Self-Catering at Kouloura | Holiday Cottages in Southerness

Holiday home
Kouloura is a charming holiday home, a single storey detached property within easy reach of the beach in Southerness. There is a double bedroom, and a family bedroom with two sets of bunk beds. There is also a family bathroom. The kitchen has a dining area, while the sitting room offers a cosy open fire, and there are also two conservatories, ensuring a sunny spot in which to relax throughout the day. Outside, the cottage offers off road parking for three cars, and also lawned gardens to the front and rear. With the beach a short walk, and the rest of Dumfries and Galloway a short drive, Kouloura makes a wonderful base for family, friends or walkers to discover this beautiful part of Scotland.

Accomodation Details
All ground floor. Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x family room with 2 x adult bunks. Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC. Fitted kitchen with dining area. Sitting room with open fire. Front and rear conservatories.

Area
Established in the late 18th century, the village of Southerness looks out over the Solway Firth and forms part of the Colvend coast. Home to two pubs and a village store, the seaside village also boasts two miles of sandy beaches with dunes, rock pools and warm Gulf Stream waters, as well as one of the oldest lighthouses in Scotland. Built in 1748, this beacon was one of the first in the country. Nearby Criffel Hill is an impressive 569m tall and offers varied walks with wonderful views of the farmland and the sands of the Nith Estuary. The Southerness Championship Golf Course is definitely worth playing for its panoramic views of the Solway Firth, the Cumbrian Lake District and the Galloway Hills.

Region
From the lush green farmlands of the Borders to the ruggedness of the Highlands, the Scots are proud of their land and identity. Scotland also has some of Britain's best beaches with glorious stretches of clean sand over which to roam.

Amenities
Electric heating with open fire in sitting room. Electric oven and hob, fridge, freezer, washing machine, TV, DVD, books/games/DVDs. Fuel, power and coal for open fire inc. in rent. Bed linen and towels inc. in rent. Cot and highchair on request. Off road parking for up to 3 cars. Enclosed lawned garden surrounding the property with garden furniture and children's play house. Two well-behaved dogs welcome. Sorry, no smoking.Note 3 pubs in village - one closes in winter, one open all the time, one with restricted hours in winter Note: There is a bar open all winter for food and drink within a 5 minute walk. Note: Local shop/Chip shop - closes in winter Note: Closest shop in winter is 7 miles away. Note: This property does not accept Hen/Stag parties or similar.

Mr Deeming

May 2019

This was a lovely cottage with a nautical feel to it quite well equipped we were .... This was a lovely cottage with a nautical feel to it quite well equipped we were greeted by the owner and his wife both very helpful pointing out places to go on the map this was truly a lovely area to visit and explore

Ms Walton

April 2019

The bungalow was clean and comfortable.. Although it was next to a holiday park - we went just before Easter - it was a lovely quiet area and a very short walk from the beach. In one direction on the beach when the tide was out there were miles and miles of hard sand that is perfect for dogs to run free! The beds were lovely and comfortable. The coal fire was cosy in the evenings and the conservatory was s great place to sit and relax. The host was friendly and helpful.

Mr Finch

February 2019

Sandy the Cottage owner was a great help in getting settled and guidance on the local area

Mr Barlow

January 2019

Very comfortable, well equipped cottage - loved the open fire.. Great location being just a few minutes walk from the beach. Very helpful, hospitable owners.

Mr Watson

December 2018

The cottage location was superb, a very short walk to the beach which was handy for walking our Labrador.. The cottage facilities where of a very high standard, very clean and spacious and the open fire made for a very relaxing break. I would recommend anyone looking for accommodation for a relaxing break to consider this cottage. Both Sandy and Anne where very friendly and really helpful on where to go and there was plenty of information on the local features, all in all my wife and I had a very good, relaxing break.

Mrs Adcock

November 2018

The holiday chalet was extremely clean and tidy and well equipped.. Owner very friendly and helpful. Ideally situated for quick access to beach and shore walks just couple minutes stroll away. Lovely big lawned garden enclosed with mainly 3foot high mesh fence ( not ideal if your dog is a jumper ) Our only criticism being the listing could have been a bit clearer about the close proximity of neighbouring properties and the large holiday caravan site directly behind the chalet. It didnt impact too much on us as we visited low season and we had a lovely holida but if you value your privacy it may be an issuey

Mr Cuffling

October 2018

On arrival we were met by a very friendly and informative owner, so much nicer than a key safe.. We had a lovely holiday very cold but sunny and dry. The open fire was lovely and kept us nice and toasty.

Ms White

Enjoyed the comfy cottage.. Clean comfy beds. An amazing garden for my dogs and so near the beach. We had a lovely relaxing holiday.

Mrs Raine

September 2018

Owner was quite happy for us to bring our 3 dogs and the place was absolutely great for them, large fenced garden and a beach at the end of the road.. House is better in real life than on photos, and we were met by the owner with a lit real fire and a welcome gift of wine and chocolates.Would highly recommend and are likely to book again Thank you

Dr Crampton

August 2018

Very nice owners.. Good information regarding local amenities and activities. Very enjoyable holiday.

Mr Green

July 2018

Brilliant cottage Brilliant weather Brilliant owners Brilliant beaches Brilliant holiday..

Mrs Mcneill

From beginning to end our holiday was fab, beautiful clean house with everything u need.. Huge garden for our dogs to play in. Overall a great holiday and will definitely be back.

Mr Liddell

December 2017

The property would benefit by having Wifi.. However, we had an extremely good time, the owners were very nice and friendly and explained everything when we arrived and made us very welcome. Definitely a thought for next year.

Mrs Duff

Enjoyed the open fire, quiet location, close to seafront.. Had a lovely peaceful holiday. Cottage was very clean and comfortable.

Ms Hunter

November 2017

Lovely break, garden totally secure for our two Leonbergers, which makes for a relaxing time.. Sandy, the owner, was there to welcome us and passed on lots of information about the area. The cottage was exactly as described. The only slight negative the nearest shop was a distance away, as the local one shut for winter. We were fortunate to enjoy a lovely sunny albeit frosty week at the end of November, one day of rain!

Mrs Forrester

October 2017

Perfect retreat from busy life.. The coal fire in the cottage and beach round the corner, the RSPB reserve a few miles away and the Steamboat Inn for tea in a nearby village add to the blessing that Kouloura is.

Mr Davidson

August 2016

We loved staying at this property it was in a great place for everything, walking on the beach with the dog and walking to the local hotel for the lovely food.

Mr Burns

June 2016

We liked everything; the cottage, the location and we had a very warm welcome from the owners. The cottage was well-equipped, cosy and very clean with a wonderful garden.

Mrs Kitchener

May 2016

From the moment we arrived at Kouloura and were met by the owners we felt at home. The whole experience was amazing. The cottage is situated in a very cosy part of Scotland where there is plenty of scope to explore or to just sit and relax.

Mrs Gow

January 2016

A lovely home away from home, we especially liked the open fire, it was very cosy. All in all we had an excellent holiday and the hospitality from the owners was first class!

Mrs Sarson

April 2015

The garden, great for the dogs and the children. Lovely homely touches in the cottage.

Mr Cameron

The property was very comfortable with an enclosed garden and plenty of room for the dog to play and exercise. The neighbours at the back of the property were very nice and helpful with information on the area. The information provided to us by the property owner and the information leaflets were also good. We really liked the real fire. The surrounding area is very beautiful and there are plenty of things to do/places to visit. Also, many of the pubs/restaurants are dog friendly. We would certainly stay in Kouloura cottage again.

Mr Williams

March 2015

A perfect place to relax and unwind and the coal fire was the icing on the cake.

Mr Woodward

Very good, would always recommend this property and will definitely be coming back - it was lovely and peaceful.

Mrs Harwood

November 2014

We took 2 dogs with us and they had a fantastic time, the garden is very large and would also be ideal for a family. Close to beach and plenty walks. We had to travel to restaurants due to time of year (late November) but they were excellent. Kouloura is well appointed. A warm welcome from the owner.

Mrs Silson

October 2014

This is our third stay at his cottage, it is always welcoming and very comfortable. The hospitality pack from owners is a lovely touch. All pubs are dog friendly. A great relaxing holiday.

Mrs Colclough

August 2014

Lovely place with a fantastic garden and nice short walk to beach.

Mrs Horridge-smith

The location of the Kouloura was superb with excellent garden for the dog and daughter to run about in.

Guest

Good location warm welcome on arrival from the owners, open fire was lit and the wine,eggs and biscuits were well received. The cottage benefitted from the conservatory at the front which was well used by us in the evenings, the garden was fully enclosed as described and our two dogs enjoyed the freedom they had. Access to the beach was just minutes away as was the Paul Jones Hotel which provided excellent food and drink and was extremely dog friendly. The owners provided us with information on what was of interest locally and leaflets were readily available in the cottage of places to visit further afield. I would definitely return in the future.

Mr Turnbull

July 2014

The very large enclosed garden was perfect for the dogs. There were plenty of comfortable chairs in the lounge and conservatory. The property was within 200 yards of the shingle beach.

Mrs Cooper

June 2014

We enjoyed a wonderful week at the cottage. We spent the majority of the evenings in the conservatory. On one cool evening we enjoyed the coal fire in the sitting room. The large garden was superb for our two dogs, who we could allow to roam freely as it was totally secure and gated. The owners greeted us on arrival with a warm welcome and provided lots of information. The wine, eggs and biscuits were a very welcome touch and appreciated.

Our second visit to this cottage and we had a lovely stay. The cottage has great facilities and the proximity to the beach is a huge bonus. Always made to feel welcome, and rain or shine the conservatory is a fantastic place to sit and watch the wildlife.

Mrs Gamage

April 2014

We really enjoyed our stay, the cottage was ideal for us and our dog; comfortable, warm and welcoming. Wonderful space. Lovely touches from the owners, fire lit and warming, wine and fresh organic eggs for us too.

Ms Goodliff

The cottage was lovely, and in an especially suitable location for us to take our very energetic dog! The garden was completely enclosed, as promised, so we could relax while he ran around outside. The cottage itself was well appointed, cosy and in a super location near the beach. The facilities in the cottage itself were good, and we really liked the conservatory at the front which was lovely and warm on a sunny day.

Mr Hemingway

December 2013

The Kouloura was five star; the best bungalow we have stayed in.

Mrs Buchanan

November 2013

Very stress free holiday. The area is very naturally beautiful, with breathtaking views in surrounding bays and villages.

Mr Shaw

July 2013

There is plenty to do, and see, with the nature reserve nearby and Osprey's at Castle Douglas. There is plenty of space for pets.

Lovely cosy cottage with open fire and a super conservatory at front and small conservatory at the back. Everything we needed was there-just like a home from home. The garden was great for the dogs which was just as well as the adjacent beach is either rocky or the sandy part is very silty. Good fish shop but can`t comment on pubs as we don`t drink. I would recommend this lovely little cottage to anyone taking dogs or kids.

Mr Thomas

June 2013

The property was an excellent choice for us to have our dogs with us. Its large enclosed garden providing a secure area for them and the proximity to the beach affording extensive walks. The beach itself was outstanding, miles of sand and the most people we saw on it at any one time was 20! The large number of nearby forest walks provided a nice variety of options. The property itself was really comfortable and the very large conservatory was a very popular location for us all in the evenings.

Mr Claxton

May 2013

The cottage was a home from home and the garden was great for the dogs. The owners and neighbours are lovely people. We had a lovely relaxing week and the cottage was very cosy on chilly nights thanks to the open fire. Will recommend to friends and family.

A fantastic time in a lovely spot. Wonderful space in the conservatory and garden and a cosy nook sitting room with a real fire to snuggle up in the chilly spring evenings. Spotless and with extremely clean but cosy beds.

Mrs McDonald

April 2013

Warm welcome by the owners and received gifts of wine, chocolates and eggs. Quiet and peaceful surroundings with easy access to the local shop and beach. Lots of interesting places to visit within a short travelling distance. Able to watch wildlife in the garden from the large conservatory at the front of the cottage. Already recommended to friends and we also hope to return.

Ms Harper

Lovely location. Cottage itself had a wonderful garden for children and dogs. Owners gave us a warm welcome and left complimentary wine, Easter eggs and eggs. Coal fire was a delight with good supply of coal for the week. A real home from home. Great that 2 dogs were permitted.

December 2012

Lovely spacious accommodation but with a cosy feel enhanced by the real fire. Large enclosed garden ideal for our two dogs. Five minute walk to big beach and ten minute walk to dog friendly pub, shop and chip shop. Owners very welcoming and helpful with ideas. Kindly left wine, eggs and useful OS map. Will definitely be returning as surrounding area really pretty and still lots more to see.

November 2012

We felt very welcome, and were given loads of great local information from the owners. Wonderful cottage to unwind. The deserted beaches were wonderful and plenty of interesting places to visit nearby. Great garden with abundance of wildlife.

Mrs Roper

October 2012

The cottage was very convenient for the beach and there was a shop and pub close by.

Mrs Bamford

We received a lovely warm welcome and there was plenty of information on the area and the wine, cake and eggs were much appreciated. The garden was great for our dogs as it was totally enclosed. We enjoyed the real fire each night. Plenty of good eating places nearby. The bungalow was in a quiet private location but close to amenities. We will definitely return.

We received a lovely warm welcome and there was plenty of information on the area. The garden was great for our dogs as it was totally enclosed. We enjoyed the real fire each night. The bungalow was in a quiet, private location but close to amenities. We will definitely return.

Mr Oglesby

The cottage is very spacious but cosy with welcoming real fire (all coal included). The conservatory was large and ideal for sitting in sun. The large, enclosed garden was perfect for our two dogs. A few minutes walk took you to a dog friendly pub, chip shop, shop and dog friendly beach. The welcome pack of wine, chocolates and eggs was an added bonus. Warm welcome from owners who provided lots of info about the area and also left an OS map for us to use. Would definitely return to this cottage.

Mrs Ritchie

September 2012

The location overlooking the sea and the large garden.

Mrs Marsden

We liked the proximity of the cottage to the beach. We loved the welcome from the owner and his efforts to make the cottage as comfortable as possible. It was absolutely ideal for our 2 dogs. The conservatory was a brilliant place to sit and relax.

Miss Foster

August 2012

The garden was a fantastic size and our 12 year old daughter and our dog spent a lot of time enjoying the space. The property was very close to the beach and also the shop in the village.

Mr Heslop

The hospitality from the owners was first rate, from the gift of wine and chocolates to the help with where to visit and what walks to take. The cottage is very nice and the garden was great for our two dogs. A very relaxing and tranquil place to stay.

Mrs Hillier

Everything seemed to have been thought of to make it thoroughly enjoyable holiday. From the caftiere in the kitchen, coal for the fire, to the toys for the children to play with. It made it a relaxing holiday.

I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to get this review on the website but initially after my stay I'd put one directly on Trip advisor not realising that holiday cottages have to go through their booking agents. However I stayed at Kouloura in February this year and it was the most fabulous "getting away from it all" experience! It is not a busy place at that time of year but the cottage was just amazing. Sandy and ann have put a lot of thought into caring about the comforts of their visitors. Sandy was most helpful with showing me where to go walking with my dog and made sure that I was comfortable with plenty of heating and coal during the cold snap. The beach was within minutes of the cottage and my dog and I just loved twice daily walks either on the sandy beach to the left of the cottage or the really intersting shell beach with lots of rock pools to the right towards the light house and beyond! Wilma who owns the local pub was so welcoming and friendly which just added to the experience. Kouloura is a beautiful cottage, comfortable and homely with so many loving touches. Southerness is a little haven in the wintertime if you can appreciate the natural side of life. Certainly not for people who want to be entertained and have everything at their fingertip without going in search for it! I'll be back for sure!

Marcus H

This was a wonderful holiday, hardly in keeping with the other review which seems to have stayed at another location. My wife, son and I stayed here and it is a lovely little cottage with a great garden for dogs in a nice area. Yes there is a caravan park next door but we stayed in August and there was no noise or trouble but why should there be? Unless you are prejudiced against such places of course. The beach was great for exploring the rock pools and the tide was sometimes in and sometimes out. This is called nature! The owners of this cottage go out of their way to make sure you have all relevant information wether it be the cottage itself or the true beauty of the surrounding area.

Mr Bannister

July 2012

The coal-burning fire evoked strong memories from the past and we could reminisce into the wee small hours.

Mrs Young

The proximity to the beach, the large garden and the lovely sun room/conservatory made this an ideal family holiday cottage. There are lots of things to see and do within a short distance, although we spent most of our time just walking along the beach with our dog and daughter.

Mr Gane

The property had a great secure garden, with a playhouse which the kids loved. Another unexpected pleasant surprise was a large trampoline. The property was well equipped and very clean. The owners also left chocolates and a bottle of wine, which was a nice surprise.

Mrs Patten

March 2012

Really friendly and helpful owners. Beautiful location. Owners thought of everything we might need with regards to household items. Cosy and warm. Really homely and comfortable property, very thoughtful!

mac55_12

February 2012

the description of the area in my opinion was totally inaccurate. This was described as the scottish rivierra ............ if you like to be in the middle of an estate with a large caravan park overlooking your garden and beaches you cannot take your dogs on as they are covered in shells and rubbish then this is the place for you. We were told the beach was a short walk away however when we tried this we were told by one of the local residents we would have a way to go before we hit sand and the tide was in anyway so we could not get around. Next we drove to the visitors centre (approx 4 miles away) and were told to follow a path for 10 minutes and would arrive at the beach after walking along a very boggy and muddy path for 25 minutes the beach was no where in sight. We gave up after this and decided to head home. None of the ammenities in the village were open and when we questioned this with sykes we were told we should have researched the area before we arrived. This place is totally geared up to the caravan park when it is opened. When we tried to complain to the rental complany that the description was totally inaccurate and we would like a refund of some of our money we were told no an that the descriptions was accurate. I do not think of myself as a fool but could honestly not find this beach which was the sole reason we went with our dogs. If you do decide to rent this property please reseach it carefully to make sure it is what you want. We have been to many cottages in scotland and this is the first we have had problems with and i was shocked at the lack of consideration from sykes who were totally unwilling to even consider our side of the story. The cottage itself is ok but the area is a different story and the description given is totally inaccurate.

the description of the area in my opinion was totally inaccurate. This was described as the scottish rivierra ... if you like to be in the middle of an estate with a large caravan park overlooking your garden and beaches you cannot take your dogs on as they are covered in shells and rubbish then this is the place for you. We were told the beach was a short walk away however when we tried this we were told by one of the local residents we would have a way to go before we hit sand and the tide was in anyway so we could not get around. Next we drove to the visitors centre (approx 4 miles away) and were told to follow a path for 10 minutes and would arrive at the beach after walking along a very boggy and muddy path for 25 minutes the beach was no where in sight. We gave up after this and decided to head home. None of the ammenities in the village were open and when we questioned this with sykes we were told we should have researched the area before we arrived. This place is totally geared up to the caravan park when it is opened. When we tried to complain to the rental complany that the description was totally inaccurate and we would like a refund of some of our money we were told no an that the descriptions was accurate. I do not think of myself as a fool but could honestly not find this beach which was the sole reason we went with our dogs. If you do decide to rent this property please reseach it carefully to make sure it is what you want. We have been to many cottages in scotland and this is the first we have had problems with and i was shocked at the lack of consideration from sykes who were totally unwilling to even consider our side of the story. The cottage itself is ok but the area is a different story and the description given is totally inaccurate.

October 2011

Kouloura was excellent and close to the sea.

Mr Fox

Very warm welcome from the owners. Perfect garden for our dog and the location is very good.

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Kouloura in Southerness, Dumfries and Galloway