Big Cottages & Group Accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  We enjoyed our week in Barscobe House. It has a lovely prospect looking over the countryside, set in a well kept estate, and a large secluded garden with a mowed lawn. There are walks starting from the house e.g. the Holy Linn waterfall, and up into the hills. It was reunion for three generations of a family, coming together from Edinburgh, Yorkshire, London and Maine USA. It was helpful having the caretaker and housekeeper staying on the estate to help with queries. We also used a local agent, who had good local knowledge. The kitchen is very well equipped: it is difficult to know what one is going to find in a holiday let, but this property has the sense of a much loved family house, well designed for catering. There were many baking trays, cake, bun and loaf tins, a blender, food processor, hand mixer, ice maker… A real old fashioned larder, 2 fridges (one with a freezer section) and a chest freezer. Ample cutlery and crockery etc. Good recycling arrangements (glass to the nearby village, or local supermarkets). Two washing machines, a tumble dryer, an old style wooden ceiling pulley for clothes (in a separate scullery). Two dishwashers. Some of the chairs and furnishing are wabi-sabi, but we found this made it comfy, and matches the house. Beds comfortable, nice cotton bedding, plumbing good, very toasty hot press to dry/air clothes. We already knew that Castle Douglas is a foodie town, and it didn’t disappoint: three butchers (we used Grierson’s, excellent), bakers, a greengrocer, and we ended the week ordering a very good fish supper from Moore’s (with a rigid insulated box and a foil-lined bag, they stayed hot enough on the 25 minute drive). The nearby village of Balmaclellan has a friendly community shop for messages like fresh milk. There are mobile fish van shops in the region too. We were lucky with the weather, but the house has a snooker table (pool too? Not my strong suit!) and lots of indoor space should the weather break - we did consider playing “Sardines”, but actually spent a lot of time exploring local attractions for outdoorsy types (some of my family has an affinity for cold water, and swam enthusiastically in Loch Ken), with the coast not too far away. We were sad (in a way) not to need the fires, that’d be cosy indeed. The “dark sky” area meant that on clear nights we could see the Perseid “falling stars”. The wifi dropped out occasionally but this wasn’t a problem for us. The caretaker was on hand on the one occasion the router needed rebooting. We understand that infrastructure improvements are coming soon. It is an interesting old building (early 20th century) that must be challenging to keep from disrepair. The windows alone are a daunting task. The hefty security deposit is unusual in these days, but I see why it is imposed, and it was repaid within the week. The entry time of 5 pm is the latest we’ve ever been offered (due to cleaning schedule, I think), but we built that into our arrival time. We had one electric car in our party: the provision at the house is currently via a standard indoor socket using one’s own trickle feed cable: rather slow, and the surcharge seemed arbitrary (not metered, rather high) - but we did opt to use it as the fast chargers in Castle Douglas were in use/out of order: the infrastructure will presumably eventually catch up (and I don’t just mean at this property). Highly recommended.

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• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  Lovely large house, great location, close to shops, park etc. The house was very well equipped and stocked all our essentials ie toilet rolls, washing up liquid, even tin foil, cling film and sandwich bags. There were 10 of us split over a 2 week stay at Braidwood, 5 children & 5 adults. The house had plenty of large rooms to accommodate us all. The children really enjoyed the garden and the park out the back gate. We all walked round the park by the loch, the kids enjoyed playing on the playground. Made our way back with a walk up Queens Street. I enjoyed sitting in the garden at night & early morning, while everyone was in bed, having a cup of tea and a cigarette, it was so peaceful and the different birds certainly kept me entertained, the robin especially came to greet me every morning. 2022 was my 25th year of staying in Scotland for my annual summer holiday, my late mother's people were all Dalbeattie folk born & bred. I lost my mum 8 years ago, also losing my eldest brother 4 weeks after mum's passing. They are laid to rest in and around their favourite places, Sandyhills, Rockcliffe etc. They are all together at Sweetheart Abbey alongside my aunt (mum's sister) and her son (my cousin) My Summer holiday are sort of like a pilgrimage to visit my loved ones resting place and a promise I made too my mum on her last visit to Sweetheart Abbey, that every year I would visit with flowers. I also visit the Haugh of Urr were some of mum's family are laid to rest. I hope that one day I will get to stay at Braidwood again, I'm opting for a much quieter holiday next year without all the grand kids. As always booking through Discover Scotland my holiday is always 100% satisfactory. Great Property in a Great Location...Thank You for an amazing holiday on behalf of myself and family members who stayed with us. See You All Next Year

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• Catherine - Verified booking

  Marie gave us a warm welcome and had provided lots of thoughtful touches such as delicious homemade wheaten bread and rocky road, local cheese and Arran toiletries.

  The house itself is immaculate and beautifully decorated and furnished. All the rooms are spacious but very cosy. The views across the sea, to the light house and over to Ireland and Kintyre are magnificent. Being surrounded by the grazing animals added to the feeling of being in the heart of the countryside. Everyone we met was very friendly and kind. We stayed relaxing at the house for much of the time because we felt so at home. Other days we played golf and visited the pretty seaside village of Portpatrick. Had a wonderful afternoon on the stunning Lady Bay beach which is close by. Fabulous scenery and wildlife all over the area. Cannot recommend this property highly enough if you want super accommodation in a relaxing and peaceful setting.

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• Coralie - Verified booking

  Our first impressions when we walked through the door were “what a beautiful house”.

  Very spacious, comfortable, spotlessly clean, bedding was fresh and crisp, very well equipped kitchen and the whole property was cosy and warm. The views are amazing and change every day depending on the weather with plenty of walks from the door. The friendly owner sorted out a couple of minor problems we had straight away which was much appreciated. They left a very generous welcome pack for us including; cheese, wine, butter, milk, pickle, Irish bread and fresh flowers. Lots of information for the local area was provided. The property is remote making it quiet and peaceful but you can’t just pop to the shop if you forget something, so you need a good memory (or shopping list!)

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• Liz - Verified booking

  The photos don't do this property justice!

  A beautiful home, plenty of space, comfortable seating and sleeping accommodation. Spotlessly clean and fresh, tastefully decorated but not so cluttered that there is no room for a holiday maker's 'stuff'. Kitchen well equipped. Views of the numerous ferries, and nearby lighthouse, which you can walk to. Set on a tidy, working farm so we enjoyed a daily visit with the neighbouring calves. Would be a lovely retreat at Christmas time, stock up on food and settle in for a perfect, cosy, family get together. Delicious welcome pack and lovely hosting family who live in the nearby farmhouse! Highly recommend this house!

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