Castle Douglas Self Catering Castle Douglas - 100 Best Self Catering in Scotland

The Old Exchange - Self Catering Castle Douglas x

The Old Exchange is a complex of 4 holiday accommodations. They are located at the heart of the National Trust for Scotland's historic Estate of Threave Castle and Gardens. Threave Castle is the ancestral home of the Black Douglas's and Threave gardens is one of the best Scottish college gardens where the next generation of Gardeners are taught to preserve and enhance our rich mix of public gardens in Scotland.

Prices From

£200

£459

short breaks available all year

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Vernon's personal review of the accommodation, location and items of interest

Old Exchange - Castle Douglas Self Catering
4 accommodations (each sleeps 3 to 4, total of 14)

Castle Douglas is Scotland's National "Food Town", it is a sweet market town located in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. To the north of Castle Douglas is the picturesque loch Ken that hosts the Scottish re-introduction of the Red Kite, one of the most noted items in the visitor book is a reference to the Red Kite feeding that happens twice a day with a spectacular display of these dramatic birds whose wingspan often reaches 5 feet. The Old Exchange makes a really nice venue to explore this region and the owner Charlie is really keen that you enjoy your holiday. He took 10 years to renovate this old building having them designed by an architect for use as holiday accommodation and this really shows in every aspect of the accommodation. Despite there not being lots of space it all works perfectly, Le Corbusier once said that a house should be a "machine for living" and this is a "machine for holidaying".

The most noticable aspect of the building on approach is the arched stone windows that give such character to the interiors and frame the view from the lower sitting rooms across the gentle farmland that surrounds the property. The garden is joined by a nature trail that leads between one of Scotland's most romantic Castles; Threave is placed on an Island in the river Dee just a short walk along the trail . The Castle was once home to the notorious Black Douglases whose black reputation was made by Archibald the Grim who always had some poor soul hanging over the entrance. It is only accessed by a small boat and is the perfect place to pack a picnic and spend an enjoyable afternoon watching the wildlife of the riverbank.

I particularly enjoyed the top 5 guide that had been created for guests, this is a guide that details the best 5 things, for instance the top 5 family activities in the area, and the top 5 eateries, and the top 5 walks etc etc.. It is reassuring to have this local knowlege at your finger tips as it is often overwhelming when you just have a pile of brochures and there is no way of discerning which are good and those that can cause divorce.

The upstairs apartments are best for couples perhaps with a young child and the downstairs are ideal for any group of 4.

Facts and Figures

4 Apartments: 2 groundfloor and 2 upstairs

2 apartments sleep 3 - Rooms Kitchen/living area 1 double bedroom with 1 single bedroom off double. Bathroom

2 apartments sleep 4 - Rooms kitchen/dining/living area 1 double bedroom, bathroom and 1 twin bedroom.

All costs like linen, heating, lighting, towels, cots, high chairs are supplied and are are included in the price.

Changeover days are :- Mondays and Fridays which means you can have weekend break, midweek break or whole week breaks starting from the Friday or the Monday.

Location - blue marks the exact location of this property (use the buttons on the left to zoom in and out)

Points of interest

Living Room in Threave Studio

Close to Scotlands National "Food Town" of Castle Douglas
Close to Red Kite Trail
Central to 5 of the 7 stanes mountain bike trails
Beaches close by and cream'o'galloway adventure park
Close to the Galloway Forest Park with hundreds of interesting walks
Close to Wigtown Scotlands "Book Town"
Close to Kirkcudbright famous for its community of artists
Adjacent to Threave Castle and Gardens
Selection of 30 golf courses including competition courses
Over 30 gardens and nurseries that benefit from the clement weather
Close to water sports centre at Loch Ken

So what is there to see and do close by ?

	Lock Ken is just 2 miles away from The Old Exchange, there is a waterskiing school that operates during the summer months, There is also a multi activity centre offering windsurfing, sailing, 4x4 track, climbing wall, laserquest in the forest, archery, canoeing and kayaking.
	Threave Gardens is the closest garden which is one of Scotlands most interesting as it is a training college for our future gardeners as well as a showground of interesting flora. There are over 30 other gardens and nurseries in this area including Glenwhan and Port Logan.
	The Old Exchange is actually on one of the nicest walks in the region. It is a nature trail that takes you to Threave Castle and Threave Gardens. Screel and Doach wood are close by and offer the most incredible views across the solway coast. There are countless other walks in the region, We have provided a guide that outlines the main walks
	We are close to the coast an Balcary Bay offers some of the best coastal fishing in the area. There is also fishing at loch Carlingwark in Castle Douglas and river fishing in the Urr (4 miles)
	There are many historic monuments in Dumfries and Galloway, Threave Castle is the closest and accessed by a small rowing boat. Orchardton Tower is the close by and is one of only a few round castles in the UK. Drumlanrig Castle, MacLellans Castle, Lochmaben, Dundrennan and Caerlaverock are all close.
	Kirkcudbright is known as Scotlands Art Town and is just 7 miles from The Old Exchange. Known for the quality of light, the gardens. This small fishing town was a favourite retreat for the "Glasgow Boys" including Hornel, Peploe and many other of Scotlands finest painters. This region plays host to the "Spring Fling" when over 100 artists open their studios to the public.
	Red Haven beach is just 5 miles away (pronounced "raid heen" ) which is such a nice very private beach that holds the sun in the summer months. Great for a beach bar-b-q. There are many others that include Sandyhills and the dhoon with its own shipwreck.
	We are 1 mile from Castle Douglas which is Scotland's "Food Town" known as such as there are over 50 local businesses that produce quality often organic and wholesome food products. There are some great cafes and a fantastic deli.
	The 7 Stanes are Scotland's great mountain bike routes. The Old Exchange is close to 5 of them so offers the perfect loocation if you want to do some of the most exciting biking in Europe. The byeways are also ideal for easy family cycling so do bring your bikes with you.
	There are 30 golf courses in this region, many of them are on the coast and offer spectacular and challenging golfing experiences.