Email
Chipperkyle enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Castle Douglas
A
family home that has been updated into one of the finest bed and breakfast
Country Houses in Scotland without losing the original character of the
house.
Scottish Country House Bed and Breakfast at its best. Set in 200 acres of farmland, this is an unusual house as it has no later additions and has the original washhouses, farmyard and 'doocot' at the back.The garden still has potential and the hens, cats, dogs, pet lambs and donkeys enjoy life here.
Within just a few miles from our luxury B&B there are historic towns, fantastic walks, great biking, wonderful wildlife, creative arts, moving music and safe beaches all set amidst stunning scenery willing to be painted. Willie and Catriona can point you in any direction your interests lie. You can eventually come home and relax by the fire, read, chat, walk up the hill following our wildlife route or even play tennis in the old kitchen garden.
Chipperkyle Accommodation
We only offer two of the bedrooms at Chipperkyle, they are both large and comfortable with private bathrooms. Both bedrooms have super comfortable beds and are light and sunny with wonderful views, good books and Tivoli radios.
Many of our guests say how much they enjoy their stay without a television but if there is something you would like to watch do let us know.
Prepare yourself for an indulgent day out in this quiet, rural and varied part of Scotland where the roads are clear, parking is free and the people take time to stop and talk. You really can have it all staying at Chipperkyle (4 star) luxury bed and breakfast in Dumfries and Galloway.
Double Bedroom
Huge super-comfortable double 6 foot wide bed with his and her sides of
the mattress. Egyptian cotton linen, soft, warm goose-down duvet and pillows
and hot blankets to turn on if needed.
You will be offered tea in the drawing room upon arrival but can help yourself to different types of tea and coffee in your room, fresh milk provided any time.
There are two chairs from which to listen to the radio. Books and magazines abound but best of all there is peace all around. This warm bathroom is known as Paradise bathroom and I hope you will agree. Wallow in the luxurious bath filled with smellies or share your shower - it is more than big enough; you do not have to share your basin though, there is one each. This paradise has plenty of room for a cot.
Twin Bedroom
There were 8 of these iron beds in the house but the horsehair mattresses
had got a bit lumpy. We had difficulty finding these Scottish, extra-wide
3'6"new mattresses but are very pleased with them. Lovely Egyptian
cotton linen, goose-down duvets and pillows make them cosy and luxy to
sink into even without the hot blankets switched on.
Tea and coffee are on a tray, with fresh milk on call, but we always offer tea in the drawing room upon arrival. Relax and sit in the two chairs, listen to the radio, flick through the books and magazines or watch the cattle and sheep in the fields. You may even hear the owls hooting or see the swallows arriving back.
If you open your door and take one step you will be at your bathroom. We have kept the old bath, which has an unusual plug system, but is just the right size to get your shoulders under the bubbly water and spend time reading, with masses of hot water to top up. There is also a shower.
Drawing Room and Dining Room.
However we have a large drawing room and dining room that is
just for our guests. An arch separates these two rooms that means you
could use the table while your other half lounges by the fire!
It also makes the dining room less formal and more part of every day life. The family pictures all have a story to tell, there may be a jigsaw going on, books to browse and inform, maps for planning, an oak floor with rugs, sofas to sink into and logs by the fire for you to throw on. Everything you need to feel at home.
Breakfast is served in the dining room, at a time to suit you, using local and home made ingredients. These rooms are west facing and are often flooded with sun so much so that we have to pull down the blinds, would you believe it in a Scottish home?
There is a secure bike lock-up with hose wash and Free WiFi access.
Your hosts
Catriona and Willie Dickson enjoy having guests to stay at their B&B
and think that a good welcome and making you feel at home is what it is
all about. They have a wide range of interests. Catriona can direct you
in the horticultural and artistic side of life and Willie the geographical,
especially Scotland.
They are keen to share what both the local area and Scotland have to offer. Why stay in impersonal Dumfries Hotels when all your wishes are preempted here?
Activities and Attractions
You are free to wander outside where you wish and we can give you a farm
plan with wildlife info for a short route up the hill with glorious views
of the Galloway countryside and over to the Lake District - ideal before
breakfast.
Snowdrops festival
Over 60 events arranged to give you a chance to see and learn about the
huge variety of wildlife in this area which is already well known for
birds,salmon,natterjack toads, otters, geese, swans,kites and much more.
Not always necessary to book.
Newton Stewart Walking Festival
Over 27 guided walks over the 7 days. This is more than a walk in the
hills or along the coast or amongst wonderful woodlands; this is a complete
Walkfest experience for all abilities.
The natural beauties of the area, the high granite mountains of the Galloway Hills, the Galloway Forest Park - the UK's largest forest park, the Solway coast and the tranquil freshwater lochs are all easily accessible. Beaches are well worth searching out as many offer warm, safe bathing.
Dumfries and Galloway can be enjoyed either on foot, by bicycle or by car, there are some lovely walks around the varied coastline and when the tide is out you can walk across the sandy dunes. If you drive you will enjoy the ambling by-ways and quiet back roads.
Cycling
Offering some of the best cycling in the country set amidst spectacular
scenery. The bicycle was invented here by Kirkpatrick MacMillan in 1840
- try the KM Trail. The Cycle Network has over 450 miles (724km) of sign-posted
routes on quiet roads and around 40 miles (64km) of off-road paths to
test even the most experienced.
Water Sports
Try sailing with the Solway Yacht Club at Kippford. Sailing regattas and
cadet week in the summer. The Galloway Sailing School on Loch Ken has
become increasingly popular as a fun but safe place to learn sailing,
windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing etc. Especially good with children.
Wet suits for hire. RYA Courses accredited. Weekly sailing courses available. Water Skiing is also available at a different location on Loch Ken. You can try out knee-boarding, banana-boating, ringos etc. Wet suits come as part of the deal. Ideal for all the family on a wet day.
Mountain Biking
Ride the 7stanes - award winning mountain biking in a landscape varying
from rolling hills to crag-sided valleys, deep forest tracks to stunning
coastal views, from miles of sweeping and sinuous trails to the most demanding
technical singletrack.
Stay in style and comfort at Chipperkyle where we can provide secure bike lock-up, hose wash, overnight wash and dry facilities and a big breakfast. Packed lunches available with prior notice. We are only; 8 miles from Dalbeattie - dare to try the Slab or the Terrible Twins16 miles from Mabie - classic woodland trail mountain biking.
33 miles from Kirroughtree - single track twists and the largest rock trail feature in Britain. Fabulous Mountain Biking.24 miles from Ae45 miles from Glentrool - Heartbreak Hill
Gardens and Nurseries
Dumfries and Galloway benefits from a mild climate thanks to the warming
influences of the Gulf Stream.
The favourable growing conditions, free-draining, lime-free soils and lack of hard frosts make possible many fine Gardens such as Threave (National Trust), Logan Botanic Garden, Glenwhan, Galloway House, Castle Kennedy and Lochinch Gardens, Cally Garden and Nursery and the charm of Elizabeth Macgregors garden and Nursery of Violas and Cottage Garden plants at Kirkcudbright.
Just 10 minutes away is Buckland Plants, another specialist nursery not to be missed. There is a good brochure on the gardens and nurseries in Dumfries and Galloway by Visit Scotland of which we can let you have a copy.
There are also about 15 gardens open in Kirkcudbrightshire under Scotland's Garden Scheme and a further 9 in nearby Dumfriesshire. Catriona will be able to give you more local info.
Where are the crowds?
Is there a place as beautiful as the Cotswolds? as stunning as the Lake
District? as remote as the Hebrides? as wild as the Cornish Coast? ....
It's all here in Dumfries and Galloway except one thing - the crowds !
Our Nearby Towns
We are situated in a rural location in the heart of the countryside
dedicated to beef and sheep production. Our shops are still mainly family
owned and the people are friendly and helpful. To make the most of your
trip, seriously consider travelling in style and hiring a Jaguar
E-type or a 1938 Austin Seven Ruby or a Chrysler 1955, Dodge Coronet amongst
others from Motorparty.
Castle Douglas
There have been settlements at Castle Douglas for hundreds of years. It
prospered in the 1600s as it was on the road built by James I to support
the migration to Ulster. It is a historic market town for the rich surrounding
farmlands with cattle and sheep markets still held here weekly.
It is famous for the quality of it's meat - 4 butchers are thriving here. Castle Douglas markets itself as a Food Town and there is a farmers market here on the last Sunday of the month. There are Scottish bakers, delis, a health food shop, a Whisky shop and even a traditional hard ware shop.
You can shop for antiques, clothes, interior objects and have fun browsing numerous other shops too. Why not finish off with a massage or reiki at Holistics Spa whilst one of you visits Sulwath Brewery!
If art is your quest we have two galleries to visit. Designs Gallery offers contemporary art and design-led crafts. A select collection of art, books, jewellery and a definite bet for a present, including wonderful wrapping paper. If you want to commission a piece of eg. furniture or jewellery there is also a register where you can lookup craftspeople.
The McGill-Duncan Gallery exhibits (and sells) works by National and International painters, printmakers, ceramicists, glass workers, sculptors and jewellers. This is a well-established gallery which has recently had a welcome overhall so do not miss out on this treat.
In the evenings you can go to a performance at Lochside Theatre a converted church that seats 200 just beside Carlingwark Loch. Threave Gardens is part of the Botanic Gardens, now owned by The National Trust (see gardens above) and is spectacular in April and May.
Nearby Threave Castle was built in the late 14th century probably by the third Earl of Douglas, Archibald the Grim, later becoming the stronghold of the Black Douglasses. Despite The Grim, it is in the most stunning and romantic setting.
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright is a self-styled Artists' Town
and is renown for it's soft light and coastal landscapes. In the 1880's
a group of local artists started exhibiting their work here, amongst them
was E.A. Hornel who became one of a group known as "The Glasgow boys".
He set up home at Broughton House and Garden (National Trust) where you can visit his studio and delightful garden. Jessie.M. King, E.A. Taylor and William Robson also made their homes in the town. The tradition is still evident with the many galleries and exhibitions in the town.
We especially like The Whitehouse Gallery which has exhibitions of affordable art and sculpture. Also worth visiting are Maclellan's Castle built in 1582, the Tolbooth and the harbour which still has fishing vessels coming and going. You can eat near the harbour at a fish and chip shop with a difference - take your own bottle.
The town also hosts a series of Festivities including a Tattoo with bagpipes, over the summer.
Art in Dumfries and Galloway
This region is renowned for its art and artists, and you may just come
across magnificent works as you are out and about. The Spring Fling' opens
on the May Bank holiday weekend when over 50 artist studios open to the
public. But art is part of our culture and is never far away.
Kirkcudbright is famous for the 'Scottish Colourists'. You can even find a Henry Moore or an Epstein bronze on a walk around the outdoor sculpture park near Shawhead. We have a new attraction in the Striding Arches beside Monaiive where Andy Goldsworthy has created a series of stone sculptures that are stunning to look at.
It is this that really epitomizes Dumfries and Galloway, beautiful scenery with lovely walks where you are likely to encounter great works of art, interesting wildlife that will challenge your body mind and spirit, and the children just love to run about and have a completely different perspective.
Wigtown (Book Town)
We are just over an hour to Scotland's National Book Town, a quirky and
charismatic centre of an ever increasing number of shops to browse through
with over million books many second hand. It has a Book festival every
September with many famous names giving talks.
Enjoy a great day out, with meals and refreshments served in the towns cafes, inns and hotels. We also have our own distillery in nearby Bladnoch the regions only distillery with visitor centre and gift shop. Regular visitors turn their Wigtown shopping trip into a holiday.
Whithorn
The nations oldest town and the cradle
of Christianity in Scotland. This Royal Burgh has an important
history which is immediately obvious from the medieval street layout.
The Whithorn Trust has revealed a detailed picture of the thriving community
which lived around the church built by St. Ninian. This has established
Whithorn as a site of international significance and unique archeological
potential.
Wet Weather?
If you want something indoors, it just might sometimes be a bit
on the wet side, you could visit Creetown's Gem Rock Museum
which has a fantastic display of gems, crystals, minerals and fossils.
It is regarded as one of the finest private collections and is renowned
world wide.
Another fascinating afternoon can be spent at the National Museum of Costume. You can experience life in Victorian times, attend a workshop, catch one of the temporary exhibitions or just enjoy yourself in the elegant surroundings of Shambellie House - a 19thC country home in wooded grounds.
The perfect setting for a hundred years of costume from the 1850s to 1950s. Going off on a different track you might like to visit the David Coulthard Museum. Twynholm boasts as being the hometown of this famous formula one driver and hosts the world's most complete collection of F1 memorabilia, including the original Red Bull RB2 Formula 1 car raced at Monaco.
While in Twynholm why not also visit The Cocoa Bean Company which handcrafts chocolate using traditional methods and the finest Belgian chocolate. Children and adults can attend workshops where you can make your own chocolaty treat.
If you are young at heart you might like to visit Cream of Galloway home farm of award-winning ice cream. It has a wonderful adventure playpark, much of which is under a tree canopy - flying fox, straw den and Nature Trail.
Chipperkyle is about;
1 hour and 45 minutes from Glasgow
1 hour from Glasgow Prestwick Airport
2 hours and 15 minutes from Edinburgh
2 hours from Newcastle
1 hour from Carlisle.
DIRECTIONS
From Carlisle and the South:
Leave the M74/M6 just over the border into Scotland near Gretna
Green and follow the A75 westwards towards Dumfries and Stranraer. On
the outskirts of Dumfries continue on the A75 around the ringroad following
the signs for Stranraer.
Approximately 12 miles from Dumfries you enter the village of Springholm. In the middle of that village turn right, signposted Kirkpatrick-Durham 1¼ miles. At the crossroads in Kirkpatrick- Durham turn left. Chipperkyle is 0.8mile from that crossroads on the right hand side.
At the end of our drive there is a white cottage with blue windows and Chipperkyle is written on the fence. Follow the drive up to the front of the house and park.
From Glasgow, Edinburgh and the North:
Leave the M74 near Moffat at junction 15 following signs to Dumfries on
the A701. At the ringroad for Dumfries, turn right on to the A75 travelling
west towards Stranraer. Approximately 12 miles from Dumfries you enter
the village of Springholm.
In the middle of that village turn right, signposted Kirkpatrick-Durham 1¼ miles. At the crossroads in Kirkpatrick- Durham turn left. Chipperkyle is 0.8mile from that crossroads on the right hand side.
At the end of our drive there is a white cottage with blue windows and Chipperkyle is written on the fence. Follow the drive up to the front of the house and park.
From Ayr and Prestwick Airport:
Follow the A713 south towards Castle Douglas. A few miles before arriving
there you will pass through the village of Crossmichael. Approximately
200yds after leaving the 30mph limit there are a couple of joined cottages
on the right with a small road on the left by the RSPB building.
Take that road and follow it to the end where you will meet a T junction. Turn left through the village of Clarebrand and carry straight on until you go down and then up a steep hill to a small crossroads at Old Bridge of Urr. Go straight on at that crossroads towards Kirkpatrick-Durham.
Chipperkyle is 1 mile from that crossroads on the left hand side. At the end of our drive there is a white cottage with blue windows and Chipperkyle on the fence. Follow the drive up to the front of the house and park.
From Ferry Ports at Stranraer and Cairnryan:
Take the A75 east towards Dumfries. After passing the town of Castle Douglas
the road goes downhill and goes over the River Urr. A few yards past the
bridge, turn left on to the B794 signed Corsock. A mile along this road
you come to a minor crossroads at the village of Old Bridge of Urr.
The road to the right at the crossroads is signposted for Kirkpatrick-Durham. Take this road and Chipperkyle is 1 mile from that crossroads on the left hand side. At the end of our drive there is a white cottage with blue windows and Chipperkyle is on the fence. Follow the drive up to the front of the house and park.
We look forward to seeing you.
Bon Voyage!
Email Chipperkyle enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
