An architect-designed eco-build with far-reaching views, surrounded by sheep

George and Julie have diversified impressively on their small, family-run farm in the Galloway hills: up the farm track, through the bluebell wood, and in a field grazed by their Scottish Blackface sheep, Brockloch Bothy has already settled comfortably into its new home.

It has all the luxuries of a boutique cottage - a swish kitchen, a crackling fire, home-baked welcome treats - with a lightness that springs from sincere eco-credentials and contemporary design. Made of sustainable timber, with cosy goose-down duvets, a wool mattress on the double bed, and Earthborn paints throughout, the Bothy is insulated with sheep's wool. Two more can sleep on the double sofa bed, and there's a separate shower room with loo. The two large solar panels on the roof power the lighting and charge your phone or laptop, but there's no TV or wifi. Instead watch the world go by from wide windows, or relax into the silence, complete apart from the yip of a fox or the hoot of an owl. 

Play at Famous Five on the rocky crags and hidden coves of nearby beaches, taste local game from great farm shops and restaurants, visit the 'Artists' Town' of Kirkcudbright, or experience the UK's longest zip wire.

Featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces on Channel 4, Tuesday 6th Nov!

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in is from 3pm
• Check out is at 10am
• Bring a torch and wellies, and if possible arrive in daylight hours so you can get a good look at the place!
• Beware of cows with calves and please avoid going into the cow field.

Sleeping arrangements

Kids & Pets

Cooking

• Gas hob and oven
• All kitchen utensils provided
• 12v (small!) travel fridge, ice tray

Washing

• Bathroom in the bothy with gas-powered shower, sink and WC

Heating, lighting & bedding

• Log burner with wood provided
• 12v electric lighting
• Point for USB and car chargers, and 12v hairdryer provided
• No mains power or plug sockets
• Linen and towels provided

Entertainment

• Watch the sheep wander by!
• Radio, books, board games, binoculars

Getting there

Brockloch Bothy, Kirkpatrick Durham, DG7 3HU

By train

The nearest station is Dumfries (9 miles away). We're sorry, it's not possible to arrange pickups.

By bus

The nearest bus stop is at Crocketford (3 miles away). We're sorry, it's not possible to arrange pickups.

By car

From Carlisle take the M6 motorway, continue onto A74M. At Junction 22, exit onto A75 toward southwest Scotland/Dumfries/Stranraer. Drive 34.1 miles, at Crocketford turn right onto A712, signposted Corsock/ Balmaclellan. Drive on for approx 3 miles. Brockloch Farm is on the left hand side - drive up the farm track, and Brockloch Bothy is signposted up through a  wood. (Please note, non-tarmac road could be tricky for very low slung cars but most cars will make it if you drive slowly!)

Eating & drinking

At Brockloch

Fresh scones or cake and homemade jam will be provided on arrival. Julie can provide hampers of local provisions with champagne/wine for special occasions, on request.

The nearest shop for supplies is a 5 min drive away in Crocketford (it takes 30 min to walk, but this is along a road that's busy with lorries, so not very enjoyable). 

Within walking distance or close by

Craigadam Country House, Kirkpatrick Durham. 01556 650233 

A country house with organic farm which serves and sells excellent game, just across the road and walking distance from the Bothy. (You will probably need to book in advance.) 

Pringles Bar, Corsock, 01644 440275

Local pub serving food, 10 mins from the Bothy. Booking recommended, as is sometimes very busy and other times empty!

Pubs & restaurants further afield

Dumfries

Kilnford Farm shop and café, The Glen, Dumfries 01387 253087

A great place to pick up supplies, this independent farm shop, deli, café stocks local meat and more. 

Pizzeria il fiume, Dock Park, Dumfries 01387 265154 (25min drive) 

Traditional Italian food, log oven, very informal, lively atmosphere.

Hullabaloo, Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries 01387 259679 

Tasty Scottish cuisine. Situated on the River Nith, good for a romantic dinner. Above an indie cinema, so easy to combine a meal and a film - but book your seats ahead. 

Castle Douglas

Designs, 179 King Street, Castle Douglas 01556 504552

Lovely shop/gallery/café in Castle Douglas. Sells quirky one offs and well known quality brands, e.g. Avoca, Emma Bridgewater

Carlos, 211 King Street, Castle Douglas 01556 503977 (15min drive)

Lovely fresh food cooked by an Italian chef, limited seating therefore recommend booking in advance.

Jewel in the Crown, Indian Tandoori restaurant, 17 King street, Castle Douglas 01556 505999

Threave Gardens - café at National Trust for Scotland property just outside Castle Douglas 01556 502575

Kirkcudbright (35 min drive) - a lovely town well worth a visit

Polar Bites, Harbour Square, Kirkcudbright 01557 339050 

Gorgeous fresh fish, eat in or takeaway, very popular especially in the summer. Fish comes straight off the boats in the harbour square. Very informal. 

Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright 01557 330402 

The Anchor Pub,  Kippford 

A cosy pub right by the sea, with open fire, about 25min drive from the Bothy.

Luigis, Dalbeattie

Very informal Italian, approx 15-20mins from the Bothy.

Things to do

At Brockloch

Books of local walks are provided. You can also visit the working farm, say hello to the sheep grazing outside or get out a board game if you prefer to hibernate within!

Outdoors & Active

Outdoor activities abound: go sailing on Loch Ken, visit Laggan outdoor centre (has the longest zip wire in the UK!), or take the kids to Cream o Galloway ice cream dairy and adventure park. 

Local beaches with rocky crags, hidden coves and sandy shores are "like something from a Famous Five book," according to Julie. Head for Sandyhills and Carrick Shore in particular. 

Places to visit

Castle Douglas (9 miles away) a designated 'Food Town'! Lots of great restaurants and cafés, butchers, fishmongers...the list goes on. 

Galloway - famous for food, art and books. 

Dumfries (9 miles away) Hometown of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns for many years until his death in 1796.

Kirkcudbright, known 'The Artists' Town' (18 miles)

Meet your hosts

George and Julie have two children aged 8 and 10 and want to make sure the farm is a happy place for all - it's farmed non-intensively, which means the sheep and cows graze outside all year (apart from lambing and calving time when it's cosier and easier to take care of them indoors).

George has lived on the 190 acre farm all his life, but the challenges of farming meant they were delighted with the chance to diversify a bit in a way that's sustainable and has minimal impact on the environment. A local designer was keen to make a prototype modular off grid building, which George and Julie felt would fit well with the sustainable nature of what they wanted to create. Together they put together Brockloch Bothy, the creation of which was filmed for George Clarke's Amazing Spaces on Channel 4!

Wildlife & Environment

The Bothy is a unique, contemporary eco building. Interior furnishings are largely natural, with cotton linen, sheep's wool mattresses and insulation, goose down duvets and earthborn paint throughout. It is off grid, but has 2 solar panels which charge 2 batteries to power electric lighting in the bothy. Bottled gas is used for cooking, and to provide hot water. (There is a septic tank, so we request that “stuff” isn’t put down the toilet.)

The red kites on the farm can be seen circling the bothy; there are also red squirrels and deer nearby. Guests are free to roam and explore, and are welcome to watch the daily life of a working farm (although George has been known to use a few choice words when the sheep don’t do as they are told!).