The Shack
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About the home
The property was formerly a Forestry Commission Office and has been tastefully converted to a very attractive, cosy two double bed-roomed holiday home. This high standard innovative convertion was completed in August 2008. The main bedroom has en-suite bathroom with king size bed and the efficient underfloor heating throughout the property provides all year round comfort. The property is extremely light and airy as it benifits from south and west facing patio doors, with feature light shafts in the kitchen and living room. There is a modern well fitted kitchen with slate floor, where you can sit at the breakfast bar enjoying a wonderful view through the trees to the Galloway Hills or maybe spot a red squirrel leaping from tree to tree. As well as Red Squirrels there is Roe Deer and an abundance of bird life surrounding The Shack. During your stay we will provide a bag of feed for children (or adults) to feed the birds and squirrels.
In february the woods surrounding the Shack are covered with a carpet of snowdrops, making this a particular beautiful time of year to visit.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 5, 2 bedrooms |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | Sandgreen, 4km |
| Will consider: | Long lets Short breaks |
| Access: | Car advised Wheelchair access Nearest amenities: 1km |
| Family friendly? | Suitable for children of all ages Suitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | No pets allowed No smoking at this property Self-catering |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | DVD player |
|---|---|
| General: | Central heating, TV, CD player |
| Standard: | Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Clothes dryer, Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine |
| Rooms: | 2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms of which 1 family bathroom and 1 en suite |
| Furniture: | Double beds (2), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 5 |
| Other: | Linen and towels provided |
| Outdoors: | Balcony / Terrace, Private garden |
| Access: | Wheelchair friendly, Parking space |
Further details indoors:
The light and airy living room has a very comfortable leather 3 piece suite where you can sit and enjoy the views through the trees to the Galloway hills.There is also a dining suite in the living room. The living room and bedrooms have oak floors with slate in the kitchen and bathrooms. There is a folding bed that can be used in the second bedroom or possibly in the living room. Luxury bed linen and towelling are provided. A fresh coffee machine with built in grinder has been added to the well equipped kitchen.
Further details outdoors:
There is a stone flagged patio to take morning coffee on or decking/balcony to take afternoon tea or an evening drink using the wrought iron garden furniture. In February the forest floor is carpeted with snowdrops and in May with bluebells. There is a large garden surrounding the property where you can enjoy outdoor dining using the gas BBQ. The outdoor shed can be locked for storing bikes and fishing tackle. There is a wheelchair ramp from the parking area to the front door. The garden is now fenced in with double gates giving more secure onsite parking and allowing children to roam without getting onto the road.
Further details
Welcome pack provided. Discount available for 2 week bookings. For families with young children we can provide a baby pack (on request) Including travelling cot, nappy pack, potty etc to save on the packing.
Conditions
Strictly no smoking except on the balcony.
If the booking is made prior to eight weeks of the letting a rental deposit of 25% of the rental sum is to be forwarded with your booking form. The remaining balance of the rental sum is due six weeks prior to the letting.
The Dumfries and Galloway region
The Shack is a ideal base for some beautiful beaches and coastline within a 10mins drive. There are some fantastic activities for all the family, only a walk or short drive away. These include riding,archery, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, sailing and you are on the doorstep of the 7stanes cycle routes. Or if you enjoy a more gentle ride or walk you can go the 2-3 miles past the Cally Palace Hotel to Sandgreen with its wonderful beach, or continue to Carrick Bay and along to Ardwell Island.
There are some pleasant signed walks in the forest adjacent to the Shack. In february the woods are carpeted with snow drops and in May with bluebells. The area has some beautiful cycle routes. Route 7 runs through the forest.
Gatehouse of Fleet is only a 10mins walk. This is a beautiful village with 4 pubs/hotels that offer a selection of good food with varying price ranges. The 4* Cally Palace Hotel is just 0.5km away.
The Shack is on the edge of the recently established Dark Sky Park. The first in Europe and one of only five in the world.
The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) awards deserving parks around the world the status of Dark Sky Park. They define a dark sky park as: “a park possessing exceptional starry night skies and natural nocturnal habitat where light pollution is mitigated and natural darkness is valuable as an important educational, cultural, scenic, and natural resource”.
In a city you might see only a few dozen of the brightest stars, in Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, on a clear night, you will be dazzled by thousands of stars.
Why not book a winter break and explore the heavens as few see them. We will provide you with the Stargazers Welcome pack telling what to see and the best places to see them.
The Gatehouse Of Fleet area
The area is a golfer’s paradise with several courses within a ½ hours drive. These include the beautiful 9 hole Gatehouse course 5mins away and 18 hole courses at Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and New Galloway and of course Turnberry is only an 1 ½ hour away.
Kirkcudbright (Scotland's art town)with its art galleries, castle and harbour is only 15mins away and Castle Douglas ( food town) with it interesting shops, Thrieve Castle and gardens, is 20mins away. If you head away from the coast into the Galloway Hills there is sailing and fishing on Loch Ken and walking and cycling in the Forest and hills.
Being washed by the Gulf Stream the area is home to some stunning gardens the most well known being the Logan Botannical Gardens.
The well known Galloway ice cream farm is a 5min drive away and the many other local attractions include the Chocolate Factory/Workshop and Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park. The Laurieston Red Kite feeding station is only a short scenic drive away.
WHAT'S ON
Sept 4th to 19th, Dumfries & Galloway's first region-wide celebration of food.
Wigton Book Festival: Sept. 24th - 3rd Oct. 2010. Appearances by Martin Bell and Barbara Dickson plus many others.
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
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| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | Glasgow: 100 km |
| Railway: | Dumfries: 30 km |
| Ferry: | Stranrear: 60 km |
The property is situated on the outskirts of Gatehouse of Fleet. It is 5mins off the A75 Greta green to Stranraer road, approx 1hr. drive from both Carlisle and Stranrear.
Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are within a 2 hour drive. Glasgow Prestwick, www.gpia.co.uk - Ryan air, & others
Glasgow International, www.glasgowairport.com - Easy jet, BA etc.
Belfast City, www.belfastcityairport.com - Stranraer/Belfast ferry
Belfast International, www.belfastairport.com - Stranraer/Belfast ferry
Activities near Gatehouse Of Fleet
Tennis in town
Watersports
Horse Riding
Golf less than 15 mins walk
Fishing
Walking holidays
Rural / countryside retreats
Beach or lakeside relaxation
Cycling holidays
Reviews
 01 Jan 2012 |
If you want a quiet peacefull clean tidy and very well stocked place to stay then this is for you, where the only noise comes from the visits of many species of birds and the amazing family of Red Squirrels who tend to visit early morning to make breakfast a pleasure.The Shack is surrounded by awesome scenery and the local towns have all the amenities you could ask for. This was our 2nd stay at the Shack and out 5th or 6th to the area and its only our second stay because we only found it 2 years ago |
10 Sep 2011 |
Fabulous very well equipped accommodation with the added bonus of red squirrels visiting on the decking every day, together with an abundance of birds flying in to feed on the nuts the owners kindly... more |
09 Jul 2011 |
We absolutely loved this place - what a wonderful week. There were just two of us that stayed and it was more than adequate for us. We had everything that we needed - the bed was comfy, the shower... more |
Guestbook for The Shack
If you want to see pure unadulterated joy try a three year old flying a kite on Mossyard beach for the first time, or a one year old exploring the sand. We loved Threive Castle – what a surprise to see Ospreys so clearly!
The Shack is one of the few places which improve on a return visit. We’ll be back
With thanks
Ben, Sue, Tim and Noah Crompton
July2010
The Shack is Just Perfect!! We’ve had a lovely time. What an amazing place to walk, run and relax.
A must see for anyone is the red kite, a real joy
Many thanks
Mack and Harley July 2010
A great place to stay. Very warm and cosy, even on a frosty morning.
Enjoyed Raiders Road forest drive, the fungi was amazing. Kiroughtree centre trails and Port Patrick were great. Hope to be back again soon. To visit more wonderful places
Beryl and James, Oct 2010-
We have had a lovely stay in this beautiful location. The Shack is perfect and very comfortable. Gatehouse of Fleet is such a nice village with everything you need on hand. We enjoyed days out the highlight being the kite feeding station.
There is so much to do around here yet it has been very relaxing. We would recommend this to anyone and can’t wait to return. Thank you for this special base for our holiday. Also the wildlife here is amazing. We specially enjoyed the cheeky nuthatch that kept pinching the monkey nuts
Nicola & Phil Oct 2010
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: British £ | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 5 | ||||||
| Period | From | To | Weekly | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| 7 Jan 12 | 1 Apr 12 | £ 350 | - | - | 1 Week | |
| 1 Apr 12 | 8 Jul 12 | £ 395 | - | - | 1 Week | |
| 8 Jul 12 | 2 Sep 12 | £ 495 | - | - | 1 Week | |
| 2 Sep 12 | 4 Nov 12 | £ 395 | - | - | 1 Week | |
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Short stays (minimum 3 nights, except for peak periods which include Christmas and new year) are available please contact the owners! 3 day weekend break at £240.00 for 4 people £220.00 for 2 people. 3 day midweek break at £220.00. Christmas and New Year rates include special festive.welcome pack.with christmas tree and decorations (but not compulsory)
If we can assist with any arrangements to help make your stay more enjoyable please let us know.
Winter rates are £320 for 2 people £350 for 4 people
A total discount of £100 for 2 week bookings.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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Contact the owner
* Required fields Please check the following errors: | 3 years listed You are contacting Bryan Donnelly
Languages spoken   The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2008. This cottage has received 5 reviews from previous guests.  |
