Set in the heart of East Stewartry National Scenic Coastal Area, Long Cottage is an ideal base for families, walkers, bird-watchers, cyclists, or for anyone wishing to find a tranquil break. In addition to forests, lochs and gardens, the area is steeped in history with numerous castles and ancient ruins to explore. If you are a family with children, you can be down on the beach within less than a minute.

Long Cottage is in a peaceful position and enjoys stunning coastal and loch walks from its front door. One of the most memorable walks in the region begins directly outside – the coastal path to Rascarrel Bay with its beautiful sea views and spectacular cliffs covered in wild flowers and teeming with nesting fulmars and cormorants, and from where, on a lucky day, you might spot dolphins, porpoises or seals.

Walk along the single track lane which follows the water’s edge to the village of Auchencairn and you will get wonderful views of Heston Island and the tide as it enters and leaves the Bay. You will pass a 17th century mansion, now the Balcary Hotel, tiny former fishermens’ cottages and a four-storey Victorian tower lodge. Only a few miles further is Screel Hill – from its summit you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the Galloway Hills and the Solway, and on a clear day you can glimpse the hills of Northern Ireland. The nearest town is Castle Douglas which is 10 miles away; due to its rich selection of traditional food shops and cafes it has been dubbed “food capital” of South West Scotland.

Set in the heart of the world-class 7Stanes Mountain Biking country, Long Cottage is also ideal to explore castles, ruins and abbeys or the Machars Peninsula and the Galloway Hills. The region’s Galloway Forest Park has been awarded the status of being one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world. In addition to offering extraordinary star-gazing experiences, its 150,000 acres have waymarked trails that are ideal for trekking and cyclists. Formal gardens and country parks can be found throughout the region including the island stronghold of Threave Castle, and the beautiful Threave Gardens. Loch Ken provides activities such as windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing, whilst the Colvend scenic route follows an unspoiled coastline of secluded sandy beaches and coastal villages with boat hire and yacht moorings.

The historic town of Dumfries is 22 miles away, renowned for its associations with Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns who spent the last five years of his life here, whilst the town of Kirkcudbright with its distinctive rows of colourfully painted houses and picturesque harbour was home to the colony of artists known as the Glasgow Boys.

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