier on Rome's northern frontier.
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Your Accommodation
This comfortable country hideaway, has 2 x Upper level double bedrooms. The Ground floor consists of 1 bunk bedroom, a spacious lounge / dining room with open fire, original oak beams and patio door to garden, kitchen, utility room, bathroom with free standing bath (hand held shower).
Two Double bedrooms with storage space and enough room to relax.
One bunk bedroom with wardrobe, storage space and enough room to relax.
The fully equipped kitchen has a Microwave Oven, Fridge / Freezer, Oven Hob, Cooker, washing machine.
Other essentials such as glasses, crockery, cutlery and a corkscrew are also provided for your convenience.
The Dining area with A dining room with a modern table, seating for six people.
The living room has comfortable leather chairs and large sofa, The television is equipped with cd / dvd player and digi-box, the living room features a roaring open fire and original oak beams. There are also patio doors leading to the garden.
We operate a No Smoking policy in this cottage. We aim to make your visit as comfortable as possible and have equipped the cottage accordingly to make you feel at home.
The total package...no hidden extras
Fully inclusive includes all
Central Heating,
Bed Linen, Towels,
Dish Cloths / T-Towels,
Loo Rolls and Kitchen Rolls.
Pet Friendly
Well behaved pets are welcome by prior arrangement only.
Satisfied
Customers
"We've been coming to this region for many years and there's nowhere better for a quiet, relaxing break - you just have to turn up, everything is provided and the folks are great."
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Availability
Open
all year round
How Much?
Scale of (7 day) weekly hire charges
All prices are per property...not per person! |
Hire charges include all Heating, Electricty, bedding and towels.
Low Season
£355 |
Mid Season
£425 |
High Season
£560 |
Christmas & New Year POA
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"Pet Friendly"
Well behaved pets are welcome by prior arrangement only.
It is recommended that you take out travel insurance which includes cancellation cover |
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Availability & Further Information Advice / Help
Lines open 09:00 to 22:30 GMT
7 days a week
|
|
PLEASE CALL US
01729 851181 |
| Mobile |
Phone / Texting 07885 211787 |
Email enquiries to:
|
Due to ever increasing Spam levels we cannot guarrantee to respond to emails. Please call us on either phone number above to be certain. If you do wish to email us please state in your email exactly which cottage and dates your require further information.
|
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Travel Options
"It sounds wonderful, but it's a long way to drive from the south of England" How can I avoid the long journey?
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