Craigrobin holiday cottage – Barmurrie Farm, Balmaclellan

■ Luxury down on the farm

By Karen Carruth

When exploring a new area, it is comforting to have recommended accommodation for a base.

Craigrobin is a four-star traditional holiday cottage which comfortably sleeps seven, set in 225 acres of Barmurrie Farm, Balmaclellan, which farms 200 ewes, 50 suckler cows, plus hens for free range eggs, and outdoor pigs. Glorious walks, free range food available, pet’s corner and trout fishing are all at hand.

Gillian and Mark Smith and their four children own the cottage, which is just across the road from their farm, and it has proved to be a labour of love for the couple, who found that there was far more work involved than the original survey found, however, their hard work was rewarded when they were awarded four-stars by Visit Scotland.

As with all diversifications, it was a steep learning curve for the Smiths, starting with having to self fund the project.

The hands-on DIY work involved, the admin needed to keep on top of bookings and the very busy Saturday changeover day (24 pillowcases at a time, says Gillian) and the upkeep of the cottage’s garden, (Gillian has over-ruled her husband’s suggestion of sticking a ewe in the garden to sort the grass out). Finally, they are now beginning to feel they are getting on top of what it takes to run a holiday home, and if the bookings for Craigrobin continue to expand, they will look into converting some other buildings for holiday lets.

The cottage comfortably sleeps seven, it has two large bedrooms upstairs with en-suite facilities, with spectacular views over hills and farmland, downstairs there is a lovely light double bedroom, again with stunning views (including the farm’s llamas).

A large kitchen with all mod cons, a huge oak table which seats eight people in the dining room and a spacious lounge with a cosy woodburner. Children, horses, and as many dogs as you like, are all welcome at Craigrobin, with only the animals being expected to sleep at the farm in the evening.

Gillian says: “Children love it here, apart from the outdoor toys we have in the garden, we have a pet’s corner with rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and pet lambs, which all love being petted, along with waterfowl, ducks, geese, swans etc, and if mum and dad are nature lovers we have amazing walks which take you past the duck and trout pond, where there are red kites breeding, and this year we have barnacle geese and curlews.”

You won’t be bored at Craigrobin, there is bike storage for the cyclists, and they offer guests the chance to go fly fishing, and of course, there is the farm to explore.

Says Gillian: “It has brought a new dimension to the farm, we are meeting lots of nice people, and it is rewarding to see the young kids going on pony rides which they have never done before, and we try to make everyone feel welcome by providing a welcome pack with our own eggs and bacon, and guests can buy free range eggs, pork and chicken – during the summer there are vegetables that can be bought as well. There is a massive garden for the kids to play in at Craigrobin and it is very safe.”


What’s nearby

The cottage is located in beautiful grounds, with a tree lined drive with unspoiled landscape towards the Rhinns of Kells. If the weather is favourable there are barbeque facilities in the garden, and if you want to venture further it is ideally located for a day out at Cream ‘O Galloway and nearby Castle Douglas, as well as other activities such as water skiing and sailing, wind surfing at Loch Ken which is just two miles away, mounting biking, rock climbing, horse riding, fishing and golf.

Dumfries and Galloway has countless castles and gardens, and two hundred miles of coastline with some of the best beaches in Scotland. Don’t forget there is a chocolate factory nearby which will keep everyone happy on a rainy day.

www.craigrobin.co.uk

Tel. 01644 420249

When exploring a new area, it is comforting to have recommended accommodation for a base.

Craigrobin is a four-star traditional holiday cottage which comfortably sleeps seven, set in 225 acres of Barmurrie Farm, Balmaclellan, which farms 200 ewes, 50 suckler cows, plus hens for free range eggs, and outdoor pigs. Glorious walks, free range food available, pet’s corner and trout fishing are all at hand.

Gillian and Mark Smith and their four children own the cottage, which is just across the road from their farm, and it has proved to be a labour of love for the couple, who found that there was far more work involved than the original survey found, however, their hard work was rewarded when they were awarded four-stars by Visit Scotland.

As with all diversifications, it was a steep learning curve for the Smiths, starting with having to self fund the project.

The hands-on DIY work involved, the admin needed to keep on top of bookings and the very busy Saturday changeover day (24 pillowcases at a time, says Gillian) and the upkeep of the cottage’s garden, (Gillian has over-ruled her husband’s suggestion of sticking a ewe in the garden to sort the grass out). Finally, they are now beginning to feel they are getting on top of what it takes to run a holiday home, and if the bookings for Craigrobin continue to expand, they will look into converting some other buildings for holiday lets.

The cottage comfortably sleeps seven, it has two large bedrooms upstairs with en-suite facilities, with spectacular views over hills and farmland, downstairs there is a lovely light double bedroom, again with stunning views (including the farm’s llamas).

A large kitchen with all mod cons, a huge oak table which seats eight people in the dining room and a spacious lounge with a cosy woodburner. Children, horses, and as many dogs as you like, are all welcome at Craigrobin, with only the animals being expected to sleep at the farm in the evening.

Gillian says: “Children love it here, apart from the outdoor toys we have in the garden, we have a pet’s corner with rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and pet lambs, which all love being petted, along with waterfowl, ducks, geese, swans etc, and if mum and dad are nature lovers we have amazing walks which take you past the duck and trout pond, where there are red kites breeding, and this year we have barnacle geese and curlews.”

You won’t be bored at Craigrobin, there is bike storage for the cyclists, and they offer guests the chance to go fly fishing, and of course, there is the farm to explore.

Says Gillian: “It has brought a new dimension to the farm, we are meeting lots of nice people, and it is rewarding to see the young kids going on pony rides which they have never done before, and we try to make everyone feel welcome by providing a welcome pack with our own eggs and bacon, and guests can buy free range eggs, pork and chicken – during the summer there are vegetables that can be bought as well. There is a massive garden for the kids to play in at Craigrobin and it is very safe.”


What’s nearby

The cottage is located in beautiful grounds, with a tree lined drive with unspoiled landscape towards the Rhinns of Kells. If the weather is favourable there are barbeque facilities in the garden, and if you want to venture further it is ideally located for a day out at Cream ‘O Galloway and nearby Castle Douglas, as well as other activities such as water skiing and sailing, wind surfing at Loch Ken which is just two miles away, mounting biking, rock climbing, horse riding, fishing and golf.

Dumfries and Galloway has countless castles and gardens, and two hundred miles of coastline with some of the best beaches in Scotland. Don’t forget there is a chocolate factory nearby which will keep everyone happy on a rainy day.

www.craigrobin.co.uk

Tel. 01644 420249