Frequently asked questions
The minimum stay is 3 nights throughout the year, 4 nights minimum over Christmas and New Year.
Go to to our booking site at simplyowners.net to check your dates are available. Click on all dates required on the simply owners calendar and submit. We will then get in touch.
Or you can ring Pat directly on 079 200 44 727.
Arrivals are from 4pm. Departures are by 10am. Any change from this must be discussed with the owners.
All prices are inclusive of electricity, oil, logs, bed linen, bath mats, tea towels and unlimited WiFi(signal permitting). Please bring your own personal towels.
In the kitchen there is a good supply of pots, pans & utensils. Also, more than enough glasses, crockery & cutlery for 18 people.
There are INITIAL supplies of toilet rolls, washing up liquid and washing powder but add these to your shopping list along with soap, dishwasher (Finish)tabs, kitchen roll and bin bags.
We do not supply a BBQ.
18 people plus one cot. One Superking size. 3 Doubles. 3 Twins. One triple. One single.
There is a large open fire with a free supply of logs. All oil & electricity is free.
Fully heated throughout with oil fired central heating. The kitchen has under floor heating with its own thermostat, but needs the boiler to be running in order to operate. There are thermostat on all individual radiators with the MASTER thermostat in the dining room.
Hot water is also controlled by the boiler and is on 24 hours a day.
From the M74 take the A75 Dumfries/Stranraer exit.
On the outskirts of Dumfries at the first roundabout follow the sign for Dumfries Town Centre to the left.
Follow A710 Solway Coast signs which takes you through the town and over the river.
On the far side at a T-junction turn left to New Abbey.
Go through Islesteps and then after a long straight, the road sweeps left and climbs a little near Mabie Forest.There is a farmhouse on the left. Just after this a single track road drops away to the left signposted Kirkconnell Flow. Turn down this road and follow it for 2 miles to two sandstone gate pillars which form the entrance to Kirkconnell House.
Just inside follow the gravel track down to the left.
Some SatNavs will not take you down towards Kirkconnell Flow so it is best to ignore them when you come to the brown sign for 'Kirkconnell Flow' as they will not bring you to the house!'
No sorry, we do not accept pets at Kirkconnell House due to allergy concerns not behaviour.
The scourge of Scotland! The courtyard has very few midges as the swallows and the bats do their best to eat every one. Generally Dumfries and Galloway does not suffer too badly.
The house was inhabited by the Maxwell Clan since the 13th century, when the Pele Tower {which now houses the games room with pool table) was built. The main house was added in the 1600s.
All types of stories and visions build up over centuries when there is a big old house involved and if allowed all our imaginations can run riot. We, and nearly all of our visitors, have always felt the house has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The previous owners of Kirkconnell House, whose family has owned the property for generations, assure us that not only is the house friendly but the ghosts are too.
The story goes that a family member, who was ill after losing a baby, was lying on a bed and felt she was not alone. She opened her eyes and saw a figure of a woman bending over her, as one does over a sick child. She was startled and the woman disappeared. A year later an elderly lady visited Kirkconnell, she had worked there as a fourteen year old. After hearing the tale and description of the woman she said “I knew her, she is Nanny Carmichael”.
Until 1985 no children had been born into the house for 131 years. When the baby was brought home the house came alive. The parents heard footsteps running up and down the landing to the nursery. It was said to be a delightful and fascinating experience. There were footsteps after each subsequent child's birth.
These are just a couple of the many stories, although we haven’t seen or felt anything ourselves our minds are open to any possibilities. Are yours?
We do not allow any pets in the house, so people with fur allergies etc. should be fine. Only one duvet has goose down. all the rest are non-feather. We also ask visitors to refrain from smoking in the house.
The main food shops are Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl & Tesco 24 hour. For speciality foods you can visit Castle Douglas. There are a large number of restaurants and takeaways some of which will deliver to the house and a wide range of services and retailers. Dumfries is also a very accessible town with lots of free parking when displaying a disc (take one from our supply in the house).
Payment is by either cheque or Bank Transfer. A deposit of £400 secures your dates. The balance is due 6 weeks before arrival.