Cairn House, by Annan - Sleeps 2

"Shimmering lakes, wooded walks and views to Lakeland across the Firth . . . superb cottages in a spectacular setting . . .’’

In three acres of glorious garden grounds, surrounded by lakes of water lilies, splendid trees, flowering shrubs and woodland drives, the splendid cottages at Kinmount Castle are only a few miles from the sandy shoreline, which sweeps westwards to yachting harbours and bird reserves. This meticulous, architect-designed conversion has transformed the Victorian servants’ wing of magnificent Kinmount House into a delightful courtyard cluster of eight holiday cottages, which retain a wealth of original features and details, and possess tremendous atmosphere and charm, which makes it an ideal marquee wedding venue with ballroom included. They enjoy shared use of outstanding facilities, including a superb indoor heated swimming pool, which has been sensitively incorporated into one side of the courtyard. Open daily all year round, the pool has full changing facilities, and its building also houses a sauna, sunbed, cardio gym and games room with pool table. The cottages themselves have been luxuriously appointed; the master bedrooms have four-poster beds, the kitchens are lavishly equipped and the utmost care has been taken over the choice of fabrics and furnishings. Alongside the gracious main house, they are set around the attractive courtyard with patio and barbecue areas – and an extensive grassed area offers plenty of space to relax, as well as an equipped play space for children. From the cottages, there is immediate access to the grounds where azaleas and rhododendrons are a pageant of colour in the summer. With lakes in front of the house, it is a fitting setting for properties of the finest quality, which boast views over shimmering waters to the Lakeland Hills across the Solway Firth.
Kinmount Castle has access to exclusive salmon beats on the Rivers Annan and Nith including the famous Barjarg beat that boasts a salmon catch of 67 lb, in 1812, by well-known poacher, Jock Wallace, and confirmed by the Earl of the home. More up to date catches are now giving an average of 59 salmon and 160 sea trout in a a season along this two mile beat. One to one fishing tuition can also be arranged for novices. Prices at cost – dependant on the time of year.
Just 2 miles from the cottages is Powfoot, created in the 1790s as a sea-bathing resort by one of the owners of Kinmount House. Set above a beach, it has an excellent golf course, one of several along this coast. About a mile further on, the river at the redstone town of Annan is famous for its salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishing, and there are pleasant walks along both banks. The town boasts a choice of restaurants and pubs, as well as a sports centre. At Ecclefechan (6 miles) Thomas Carlyle’s birthplace is to be found, containing a collection of relics and letters. Rammerscales (8 miles) is a Georgian house linked with Flora MacDonald. Along the coast at Caerlaverock (8 miles), 13,000 acres of salt-marsh and foreshore have been designated a National Nature Reserve; barnacle, pink-footed and greylag geese feeding on the saltings in Autumn and Winter make this one of the most notable bird sanctuaries in Britain. Overlooking the reserve from a wooded mound are the striking red sandstone ruins of Caerlaverock Castle, dating from the 13 th century and besieged many times during the Border wars.
In the parish church at Ruthwell, the Ruthwell cross is a most impressive example of 7th-century stone carving, inscribed with verses from The Dream of the Rood. Dumfries (13 miles) is renowned for its Burns museum, and has a fine golf course. Further west are quaint fishing villages and the rugged beauty of the Galloway Hills. The area offers opportunities for sailing, water sports and riding, and the nearby towns offer good shopping and a variety of inns and eating places. Shops 3 miles.

• Gas ‘coal-effect’ fire
• Bed linen and towels inc
• T/cot
• H/chair
• Satellite TV (Teletext)
• DVD
• Radio/cassette/CD
• M/wave
• Washer/dryer
• D/washer
• Shared payphone
• Shared grounds with furniture and picnic area
• Children’s play area incorporated into a giant horse chestnut tree with slide and swings
• Shared BBQ
• Parking
• Indoor heated swimming pool – open daily 9 am to 8 pm, all year round
• Games room with pool table
• Cardio gym
• Coin-operated upright sunbed
• Sauna
• NB: Lakes in grounds

SUPERB INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES

• Indoor heated swimming pool (25ft x 16ft) with full changing facilities - open daily 9 am to 8 pm all year and heated to a constant 87° F
• Sauna (foc)
• Coin-operated upright sunbed
• Cardio gym
• Pool room
• Three acres shared landscape garden, grounds and lakes
• Salmon, trout and sea trout fishing at cost (max 6 rods)
• Profesional casting tuition is avail by arr at cost
• Clay pigeon shooting with tuition at cost
• Falconry and hawking days

OFF-SEASON HOLIDAYS AND SHORT BREAKS
Kinmount Castle is the perfect choice for a Scottish holiday, whatever the season. This part of the coastline is renowned for its mild climate, and the sheltered waters of the Firth have offered safe anchorages to generations of sailors and fishermen. All the cottages are centrally heated throughout, and there is a welcoming gas ‘coal-effect’ fire in each of the living rooms. Short break holidays of 3 nights or more are available in the Winter season. And, of course, all the facilities (including the indoor heated swimming pool) are available all the year round.

KINMOUNT HOUSE – AN HISTORIC SETTING
The Kinmount Estate enjoys a fascinating history, originating in a 12th-century charter granted to the Carlyles by William de Brus. Owned by the Douglas family since 1733, it was during this tenure that the present Kinmount House was built in 1812 for John Douglas (the sixth Marquis) to replace the previous seat – destroyed by fire at the turn of the 18th century. John’s descendant, the eighth Marquis of Queensberry, is best remembered for inaugurating boxing’s ‘Queensberry Rules’, but was also famous for his connection with Oscar Wilde, who was a frequent visitor to Kinmount. Indeed, it was his association with the Marquis which led to Wilde’s ultimate imprisonment and humiliation. Kinmount House is a fine example of early 19th-century architecture, and its balustrading (added at the turn of the century) is a charming feature which softens its cubic simplicity.

Separately set in the courtyard on two floors. Spacious sitting/dining room with gas ‘coal-effect’ fire. Well-equipped kitchen. Bathroom with over-bath shower and toilet. First floor: Double bedroom with 5ft pine four-poster bed.

• Elec and gas CH £10 pw