Liftingstane Farmhouse (ref UK10452) is an imposing, detached farmhouse which has been refurbished in 2018. The farmhouse is spacious and a particular feature of the property is the large, open plan kitchen, living and dining area, the perfect place to enjoy family time together. The additional sitting room with its large inglenook fireplace with wood burner offers that cosy room for the winter evenings. The views from Liftingstane Farmhouse are pretty special too!

Liftingstane Farm is set in a rural location in the mid-section of the beautiful Nith Valley in Dumfries-shire, near to the small village of Closeburn and 3 miles from Thornhill. There is a choice of activities locally to suit all ages including walking, cycling, golfing, fishing and birdwatching. Enjoy a round of golf at the local 18-hole course in Thornhill, or if fishing is your thing, the River Nith provides numerous areas to fish for salmon and trout (licence required). Drumlanrigg Castle and Gardens, Ellisland (once home to Robert Burns), Charles Jenck’s Garden of Cosmic Speculation and world class mountain biking routes, the 7 Stanes, are all on your doorstep. 20 minutes south is the town of Dumfries with lots to keep the whole family entertained with farm parks, swimming, ice-skating, art centres and shopping.

According to local historical records Liftingstane Farm had a ’lifting stane’ (lifting stone) on the property up until about 200 years ago, hence how the farm got its name. Unfortunately, no one knows what happened to it. The challenge of the Lifting Stane is to lift it, proving an individual’s strength. Lifting Stanes are common throughout Scotland, Wales and Cumbria, and recently stones have been incorporated into the World’s Strongest Man competitions.

Further afield, take a trip to the Galloway Forest Park, one of the darkest places in the UK, in fact the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. A visit to this area of south west Scotland would not be complete without a day trip to the rugged coastline and seaside, with visits to the quaint villages and towns such as Kippford, Sandyhills, Southerness and Kirkcudbright.

This is a central base for day trips to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stranraer or Carlisle which are all within a 1½ hour drive. If you fancy a stress-free day, why not just relax in the peace and quiet at the farmhouse. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Liftingstane Farmhouse can be booked together with Liftingstane Cottage (ref UK5232) and Liftingstane Dairy Cottage (ref UK5878) to accommodate up to 17 guests.

Situated on a working cattle farm, this pair of detached cottages are in the ideal location to explore Dumfries and Galloway, from the Galloway Hills and the Galloway Forest Dark Skies Park, with many hidden lochs, burns and waterfalls, to the beautiful coastline with sandy beaches, rocky coves and picturesque villages. You may even be lucky and spot seals and minke whales, and will most certainly see a host of seabirds.

The area is steeped in history and the landscape diverse, a haven for artists, birdwatchers and walkers. The Mull of Galloway, with its lighthouse and grass topped visitor centre, is Scotland’s most southerly point with amazing views of Ireland, England, the Isle of Man and Scotland! Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve is the largest local reserve in the UK. It has internationally recognised, significant numbers of pink-footed geese, greylag geese, many species of duck and wading birds, visiting in autumn and winter.

Horse riding, golf, sailing, diving and numerous walks are available in the area and with its famously mild climate and the balmy influence of the Gulf Stream, Galloway is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic gardens. Beach 3 miles. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Mid Bishopton Cottage (ref UK10910) can be booked together with Cotters Cottage (ref UK10922) to accommodate up to 8 guests.

Beira’s Garden, Knockendoch is a truly magical cottage set in expansive and award-winning gardens, beautifully planted and shaped by one of Scotland’s leading landscapists, with a variety of indigenous shrubs, trees and ferns. The house itself, built on the site of a former bothy, is wonderfully sheltered from the prevailing east winds and nestles into the lower slopes of two of Dumfries and Galloway’s most beautiful mountains, Knockendoch and Criffel. Even when there’s wind on the hills, there’s peace in Beira’s Garden!
The house itself has been beautifully decorated to the highest standard, with historic wallpapers designed to complement the moods of the different parts of the garden in each of the bedrooms - while the large kitchen-dining room and the light-filled garden room have been painted in restful shades. From one end of the garden visitors can sit and enjoy breath-taking views across the valley; at the other end they can sit and picnic next to the mountain stream that flows through the garden on its way down to the picturesque village of New Abbey, where there is a village shop, a pub and a cafe. On the summit of the hill opposite towers one of the best loved monuments of the region, the Waterloo Monument. Looking back down to the village, visitors have a splendid view of Sweetheart Abbey, a famous ruin once painted by England’s most famous artist, J.M.W. Turner - and from a spot very close to where Beira’s Garden now stands.
Until 2018, the route to Knockendoch and Criffel was almost impassable, but thanks to a recent council initiative a perfect walkers’ track has been laid and this now paves the way to one of the most beautiful views in Scotland. The summit of Knockendoch, which once took the hardiest walker 2 hours and more to reach, can now be attained in around 50 minutes. From the top there are amazing views across the Solway Firth and - on a clear day - all the way across to the peaks of the Lake District. From there the walk on to Criffel is easy and very scenic.
There are beautiful fishing lochs within a short distance from the house and the best organic delicatessen in southern Scotland is less than 10 minutes away by car. There is also a choice of three supermarkets 15 minutes away in Dumfries. There are few better places from which to explore wonderful Dumfries and Galloway than Beira’s Garden, Knockendoch. Beach 8 miles.