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The Old Manse, Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway

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Cottages in
Dumfries & Galloway

cottages sleeping 1 to 4 people in Perthshire


Dumfries and Galloway has everything to make your holiday really special. The scenery is beautiful: full of mountains, lochs, quaint harbours and a 100 miles of stunning coastline with safe and sandy beaches, great golf courses, castles steeped in history, historic houses, sub tropical gardens and quiet roads. The Gulf Stream means the best weather in Scotland and gives this area the name 'The Scottish Riviera'. Many gardens are open to the public and the planting is similar to that in Cornwall with azaleas and rhododendrons and even a few palm trees.

This area has long attracted artists and Kirkcudbright is known as 'The Artists Town', holding regular exhibitions of international standard. Moniave has over 200 artists/crafts people living and working locally. Gracefield Gallery/Craft Centre in Dumfries is a permanent showcase for all this talent holding regular exhibitions and the 'Spring Fling' when nearly 100 artists throw open their studios and homes. Wigtown has gained fame as 'The Book Town' and Castle Douglas as 'The Food Town'. Cat Strand in New Galloway is worth a visit for its exhibitions and for Kitty's Tea Room (probably the best cakes in Scotland!). Kipford Harbour is truly beautiful and Rockcliffe is very pretty and has a lovely beach.

Thornhill is blessed being sited a few minutes drive from Drumlanrig Castle in some of the most spectacular countryside in Scotland, with the famous Dalveen Pass nearby. The village of Moniave with excellent restaurants is again famous for the artists such as Andy Goldworthy and 'The Glasgow Boys'. Tynron is a conservation village hidden in a secret valley where people come to walk and cycle. The bicycle was invented nearby in Keir and cyclists come to the area for mountain-biking in nearby forests '7 Stanes' and to Drumlanrig Castle and Country Park which has extensive biking tracks, waymarked walks and children's adventure playground. This wonderful castle is open to the public and boasts a world famous collection of antiques and art. A few miles away is Ellisland Farm where Robert Burns wrote some of his best work. Dumfries has a museum in his honour and he is buried in the town.

Thornhill is a great base if you want to spend a day in Glasgow or Edinburgh yet enjoy the scenic beauty and tranquility of Dumfries and Galloway. Moffat is easily reached and New Lanark Heritage Site both well worth a visit as are Caerlaverock Castle and New Abbey to see the Corn Mill and National Museum of Costume and the beautiful abbey. Shooting and fishing are also well catered for locally and the River Nith is nearby.

With so much to see and do in the area The Old Manse is a great base offering every comfort, and if you don't feel like cooking the village has an excellent Italian pizza/fish and chips restaurant/takeaway and Chinese takeaway or there are several good hotels and restaurants within easy reach. It is also possible for arrangements to be made for excellent outside catering to provide meals.


  • Sleeps - 11
  • Bedrooms - 6 (1 super king, 2 king, 2 twin, 1 single)
  • Bathrooms - 2 bathrooms, 2 WCs
  • Dishwasher
  • Separate laundry room with large capacity washing machine and dryer
  • Microwave
  • TV/video/DVD/stereo
  • Woodburning stove
  • Full oil central heating throughout
  • Travel cot and high chair
  • Private fully enclosed garden with 2 patio areas
  • Garden furniture
  • Secure bicycle storage
  • Private parking for several cars
  • Table tennis table in wooden outbuilding
  • No smoking inside house
  • Tesco will deliver but good late opening stores in village
  • No pets
  • Short breaks available
  • Dumfries - 14 miles
  • Prestwick airport - 70 miles, Glasgow airport - 66 miles
  • Stations - Sanquhar 14 miles, Dumfries 14 miles
  • Pubs and restaurants - in the village
  • Golf - Thornhill 0.5 miles, Dumfries 13 miles
  • Mountain biking/children's adventure park 2 miles
  • Drumlanrig Castle - 2 miles
  • Ellisland Farm - Robert Burns
  • Mabie Farm Park
  • The 7 Stanes - mountain biking
  • Leadhills and Wanlock Railway
  • Caerlaverock Castle
  • Dalscone Farm Fun
  • Dalton Pottery
  • Aviation Museum
  • Wildlife Conservation Park

Accommodation:
Fully restored, The Old Manse is a light and welcoming house built of local sandstone in c.1830 with an elegant portico, original cornicing, panelled doors and sash windows. Enter to a spacious hallway with its beautiful hung stone staircase, mahogany handrail and gallery landing.

There are two sitting rooms, one a comfortable family TV room with leather sofas and views to the garden, the other elegant yet cosy with a woodburner and big comfy fabric covered sofas, books, games, radio, CD and tape player. The dining room has an oak table and chairs seating 12 people and a friendly elegant atmosphere.

The kitchen is to the back of the house with doors out each side to 2 patio areas (suntraps) with tables and chairs, plants and privacy. It is fitted with a large range cooker with two ovens, grill and ceramic hob. There is also a large fridge freezer, toaster, microwave, electric kettle, dishwasher, granite topped work table for food preparation, ample work top and storage space. A separate laundry room houses a large capacity washing machine and dryer, iron and ironing board and has drying facilities. There is a good hallway for boots and a large cupboard for coats. Also downstairs is a WC and washbasin and a single bedroom.

Upstairs is a large master bedroom with views over the hills, a Vi Sprung super king bed, a large oak family wardrobe, bedside cabinets and a door through to a twin bedded family room with area for a cot. Two rooms with king size beds, one is white painted with brass detail and a top quality mattress, the other with contemporary oak slatted bed and double wardrobe, good mattress, television and lovely views to the hills. The twin bedded room at the back of house has an antique chest and twin divans with quality mattresses (3ft wide and 6ft long) next door to large family bathroom with a bath with double curved ends, an excellent shower over, wash hand basin and WC. Next door is another WC with wash basin. The other good sized bathroom is at the front of the house with a curved shower and wash hand basin and WC.

There is central heating throughout and lots of hot water for both bathrooms. The house has been totally renovated and newly fitted with quality carpet throughout and smart 'lino' floors in the bathrooms for warmth. The property has been awarded a 4 star rating from VisitScotland.

Directions:
The Old Manse is situated in a quiet location in Thornhill.

Travel directions from the north - Entering Thornhill on A76 turn right at Unicorn Monument into West Moreton Street. At the top of the street is a church (now a gallery) and The Old Manse is to the right of this sitting back in a private walled garden through iron gates with a gravel drive and lots of private parking.

Travel directions from the south - From A75 outside Dumfries take A76 North (Kilmarnock Road). There is a large arched metal bridge over a roundabout, just before this take the turning off to the right. If coming from Ireland this is a left hand turn. Go straight through Dumfries and through Closebourn (approx 12 miles). Thornhill is only 2 miles away - at Unicorn Monument in centre of Thornhill turn left into West Moreton Street, then as above.

What's included:
Heating is included April to Sept.
1 large basket of logs is supplied per stay (more can be bought in village).
Good quality bed linen is supplied and also fresh towels.

Cost and availability:
The Old Manse is rented all year round.
Change over day is Saturday, leave by 10am, check in from 4pm.
Home made scones/jam, milk, tea, on arrival and a big welcome.

To enquire about this beautifully renovated holiday house in Thornhill, click the enquiry button below to see cost and availability.

The Old Manse, 19 Townshead Street, Thornhill DG3 5NL, Dumfriesshire, Scotland

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