Thistle Lodges, Sandyhills, Dumfries and Galloway
Barend Holiday Village, Sandyhills, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
If you have never felt the need to venture over the Scottish Border then check out this place - it is sure to change your mind. Absolutely ideal for family hoidays!
These two fantastic wooden lodges are just so perfect for families holidaying in South Scotland. The location is second to none - not only a fantastic beach a short walk away, but a dramatic coastline with wonderful walking and quiet fishing villages. Set back from the coast in a well kept private development, the lodges are traditionally constructed to a high Scandinavian standard, with have lovely views over wooded fells and a small loch. As part of a private development of similar lodges, Thistle Lodges have the benefit of a variety of on-site leisure facilities. This includes free use of an indoor heated swimming pool with sauna, together with free access to a children's playground and boules courts. As part of the swimming pool buildings you will also find a small bar area, restaurant and courtyard for summer music entertainment. Adjacent to the lodges is a riding stable, from where rides out of all different standards (weeny rides upwards) can be arranged.
The two lodges, Bainloch and Laggan Hill, are laid out on two floors with a balcony to each floor. Full air ducted central heating ensures the lodges are warm and cosy throughout the year. On the ground floor is a large living and dining area for 8 people, with a fully equipped kitchen adjacent. A large balcony with furniture for dining 'al fresco' is accessed through sliding doors from the living area. Also downstairs is a double bedroom and the main bathroom with over-bath shower. On the first floor is another double bedroom with an en-suite wc and wash basin. Also upstairs is a large open plan sleeping area with four single beds and a small balcony. The kitchens are newly fitted and equipped with ceramic hob and oven, refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer, microwave, kettle and toaster. There is a good range of cooking equipment and utensils, crockery, glassware and cutlery. The living rooms have a CD/radio/cassette player and a television with video and DVD players. Bed linen, towels and tea towels are provided in the lodges. There is a cot and high chair for use in each lodge and also a stairgate for the top of the stairs.
A thoughtful pre-arrival service is there for the convenience of guests at Thistle Lodges in that you can order from a selection of basic starter packs and luxury hampers. So when you arrive after your journey you don't have to rush straight out again to get the basics in. Everything will be delivered to your lodge before your arrival.
The two lodges are adjacent - one behind the other - so they work perfectly for larger groups. Being spread across two lodges gives larger family groups plenty of flexibility and independence. If you wish to do so however, by using the balcony tables, it is possible for the entire group to eat together in the same lodge. Total sleeping capacity across the two lodges is 16 (four double rooms plus 8 single beds). A discount is applied when the two lodges are booked together.
Something very special has been created in the forests of South Scotland over the last few years. The 7stanes mountain bike routes, now acknowledged as the world's best outside North America, offer over 160 km of fantastic forest biking, much of it along purpose built technical single-track. For more gentle cycling adventure, several 7stanes sites, including the nearest at Dalbeattie, also have 'family circuits'. Blainloch lodge has undercover secure storage for 2/3 bikes, both lodges have external mount points to which bikes can be locked.