Cottage Holidays Scotland

Holiday cottages in South West Scotland - a land of heath and rugged coastline

South West Scotland offers a wealth of interest and entertainment. Covering the Scottish counties of South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway, it is typified by wild, wide open landscapes and isolated communities.

Main towns include Kilmarnock and Ayr in the north and Dumfries and Carrick further south. The region contains Scotland's most southerly point at The Mull of Galloway, while on a clear day Ireland, the Isle of Man and Cumbria are visible. Crowning the region in the north is Glasgow, the country’s second largest city.

This region offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland. You will discover miles of rugged coastline, sandy beaches, rock pools, rich arable or grazing land and heather moorland. The abundant wildlife includes red, roe and fallow deer amongst the woodlands and heather-covered hills of the Galloway highlands. The observant may be lucky enough to see buzzards, peregrines and other raptors, together with a rich variety of wildlife and flora.

There is still plenty of time to make your last minute holiday cottage booking, and remember you will need to have insurance, car hire and you may have a special interest in bringing pets. Over fifties and backpackers take a special interest in making sure they stay dry, and in the same way you will want to make sure your guide books tell you about beach towels, wind breaks swimwear, and comfy day beds so that if you go for a swim in the sea or just a paddle at beach resorts, or enjoy the water slides and wave machines in the local swimming pool you will have the time of your life! Travel magazines so often expound on the virtues of wildlife safaris, winter sports like skiing and going on holiday to spain and ibiza, but you've got all you need for your next cottage holiday right on your back door in South West Scotland.

The region also abounds with history so you get culture while you relax in your holiday cottage. Neolithic standing stones stand proud on windswept hills - rugged towers and castles can be seen along the coast - and you will find grand stately homes and estates high in the hills.

South West Scotland abounds in comfy holiday cottages

St. Ninian established the first Christian church in Scotland at Whithorn in southern Dumfries & Galloway. You will also discover fascinating ruins and archaeological sites that give an insight into life after the collapse of the Roman Empire.

Further attractions include the Creetown Gem Rock Museum - one of the most popular in the region with exhibits from all over the world. Or you can try your hand at trout and salmon fishing in the many streams and hill lochs or beach casting and sea angling along the coast. The mild climate allows many sub-tropical plants to thrive in the gardens at Logan, Castle Kennedy and Threave. On the south Ayrshire coast, Culzean Castle & Country Park also has much to offer.

Cottages that sleep one or two people are often available out of season, and during the school holidays like half term and the Christmas break. If your cottage sleeps three, four, five, six or seven people then you can expect to have a massive selection of holiday properties to choose from. Holiday cottages that sleep parties of eight, nine, ten, eleven or twelve people are more likely to have a garden and plenty of space inside to move around and relax on the sofa.