Holiday cottages near the Galloway Forest Park

Book a holiday cottage close to Galloway Forest Park to experience a unique Scottish adventure. A good standard of accommodation creates the right frame of mind for an enjoyable Scottish stay.

View self-catering cottages in Dumfries and Galloway

A fabulous setting for a holiday home

‘Come while the blossoms on the broom. And heather-bells sae bonnie bloom. Come let us be the happiest twa. On a’ the braes o’ Gallowa’. Although this is just a verse from the poem ‘Braes of Galloway’ by 19^th century Scot, William Nicholson, ‘The Bard of Galloway’ certainly captures the incredible scenery that this area of the world provides. A cottage in the country may even have some of that broom in your back garden.

Bring bicycles on holiday with you

If you enjoy mountain biking and want to bring cycles on holiday with you, many self-catering cottages have lockable storage areas for bikes and other sporting equipment. The Galloway Forest is highly recommended for a mountain biking break. The 300 square miles of park is a nature lovers’ paradise. Open to the general public in 1947, Britain’s largest forest park flamboyantly shows off picturesque rolling hills, breath-taking lochs and a number of scenic trails that will satisfy the most dedicated of walkers and mountain bikers, as well as their pet pooches. If you do plan on bringing your dogs on holiday with you, do make sure that you book a holiday cottage where dogs are allowed to stay.

And don’t worry adrenaline junkies. Galloway Forest Park is not all about bird watching, fishing and trekking! How about exploring the sensational scenery the wild way by riding your top of the range mountain bike? With a variety of trails, from the family friendly route at Bargaly Glen in Kirroughtree to the 58-kilometre testing track at Glentrool, nobody will be left disappointed. And fear not thrill seekers as if you’ve left your essentials, there is a bike shop and hire at Kirroughtree!

Cottage for two for romantic breaks

Romantics take note! If you’ve always dreamt about spending an evening under the stars, then look no further; as Galloway Forest Park is also Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park. Why not cosy up to your loved ones under the pitch-black night sky and see how many of the thousands of shining stars and planets you can see?  One of the most beautiful sights is the reflection of the moon and stars in a calm loch. All you need do is to book a one or two bedroom love nest close to the park and make unforgettable memories.

Galloway holiday lets for nature lovers

Everyone who visits the Galloway Forest is full of praise for the amount of wildlife at every turn, its tranquillity and seclusion that can be found. Prepare a picnic in your holiday cottage kitchen to take with you for these jaunts in the forest and have a wonderful time, walking, talking and spotting or photographing the deer, the owls, wee creatures that scuttle across your path.  This is a place where people fall in love - with the array of wonderful wildlife including red deers and squirrel.

Peaceful self-catering in the forest

Escape from the city to a Scottish country cottage in Dumfries and Galloway. If it is a good night’s sleep you want, then the accommodation near to the park is well worth a booking. Those horrible city sounds of police sirens and drunken shouting that are part of city life will be replaced by joyous bird singing and a concoction of peace and tranquillity, as you enjoy a well-deserved morning lie in. With enviable views that will light up any photo album, your holiday cottage of a lifetime could be just a click away. Take your dogs with you; there are plenty of pet-friendly cottages to choose from. Even the least enthusiastic of dogs will have a new lease of life as they run about the extensive garden, looking forward to their daily excursion in the woods!

If being close to one of those famous Scottish lochs is more your Highland Blend cup of tea, then once again you’re in for a treat. With plenty of charming cottages available next to the forest park, as well as to big and beautiful stretches of water like Loch Ken, Loch Stroan and Loch Skerrow, your serenity will be in overdrive; especially, if you have your home cooked meals, al fresco on your spacious terrace! Just make sure you don’t spend too much of your day watching the tide come in, as there’s lots more enjoyable activities you’ll want to get your teeth into on your holiday!

Go fishing during your Galloway Break

Fishing, for example is another popular pastime at the parks lochs. At Clatteringshaws especially, you can get seriously lost in the areas glen of tranquillity! As well as being a haven for flocks of water birds in summer, on a clear day from the bank, you can get incredible views of Merrick, the highest hill in the Southern Uplands. Even if the famous Scottish chill does end up beating you after a while, you can always drop by to the nearby Galloway Lodge for a steamingly delicious barista made cup of coffee or a tonsil tickling Galloway Burger and chips. In the evenings you can be tucked up cosily in your holiday home sipping a glass of your favourite malt in front of a wood burning stove. This is what happy holidays are made of.

Days out from your holiday hideaway in Ayrshire

Although you will never tire of the picturesqueness on show, you may at one point of your holiday crave the excitement of town and city life. If so, Dumfries should be your first port of call. As well as being local, it is a tourist’s dream. With ruined and well preserved castles to explore, as well as many an interesting museum and historical site to observe, you will noticeably relish in your quest of visiting each one before the day comes to an end. And when your legs are aching and your senses cannot absorb any more information, retreat to your comfortable holiday home and relax in front of the television or listen to music.

Many walkers like to go sightseeing on alternate days so that their legs have a bit of a rest. A particular must see is the fascinating Robert Burns House. This famous house is especially relevant in Burns’s life, as he wrote most of his best poetry whilst residing there. Take a sneak peek at the exact chair and desk in which he got his feather and parchment out and wrote classics like ‘A red red rose’! And who knows, it may even inspire you to write your own novels. Maybe even about your amazing adventures at Galloway Forest Park! Or if you’re a keen painter and planning to set up your easel and canvas in order to create a scenic masterpiece, why not do your research first at the Dumfries Art Trail? The educational trail includes a diverse selection of artists, makers and galleries, all located within a short walking distance from Dumfries High Street.

Known as ‘The Highlands Of The Lowlands’, Galloway Forest Park really can be your perfect holiday. As well as being something to do for all ages and tastes, you will have long lasting memories of such a beautiful setting and living as one with nature. The illuminating forest park attracts over 800, 000 satisfied visitors each year. Why don’t you book your self-catering holiday of a lifetime now and join the club?