Castle Douglas (7.5mls SE), Southern Scotland

Within effortless reach of the Solway Firth, this stylish lodge offers exceptional contemporary surroundings with an array of activities to be enjoyed both on and off-site. Set in an idyllic position amongst acres of working farmland, this property offers you a unique stay on Scotland’s coast. It’s within walking distance of the pretty seaside village of Auchencairn (1 mile) and a short drive to Castle Douglas (7.5 miles), both with local pubs and excellent eateries.

The latter is a designated food town making it a must-visit for self-confessed foodies. Nearby, explore the 200 miles of beautiful coastline along the Solway Firth or head towards the Galloway Forest Park (20 miles) to find exceptional scenery and spectacular dark skies at night. On the edge of this forest park, Galloway Activity Centre sits on the banks of Loch Ken (18 miles) and offers a great choice of water sports and activities to get stuck into.

With patio doors and wide windows, there’s an optimistic sense of light and spaciousness in every room of this single-storey accommodation. Leave outdoor clothing and boots behind in the entrance hall before moving into the open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner. This sociable space is equipped with three distinct areas for relaxing throughout the day.

The kitchen is an entirely modern space with all the up-to-date mod-cons including a coffee machine to keep you going. A circular dining table offers a great spot to dine indoors, and the lounge is equipped with plenty of seating options for evenings in. There’s a Smart TV, a Bluetooth speaker and an electric wood burner for cosy evenings, along with French doors leading onto the patio for summer stays.

Also on the ground floor, two bedrooms are each fitted with additional patio doors for added access to the outdoor spaces. The first bedroom is a versatile zip-and-link twin that can be made up as a super-king-size on request, complete with a Smart TV and a modern en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom is king-size and also features a Smart TV and an additional en-suite bathroom.

Make the most of the incredible loch views whilst sitting outside. The large patio area features a hot tub and outdoor seating for gazing up at dark night skies on an evening. On the grass, a fire pit creates an ideal place to sit with a wee dram at each day’s end, reminiscing on adventures just passed.

There is ample private off-road parking next to the lodge with an electric car charging point.