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6 Guests
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3 Bedrooms
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3 Bathrooms
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Pets Yes
Features
- Garden / Patio
- Cot available
- Highchair available
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Dishwasher
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
27 Customer Reviews
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"I previously emailed in response to your “we hope you’ve had…” email with the points below, but received no acknowledgment."
If this was sent from a “no reply” email, it certainly wasn’t made clear. There were only 5 mismatched wine glasses for 6 guests. There were only 5 tumblers for 6 guests. Missing light bulb in bedside lamp in room with WC Over mirror light and ceiling light in WC not working - tricky! One of our guests got locked in the wet room when the inside handle fell off - fortunately we heard his pleas to open the door. Overall the cottage delivered what we wanted, but two nights were probably the maximum stay we’d tolerate. The cottage was cleaner than previous reviews led us to anticipate, but clearly there are some issues with maintenance and housekeeping. Many thanks.
Thank you very much for the feedback about your recent stay. We have reiterated to the cleaning staff that the inventory for the kitchen must be checked and that the lights must be checked at each change over. The bathroom door handle has been attended to. We are planning a refurbishment of the cottage over the coming winter. We do hope that you will book again at a NTS cottage. Property Owner
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"I understand that the cottage is old and very charming, however, we found over all cleanliness could have been better."
We didn’t use the downstairs shower room, as the wall tiles especially, were in need of either cleaning or renewing the grout! Beds were recently comfortable, however, although bedding looked well laundered and ironed, didn’t smell fresh. Maybe some fabric conditioner could be used so that bedding smells fresher. We also had to clear a few cobwebs in the lounge. Overall, the cottage was charming as was the garden which I believe us on the Artists Trail!! Kurkcudbright is a lovely little town and well worth a visit
Many thanks for your feedback and be reassured that we take your feedback seriously. We have re-iterated to the cleaners the standards we expect. We are planning to do a soft refurbishment over the winter to Blue Door. Property Owner
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"I didn't realise when I booked the property that the garden wasn't next to the house and I don't think the listing makes that clear."
The garden behind the house belongs to someone else and every morning they hung their laundry out next to the cottage windows. The kitchen/dining area is dark so on nice days it would have been nice to be able to go outside or eat in a garden. The upstairs shower is a bathtub show with electric thermostat so not very good. There is a proper shower on the ground floor. The main reason I booked this property was to be close to Broughton House and it is very convenient for that and the town of Kirkudbright is very attractive.
We are glad to read that you enjoyed your visit to Kirkcudbright and Broughton House. We do mention the location of the Garden for Blue Door twice on the listing for the cottage. "The property benefits from a lawned garden 100 yards away, where you can sit out and enjoy your morning coffee, taking in the views across the town as your canine companions stretch their legs." We are not sure what else we can do to make it clearer. Holidays Dept NTS Property Owner
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"A wonderful cottage situated in a fabulous location at the heart of ..."
A wonderful cottage situated in a fabulous location at the heart of kirkcudbright We have thoroughly enjoyed our time there
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"A lovely terraced cottage down a close/lane."
The cottage was clean and well presented with decent sized rooms and comfortable beds. It was set in an ideal location, being very quiet but less than five minutes walk to the centre of the town. I would have given 5 stars for comfort but the lane was treacherous when wet as the cobbles had moss and grass growing out between them which made them slippery to negotiate. I appreciate the owner is not responsible for the whole lane but they need to get together with other owners and sort it out. Other than that it was excellent.
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"It was a lovely clean, well equipped, cosy cottage in a very quiet location in Kirkcudbright within easy reach of the shops, it was warm and the bed was very comfortable and it was great that I could bring my pets."
The little festive touches were nice. When I arrived I felt as though I was walking into a storybook. Thank you. I may well return with friends and or family.
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"Lovely cottage."
Enjoyed visit
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"Nice property in a lovely location."
Efficient heating creates a cosy ambience. Nice period (Arts and Crafts) furniture. Facilities like a wet room are useful. Double bed is small by modern standards, but so is the room where it is located. Kitchen needs under-unit lighting. Small drawer to right of cooker has all the manuals for electrical goods and central heating. Small maintenance issues such as no battery or battery cover in weighing scales and no dishwasher tablets (we begged some at Broughton House). Wi-Fi password is on the router only (in living room) and has not been filled out in the notes folder. Secluded, hedged garden is part of a patchwork relating to the various properties in the lane and is at the bottom on the right (with 'Blue Door' in blue paint on the decaying shed).
Thank you for your comments, lovely to read that you appreciated the house and the history of it. We apologise for the lapses when setting up the property for your arrival. Property Owner
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"The property was described as having a private garden."
The description did not say it was 100 yards away.
Thank you for your feedback. we have checked the web entry and it does say that the private lawned garden is at the bottom of the close. We will try to make it more obvious for customers as to the location of the garden. Photo 25 of the gallery does show the bottom of the close. Property Owner
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"We had a happy three night stay with our family."
4 adults 2 teenagers 2 dogs. We were all very comfortable. The ‘blue door’ is in a lovely setting very near to Broughton House and just a short walk to the town centre. If you love gardens, arts and crafts, coffee shops, walks on the beach - this is an ideal place. We felt we had found a little corner of paradise.
Thank you very much for you lovely comments and we hope that you will return to stay in a NTS cottage. Property Owner
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"We were a group of friends sharing the cosy cottage in order to attend a course for 5 days on the High St, so the location was excellent."
We enjoyed the very eccentric garden. The house decor was charmingly reminiscent of the period of Jessie M King. The sitting room was comfortably furnished and we appreciated having 3 bathrooms. The kitchen was reasonably equipped but short of useful pans for cooking for 5. (Mostly small + 1 very large) The secondary glazing was a bit tricky tricky to handle and in between needed cleaning. However, overall it was much enjoyed by all of us and very convenient for the historic artistic centre of Kirkcudbright which is delightful.
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"We really enjoyed our stay at the cottage."
Very comfortable!
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"A really wonderful place to stay, lovely character to the house, warm and cosy, at the same time as being spacious, very comfortable and clean."
We’d love to come back again. Fantastic setting, locally the historic town of Kirkcudbright is charming as well as lots of great coast to explore near and further a field. Would highly recommend and the people involved in the booking were very helpful and kind, thank you!
Thank you so much for the lovely review of The Blue Door, we hope to welcome you back to the NTS at Blue Door or any of our other cottages. Property Owner
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"Beautiful house in such a lovely little town."
Very comfortable overall and really cosy. The only downside was the Internet was quite poor and dropped out a lot. Aside from that, a lovely rental at a reasonable price.
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"Lovely quirky cottage beds comfortable kitchen well equipped gardens were lovely ..."
Lovely quirky cottage beds comfortable kitchen well equipped gardens were lovely was close to amenities overall a lovely comfortable cottage would definitely stay again
Many thanks for your lovely comments about the Blue Door. We look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner
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"We were surprised that there was no soap in any of the bathrooms."
Also no basic supplies in the kitchen like salt or oil. We liked that there was access to a TV package. The beds were very comfortable and the house was lovely and clean.
Thank you for your comments. We are sorry that soap was not set out for you. Good to read that you found the property clean and comfortable. Property Owner
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"Blue Door Kirkcudbright is a lovely period cottage."
The living room and bedrooms were clean if a bit dusty. The bathroom had mould growing in the shower behind the screen. The kitchen really wasn't very good, the bin had mould and grease in the bottom which I cleaned and bleached before use. The surfaces felt tacky, a lot of mugs and glasses had been returned to the cupboards not properly washed so we did a dishwasher load before use. Undersink cupboards were dirty with spilt detergent and grime.
Thank you very much for your feedback and we are sorry that you have had to pass on comments about the cleanliness. The team in Dumfries have contacted the cleaning company about the slippage in standards and the team are going to work on removing the condensation mould by the shower screen. Again thank you for your feedback. Property Owner
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"Infuriating that you have moved the access time to 5."
00 p.m. Previous access time of 2.00 p.m. allowed time to settle in and enjoy the area. Your action has now denied this.
Thank you for your feedback. It is common within the selfcatering industry to allow access to a property on the day of arrival between 4pm and 5 pm. This allows time to air the house, allow the cleaning company to clean the property and deal with any issues. If a guest checks out later than we advertise then it means we have less time to prepare the property for the next guest. Property Owner
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"Two of the pots had a thick layer of burnt on food still in them."
Inside of the oven/ grill could do with a thorough clean. Lipstick on one of the glasses. Old, blackened cobwebs in several locations. Washing up liquid and hob cleaner ran out after one day. There were supposed to be spare bin bags under the sink - none there. No spare toilet rolls. All this was unfortunate as it is a lovely, comfortable cottage in a great location.
We have discussed the shortfall in standards with our cleaning company and this has been addressed. We have also supplied new mattresses in Blue Door, and a new shower has been installed in the bathroom. Property Owner
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"We recognise that the NT wish to be environmentally friendly however, arriving at a property in Feb at 20."
00 to find the heating had been set to10 degrees made for a very cold and unpleasant welcome. Please consider setting this slightly higher for future guests. Also there is no lighting in the alleyway to the property. The string of bulbs which are present are not working. Whilst we appreciated the torches provided in the property these were not available when we were trying to locate the property carrying bags. Otherwise a lovely property and we had a very pleasant stay.
Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry that you found the cottage cold on arrival. The cleaning company should have adjusted the heating after they had serviced the property. Property Owner
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"Spent a month at the Blue Door, was a little disappointed with some aspects."
The cottage really needs a general refurbishment, the decor was tired and worn. The room at the very top which my husband used as an art studio was lovely and light but we found the living room, dining room and bedroom at the back quite dark and for me it was a little claustraphobic. Blue Door had a well equipped kitchen but the utensils badly need replacing and bin does not work via the pedal (not hygenic to have to open manually via the lid). When we checked the cooker, the oven was dirty, there were a couple of items of food in the freezer and there had been food left in the cupboard. I noted that someone said they had left this on a previous review, not sure why this had not then been removed. We were asked to air the rooms when we left, this was not possible in most of them as the windows do not open. We apprecite that with this type of property that there are things which simply cannot be changed but it could be freshened up very easily. The general rubbish bin was the smallest of all and with no recycling facilities for the Blue Door it filled up very quickly. This was not helped by someone adding their rubbish to it (3 bags during our stay). I emailed NT directly about this and I was advised it would be sorted. Overall it was a comfortable stay but we would not return again to the Blue Door particularly in the summer when the prices are very high. Cheaper properties of the same space etc are available in the town. I would recoommend Kirkcudbright, it is a lovely town to holiday in, lots of great walks and good facilities in the town itself. It was also very quiet where we were, nice to just hear the local bird life.
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"The directions to the property were the only problematic aspect of our stay."
Google Maps took us to Bridge Street. Can you add to your directions as follows: “Once you have turned right onto High Street, follow it round the right angle bend at the Toll Booth (on your left). Then Greengates Close is first on your left under an archway with a mosaic above stating that Jessie M King and E A Taylor lived there. Park on the road, the Close is not drivable.” Other very minor points include: a drawer in the fridge doesn’t fit and is falling apart; we think a lamp was out in the electric stove in the sitting room; it was hard to air the property since most of the windows were locked and the ones that opened (first floor twin bedroom) quietly closed themselves behind our backs. Everything else was really lovely and very much appreciated.
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"We loved the cottage and its historic setting and furnishings - the 'feeding bamboo to the panda' vase was delightful but our visit was overshadowed by the number of reminders that we had to leave the cottage all clean and tidy as we had found it."
My understanding for a 'holiday' cottage is that the cleaning is factored into the cost and you get back a cottage which has been occupied by 2 adults and a dog for a week. I would of course not leave a mess for anyone-else to clear up but did not expect to finish with a major clean. In the event we managed to do all the Covid requirements but ran out of time (9.30am) to hoover, dust and sweep floors. Sorry about the food items I left but that was due to the stress of trying to deal with other matters. Maybe we just have to accept that another 'holiday cottage' stay is not for us.
Thank you for your feedback. We would just like to clarify that we do not expect our guests to carry out a full service of the property before they depart. Since we had to introduce guidance because of the pandemic we have asked that guests strip their beds and open the windows to allow a good flow of fresh air into the property. We certainly wouldn't expect our guests to dust and vacuum. The change in check in and check out times are to allow time for the property to be aired before the cleaners go in, extra sanitising protocols etc , to protect both the staff and new customers. Property Owner
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"This was our 3rd visit to Blue Door and it needs some refreshing and TLC."
Apparently something is planned but not sure when. We left on the Friday afternoon because of the early check-out requirement, while also expected to have beds to to stripped and gathered up with towels in bags. So folks have to leave early, having already not been allowed in until 17:00, and do some of the normal housekeeping. We always take care of the cottages we visit but feel the NTS is not playing it's part and keeping properties well maintained. This is an organisational problem and not the fault of those limited staff left to keep things going! We love Kirkcudbright and the area but would likely not rush to return to the Blue Door.
Many thanks for your feedback and we are sorry that you are unlikely to book Blue Door again. The change in check in and check out times are to allow time for the property to be aired before the cleaners go in, extra sanitising protocols etc , to protect both the staff and new customers. The NTS regional teams are looking at budgets and what can be achieved over the winter season in terms of refreshing decor or refurbishing certain areas. Property Owner
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"We had a lovely stay at the Blue door cottage, the cottage is so characterful and charming."
It had all the facilities you would need. Need to make it clear which garden is Blue Doors - as we found it a peaceful place to sit in and a real asset to the cottage. Highly recommend the stay
Thank for your comments and we will address your point about the garden and have a new map left in the cottage. Property Owner
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"Cottage was very clean and spacious and with a very unusual entrance down the close."
Very well placed to explore Kirkcudbright and wider D&G. Co-op supermarket 5min walk. Whilst we had a comfortable stay as 4 adults and 2 young kids there are some things to be aware of, firstly the Wi-Fi didn’t work all week and reading the comments book sounds like this is an intermittent recurring issue. Secondly the nature of the house means it’s not very soundproof between the rooms, especially the 1st and 2nd floor. Lastly there is no private accessible garden from the house, instead there is access to a shared drying green and a shared garden at the bottom of the close (it’s worth venturing down to the very bottom to see some unusual features…!). None of these particularly bothered us however and we would happily stay here again.
Thank you for your feedback and we have passed on your comments about the cottage being very clean to our team. The WiFi issue has been rectified and we are putting a new map in the cottage to mark where the garden for the Blue Door is located. Property Owner
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"Te property was furbished and furnished to a high and inter-related way - the arts and crafts furniture was unexpected."
Equipment was in good condition - perhaps too many saucepans in the kitchen? The shower over the bath - the beam over the bath makes it difficult for anyone over 5^8" but the shower in the wet room was very comfortable. The wifi router defied all attempts at connection, maybe a good thing. A wedge for the kitchen door might be a good idea, as it shuts strongly and loudly and this has been for us a resting holiday. The room at the top of the house was a cozy place to sit.
Thank you for your comments. We will look at the shower in the bathroom so see what we can do. The wifi has been sorted out so hopefully will have a consistent signal now. We have purchased a wedge for the door. Property Owner
Summary
- Three storey terraced cottage
- Three bedrooms: 1 x double with en-suite basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x twin, 1 x second floor twin
- Ground floor wet room with walk in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
- Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
- Kitchen/diner
- Sitting room with electric fire
- Gas central heating and electric fire
- Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, Smart TV, radio, Wifi
- Fuel and power inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Cot and highchair available
- Free roadside parking outside Greengate Close
- Lawned garden at the bottom of the close 100 yards away
- Two well behaved pets welcome
- Sorry, no smoking
- Shop and pub within 0.1 miles
- There are winding staircases in this property
- Some limited headspace when stepping into the first floor bathroom's bath and in the second floor bedroom, please mind your head
- The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here
The property
Resting within the culture-rich town of Kirkcudbright, close to the spectacular grounds of the National Trust for Scotland's Broughton House, is this characterful terraced cottage, Blue Door.
Offering accommodation for up to six guests, it makes a delightful choice for friends and families seeking a unique getaway to Scotland.
Formerly the home of stained glass artist E A Taylor and his wife, illustrator Jessie M King, you can expect to find plenty of unique artistic delights throughout the property.
Find the cottage tucked away down a quaint close, its name reflective of its entrance, where you will be welcomed into the hallway before stepping into the inviting kitchen/diner for a warming cup of tea.
Gather around the table and discuss an exciting itinerary for your stay, the surrounding units offering a charming farmhouse feel, as well as hosting a good range of appliances to assist you during your stay, including a dishwasher and a washer/dryer.
Move through into the sitting room, flicking on the electric fire in the winter months, and settle down onto the sofas, admiring the artwork on the walls that displays the creations of artists who have lived and worked in the area.
Also on the ground floor, you can find a convenient wet room, ideally placed for freshening up after a day of rambling, while the first floor will bring you to the family bathroom, where you can choose from a shower or a relaxing soak.
Find two of the bedrooms on the first floor, a double with its own en-suite cloakroom facilities and a twin, while the second floor hosts the final twin bedroom beneath the sloped ceilings of the cottage.
The property benefits from a lawned garden 100 yards away, where you can sit out and enjoy your morning coffee, taking in the views across the town as your canine companions stretch their legs.
The grounds of Broughton House lie within easy reach; its Japanese inspired garden is a true delight at any time of year, with a blend of Eastern and Western horticulture, while the house itself was once the Edwardian home and studio of Scottish artist E A Hornel, now presenting visitors with collections of art, ceramics, furniture and literature.
Be sure to explore the wonder of Kirkcudbright; hosting generations of painters, craft makers and artisans, it still boasts a rich cultural scene with excitement around every corner.
The town is home to a variety of shops, where you can pick up gifts for your loved ones back home, along with tempting eateries and delightful pubs.
Visit attractions such as the Stewartry Museum, as well as the picturesque park, swimming pool and tranquil marina, while the summer months boast even more entertainment, with a four-day Arts and Crafts Trail and Jazz Festival, a weekly Scottish night with pipe band and dancing, weekly town tours, farmer’s markets, a vintage car rally and so much more.
Walkers will delight in exploring the nearby Galloway Forest Park, as well as Barhill Wood, the perfect walking route for wildlife watchers, and the five-mile walk to the charming village of Dundrennan.
Here you will discover the ruins of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey, along with hill walking opportunities at Screel Hill and mountain adventures at Cairnsmore.
For those wanting to explore further afield, Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace can be found in the modest village of Ecclefechan; owned by the National Trust for Scotland, this historic gem houses objects and artefacts from the historian’s life, with books and reference texts of his wonderful workings.
Another nearby National Trust for Scotland delight can be found in the form of the Threave Garden & Estate, home to immaculate gardens boasting a plethora of wildlife, accompanied by an osprey platform where you can spot the soaring ospreys and even red kites and peregrine falcons, there’s plenty here to see, as well as the unique attraction of Scotland’s only Bat Reserve, making the perfect day out for the nature lover.
In reach of Newton Stewart and Dumfries too, there is so much adventure to uncover at Blue Door.
EPC Rating: Band D
Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: DG-01016-F
National Trust For Scotland
Whether searching for your next city to explore, or seeking a homely dwelling to relax in with your loved ones in rural surroundings, the wonderful collection of properties from National Trust for Scotland is sure to have something perfect for you. Discover the beauty of Scotland's two national parks and stunning countryside, with lots of properties catering to a wealth of outdoor pursuits to enjoy on your doorstep, with some featuring additional facilities for angling, field sports and cycling, making it easy to enjoy your stay to the fullest. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the lively city scenes of Scotland, with properties in and around Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow, all teeming with historic sites, beautiful architecture and plenty of entertainment. Being Scotland's largest conservation charity, National Trust for Scotland has been able to beautifully preserve and renovate many historic buildings to offer unique holiday locations. With over two-million visitors each year across twenty-seven castles and great houses, forty-six munros, thirty-five major gardens and designed landscapes, and seven national nature reserves, National Trust for Scotland has something for everyone. Each property is equipped with all you need for a self-catered stay, with kitchens complete with essential appliances and more, dining areas to come together for hearty meals, and many sitting rooms boasting open fires or woodburning stoves to settle down in front of, not to mention elegant bedrooms and sparkling bathrooms where you can feel refreshed. Bring your canine companion along with you to some of the properties, and keep up to date with the world via the WiFi connections offered in most cottages. With more and more people discovering the beauty and allure of Scotland every year, ensure your stay is special with a National Trust for Scotland cottage.
About the location
KIRKCUDBRIGHT
Dumfries 25 miles.
The historic and picturesque town of Kirkcudbright sits on the banks of the River Dee on the north Solway coast. Established as a Royal Burgh in 1455 this small port town has always been supported by a busy fishing trade and is home to a blue flag marina. Behind this working harbour, its wide streets and pastel-coloured houses, a mix of Georgian and Victorian town houses make for a very attractive town centre. Particular places of interest are the Tolbooth Museum, Broughton House and Gardens (National Trust for Scotland), the Stewartry Museum, MacLellan's Castle, and the newly refurbished town Art Gallery. Kirkcudbright is also known as the 'Artists' Town'. From the 1870s onwards the town has both produced and attracted a wide range of talented artists and crafts people, and there is a fine collection of art galleries and arts and crafts shops. If you want your holiday to include some breaks from cooking you will find plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from, including the historic Selkirk Arms Hotel, and, near the harbour, Polar Bites, a very good fish restaurant as well as being a takeaway. Throughout the summer the town organises a wide range of activities including the four day Arts and Crafts Trail, four-day Jazz Festival, a weekly Scottish night with pipe band and dancing (especially for children), weekly town tours, farmers markets, a vintage car rally... the list is endless. Visitors can also use the town's swimming pool, bowling club, golf club and tennis courts. Further afield there is the Galloway Activity Centre on beautiful Loch Ken, which offers a range of water sports, or perhaps best of all are the opportunities for walking, cycling, fishing, or just driving along the coasts and in the hills and valleys in some of Scotland's loveliest unspoilt scenery.
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas