The Shack

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 benefits 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 are Pine Martins, Roe Deer, Badgers 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.

Around and about

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 10 mins 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 and has a beautiful 18 hole Golf Course now open to the public.

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.(please request)

Gatehouse of Fleet

The area is a golfer’s paradise with several courses within a ½ hours drive. These include the beautiful 9 hole Gatehouse course 5 mins 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.

The Cally Palace Hotel 18 hole course is now open to the public. This is less than a Km from The Shack.

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 20 mins 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.

There are 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.

The Wigtown Book Festival is on September 15 to October 4. Over 200 events, featuring guests like actor Sam Heughan, comedian Lucy Porter, and broadcaster Sophie Raworth.