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Water meadows, near Straiton

Support for a new Galloway National Park is strong and it's likely that Holly Tree Cottage and Straiton would be in it.

Scotland gave the concept of National Parks to the world but only have 2 while Norway has 46. A Galloway National Park would complement the Biosphere, Forest Park and Dark Sky Park status which this area currently enjoys. The Biosphere was created in Southern Ayrshire and Galloway "because of its combination of special wildlife areas, rich cultural heritage and communities that care about their environment". Which certainly applies to us.

Let's hope the Galloway National Park comes to fruition soon. Click here to visit the Galloway National Park Association website and find out more.

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Lindsay Guidi

Learn to cook some delicious new dishes with Lindsay Guidi from Home Cook School and enjoy eating the results with friends and family.

Lindsay will work with you to improve your cooking skills and work accommodate your likes and dislikes. She delivers bespoke lessons to small groups either in the cottage or at the Home Cook School kitchen in Maybole.

Click here to view the website. For a 10% discount quote "cook1" and mention you are staying at Holly Tree Cottage.

Bon appetite!

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G&SA Biosphere Logo We’ve signed up to the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, Scotland’s first, and are proud to support its goals. The Biosphere status is given in recognition of the special natural qualities of this area and their goals include:

Conservation: promoting the preservation of wildlife, habitats and landscape.

Development: supporting a better understanding of nature and global issues.

Learning: fostering a sustainable economy and society.

Visit their website by clicking here to find out more about the Biosphere plus all the latest news and events.

We’ve binoculars to view the abundant bird and animal life surrounding Straiton, plus there are books on the flora fauna so you can identify what you’ve just observed. The Biosphere also promote cultural heritage and local products. The conservation village of Straiton is a great place to view traditional Scottish rural architecture, local produce include Barwheys Cheese (made near Kirkmichael), and Dorothy’s cakes are justly famous in The Buck.

Scottish Dark Sky ObservatoryA little further afield the Galloway Forest Park is a great place to walk, cycle, fish or just commune with nature. And at night we’ve some of the darkest skies in the world making it perfect for star gazing. The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (pictured) at Craigengilllan has a varied programme of events throughout the year.