Auchenfad Cottage

Overview

It is situated in a peaceful location near to Auchenfad Farm which is 3 miles from the picturesque conservation village of New Abbey and 6 miles west of Dumfries on the A710, Solway Coast road. The cottage has been recently modernised and is centrally heated. The accommodation consists of 2 bedrooms, one with twin beds and one with a double bed and a set of bunks. A cot is available on request. All beds have duvets with freshly laundered covers and sheets and pillowcases are supplied. The bathroom has a toilet, wash basin, shaver point and bath. The dining/kitchen is fully equipped with cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery for six people. There is also an electric cooker, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, kettle, toaster, iron and ironing board. There is a pulley and an outside drying line also. The living room has a small colour TV/video. There is an electric fire but a coal fire can be lit if desired. A lockable shed is available for bicycles.

In the village of New Abbey there is the ruin of the 13th century Sweetheart Abbey and the 18th century working Corn Mill. Shambellie National Museum of Costume is also interesting to visit. Criffel, the highest of the coastal hills, and the the Waterloo Monument have spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the Lake District across the Solway. There is a shop/Post Office, two hotels offering bar lunches and evening meals and a pretty tea-room/craft shop next to the Abbey.

There are several Robert Burns attractions in Dumfries including his mausoleum, state, Burns' House, Burns' Centre and his 'local' The Globe Inn. Auchenfad Farm is adjacent to Mabie Forest where there are excellent walking and cycling routes and Mabie House Hotel for lunches and evening meal. Mabie Farm Park is very popular for children's activities.

Auchenfad Cottage is particularly suited to bird-watching as it is surrounded by fields and attractive habitat for all types of wildlife. Nearby we have the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust Reserve at Caerlaverock and the RSPB reserve at Mersehead. Historically the area is rich in tradition with 13rd century Threave Castle and NTS Threave Gardens, Drumlanrig Castle and Country Park and the 12th century Caerlaverock Castle and the John Paul Jones (founder of the US navy) Museum.

There is also a wealth of other opportunities for enjoying the great outdoors, golf, fishing, horse-riding and trekking and sailing are all within easy reach as are many of the attractive breaches round the coastline.