Email
Airds Farm enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Castle Douglas
Enjoying
a picturesque location above Crossmichael, near Castle Douglas in Dumfries
& Galloway (South West Scotland), Airds Farm offers quality bed &
breakfast & self-catering holiday accommodation at reasonable prices.
Our farmhouse, a traditional stone-built Galloway farmhouse, sympathetically developed into a 3 star guesthouse and attached 3 star self-catering cottage. We also offer Airdsmill, a 4 star self catering house converted recently from a water mill and sleeping up to 8.
Airds Farm is an ideal base for a holiday or short break in south west scotland.
Airds Farm Accommodation
Bed and breakfast
Airds Farm offers reasonably priced bed & breakfast accommodation
in scenic Dumfries & Galloway. Relax in our comfortable conservatory
and let your stresses and cares disappear. A holiday or short break at
Airds at any time of year is a tonic to the system.
More effective than any medication, the peace and tranquility of this unique place won't fail to influence your well-being, and the friendly welcome you receive will instantly make you feel at home. An ideal base for long or short breaks in the under-appreciated scenic beauty of Dumfries and Galloway, Airds will suit both the active holidaymaker or those who wish simply to relax.
Indoors, comfortable centrally heated with colour TV and tea/coffee making facilities enable you to unwind at the end of the day. En-suite twin and family rooms are available and standard rooms, all of which have a wash basin, share a bathroom with bath and electric shower.
Airds is non-smoking within all buildings. All room rates include breakfast with choice of cereals, fruit juices and locally-sourced, traditional cooked fare as required.
After recent changes and refurbishment, all our double, twin and family rooms rooms have en-suite facilities and south-facing views. (Our single room has the benefit of private facilities adjacent). All rooms now have digital colour TVs with Freeview, tea/coffee facilities and hair dryers.
Heating by radiators is thermostatically controlled for the comfort of guests, and beds are provided with duvets. (Extra blankets are also supplied in rooms should you require them.) Access to rooms is possible at all times (though we request that you vacate them by 10am to allow for servicing) and a key to the main door enables late return.
The quiet location of Airds Farm will ensure you have a relaxing stay and a peaceful night's sleep.
If you're lucky enough to get the window table, the view over the loch and Galloway hills will delight you as you enjoy your breakfast. Many species of small garden birds will be observed feeding from our bird table just outside. If you're very lucky, a red squirrel might just show up.
It's hard to beat the view from our conservatory while you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee on arrival. Many of our guests enjoy relaxing here in the evenings rather than watching television - the sight of Buzzards, Red Kites and other birds wheeling in the sky is much more rewarding. Guests may also enjoy the comfortable seating in our TV lounge with Freeview digital TV.
Transportation Facilities
· Private Car Space
· Free Parking On-Site
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted within the guest house.
Pet Policy
Dogs (or other pets) may be brought to Airds but are not allowed within
the house (except guide dogs). Where dogs are brought the following conditions
must be met.
1. They should be well behaved and under control at all times and do
not represent a risk or annoyance to the proprietor and his staff, other
customers and visitors.
2. Dogs should be kept on a lead and under control within the steading
and within the proximity of poultry or other animals.
If there is any likelihood that dogs left in vehicles or trailers overnight may bark due to unfamiliar surroundings, presence of persons or other dogs (including the proprietor's dogs) or any other reason, the vehicle or trailer in which they are housed should be parked in the lower car park to avoid disturbance to other customers.
Areas of open land and woodland are available in the near vicinity upon which dogs may be allowed to run, subject only to a duty of care in respect to stock that may be present in adjacent fields.
Safety
Airds Farmhouse is situated within the Airds Farm steading and although
many of the buildings are no longer used for agricultural purposes, farm
activities are still carried out to a limited extent. The garden to the
house that is available for customers' enjoyment, is steep in places and
includes steps and a pond.
For safety reasons the following rules should be observed: -
· Children should be kept under supervision at all times.
· Buildings, barns sheds etc. must not be entered.
· Where tractor operations are in progress keep well clear of the
area.
· Where stock handling operations are in progress ensure a safe
distance is kept.
. Keep well away from cattle in fields unless you have experience of farming.
In particular dogs must not be allowed to run free around stock of any
sort.
Cows with young calves at foot are a particular hazard and must not be approached. It is entirely the customer's responsibility to ensure that he/she and all members of his/her party are aware of these risks and the Owner shall not accept any liability for loss or injury occasioned by failure to observe the foregoing.
Disability Legislation
Pre-existing conditions, such as winding stairs and narrow passageways
do not allow us to cater for all types of disabilities.
It is the responsibility of the customer to notify the proprietor of any special access or other needs so that they may be advised of any unavoidable limitations or restrictions affecting their stay. The proprietor will make every effort to provide whatever assistance and support is required by customers.
Carbon Footprint
At Airds we're fully committed to reducing our carbon footprint and have
had a full-scale audit carried out by specialists from the Crichton Carbon
Center. Some of the programmes we operate to reduce carbon emissions are
as follows:
Low energy lighting - most of the luminaires we use are
of the low energy type. We've even fitted out our new self-catering house
with LED ceiling lamps in all rooms.
Heating - We've installed a ground source heat pump to
provide heating and hot water for our new house. We also have log-burning
stoves in our own private accommodation and in our new self-catering house
also.
Recycling - We re-cycle most materials such as glass,
plastic, metal cans paper etc. and have fitted out an out-building to
use as a store
Energy-saving - We specify and use energy-efficient appliances
wherever possible.
Activities and Attractions
Visitors of all types are welcome at Airds. 6 acres of woodland
and grass are available exclusively for recreation by guests while a further
53 acres are let to adjacent farms for grazing of cattle and sheep.
Red kites can be watched wheeling in the sky while you enjoy a hearty breakfast or with luck, our regular visiting greater spotted woodpecker may be seen.
Group bookings
We can help organise an unforgettable experience by arranging transport,
meals and entertainment at local venues. Groups of up to 8 to 10 people
can enjoy a holiday in the farmhouse and up to 13 persons can stay in
our two self-catering houses adjacent, all subject to availability.
Meals can be arranged just a short distance away in our local public house, the Thistle Inn, whose resident chef Nicos will provide traditional Scottish or Greek food to delight your palate. Alternatively, a wide choice of cuisine can be found in Castle Douglas (Scotland's Food Town), or one of the outlying towns or villages.
Why not take advantage of the scenic countryside and quite roads in this under-appreciated part of south west Scotland, to de-stress and celebrate with your friends or relatives? Early booking is advisable, however.
Walks
A sunlit track somewhere in the Galloway forest near Bennan viewpoint
is typical of the many hundreds of miles of forest roads to be found in
the region.
Deer, a common sight if care is taken to walk quietly. Red Kites are also frequently seen and occasionally, a golden eagle. Most of the forest trails are not way-marked, but are freely accessible to walkers.
One can walk for many miles through forest and over cleared land without meeting a soul, so do keep some emergency provisions with you. A small torch, some chocolate or other sustenance and a compass are recommended. Suitable clothing is also essential.
Genealogy
As part of our service to visitors, we offer assistance to those who are
in the process of tracing their ancestors where there is a connection
with Airds or Crossmichael. The following information is available free
of charge to our guests:-
· Details of local organizations which are able to provide advice
and assistance
· Locations of reference documents useful in tracing family history
· Contact information for others known to be researching related
subjects
· Details of known occupants and owners of land of Airds at Crossmichael
The church
The Parish of Crossmichael is recorded as far back as the 12th century.
A building was believed to be present prior to 1547 as the earliest tombstone
in the churchyard is dates thus. The present building dates from 1751,
but includes the round tower of earlier date.
Some evidence suggests that the round tower was built around 1611 by Sir Robert Gordon of Kenmure. The date on the bell (1611) tends to confirm this.
Biking trails
Dalbeattie is only a 15 minute drive from Airds Farm and is becoming recognized
as one of the foremost mountain biking courses in the UK. All grades of
skill are catered for, from relaxed to suicidal.
We can provide secure storage for your bike plus washing facilities. The nearest gardens to airds farm is Threave gardens just outside Castle Douglas.
Gardens
Logan Botanical Gardens in the Rhins of Galloway, near Port Logan include
many species of semi-tropical plants. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the gardens
enjoy a mild and temperate climate.
Castles
Threave Castle sits on an island in the river Dee about 2 miles from the
town that bears its name. The castle, which is owned by Historic Scotland
is reached only by boat. Caerlaverock Castle is situated south of Dumfries
and is well worth a visit.
Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura
A treasure house of history, Dumfries Museum tells the story of the land
and people of Dumfries and Galloway. Look out for fossil footprints left
by prehistoric animals, the wildlife of the Solway, tools and weapons
of our earliest people, stone carvings by Scotland's first Christians
and the everyday things of the Victorian farm, workshop and home.
The Camera Obscura, installed in 1836, is on the top floor of the old windmill tower. From it you can see a fascinating panoramic view of Dumfries and the surrounding countryside. A unique experience. Museum trails and fun activities, visitor information and shop with unusual and nostalgic toys, gifts and pocket money buys.
Dalbeattie Museum
Another most interesting museum is the voluntary-run Dalbeattie Museum
which holds many items of Victorian origin. The story of the town's connection
with the RMS Titanic is also covered.
Aviation Museum
Kids of all ages will enjoy a visit to the Dumfries Aviation Museum which
has an interesting collection of aircraft and aviation artifacts.
DIRECTIONS
You're two minutes away from relaxing in comfort after a long
journey when you see our sign on the A713 just north of Crossmichael,
3 miles out of Castle Douglas.
WARNING SAT-NAV Users should note that when travelling from Gretna their equipment is liable to route them via minor roads adding to their journey time. We recommend that an intermediate destinations such as Dumfries is programmed in, bearing in mind, however, that the town is bypassed by remaining on the A75T.
Getting there from the Information Centre:
Starting from the car park, exit into King Street, turning left. Passing
through the town centre, turn right at clock tower into A713 signposted
Ayr.
Continue for 3.5 miles passing through the village of Crossmichael then take the farm road first on right, about 500m after leaving the village. Follow the farm road until the second cattle grid is crossed. You are then within the farmstead.
Getting There by Car:
From the A75T Gretna to Stranraer road take the turn-off adjacent to Castle
Douglas on to the A713, following the signs for Ayr. Continue for 3.5
miles passing through the village of Crossmichael then take the farm road
first on right (B&B sign), about 500m after leaving the village.
Follow the farm road until the second cattle grid is crossed. You are then within the farmstead. When arriving from the north via the A713, pass through the village of Parton, then continue for about 4 miles when the farm road will be seen on the left, signed Airds Farm B&B.
Getting There by Railway:
To Dumfries station.
Getting there by Aeroplane:
To Glasgow Prestwick or Glasgow International.
Email Airds Farm enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
