Cosses Country House Blog » favourite walks in Ballantrae

Luxury, Summer Holiday Offers in Southern Scotland

susanc — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:56:23 +0000

After some much needed rain everything is green and growing again! I made blackcurrant jam this morning and picked broad beans, french beans, spring onions and various salad leaves to mix with smoked Ayrshire Bacon, parmasan shavings, anchovies, free range eggs and olives for a delicious lunch.

As we still have some availability in July and August we have put together some special hot summer deals to tempt you to this beautiful unspoilt part of Scotland

If you are a ‘passionate foodie’ you will love it!

*Come and stay for a minimum of 4 nights (with dinner on a minimum of 3 nights) and receive 20% discount off the B&B price (Sunday to Thursday)

*Enjoy a weekend break away from it all and receive a free bottle of wine, with dinner. ( 2 nights)

*Walking Packages – from gentle walks to a bit more strenuous, to a real challenge (including free packed lunch and drop offs ) The walking in this enchanting area of natural beauty has amazing views with seascapes
, Southern Upland Way, Ayr River Way, Carrick and Galloway hills.

*Romantic Luxury Break with free bottle of Delamotte Brut, Champagne, (Established in the prestigious village of Le Mesnil. Champagne Delamotte is Chardonnays most refined in style and pedigree.One of the oldest Champagne houses, 250 years old this year.)
and Pamper Packages arranged at Pebble Spa. – minimum 2 nights

5*****Golfing breaks on delightful courses, for couples or small parties, in South West Scotland. Golfing itineraries arranged and a 3 night package will include 2 rounds of golf at Dunsky / Stranraer/ Brunston / or Girvan.

3 nights dinner B&B and 2 rounds of golf in the Ailsa or Iona Suite £295 per person / Garden room £265per person

Please quote ‘Summer Specials’ to claim any of these offers – subject to availability.
We are a Wolsey Lodge, that very special place to stay away from it all!

Holiday in Southern Scotland

susanc — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:03:35 +0000

Guests leaving this morning said that their visit to Cosses Country House was ‘the icing on the cake’ to finish a lovely week touring Scotland. They said that the dinner was fabulous – Fresh asparagus with Marrbury Smoked Salmon and home grown salad leaves; Fillet of Dalduff beef with mushroom stuffed with spinach and roast beetroot with balsamic and saute potatoes; Blackcurrant Creme Brulee; Scottish Cheese and Home made oatcakes; finished with coffee and home made Tablet.
They called in woodland Farm shop to buy farm house cheese – Ann Dorwood’s Aiket Brie and Epicure potatoes to take back home to Ireland; then they were going for a walk in Castle Kennedy before going for the ferry.

It rained last night, which watered the garden, as I had planted out the runner beans – St George and climbing beans – Cobra. The first early potatoes (in the green house) will be ready at the weekend, the spring cabbage is almost ready, and everything else has grown after the rain – including the weeds!

Caroline’s hen party at Cosses Country House and the boat trip to Ailsa Craig

susanc — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:30:10 +0000

Last weekend saw Cosses Country House host Caroline’s ‘Hen Party’.
All 8 ladies arrived on Friday evening when Kristina conducted a tutored wine tasting before supper.
An early start was needed the next morning in order to make the sailing from Girvan harbour at 10am. All boardered the Glorious and skipper mark Mccrindle set off for a rather choppy crossing to the volcanic plug, Ailsa Craig. The granite to make curling stones is mined (every few years) on Ailsa Craig. Seals gather on the shore and can be seen bobbing out of the water.

The bride and her brides maid’s climbed to the top -quite a hike!!

A great picnic was hungryly devoured on the return to the shore, but had to be finished on board the Glorious, which was waiting to pick us up. Another 10 minutes and the boat would not have been able to reach the jetty! The boat then circled the island and we watched seals and ganets, the puffins had not yet returned to breed.
All members of the hen party returned for a siesta before gathering for drinks and pre dinner games. A magnificent dinner of Crab, tomato and rocket salad, Gressingham Ducking Breast with czar plum sauce, Clapshot, purple sprouting broccoli; Almond and Ginger Tuilles with Rhubarb and Ginger ice cream; Scottish Cheese and Home made oatcakes; then coffee and tablet. Lots of silly games ensued!
A lovely woodland walk, where bluebells and orchids are coming into bloom followed breakfast. The party finished their weekend with afternoon tea at Glenapp Castle.

A walk by the river Stinchar

susanc — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:24:28 +0000

It was such a lovely afternoon, so after a delicious fish pie made with local seafood and Caroline’s hen’s eggs, we took the dogs for a walk along the banks of the River Stinchar. There were signs of the recent flooding with silt covering the grass, sticks and branches caught up in the undergrowth and hedgerows. Snowdrops were peeping through, showing the first signs of spring. A heron watched us, having just eaten his fill of salmon par. The dogs raced along, chasing the scent of a hare or a fox and then jumped into the river for a swim.