Shelduck Cottage, Sandyhills
ID: S135614
- Bedrooms 2
- ・ Sleeps 4
- ・ Pets 2
Guests say
Shelduck Cottage in Sandyhills is praised for its idyllic location amidst nature, offering a peaceful retreat with abundant wildlife and scenic walks. Guests appreciate the secure garden, friendly staff, and the cottage's cosy atmosphere, making it a home away from home. While some guests mention areas for improvement, the overall experience is one of relaxation and enjoyment in a beautiful part of Scotland.
Most guests found Shelduck Cottage to be comfortable and clean, contributing to a homely feel. However, a few reviews mentioned issues with cleanliness and maintenance that suggest room for improvement in this area.
The cottage's location is highly praised for its proximity to nature reserves, wildlife, and scenic walks. The secure garden and nearby beach are appreciated by guests, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers.
Guests generally regard the cottage as warm, cosy, and comfortable, with good facilities for a relaxing stay. Some reviews, however, point out that certain furnishings could be updated to enhance comfort.
The cottage is well-equipped for most guests' needs, with a well-stocked kitchen and recent upgrades to the bathroom. Nonetheless, some guests suggest that further improvements and maintenance could enhance the overall experience.
While the reviews reflect a positive experience with friendly staff and a well-equipped cottage, there is no mention of gifts or special touches that would fall under the category of thoughtfulness. Therefore, this score is set to null.
About this property
Discover the breath-taking scenery, wildlife, culture and history of Dumfries & Galloway whilst staying in a cosy cottage located in the heart of RSPB Mersehead Nature Reserve.
Shelduck is a semi-detached traditional stone farm cottage with off-road parking. A log burner keeps the cottage warm and cosy throughout the winter months. The perfect family destination, rspb Mersehead has a stunning beach and sand dunes just a short walk (1-mile) from the cottage, perfect for building sandcastles and driftwood lodges. In the large farmhouse garden, there is a playground with swings, slide, mud kitchen and badger tunnels providing hours of fun.
Located on the scenic northern shore of the Solway Estuary, the large skies and seascapes give a feeling of escape. RSPB Mersehead is an extensive wetland nature reserve internationally important for the population of wintering Svalbard Barnacle geese and wildfowl. In the spring, the evening air is alive with sound of displaying Lapwing and the distinctive chorus the UK's rarest amphibian, the Natterjack Toad. Tree sparrow and Yellowhammer come to feed from the cottage bird table. Watch for hunting Peregrines, Merlins, and Hen Harriers overhead.
A haven for wildlife, away from Mersehead there are an additional four rspb reserves to discover; Ken-Dee Marshes, Wood of Cree, Crook of Baldoon and at Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway. WWT Caerlaverock can be found just the other side of Dumfries and there are a number of Scottish Wildlife Trust and Local Nature Reserves to explore.
There are great rock pooling adventures to be found at nearby Rockcliffe or try crabbing from the quay at Kippford. In addition to the wonders of nature, a vast array of attractions will keep young families entertained for hours such as the Dino Park, Cream O Galloway, Mabie Farm Park and the Chocolate Factory. The Camera Obscura, installed in 1836, is on the top floor of the old windmill tower where you can see a fascinating panoramic view of Dumfries and the surrounding countryside.
Dumfries & Galloway is full of history waiting to be discovered. A wide moat, twin-towered gatehouse and lofty battlements make Caerlaverock Castle a medieval stronghold. Learn all about its turbulent history as a castle caught up in border conflicts. Unravel the tale of devotion behind Sweetheart Abbey’s evocative name. Follow in the footsteps of Robbie Burns as you trace the banks of the River Nith from the heart of Dumfries and don’t forget to visit Moat Brae where Peter Pan began. On a wet day, there is plenty of opportunity to explore indoors. Discover the remarkable story of HM Factory Gretna and the Solway Military Coast at The Devil’s Porridge Museum. Visit the home of runaway weddings at Gretna Green, now a 5-star visitor destination or explore the Aviation Museum.
For those looking for a fast-paced action holiday, rspb Mersehead is located just a short drive from two Forestry Commission 7-stanes mountain bike trails at Mabie Forest and Dalbeattie Forest. A little further afield are the trails in the Galloway Forest Park and the Ae Forest. The Galloway Activity Centre is situated on the banks of the stunning Loch Ken. A challenging links course, Southerness Golf Course is a Scottish Golf Championship Venue whilst Colvend Golf Course offers a parkland experience with panoramic views from the high cliffs.
rspb Mersehead is the perfect base from which to discover Scotland’s forgotten corner.
More information about rspb Mersehead Nature Reserve can be found at: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/mersehead/
Postcode: DG2 8AH
Damage Deposit £150
Let weekly Saturday - Saturday.
STL Licence:- DG01200F
EPC:D
For parties of 2 or less a £20 discount will be applied. A discount of £50 will be applied when 2 consecutive weeks are booked regardless of party size. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
Accommodation for 4 on one floor: Lounge/dining room; kitchen, bathroom with shower over bath; one double bedroom; one twin bedroom.
Services: * Electric heating (cost included) *Multi Fuel stove with fuel provided * Bed Linen and Towels included * Electric cooker & Microwave * Washing machine * Fridge/Freezer * TV with DVD * Wifi * Highchair and cot available on request * Enclosed garden with furniture * Parking * No Smoking * Dogs: Maximum 2 well behaved dogs with own bedding, not to be left on their own or allowed on furniture or beds.
Charges apply for the 1 dog, second dog free
Additional accommodation is available next door in Barnacle Cottage
Nearby points of interest
- Caerlaverock Castle
- Robert Burns House
- Moat Brae
- Lake District Coast Aquarium
Reviews (25)
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Peter Dewhurst
Property needs a deep clean grubby furniture and carpets dirty oven wallpaper coming of walls bathroom fan and towel rail out of order windows and frames dirty.No first aid kit or torch on site when there was an unexpected power cut
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Rhona McMichael
Despite being very freshly painted outside, inside is a different matter. The cottage is damp, wallpaper coming off wall and ceiling in double bedroom, carpets threadbare, the 3-seater settee broken, the place was dirty and I had to start cleaning the kitchen before I could use it. The windows don’t look to have been cleaned for months inside or out & the amount of flies going about gives the game away. I left the cottage 2 days after I arrived with bites all up the back of my legs, the last straw. I advised Discover Scotland I was going to get stronger antihistamines and wouldn’t be returning but wanted to complain about the state of the place and was asked to send a detailed email & photos of my bitten legs to which I did weeks ago and they have been giving me one excuse after another since, the site managed was off last week & they needed to talk to them before they could progress my complaint, well we are now Wednesday the following week and again I’ve heard from no-one. I wouldn’t recommend shelduck cottage OR Discover Scotland, they were happy to take my money but have done nothing to help get me any of it back, £575 wasted on a filthy place that they say they check regularly? That furniture hasn’t been cleaned in years & there’s no padding left in the table seat cushions & they haven’t been painted in years either, absolutely disgusting, I left without taking photos of the property as by the time I’d been bitten I’d had enough & just wanted to get more antihistamines & go home. Entry was 4pm Sat and I left just after 9 on the Monday not having one walk as the Sunday rained heavily, the cottage was the only place I could have got the bites and Discover Scotland have avoided me since, terrible customer service, and now I also note all the recent reviews don’t have names, just ‘trusted customer’. I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone
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Confirmed Guest
Visited 21st - 28th September 2024. We loved our stay in Shelduck Cottage, having previously stayed in the cottage next door we knew what to expect but it was lovely to see the refurbishments to the property ie new bathroom and decoration throughout. The weather was kind so we could enjoy lots of time outdoors and great walks along the beach from both the reserve and local areas. Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Gatehouse of Fleet all within an easy drive. We visited Threave Castle and Gardens, the Camera Obscura and Dumfries Museum, visited the Ruthwell Cross an 8th centruy Anglo-Saxon cross, sat in the sunshine at Carsethorn and ate our picnic, bought beautiful fresh fish from Fleet Fish the mobile fish van. The kitchen was very well equipped a problem with the light was quickly sorted. We were warm, there was space for boots and coats. All in all a very comfortable stay.