Auld Dairy - 1 accommodation (sleeps up to 6)
It has been a long journey, as I travel along the dark lanes off the main A75 from Stranraer, the road is winding along the coast and I can see the moon shining across the Irish Sea lighting my way much later than I had imagined. My arrival will undoubtedly be much later than anticipated, but eventually I found the Auld Dairy sitting at the top of a hill and pulled into the gravel driveway. There was a light in the porch that showed the cottage was much larger than I thought it would be and I could feel the clear air blowing up the valley from the shore.
As I got out of my car the smiling face of Jim came across from the farmhouse to welcome me with a warm greeting and an even warmer stack of homemade shortbread freshly baked by Christine. Apparently lots of people arrive later than they expect and Jim helped me find my way around the cottage and left me with my fresh muffins and the kettle boiling and hoped we would meet the following day.
I was too tired to do much more than finish my tea and shortbread, find the main bedroom and fall asleep.
In the morning I had one of those amazing holiday moments that make my job of reviewing accommodations such a pleasure. I had had a very good nights sleep as the bed was so comfortable, the cottage was expansive, recently renovated and very tastefully decorated, but better than this I opened the front door to the patio and just stood in amazement at the gorgeous view across the Solway to Luce bay and the long sandy beaches that stretch across the peninsula to reach Port William to the east.
It is the location of this cottage that makes it such a spectacular venue for a self catering holiday. The Mull of Galloway is the most southern point of Scotland, its as low as the English Lake District. It is special not just for its geographical location, but for the scenery and the peace and quiet. The Mull itself has some stunning coastal path walks and is renowned for the nesting Puffins that populate the cliffs here.
Great cottage, great hosts, great location make ? .... a great holiday. |
