Cosses Country House Blog » Walking Scotland

Snowdrop Festival in Southern Scotland

susanc — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:39:34 +0000

Snowdrops are the first flowers of the year

February marks the beginning of the SnowdropFestival in Scotland. Did you know the Scientific name for Galanthus means milk flower. These lovely flowers are among the first to raise their heads in the New Year, when it is warm they release a fragrance. Look carefully at the snowdrops to see their green markings on the inside.
Cosses Country House has created a woodland trail with information about all there is to see. The shrubbery, woodland and pond are covered with blankets of white snowdrops.

A favourite eating place for the birds in the Vibernum

Many gardens in the area have wonderful displays of snowdrops including Dunsky, Caprington Castle, Culzean and Logan Come and enjoy the beautiful woodland and loch-side walks and car drives, and see the swathes of snowdrops and early spring flowers. Set amidst the truly stunning gardens of Castle Kennedy there is much to explore and enjoy for all the family.

Reflections

Cosses Country House is offering some wonderful holiday packages with fine dining, log fires and luxury accommodation.

Staying at Cosses Country House

susanc — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:39:17 +0000

Visitors are enjoying the lovely spring weather, gardens, walking, cycling and golf in South West Scotland.

Azalia at Cosses

Guests wrote in the visitors book: “Better than the reputation! Wonderful food, hospitality and company. An exquisite short break. Thank you so much”.
Culzean castle has been refurbished and delighted our guests with the fabulous cliff walks. They were railway enthusiasts and reported what a wonderful scenic trip it was on the train from Ayr to Stranraer, over some of the remotests part of Galloway.
As our guests cross the court yard after dinner, they are wonderous at the beauty of the dark sky. At Cosses we have a fabulous vista of stars, the grey band of the Milky Way, other galaxies and nebulae, which appear assmall fuzzy patches to the naked eye, shooting stars, the northern lights and, of course, true darkness.The best observing conditions are any clear night, two weeks either side of the new moon.
our guests visited the new Burns Museum, opened in January, a living tribute to Scotland’s much loved poet.Starting at the ‘Auld Clay Biggin’ (thatched cottage) where Robert Burns was born in 1759, before taking in some of the famous locations such as the Auld Kirk and Brig O’Doon. (Burns an’a’ that festival is in May).They loved their varied breakfasts from porridge and kippers or fresh fruit salad and shirred eggs to home grown orchard, stewed fruits followed by a full Scottish breakfast with kidneys. Dinner was great fun, meeting other guests. Scallops with Dalduff black pudding, Marrbury Auld smoked salmon with local langoustine, Dalduff fillet of beef, Gressingham Duckling breast with plum sauce, home grown spring greens. Desserts made with this season’s rhubarb – brandy snaps filled with Rhubarb Fool with rhubarb and ginger icecream and poached julinne of rhubarb.
Theres lots going on in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. This weekend is the Scottish Grand Nationalwww.ayr-racecourse.co.uk. For walkers – The Newton Stewart Walking Festival is from 6th – 9th May, whether you enjoy the challenge of a true hill walk or lower level themed walks. the woods are full of bluebells and other spring wild flowers. The Irvine Valley Walking festival www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/ivrp is 13-15th May. dumfries and Galloway has the Arts Festival from 20th – 29th, the spring Fling from 28th – 30th. Castle Kennedy Gardens are looking fabulous with rhodedendrons and azalias to inspire the Art and Photography Competition for 2011. This year’s theme competition theme is “Shapes” inspired by the myriad shapes to be found in the gardens and which are formed by all the different trees, plants and flowers and by the curves and banks of the landscape itself. Entrants will be invited to draw, sketch, paint, photograph or create a piece of artwork based on this year’s theme.

Rhododendrons and Azalias give wonderful displays

The competition will run from April through to end October and entry forms will be available from the Garden Shop.Visit the Gardens and complete the family Easter Egg Trail. Follow the trail, receive a chocolate easter egg prize and have the opportunity to enter a Prize Draw and win a ticket to Snow White, being performed at Castle Kennedy & Gardens on Wednesday 20th July 2011.Enjoy the full displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias for which the Gardens are well known. All the Hybrids, many bred at Castle Kennedy, will be coming into bloom, including Rhododendron “Cynthia” a memorable mass of pink. The azaleas are also starting to flower with the Azalea Avenue coming into its own. Bargany, Culzean, Glewhan, Logan and Dunsky are all at their best in May.

Bluebell woods

On 15th May, Cosses Country House is opening its garden as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme. Come and join us.

Wind Farms threaten Tourism in South West Scotland www.cossescountryhouse.com/blog

susanc — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:10:11 +0000

Download now or preview on posterous

SW Scotland windfarm map January final.pdf (462 KB)

How will we attract tourists if every view incorporates wind turbines causing noise pollution, shadow flicker , property devaluation, – all of which effects the rural economy.

A group in Dumfries and Galloway have set up this website for anti windfarm information and we will be able to support each other in our campaign to save south west Scotland.

Old Riley stays at Cosses Country House

susanc — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:02:12 +0000

Wolsey Lodge guests arrived in their beautiful blue Riley, having been to a rally near Loch Lomond. Wolsey Lodges are a great place for vintage car owners to stay as they nearly always have safe discreet parking.

Tim with his Riley

Other guests, this week have had great walking experiences doing the first section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, walking aroung Glen Trool, the first section of the Southern Upland Way from Port Patrick and out to St.Ninians Cave on the Isle of Whithorn.

The path down the Merrick towards Loch Trool

The garden is looking glorious and guests have enjoyed afternoon tea and breakfast in the garden. It has rained all day today and provided a much needed watering of the garden.

In the garden at Cosses Country House

Holiday Southern Scotland at Visit Scotland Expo

susanc — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:51:42 +0000

Holiday Southern Scotland took a stand at visit Scotland expo to promote Southern Scotland and Wolsey Lodges. We are aiming to make Southern Scotland a premiere destination. We are the garden of Scotland with many of the best gardens in Scotland. Paddy Scott from Scotland’s Garden Scheme helped us on the stand. We have the best golf courses in Scotland from West Coast Links to East Lothian gems. The best walking in Scotland from the Ayrshire Coastal path, the Carrick Way, The Southern Upland way and Borders walks. With outstanding scenery, the best cycling is to be found in Southern Scotland at 7 Staines in Dumfries and Galloway. And without doubt we have some of the best food in Scotland from the Ayrshire food network, Galloway food towns, to the Borders food network with many ‘Slow Food’ members. And whilst participating in all of the above we have the best 4 and 5 ***** places to stay in Scotland from here at Cosses Country House and other Wolsey Lodges to Glenapp Castle or exclusive use at Blair Castle or self catering at dog friendly Castlehill.

Visit Scotland Expo

SSMI stand at Expo