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Auld Schoolhouse - Self Catering in Sandhead, south west Scotland (sleeps 6 + 2)

Auld Schoolhouse located by the beach in Sandhead, which as the name suggests is a very long sandy beach village in Dumfries and Galloway. It is a lovely village with a village shop / post office, a pup and restaurant and right next door a lovely cafe all of which look out across the beach to the Soway Coast and Port William.

Prices From £400 To £595 short breaks available all year

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

Auld Dairy Self Catering in South West Scotland

Auld Schoolhouse - 1 accommodation (sleeps 6 + 2)

The beach is deserted, I have just walked up to the village shop to buy the morning paper and after finding out from the lady behind the counter that Logan Botanic Gardens are having a celebration day and that I should pay a visit during my stay.

I amble back across the empty sands the sound of the sea gently lapping at my feet I look across the village that runs along the length of the beach. It is quiet, just the small sounds of the postmans van stopping to deliver some mail and a curlews cry from the distance. This stillness is restorative, it repairs my senses and makes me enjoy a peace that my normal life misses.

The village starts to wake up as I get closer to the Auld Schoolhouse at the other end of the village, the house has a very friendly feel, the proportion of the rooms is lovely, the high victorian ceilings and classic fireplaces. In particular the kitchen with its large victorian pine dining table is the heart of the home.

Elspeth has restored this large home with flair and understated charm, it retains its natural elegance but benefits from the modern touches including the most comfortable matresses and bed linnen, a very well applianced kitchen which I make use of to prepare breakfast.

I take the advice given earlier and head off to Logan Botanic Garden where I meet the Head Gardener Richard who eagerly takes me on a tour of the Garden. As one of the Nation's Botanic Gardens this is linked to Edinburgh and Kew in London, they are part of our national heritage that ensures the future of many plants and Logan has a collection of plants from all over the world in particular there are over 1000 varieties of Eucalyptus. Richard is very knowlegable and so eager to convey the work that they carry out, but as he loses me as his eulagies drift off into Latin, I just admire how pretty it all is. I am surprised that we have the climate that seems to support such a wide variety of plants. I particluarly like the fish pond with its many large Coy that like to be stroked. The tour is finished off in the cafe and I enjoy the home baked cakes that festoon the counter top.

I return to the Auld Schoolhouse many hours later, after a lovely meal at the local pub called the Tigh'Na'Mara, and relax in front of the blazing log fire and enjoy a spot of local Bladnoch Whiskey. I reflect how much my children would have loved a holiday here cross a quiet road to the beach, they would have played on the sand happily all day when they were young ...mmm I think we would probably enjoy a get together now come to think of it. The Auld schoolhouse would be perfect for a family re-union
Auld Dairy Self Catering in South West Scotland
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Facts and Figures

The large house accommodates up tp 8 people in 3 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms, there is a large living room with open fire. There is a separate very well equipped kitchen with dining table and a separate formal Dining Room. The additional 2 beds are in the Master bedroom as it has an additional single bed with a pull out additional single so up to 4 can sleep in this room if required

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

Changeover days are flexible, just enquire and we will try to accommodate your dates.

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




Points of interest

the old exchange
  • Located in Sandhead with miles of sandy beach
  • Area of National Scenic Beauty
  • Very good for wildlife spotting
  • Beaches and rocky coves close by
  • Get away from it all withy peace and quiet
  • Close to the Mull of Galloway
  • Ireland makes a good day out across the ferry to Belfast
  • Adjacent to Logan Botanic Gardens
  • Selection of 30 golf courses including competition courses
  • Over 30 gardens and nurseries Logan Botanic is close by.

So what is there to see and do close by ?
beach friendly The Auld Schoolhouse is placed just yards from Sandhead beach, it stretches for a couple of miles and is often quiet even in peak season. I particularly like the cafe next door that looks onto the beach, so adults can enjoy a good cappuccino while looking over the children building sandcastles on the beach
close to gardens Close to Scotlands Royal Botanic Garden called Logan, where there is a great display of plants from across the globe. Logan House Garden is another public garden close by as well as many nursaries.
good area for walking and hiking Great area for walking the dramatic coastline, there is a footpath that navigates the extremity of the Mull and continues up to Portpatrick where the Southern Upland Way starts on its journey across Scotland to the East Coast.
good area for fishing The Onyer Marks team consists of four boats taking up to four anglers each. We specialise in light line Tope and Pollack fishing; both species are caught from the beginning of May until the end of October. An average days' fishing will produce 10-15 species but we have have caught 27 species in one day during a species hunt.
area of artistic interest There is a really nice bub in Sandhead called the Tigh'Na'Mara, that serves good food, there are others in Drummore and Portpatrick that are worth experiencing.
equine activities close by Just along the road between Sandhead and Drummore is a stables that offers beach horseriding, novices are welcome and I guarrantee that you will always remember galloping across the Solway sands taking in these dramatic coastal views.

Bicycle Friendly Green Award Walkers Friendly Motorcycle Friendly Pet Friendly No Smoking       read Tripadvisor review
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