Guest Information

Everything you need to know to plan your stay at Kirkennan Estate.

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Dog-Friendly Holidays

We welcome up to 3 well-behaved dogs per cottage free of charge (and up to 5 in The Lodge by arrangement). Dumfries and Galloway is incredibly dog-friendly, and we have everything you need for a great holiday with your four-legged friends.

  • The Lodge and Woodsedge both feature enclosed private gardens where dogs can safely be off the lead. (Please note, you know your dogs best, so we ask that you assess the garden's suitability for them). The Mews features its own private outdoor seating area, but it is not enclosed.

  • You don't need to leave the estate for a great walk. We have over 20 acres of beautiful riverside woodland where dogs are welcome to explore off the lead, plus three fields that are normally stock-free.

  • To ensure all our guests (and resident wildlife) are comfortable, we politely request that dogs are kept on a lead throughout the main estate gardens. This shared space is home to our free-range guinea fowl, as well as other guests and children. You can find our full doggy house rules in your welcome pack!

Green Tourism & Sustainability

We are proud recipients of a Gold Green Tourism Award (2019) and a VIBES Scottish Environment Business Award (2021). We believe that addressing climate change is the issue of our time, and we are passionate about reducing our impact on nature.

  • We have made significant upgrades to make our cottages more sustainable, including installing an air source heat pump, a district biomass heating system, and solar panels. We also provide dedicated Type 2 EV charging points exclusively for guest use (one located at The Lodge, and one in the Barn for The Mews and Woodsedge).

  • Our 74-acre estate is a haven for local wildlife. We actively support nature by managing our woodlands responsibly and providing habitats for birds, bats, and native red squirrels. Guests are welcome to spend time in our dedicated bird hide to see what they can spot!

  • We are committed to supporting our local economy. By booking directly with us, your money stays in the local community. We also champion local suppliers and small businesses, and encourage our guests to explore the fantastic local produce Dumfries and Galloway has to offer during their stay.

Accessibility

We believe everyone should be able to enjoy a holiday. Within the constraints of our historic buildings, we have worked hard to make Kirkennan welcoming and accessible.

  • Woodsedge is a purpose-adapted bungalow with level access and no internal steps. It features a fully accessible wet room equipped with grab rails and a choice of a shower stool or chair. Note: As Woodsedge is a converted historic stable block, some doorways are narrower than modern purpose-built standards. Please view our full Access Statement for exact measurements.

  • There is a small lip down from the Woodsedge back door to the garden, for which we provide a portable ramp. Alternatively, the garden can be accessed via a level side gate. The tarmac estate roads are easily accessible, and while the gravel paths in the walled garden are manageable for some, the uneven turf paths in the woodland are not suitable for wheelchairs.

  • To make your stay as comfortable as possible, Woodsedge includes an electric rising/adjustable-height bed and an electric riser-recliner armchair. We can also provide a removable toilet booster seat and a free mobility scooter (ideal for exploring the tarmac estate roads) upon request.

Holidays Without a Car

While we are in a rural setting, it is entirely possible to enjoy a varied, active, and relaxing holiday at Kirkennan without relying on a car.

  • Kirkennan is highly bike-friendly and within easy reach of the famous 7-Staines mountain bike routes. We offer secure, undercover lockable bike racks for each cottage, alongside charging points for e-bikes. We also provide a track pump and repair kit free of charge. Don't have a bike? We can recommend excellent local hire shops.

  • The nearest train station is Dumfries (19 miles away). We highly recommend pre-booking a taxi from the station. Once you are here, the 505 bus route passes right outside the gates of Kirkennan (you can simply flag it down), connecting you to Dalbeattie, Kippford, Rockcliffe, and Kirkcudbright for easy day trips.

  • For groceries, major supermarkets like Tesco deliver directly to the estate. For daily essentials, our wonderful community-run shop in Palnackie is just a short 0.7-mile walk away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to help you prepare for your stay at Kirkennan.

  • Check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out is by 10:00 AM, allowing our team time to professionally prepare the cottages. Late arrivals are no problem—we can leave your key in a safe place. Each cottage has private off-road parking for up to two cars (if you are bringing a trailer or extra vehicles, just let us know!).

  • Summer offers lovely temperatures, open visitor attractions, and beautiful local beaches. However, off-peak winter stays offer incredible peace, generous deals, frosty woodland walks, and cosy evenings by the woodburning stoves. Remember, booking directly through our website is always the cheapest way to book!

  • Step outside your cottage and you have 74 acres of adventure: den building, table tennis, and bird-spotting. (Please note the Urr Water river borders the estate, so children must be supervised). Nearby, kids love the rockpools at Rockcliffe beach, feeding the animals at Errnespie Farm, watching the Red Kites at Bellymack Hill (2 PM daily!), and the Cocoabean Chocolate Factory.

  • Because we are in the south of Scotland and close to the coast, midges are far less of an issue here than in the Highlands. The season runs from late May to early September, but in our 10+ years here, it is extremely rare that midges have stopped us from enjoying a summer evening in the garden!