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Welcome to Genoch Cottage, near the head of the Girvan Valley in South Ayrshire, a mile from the Galloway forest park in the Southern Uplands of Scotland.
Enjoy Scotland's Galloway Hills
If you need a break, this part of Scotland is truly lovely. The Galloway Hills are one of the most unspoilt corners of the UK - as beautiful and craggy as the Scottish Highlands, on a smaller scale. The river valley is full of walks, and Straiton is a centre for ramblers. As well as walking, there's mountain biking, fishing, and canoeing ... The sea - with sandy beaches, the lovely bluebell woods at Culzean Castle, and even the odd famous golf course - is only half an hour's drive away.
Lots of Space inside
This is a former shepherd's cottage which has been recently modernised by its current owners, Liffy Grant, a freelance editor, and her husband Jonathan Meuli, an artist. It not only has great views in every direction, but is light and spacious inside. There is a kitchen where you can sit down to breakfast, and a living dining room with an open log fire. At the other end of the house is a large studio/play room with a log-burning stove. Both the living room and the studio room have satellite TV and DVD player. There are two double bedrooms - one with views north and west across the valley, with french windows out onto wooden steps to the garden. The second is at the back, looking south up at the crags of Genoch Inner Hill. There is one twin bedroom, again with lovely views. There is an attic bedroom upstairs which children will love - it has a round window looking right out over the valley. It has a single bed, and just enough space for an additional Z-bed (provided) if required. Although there is plenty of accommodation, we must ask you to restrict the party to a maximum of eight. *Download a PDF plan of the cottage.*
WiFi broadband is installed. There is also a washing machine and tumble dryer. There is a phone (free calls to UK landlines) - but no mobile signal.
Lots of Space outside
Outside there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the country. There is a simply laid out garden (grass, heather and trees). (STOP PRESS December 2011: There was a trampoline - but there isn't any more - it blew over the fields and far away. Hopefully we will replace it when the weather gets better!) You can walk from the house, and join up with the local Straiton village path network. The area is also very good for biking - both mountain biking and touring.
Be aware
The last half-mile up to the cottage is along a rough and bumpy farm track. We manage this in a small Toyota Aygo, and you should be able to manage it in any normal saloon or hatchback, but please drive carefully, and don't attempt it in your Ferrari.
The cottage is in the middle of farmland. Lambs and calves in the spring, summer and autumn will delight most people, but may be a problem if you have a young and mischievous dog. The garden is fenced, but please ask our advice about whether to bring your pet.
Grassy meadows are very beautiful, but if you have a bad grass-pollen allergy, maybe Genoch isn't for you in the peak hay-fever season.
The cottage is on a private water supply, which is UV treated.
Places to go
Culzean Castle, jewel of the National Trust for Scotland, and its lovely Country Park
Turnberry Golf Course, a famous course by the sea, with beautiful views of Arran
The Galloway Forest, with the Galloway hills (Merrick is the highest mountain in Southern Scotland) - you can walk, climb, or bike there in beautiful remote wilderness. Also try the Galloway Forest Park website. See below for a list of walks in the Galloway hills, from the WalkHighlands website.
The Galloway Forest is also the first Dark Sky Park in the UK - in other words, possibly the best place in the country to stargaze
The 7 Stanes biking trails - Glentrool is the nearest centre, but there are many other trails nearby - try the VisitScotland list of bike trails in Southern Scotland - but have a map handy, as the list covers a big area.
Glentrool is also a lovely place to go for family walks - and there is a friendly visitor centre where you can have coffee or lunch (open April to October). There's also the nearby House o'Hill hotel (see below).
Ness Glen on the river Doon, for white-water kayaking, or sight-seeing on the spectacular gorge-side path.
Kayaking for all the family, as well as sailing, windsurfing, climbing, archery, laserquest ... can be had at the excellent Galloway Activity centre on Loch Ken.
Craigengillan estate - for riding and walking
Crossraguel Abbey, a 13th century ruin the children will love exploring
The newly opened Robert Burns museum in Alloway
Birdwatching, as the Ayrshire Birding website shows, can be great, just about anywhere in Ayrshire. Just start at the cottage where we have sighed many species ...
When you have tried the Straiton path network, you could try the paths around the village of Barr - and have a drink or a meal at the Kings Arms (see below).
Walking or cycling further afield? - try the Ayrshire Paths website for information on both.
Big walks in the Galloway Hills. The list below is taken from the award-winning WalkHighlands website: all include full mapping and GPS information, as well as photos and descriptions, and all are within easy reach of Genoch.
Shalloch-on-Minnoch and Kirrieroch Hill
Lamachan Hill and Curleywee
The Merrick, direct from Loch Trool
The Merrick via Loch Valley (slightly further and wilder)
The website lists several other, gentler, Glentrool trails.
For other Galloway Forest walks, we recommend Paddy Dillon's Walks in the Galloway Hills, published by Cicerone Guides.
Places to eat
Straiton has a café (The Buck) and a pub (The Black Bull), which both do good food. Further afield, try the following:
Great tearoom and/or an Inn at Kirkoswald - the House of Burns
Good food, friendly atmosphere by the sea - Wildings at the village of Maidens
Good restaurant, lovely gardens - also a coffee shop - the Brig o' Doon Hotel
Farm shop and restaurant near Turnberry - Dowhill Country Fayre
Farm shop and restaurant near Girvan - Woodland Farm
When you are exploring Barr, try a drink or a meal at the Kings Arms Hotel (01465 861 230).
If you are over Glentrool way, try the House o'Hill hotel - recently taken over, re-decorated, and with really good food
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