Wren’s Nest

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View from Wren’s Nest

The Easter weekend coincided with John’s birthday this year, so as a gift I booked a short break in Dumfries and Galloway. Our accommodation, Wren’s Nest, was bijou (read tiny), a former farm building converted into a one-room cottage, but it was perfect for our needs. (There’s also a larger cottage, sleeping four, on site.) The owner, Janet, lived next door in the farmhouse and was an absolutely lovely person, so helpful. Not only that, she provided champagne for our first night! Apparently, we were the first people ever to stay in Wren’s Nest so this was a lovely way of marking that. (Both cottages can be booked via holidaycottages.co.uk).

Exterior
Living area
Champagne!
Bedroom area

The nearest town of any size was Newton Stewart and we stopped here for a look around on our way down to the cottage. Despite the dreich* weather we took a circular walk between two bridges over the River Cree.

Riverside colour
The Cornerstone
Cree Bridge
River Cree
Memorial to 9th Earl of Galloway
River Cree
!8th century clock tower
Galloway Arms

Fortunately, the next day dawned brighter and we set off to celebrate John’s birthday on the Isle of Whithorn.

* Dreich (Urban Dictionary definition) – A combination of dull, overcast, drizzly, cold, misty and miserable weather. At least 4 of the above adjectives must apply before the weather is truly dreich.

Scotland, UK , ,

64 Comments »

  1. Pingback: A damp start to the day | Zimmerbitch

  7. The Scots have proper rain and proper words for rain unlike us soft southerners!!

    Not been to Dumfries & Galloway since my teens….such happy memories as it is where I saw my first wild otter 😀

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  10. “Dreich” a new word to me. But it does a great job of describing that particular type of weather. Good thing you didn’t mind it too much and still got to enjoy. What a charming little village to explore.

    Peta

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  12. Too late to wish John Happy Birthday, or shall I be very early for next year? 🙂 🙂 I remember a bit of a nonchalant stroll around Newton Stewart, a long while ago. Sunnier, but we didn’t stay long.

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  13. I don’t know the Belgian (Flemish?) word drache, but I did think about the usual Belgian weather when you explained the word dreich. Luckily, this spring, the weather was fantastic during our visit!

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  14. The cottage looks so pretty, clean and cozy. It looks like a pretty nice town and one can easily explore. Dreich reminds me of Dreck in German which means awful, horrible…along those lines.

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  17. I must add Wren Cottage to possibles for a holiday with the boys… the last stretch from the Border up to Mull is getting too much for me. But I’d better put in a word for Treshnish and Haunn Farm Cottages in case your readers are intrigued. 🙂

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  18. That certainly is a tiny space – we often stay in smallish places, but always with a separate bedroom. I guess a couple of nights is OK and you always go out during the day anyway. If you head that way again I know of a lovely house in Kirkudbright, back on the holiday rental market and not expensive either. I look forward to seeing the Isle of Whithorn as we didn’t manage that bit. I imagine you went to Wigtown 😀

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  19. What a lovely attention from your host! The weather didn’t seem very cooperative! The word dreich is quite interesting, in Belgium we have also a similar word for this : drache 🙂

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  22. I love your posts. I always open Google Map to see where you were. Of course “Wren’s Nest” hooked me right away. Like your host, our House Wrens can make comfortable homes anywhere. I’ve had friends who always had wreaths on their front door — perfect for a Wren’s nest. Hanging baskets of flowers? Of course. We even had one little Wren determined to make her nest in one of my bird feeders. She scooped out the birdseed to make a nest possible. Unfortunately, the opening in the feeder was too small even for her.

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  24. I’ve never been to Newton Stewart but would definitely like to visit and stay in that cute wee cottage! Happy birthday to your hubby – sounds an ideal way to celebrate. 🙂

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  26. Lovely photographs. Never been to Newton Stewart. Actually the only Newton of any note that I have been to was Newton Mearns and only because I was sent to Mearnskirk Hospital – which is probably long gone. We have had no rain for a good while and we need some – any chance of sending some over this way?? :o)

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    • Had to check that out! The hospital was replaced by housing some time ago, as you suspected, but the name lives on in Mearnskirk House, a purpose built NHS facility for the elderly. At the moment, we have no rain – so maybe it’s on its way to you?

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  27. I like staying in cozy little cottages while traveling. Interesting word: Dreich. I hope I remember to use it in similar circumstances. I hope John enjoyed his birthday. 🙂

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    • I echo the above sentiments. I’m also pleased to add a new word to my personal dictionary, dreich. I have heard this before somewhere, is it used in Scotland as a general rule? I vicariously enjoyed the champagne with you as I would have it daily if I could afford it. Many years ago I had a bad time after a blood transfusion and the consultant asked my husband if he could bring me a glass (or two) of champagne every evening. He said that would help me recover more quickly than any drug he could prescribe for me. If not champagne, then a good dry sherry. I’ll drink to that!

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  29. Hi Anabel – what a delightful break and that added extra the surprise champagne – mind you Janet must have been so happy to have her first visitors … wonderful to read and to see the photos … Lovely part of the world- that looks good to tour around … looking forward to seeing more – cheers Hilary

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