Email
Old Exchange Self Catering enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Castle Douglas
The Old Exchange has 4 self catering holiday homes. Together they form
a small development of holiday accommodation that has been designed especially
for luxury self catering use.
Each accommodation has been recently refurbished, we carry out a maintenance program each winter so that every year it is fresh and clean making the Old Exchange the perfect holiday accommodation in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway.
Old Exchange Accommodation
In addition to the current 4 self catering holiday homes we are constructing our 5th accommodation. The four we currently have are within The Old Exchange main building, two are located on the ground floor, these are Carlingwark Suite and Rockcliffe Suite.
Upstairs is Threave Studio and Kelton studio, these each sleep up to 3 (1 double and 1 single that enters from the double).
Carlingwark Suite ( sleeps 4 )
Carlingwark Suite is almost a mirror image of Rockcliffe Suite. They are
both suited for sleeping 4 people in comfort (cot and high chair if required).
Each has a double bedroom and twin bedroom and bathroom, open plan kitchen
and living room. They are bright with south facing living rooms and kitchens
and dining areas.
Recently converted they are a lovely mixture of old architecture and contemporary interior styling. Architect designed for self catering holidays.
The kitchen is highly appointed with new oven, hobs & microwave..............We
believe that we provide everything you could wish for in this self-catering
Castle Douglas. Just simply arrive and enjoy your holiday.
What you can expect to find here when you arrive:-
We provide a welcome package of some freshly baked rolls, fresh milk,
some cheese,,jam, marmalade, coffee, tea & sugar.
Freshly laundered sheets, bath mats, towels & soap. All pots and pans and dishes for 4. There is a conventional double oven, 4 hob cooker, dishwasher (soap provided), fridge (with small freezer compartment), and microwave.
The living room has a TV, DVD & video. There is also a portable Radio/CD. The bedrooms have a wardrobe for each person. The beds have Duvets (10 tog) also a cosy throw (each person has 2 pillows). Mattress and pillows also have hygienic covers that are also cleaned meticulously.
The bathroom has a bath with a shower, heated towel rail with plenty of towels (toilet roll is supplied).The bathroom is very clean and cosy.
Outside there is a shared laundry room with a washer, a dryer, a sink (also an additional toilet and shower) which also acts as a wet room. We like to provide well equipped all inclusive Self catering Castle Douglas, Scotland.
Rockcliffe Suite ( sleeps 4 )
Rockcliffe Suite is a lovely ground floor accommodation suited for sleeping
4 people in comfort (cot and high chair if required). It is a lovely mixture
of old architecture and contemporary interior styling. Bright with south
facing living room and kitchen, Rockcliffe has a double bedroom and twin
bedroom and bathroom, open plan kitchen and living room.
What you can expect to find here when you arrive:-
We provide a welcome package of some freshly baked rolls, fresh milk,
some cheese,jam, marmalade, coffee, tea & sugar.
Freshly laundered sheets, bath mats, towels & soap. All pots and
pans and dishes for 4. There is a conventional double oven, 4 hob cooker,
dishwasher (soap provided), fridge (with small freezer compartment), and
microwave.
The living room has a TV and DVD. There is also a portable Radio/CD.
The bedrooms have a wardrobe for each person, The beds have Duvets (10 tog) also a cosy throw (each person has 2 pillows). Mattress and pillows also have hygienic covers that are also cleaned meticulously.
The bathroom has a bath with a shower, heated towel rail with plenty of towels (toilet roll is supplied).The bathroom is very clean and cosy. Outside there is a shared laundry room with a washer, a dryer, a sink (also an additional toilet and shower) which also acts as a wet room.
Kelton Studio ( sleeps 2 +1 )
Kelton Studio is an upstairs apartment with wonderful views over the local
farmland which is part of the Kelton farm on the Threave Estate. This
is all part of the National Trust for Scotland's Estate of Threave Castle
and Gardens. The Old Exchange is located at the centre of this estate
which is the areas main centre for nature and conservation.
Kelton Studio is a mirror image of Threave Studio. They are both suited for snugly accommodating 3 people in comfort (2 adults & 1 child/adult, also a cot and high chair if required). Recently converted they are a lovely mixture of old architecture and contemporary interior styling.
Located upstairs they are compact & bright with south facing living rooms and kitchens and dining areas. Each has a double bedroom and single bedroom (that is accessed from the double, a bathroom, open plan kitchen and living room. The kitchen is small but highly appointed with new oven - hobs & microwave.
The living areas have TV's, DVD's and radios and a comfortable leather sofa. Perfect Holiday Cottages in Castle Douglas!
What you can expect to find here when you arrive:- We provide a welcome package of some freshly baked rolls, fresh milk, some cheese,,jam, marmalade, coffee, tea & sugar. Freshly laundered sheets, bath mats, towels & soap. All pots and pans and dishes for 3.
There is an oven & hob, fridge (with small freezer compartment), and microwave. The living room has a TV and DVD. There is also a portable Radio/CD. The bedrooms have a small hanging area. The beds have Duvets (10 tog) also a cosy throw (each person has 2 pillows).
Mattress and pillows also have hygienic covers that are also cleaned meticulously. The bathroom has a bath with a shower (not very powerful), heated towel rail with plenty of towels (toilet roll, soap and mini shampoo is supplied).
The bathroom is very clean and cosy. Outside there is a shared laundry room with a washer, a dryer, a sink (also an additional toilet and shower) which also acts as a wet room. Kelton Studio makes a great accommodation for those looking for Holiday cottages in Castle Douglas.
Threave Studio ( sleeps 2 +1 )
Threave Studio is an upstairs apartment with wonderful views over the
local farmland it is small but perfectly formed.
This is a very comfortable self catering accommodation which has a cosy
and relaxing feeling. It is ideal for a couple, or a small family to spend
an active holiday gallavanting around Dumfries and Galloway but come back
to and relax in comfort.
Threave Studio is similar to Kelton Studio. They are both suited for snugly accommodating 3 people in comfort (2 adults & 1 child/adult, also a cot and high chair if required). Recently converted they are a lovely mixture of old architecture and contemporary interior styling.
Located upstairs they are compact & bright with south facing living rooms and kitchens and dining areas. Each has a double bedroom and single bedroom (that is accessed from the double, a bathroom, open plan kitchen and living room.
The kitchen is small but highly appointed with new oven - hobs & microwave. The living areas have TV's, DVD's and radios and a comfortable leather sofa.
What you can expect to find here when you arrive:- We provide a welcome package of some freshly baked rolls, fresh milk, some cheese,,jam, marmalade, coffee, tea & sugar. Freshly laundered sheets, bath mats, towels & soap. All pots and pans and dishes for 3.
There is an oven & hob, fridge (with small freezer compartment), and microwave. The living room has a TV and DVD. There is also a portable Radio/CD. The bedrooms have a small hanging area. The beds have Duvets (10 tog) also a cosy throw (each person has 2 pillows). Mattress and pillows also have hygienic covers that are also cleaned meticulously.
The bathroom has a bath with a shower (not very powerful), heated towel rail with plenty of towels (toilet roll, soap and mini shampoo is supplied).The bathroom is very clean and cosy.
Outside there is a shared laundry room with a washer, a dryer, a sink (also an additional toilet and shower) which also acts as a wet room. Threave Studio makes a great self catering in Dumfries and Galloway.
Holiday cottage rentals are per week from 4.00pm Friday to 10.00am the following Friday.
Provisions
Shopping is a real treat in Castle Douglas Food Town. Over 50 independent
businesses offer a tempting selection of the finest foods from near and
far. We also have a Co-op in Cotton St. and a new Tesco.
Child Policy
Children Welcome
A cot and high chair are available upon request when booking. Cot linen
is not provided.
Pet Policy
We are located in the middle of farming country and both farmers have
requested that we don't take dogs.
Smoking Policy
We do not allow smoking, please smoke outside any of the accommodations.
Transportation
· Free Private Parking On-Site
Activities and Attractions
Lots of great family entertainment!
Galloway activity centre
The Galloway Activity Centre situated on the banks of Loch Ken in south
west Scotland cater for families, individuals and groups alike.They offer
a wide range of activities on and off the water. Choose from Sailing,
Windsurfing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Outdoor Laser Quest, Archery, Mountain
Biking, Orienteering, Climbing wall, Zip Wire, Jacobs Ladder, Leap of
Faith and much more.
Their aim is to give you a memorable holiday in a fun, safe and friendly family atmosphere. I send my boys here for a week each year, it's great and they love it !!!
Cream ‘o’ Galloway
If you have young children they will love Cream'o'Galloway. Originally
a dairy farm that diversified into making Scotland's finest ice cream,
however they also created a visitor experience that developed into a childrens
active fantasy of outdoor fun, with a 3D maze, a huge flying fox, a straw
bale barn and many other great adventures and nature walks.
Museums, Galleries and Historic Buildings
This area of Scottish Borders is steeped with history, continually in
battled ownership of England and Scotland it bears the scars and the monuments.
Dumfries bears the legacy of Robert the Bruce having slain his only possible opponent for the Scottish Crown. There are so many castles and abbeys with beautiful views and tragic stories.
Mabie Farm Park
One of the favourite family days out is at Mabie, there is the forest
that plays host to one of the 7 Stanes mountain bike trails, there are
some lovely walks around the forest (one is wheelchair friendly) also
Mabie Farm Park which has a multitude of activities from feeding the animals,
a water and mud slide that is supposed to be for children but adults can't
resist.
You can paddle a swan and quad bike round a track.
Visitor Attractions including Bladnoch Distillery
We have some very strange exhibitions and other interesting visitor attractions
including Scotland's most Southern Distillery, an exhibition on the "Devils'
Porridge" also the John Paul Jones Experience.
Historic Houses
Caerlaverock Castle, Threave Castle, Broughton House, and Drumlanrig
Castle and Country Estate which has an interesting Victorian
garden, a mews of retail studios, the Scottish Cycle Museum,
championship mountain bike trails, a fabulous adventure playground and
much, much more."
Biking
The Old Exchange is very lucky to be so close to 5 of the 7 Stanes, Europe's
best Mountain Bike trails. There are four of the 7 Stanes trails to choose
from in the forest.
Two (blue and green routes) are easier trails aimed at novices, children and families whilst the red and black trails are best tackled by experienced mountain bikers.
Walking
Castle Douglas makes a great place to base your holiday, located in the
South West corner of Scotland, very easy to get to as it is in the middle
of Britain, just across the border from England and just a few miles from
Ireland.
- Scenic walk at Glen Trool, just 40 minutes drive from The Old Exchange.
We are very lucky to have so many things to do so close to the Old Exchange. Most of our visitors come for the varied and scenic walking. But we have so many others that are suitable for families.
Just a few miles up the road beside Loch Ken is Galloway sailing centre with its multi activities, there are open farms, the 7 Stanes mountain bike trails (the best in europe) The red kite trail is close by and is one of the many wildlife parks in the area.
Walking Holidays in Scotland
Walking and Hiking in Dumfries and Galloway is many and varied. This is
the forgotten corner of Scotland, so you can enjoy peaceful walks at any
level of difficulty. There are wonderful and easy walks that are just
a single mile, lots can take wheelchairs.
We have so many walks that I will try to give just a taste of them here. The image on the right is a view from a walk called the Jubilee Path that takes you from Rockcliffe to Kippford, just 2 miles and you can get a fantastic pub lunch too.
Golf
Scotland is the Home of Golf
The Old Exchange is at the heart of Dumfries and Galloway and that means
that it is surrounded by some of Scotland's great golf courses. Over 30.
Castle Douglas is a lovely gentle course and is close to the Old Exchange. From the championship course of Southerness to some of the most dramatic courses like Colvend and Wigtownshire and Bladnoch.
You will have a fantastic Golfing Holiday in Scotland as most of these 30 courses are within 1/2 an hours drive from The Old Exchange.
Gardens
The Old Exchange is very lucky to be in the middle of over 30 gardens
open to the public. In the spring and summer months Dumfries and Galloway
comes alive with colour helped with the warm embrace of the Gulf Stream.
Threave Gardens is the closes just a short amble up the pathway to the left of our garden. Here the gardeners train a select few individuals who mainly go on to become the head gardeners of the best Gardens in Scotland.
Dumfries & Galloway possesses some of the loveliest gardens in Scotland, both large and small, along with a wide range of specialist nurseries which, together provide a mecca for the garden lover.
The region is blessed by a mild oceanic climate, a product of the warming influence of the Gulf Stream .Through the work of the School of Practical Gardening at Threave, just up the footpath from The Old Exchange, Dumfries & Galloway continues to contribute to international horticulture.
Bird watching
The Old Exchange is very lucky to be surrounded by interesting
habitats for wildlife and especially birds. Just 5 miles away is the Red
Kite feeding station, which many of our visitors have said was the most
interesting experience of their holiday.
The Old Exchange is the Threave Marshland, the river Dee with many bird hides, the rocky coastline at Balcary point just a few miles away. We also have the amazing site at Caerlaverock wetlands of the millions of Geese that fly in spectacular form.
Places to visit
Lovely places to visit close by!
The most obvious place to visit is on the doorstep, Threave Castle and
Gardens are great visitor attractions, the Old Exchange is mid way between
them both. Castle Douglas is the main Market Town of the region (Cattle
Market).
However there are so many places of interest around The Old Exchange that it is hard to mention them all, so the following are just a few, and you will discover others as you tour around the area.
Kirkcudbright
A beautiful ancient harbour town made famous by a group of Scottish artists
called the "Glasgow boys" who made Kirkcudbright their base
for retreating from Glasgow. It is said that there is a particular quality
of light that still makes Kirkcudbright a destination for artists.
It is a beautiful town just a few minutes drive from The Old Exchange that has an old high St full of artists galleries and craft shops.
Kippford
About 20 minutes drive along the Solway coast on route to New Abbey is
the quaint sailing port of Kippford. This is a great place to come for
lunch in one of the two pubs that overlook the bay.
There is a lovely walk along the jubilee footpath that is only one mile that takes you to the equally spectacular bay of Rockcliffe (we named two of our accommodations after these two villages).
Rockcliffe
A beautiful village close to Kippford, there is a small sandy beach with
some rocky outcrops with rock pools. It is a lovely place to walk or have
a picnic on the beach. There is a really nice cafe at the side of the
beach, and a Hotel for Dinner. The Hotel also has a galley.
The Ark is one of the smallest shops in the region, but true to its name - it seems to have 2 of everything.
Whithorn
a Drive along the coast to the west of The Old Exchange takes you to many
of the regions pettiest villages. Whithorn is one of these, it occupies
the tip of the Wigtown Peninsula and is just a very pretty place to visit.
It is said St Ninian landed here on his arrival to Scotland.
Make sure you have dinner at the pub called the Steam Packet Inn. Perfect place to finish touring on a warm summer evening.
New Abbey
At the heart of this spectacular village is Sweetheart Abbey,
a ruin that was once the centre of Christianity in Scotland. It was where
Dervogilla, wife of John Balliol King of Scotland (and founder of Balliol
College Oxford) she lost her husband but kept his heart close to her at
all time's in a casket. She was finally buried here with the casKet.
It is truly a romantic location and is often used for weddings. There is a lovely tearoom next door.
Wigtown
This is a charming town with a broad high street and lots of bookshops.
There are bookshops that specialize in different topics. There are a selection
of cafe's and on a sunny day Wigtown is a lovely place to amble around.
I like to browse in the oldest bookshop where there are comfy armchairs and a plentyfull supply of coffee. I like to have lunch in the feminist bookshop across the road.
DIRECTIONS
Getting there from the Information Centre:
Head south from the centre past Carlingwark Loch until you get to a roundabout
(to the A75). We are located just before the roundabout on the left.
Getting There by Car
APPROACHING FROM DUMFRIES ON THE A75
From Dumfries you will pass through two villages, Crocketford and Springholm.
Then you will climb a hill as you approach Castle Douglas. At the top
of the hill there is a roundabout.
You DO NOT take the turning to the left marked Castle Douglas, but continue along the A75 heading for Stranraer for 1.5 miles. You will come to another roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout THEN GO IMMEDIATE RIGHT up a track (signposted The Old Exchange).
Email Old Exchange Self Catering enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
