School Holidays 2017 Cottages In Dumfries And Galloway

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  the whole cottage needs a thorough clean and furnishings very old and worn .When we arrived Mr Sinclair was just coming out of the cottage saying the TV wasn't working and he would be back. He did return a few minutes later and sat in the room trying to fix the TV. What a start to our holiday trying to unpack with a stranger sat there. The bathroom door wouldn't open properly, old rusty bin, light over mirror not working, heater in bathroom full of dust, old rusty tin of air fresher, shower screen on bath had black mould along the bottom. The kitchen had dirty cutlery trays and all utensils in them were very old. cupboard handle broken, dead beetle between the melamine plates, spider and web in a cup. No icebox in fridge so Mr Sinclair said to use the freezer where the dogs were kept in a separate outhouse which was disgracefully dirty. We were told not to shut the curtain in the hallway as the rail was broken. This meant when we left the bedroom to use the bathroom, we were on view up the lane. The single beds were very hard with child size quilts. furniture old, random old xmas decorations etc in draws which needed cleaning out. The carpets and flooring all needs changing as it is so old. there were dozens of flies every day due to the cottage facing the horse stables. We bought fly killer and were constantly spraying them. My partner honestly thought I was going to say " take me home" but because he had booked it for my Birthday I tried to make the best of it. We left 2 leg rest from our reclining sunchairs in the cottage shed by mistake, and after a call to them the day after our return, the daughter said she would get Mrs Sinclair to ring me. I have a friend in Ayr and though I could collect them when visiting my friend later in the year but I haven't had a call back and that was a week ago. I would have contacted you before now regarding how upsetting and disappointing our holiday accommodation was but I am just recovering from Covid and haven't been up to writing. On a positive note, we loved the areas of Rockcliffe and Kippford and would like to see other areas of Scotland. Baring in mind our bad experience at Tumbling Banks would the company give us some form of compensation for not only how upset we were but also for such poor accommodation as we would use Discover Scotland again but would suggest you think twice about using this accommodation to future clients in its present state. Kind regards, Susan Harwood

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• Laura Slaven - Verified booking

  We had a truly wonderful stay at Airds of Kells House. The location is fantastic - perfect for exploring all that Dumfries and Galloway has to offer, as well as being surrounded by countryside views. My kids had such fun running wild in the grounds. We even saw deer on arrival (though they didn't return during our stay). The pheasants kept us all amused with their crazy running, though they were a little overwhelming for the dogs when outside (on leads). The house itself is really well equipped, with an abundance of crockery and tableware in the kitchen. We cooked the most delicious Easter roast in the rayburn. The bedrooms are also well appointed, we loved finding a torch in each for nighttime (or possible powercuts, but this didn't happen) - a nice touch. The beds and pillows are comfortable, with good quality linen and towels provided, and so much space for everyone. Additionally, the bathrooms are lovely, with plenty of hot water to go round. It's obvious the house is well loved and it is decorated to a high standard. If I had one minor comment, it would be that the rugs in the kitchen could do with non-slip backing, as we went skidding on them a few times! The only room we didn't use was the dining room (except to hide eggs for the Easter egg hunt), as the dining space in the kitchen was more than adequate for the 6 of us. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this property :)

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• Jesse - Verified booking

  Charming little period cottage owned and recently renovated by NTS (free entry to beautiful Threave Gardens).

  Great location for Rockcliffe, nicely set back from the popular beach, with its own private parking next to the cottage. Two small bedrooms upstairs are bright and cosy. Mattresses and pillows could use covers as another reviewer pointed out six months ago. Small bathroom downstairs (steep staircase) with good shower, separate bathtub, toilet, heated towel rail and one tiny sink. Sitting room downstairs is a bit pokey. Well-equipped kitchen has more light and brand new good quality appliances. Oil-fired central heating throughout on a timer. There's an open lawn in front with partial views of coast and a small front patio with a wooden picnic table, four wooden chairs and a large parasol for those Scottish al fresco meals. There's nothing in the way of shops or tearooms in Rockcliffe, just a Mr Whippy van during the day, but there's a Londis convenience shop in nearby Colvend. A delightful 30-minute walk through NTS woods takes you to the little seaside resort of Kippford with a tearoom, pub and yachting club. A beautiful path going the other direction hugs the coast and takes you to a stunning viewpoint in half a mile and continues for another four miles to the sandy beaches of Sandyhills (a bus connects the two villages).

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• Antony - Verified booking

  The cottage, it's location and grounds are lovely and some of the facilities (kitchen/diner and bathroom; except for ridiculously small sink) are good, but it is badly let down by the contents - or rather the lack of them.

  No spare bedding or blankets (or cot); nothing between the sheet and the very cheap mattress through which you could feel the springs and is unhygienic; no hair-dryer; no ordnance survey/walking maps; no suitable drying area or muddy shoe/boot racks. Kitchen poorly supplied: we have never stayed in any self-catering accommodation that did not supply even a few basics - salt, pepper, cooking/olive oil, no hand-wash in the cottage and no welcome supplies. A dishwasher but no salt or rinse aid, even in the machine. The grounds should have been mown and cleared on change-over day between 10am and 5pm, not spoiling our peace on a lovely sunny Tuesday afternoon (and making my hayfever flare up!). Despite all this we enjoyed our week in Rockcliffe with its wonderful walking, but would recommend that anyone visiting should take as many provisions as they can fit in their car - assuming that you are not travelling from abroad!

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• Confirmed Guest - Verified booking

  We really enjoyed our stay in Fish House as it was the perfect property for a restful and relaxing holiday. Spotlessly clean, the house was beautifully furnished and extremely well equipped - the best I have ever stayed in. There were lots of thoughtful little touches, including much appreciated nightlights and even a picnic set! The generous welcome pack was a real treat and made us feel at home from the moment we stepped through the door. The terrace and garden were a real bonus and made it easy to relax and unwind. Kirkcudbright itself is a real gem and we would recommend the art gallery, which boasts a really excellent collection of paintings and ceramics. Rock life and Dhoon beaches are also well worth a visit. I would recommend this property without hesitation.

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