A warm Yorkshire welcome in the heart of Galloway.
We are delighted to announce that the builders have finally departed and Croft House is now open for its first Summer season! Your hosts, Anthony Duncalf and Joseph Moran, are pleased to welcome bed and breakfast guests at our lovely country home and mini guesthouse near Wigtown (Scotland's national Book Town) in the heart of the beautiful Galloway Machars.
Croft House is a traditonal Wigtownshire country home, dating from the mid 19th century, and situated in a quiet rural location, on land once owned by the Earls of Galloway, mid-way between the ancient Royal Burgh of Wigtown (national Book Town, and medieval county town) and the village of Kirkcowan, about 7 miles from Newton Stewart. More recently a part of the Mochrum Park estate, the house features in the book 'Torhousemuir: Memories of a Wigtownshire Crofter' by John Whiteford, whose family lived here for some 50 years. The house stands in its own large cottage-style garden, with a decked seating area enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding countryside, and has been undergoing an extensive programme of refurbishment prior to opening to the public early in 2008. We aim to meet Visit Scotland's 4star B&B standards in most areas.
A bright and comfortable double room on the first floor, the main guest bedroom enjoys its own private bathroom (with shower) just across the corridor, and is equipped with tea/coffee facilities. On request, we may be able to accommodate children or friends in an adjacent bedroom, sharing the bathroom, but be assured you will never be faced with a hoard of strange faces over breakfast! Operating on such a small scale, we pride on offering a warm and personalised service to our guests - feel free to discuss any particular requirements when making a booking. If you wonder if we could help, please ask!
Bedroom 1 Dining Room Guest's lounge
Breakfast (offering a choice of cooked or continental options) is served in either the cosy dining room or our delightful conservatory, with wood-burning stove - which doubles as our tv lounge, where guests are welcome to relax and unwind during the evening and enjoy unbroken views across the surrounding countryside. Home-cooked evening meals are available by prior arrangement (Saturdays excepted), from £8 for 2 courses, and we can supply packed lunches on request. Wherever possible, ingredients are locally sourced, many from organic farms - or even grown on our own vegetable patch! - and freshly prepared to a high standard; vegetarians options are always available and, by prior arrangement, we will make every effort to cater for more specialised diets.
There is ample off road parking, and cyclists are welcome to store their bikes in our garage. We are gay-friendly, and singles are always welcome at a modest extra cost. Paddy and Zak, our retired greyhounds, are happy to welcome one well-behaved dog to accompany its owners! Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the house.
Croft House, May 2008
We are open all year round, with prices starting at £50 per night (winter season) for a couple sharing, or £30 single occupancy (rising to £56 and £35 in high season). Discounts will apply for stays of 3 or more nights, and we hope to offer special seasonal packages at Christmas, Hogmanay and Easter etc. For those travelling by public transport, we can normally arrange to collect and drop you off in Newton Stewart, while we offer a 5% discount to those arriving by bike.
The Local Area
The surrounding area is rich in history, with an ancient Stone Circle (legendary burial place of Celtic King Galdus, from whom Galloway takes its name) just 10 minutes walk up the road, and other sites, such as Whithorn Priory (cradle of Christianity in Scotland) and Carsluith Castle, within easy reach by car. We are only 3 miles from the coast at Wigtown Bay, with the picturesque fishing village of Garlieston less than 10 miles away, and the nearby River Bladnoch is well known for its salmon fishing. Bookworms will enjoy many happy hours browsing the numerous second-hand and antiquarian bookstores in nearby Wigtown - which also boasts an interesting street market every Saturday during the season. Scotland's most Southerly whisky distillery is situated just down the road in Bladnoch, and offers reguilar tours and tastings for visitors. There are several reknowned gardens close at hand, including Logan Botanic Garden and Castle Kennedy, and favourite tourist spots such as Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway are all within easy reach. Walkers will enjoy a wealth of coastal and inland paths on the doorstep, with the more challenging Galloway Hills less than half an hour away, while the quiet roads are ideal for cyclists - we are just a short detour from the Machars Cycle Route. Birdwatchers will know the area is an important over-wintering site for a wealth of wildfowl, with a number of important nature reserves nearby. We are also within easy reach of the famous Red Kite Trail, while Wigtown County Buildings provide live tv coverage of Galloway's Osprey nesting site. There are a number of good local pubs in the area, offering a range of eating opportunities, from bar snacks to a la carte dining.
Further afield, Stranraer, with the ferry to Ireland, is only 25 miles away, with the bustling seaside resort of Ayr less than a two hour drive.
For further information or to make a booking, please contact us on 01988 402822, or by e-mail at crofthousegh@aol.com .
The garden and view from Croft House
From our Guestbook
A few comments from some of our first visitors.
"Best hosts ever; you have thought of everything. We will be back!" JG Glasgow
"Everything is lovely - especially the view!" NL Cambridge
"Excellent food and everything you need is provided" JB Torquay
Special Offers and Events
Summer Specials!
Midweek Break - During July & August, book 3 nights starting Monday or Tuesday and your 3rd night will be charged at half price (a saving of £9 per person sharing a double room). Total cost £140 for 3 nights (£88 single occupancy).
Weekender - Throughout July, book 3 nights arriving Thursday or Friday, and add a 4th night for only £12 per person.
Bladnoch Folk and Blues Festival
15th - 17th August - book by 31st July and enjoy 3 nights for only £150 (£90 single occupancy) Sorry now fully booked!
Bookworm Bargains
Wigtown Book Festival (26th September - 5th October) - book early (by 31st July) and your third and subsequent nights will be charged at the reduced rate of £20 per person per night (£25 single occupancy). Click here for Festival Website - Offer extended to 10th August
Croft House is less than 10 minutes drive from all the main venues, yet enjoys a peaceful location away from the noise and bustle of the booktown proper.
Croft House is a traditonal Wigtownshire country home, dating from the mid 19th century, and situated in a quiet rural location, on land once owned by the Earls of Galloway, mid-way between the ancient Royal Burgh of Wigtown (national Book Town, and medieval county town) and the village of Kirkcowan, about 7 miles from Newton Stewart. More recently a part of the Mochrum Park estate, the house features in the book 'Torhousemuir: Memories of a Wigtownshire Crofter' by John Whiteford, whose family lived here for some 50 years. The house stands in its own large cottage-style garden, with a decked seating area enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding countryside, and has been undergoing an extensive programme of refurbishment prior to opening to the public early in 2008. We aim to meet Visit Scotland's 4star B&B standards in most areas.
