Email Elm Cottage Holidays enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around Dalbeattie
Welcome
to the Solway Firth! Beautiful one day, perfect the next. Elm Cottage
is an idyllic spot on the Solway Firth for a holiday. The Solway coast
area has lots to do and see from castles to golf and sailing.
Elm Cottage Accommodation
The house has room for a maximum of six adults and 2 children with a pleasant garden and direct access to the beach from the front gate.
Rent is dependent on the time of year.
The cottage consists of:
· 3 twin bedrooms (1 with wash hand basin) and 1 room with 2 x
2'6" bunks
· Sitting room
· Snug
· Dining room
· Kitchen
· Utility
· Cloakroom
· 2 bathrooms
· Shower room
The following information aims to ensure that you enjoy your holiday on the Solway Coast.
Central Heating
The central heating system is oil fired and the timer is pre-set to allow
you heating both morning and evening. If the weather is poor there are
additional heaters in bedrooms and a log stove in the sitting room.
Electricity
The electricity trip switch is in the back kitchen to the right of the
back door. A torch can be found on the back kitchen work surface for emergency
lighting.
Hot Water
Water is heated by the central heating system and should be adequate for
the average family.
Log Stove
Instructions for the use of the log stove are in the chest of drawers
to the right of the fireplace. When lighting use newspapers (plenty in
the box in the back kitchen) and dry kindling. I suggest that on your
walks you 'scavenge' for dry wood to keep up supplies. A fire lighter
or two also helps.
Logs for the stove are stored in the back garden in the little shed past the metal stairs. It seems to work best with a mix of coal and logs but you will need to buy some coal. They generally have bags at the petrol station in Dalbeattie and at the Colvend shop. Do not rake the ashes too much.
The fire does better on a decent bed of ash. Open the flue below the fire door when lighting and close when well lit. Do not, on any account, pile logs to dry round the stove. We've already had one fire when someone tried this.
Kitchen
The kitchen is well equipped with electric cooker, dish washer and microwave
oven. All very straightforward to use. The stock cupboard has various
staples like flour, sugar, salt, herbs and spices etc.
Feel free to use these rather than buy the infuriating small amounts necessary for holiday cooking. When leaving please clear out the cupboards and fridges of your leftovers.
Laundry
The washing machine is situated to the right of the sink in the back kitchen.
It is fairly simple to use like most modern washing machines. The instructions
are in a drawer in the back kitchen if needed..
. Tumble drier to right of sink - clean filter regularly.
. Pegs in basket, clothes line in back garden.
. Small airing cupboard in downstairs bed sitting room.
. Iron and ironing board in back kitchen.
Shower and Bathroom
The electric shower is switched on by pulling the switch cord to the right
as you enter. The light switch cord is to your left hand. To activate
shower - turn RH knob from "9 o'clock to 12 o'clock" or high.
As with any electric shower adjustment of the temperature should be done
with the equivalent of a five minute turn on the large left hand knob.
It takes a couple of minutes to adjust to the new setting and you should wait for this to happen. Continual winding of this knob has resulted in frequent episodes of it being wound off its thread and breaking. Be patient and it will work fine!
Bathroom
If using the shower in the bath - TAKE CARE, HOT WATER CAN BE VERY HOT.
We urge you to use the ventilator in this bathroom when having a bath
or shower, as it does not come on automatically with the light.
Bedding
All duvets and pillows have dust covers. Extra blankets are in the cupboard
on the upstairs landing. You may bring your own linen or it can be supplied
on request at a cost per person and will be left ready for you to make
up the beds.
First Aid Kit
The First Aid Kit is in the cupboard under the basin in the main bathroom.
Games
There is a selection of games in the chest of drawers to the right of
the main fireplace in the sitting room and also in the cupboard in the
downstairs bed sitting room.
Parking
You may park your car either side of the front gate, at the space in the
back garden or tucked in front of the garage door. Please respect neighbour
access to garage at the top of the lane.
Pet Policy
Dogs are welcome as we would not be without ours. Please note however
that we require that they be exercised outside the garden, that they are
not allowed upstairs and should sleep in the back kitchen. All of which
is no more than a basic hygiene requirement. The garden is not dog proof!
Telephone
There is a telephone. If you use the phone to make calls we ask that you
leave a contribution to the bill as phone costs are not included in the
rent. Mobile phone reception in the house is poor although it is better
on the beach in front of the house!
Attractions
The Sea
The Solway estuary is tidal, so be aware of tide times and deep channels
in the mud. Rough Island is out of bounds in May and June while birds
are nesting. When visiting the island at other times look out for the
tide or you may find yourself enjoying island life for the next 12 hours!
Shopping
The Ark is a gift shop with a few staples. (Bread milk etc.) The Colvend
shop is a small supermarket. It sells fresh bread, morning rolls and newspapers
and other grocery items. Please support our village shops. Dalbeattie
has a range of shops, banks etc. Tesco on-line deliveries make it this
far!
Eating Places
The Anchor Hotel is the local pub and does good pub grub. If you want
a change, try the Mariner or the Clonyard on the Colvend road. Walk over
the hill to Rockcliffe and try the home baked scones at the excellent
tearoom in the village.
Activities
We have provided a pack of information about Dumfries and Galloway. The
following is just a rough guideline to some of the many things that you
might like to do.
Sailing
The Solway Yacht Club, Kippford. Visiting yachts welcome. Boat hire or
tuition available on club training weekends.
Galloway Sailing Centre, Loch Ken, near Castle Douglas. Sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. Tuition and hire.
Horse riding
Barend Riding Centre, Sandyhills. Accompanied rides or lessons.
Cycling (Hire)
Ace Cycles in Castle Douglas.
Nithsdale Cycle Centre in Dumfries.
Fishing
The Solway Fishery, New Abbey. Feb - Nov.
Golf
The area has lots of good golf courses from championship level at Southerness
to the small Par 3 course at Craigieknowes at Barnbarroch.
Colvend has quite sensational views, Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, New Galloway and Gatehouse all have courses. Weekends are usually busy and booking might be advised. Weekdays are much more quiet.
Bird Watching
. Rough Island is a bird sanctuary.
. Mersehead, Southwick - new RSPB reserve.
. Loch Ken, RSPB reserve, Nature Conservation Area.
. Caerlaverock Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Near Dumfries.
Winter birds Sept - April, Summer Walks May - August.
Walking
. Dalbeattie Forest.
. Auchencairn Coast.
. Screel Hill, Palnackie.
.Criffel, New Abbey.
Email Elm Cottage Holidays enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
