Ivy Bank Studio Creetown - Gem Rocks Neighbour.

Ivy Bank Studio, run by Mary & Jonathan, is an attached studio room of Ivy Cottage. It is independent from the main Cottage. Which itself was built in 1795 from local stone. It is situated on a private no through road, located directly in front of the Gem Rock museum and cafe. The location of the studio room in Creetown offers excellent outdoor views across to Cairnsmore Hill & Wigtown Bay. Creetown itself is a welcoming tourist village ideal for those wishing to explore Dumfries & Galloway. The space Ivy Bank studio Is an independent annexe of Ivy Cottage. It has its own entrance and outdoor area. It has radiators for heating, which are thermostat controlled. and offers a Super King Sized bed, self contained kitchenette with fitted internal fridge, microwave oven, toaster, kettle , a range of crockery and cutlery , Hair dryer . Iron & Ironing board. Smart TV (Netflix, and On Demand Freeview TV via apps ) free wifi. Ivy Bank Studio also has its own private ensuite with walk in large shower. Toiletries and Cotton Towels provided. More about Creetown: Creetown means 'Town on the boundary stream'. Crioch (Scottish Gaelic) 'boundary' - in this instance, the River Cree. Creetown sits on one of the most beautiful coast roads in Southern Scotland and once a busy port from which granite, quarried nearby, was shipped. The old Creetown harbour and waterfront has some excellent l8th Century and early l9th Century houses. A clock tower, situated at the newly restyled and modernised Creetown town square, commemorates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The old school is now home to the world famous Creetown Gem Rock Museum. What the area offers : Activities. Cycling - Golf - Walking - Bird Watching Cycling 7 Stanes Cycle Routes From the Scottish borders to Dumfries & Galloway this site contains information on: Trail conditions and grades, gallery and video clips. The 7 Stanes trails :- Glentrool, Kirroughtree, Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae, Tweed & Newcastleton Ivy Bank Studio is very handy for the Kirroughtrees Visitor Centre with it’s well known Mountain Biking trails, and not forgetting we can provide secure cycle storage and drying facilities etc. Sustrans The National Cycle Network explored through UK's leading sustainable transport charity that gives you a closer look at cycle routes around Creetown. Features: Rides and Events Visit Dumfries & Galloway Features: Cycle Route of the Month and Guided Cycle Rides Golf Ivy Bank Studio provides the ideal base for golfing breaks or activity holidays. Centrally situated, the guesthouse is within easy travelling distance of most of the region's golf courses. Let us know your requirements and we can arrange your itinerary for you. Newton Stewart Golf Club Newton Stewart offers spectacular scenery to complement the challenging mature parkland course. Measuring 5903 yards (par 69) each hole is unique in its own right with excellent greens and subtle borrows. Hill/Parkland Yardage - 5970 Holes - 18 SSS - 69 Wigtownshire County Golf Club - Glenluce The 'County' Golf Club is the only true links course in South West Scotland. Situated off the A75 Euroroute, 8 miles east of Stranraer.. Links Yardage - 5847 Holes - 18 SSS - 68 Kirkcudbright Golf Club This is an 18 hole parkland course of excellent quality and variety. There are some gentle slopes but you are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the Dee Estuary and surrounding countryside. A good test for golfers of all abilities. Handicap certificates are required Parkland Yardage - 5739 Holes - 18 SSS - 69 Portpatrick (Dunskey) Golf Club Spectacular links course set on the cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea. Handicap certificate required. Links/Coastal Cliff Yardage - 5882 Holes - 18 SSS - 69 Southerness Golf Club Not for the faint hearted or beginner. Handicap certificates required. Championship Links Yardage - 6566 Holes - 18 SSS - 72 Dumfries & County Golf Club - Dumfries Fairly flat parkland, bordered on the north and west by the river Nith. Parkland Yardage - 5928 Holes - 18 SSS - 69 Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club - Dumfries Challenging 18 holes set in lovely rolling countryside on the outskirts of Dumfries. Parkland Yardage - 6325 Holes - 18 SSS - 71 Powfoot Golf Club - Annan Excellent challenge and a good test for players of all abilities. British Championship Golf Course. Links/Parkland Yardage - 6266 Holes - 18 SSS - 71 Walking The surrounding countryside accommodates every walker. You can amble, ramble, scramble, walk or hike - select the terrain to suit your capabilities. Balloch Wood– Creetown Creetown Walks. ‘On the doorstep’ with pictorial & informative detail about the wildlife, history and projects in this beautiful local woodland. Balloch Wood is just a short walk away from our front door. See Treecreepers, Red Squirrels and deer among many other species. Penninghame to Shennanton 5.5 miles through track and country road over farmland and through forest.. Talnotry Forest Trail A choice of three Galloway Forest Park trails. 3.25 miles, 2.5 miles and 2 miles, all have steep sections requiring sensible, sturdy footwear. Loch Trool Forest Trail 4.5 miles (or 3 miles if transport arranged between Bruce's Stone and Caldons) round the loch trail in Galloway Forest Park, rough and muddy in places, takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. Merrick to Loch Enoch 8 miles starting at Glen Trool, following the path to Benyellary, then climbing the Merrick. Across Loch Enoch, descending by Loch Valley following the Gairland Burn - challenging. Garlieston to the Isle of Whithorn 8 miles from the old pier at Garlieston, along Cruggleton Bay, then south to Cruggleton Point near the castle ruin, to the coast and the Isle of Whithorn - testing. Kirroughtree Forest Trails A choice of four in the Galloway Forest Park - Larg Hill trail, 4 miles taking approx. 2.5 hours. The Viewpoint trail, 2.5 miles taking approx 1.5 hours with a magnificent panorama of the river Cree estuary. The Bruntis Trail,1.5 miles taking 1 hour. The Bluebell trail, 2 miles taking 1.25 hours depending how long you dally in the lovely Forest Garden! Galloway Forest Park An invaluable walking guide to Galloway Forest Park. All the local insight and information you could want from Head Ranger and Professional Wildlife Photographer, Keith Kirk. Bird Watching Wood of Cree RSPB Reserve Right on our doorstep and the largest ancient wood in southern Scotland. In spring, the wood is alive with birdsong as the resident birds are joined by Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and Garden Warblers from Africa. Galloway Kite Trail Learn about the history & development of the Red Kite Trail - within a short drive from Creetown. The SOC - Scotland's Bird Club Local & national bird sighting records available at your fingertips, compiled by the Scottish Ornithologists Club. An up-to-date, comprehensive census of wildlife. Mull of Galloway RSPB Reserve The most southerly point in Scotland. The cliffs are home to thousands of breeding seabirds including Guillemots, Razorbills and a few Puffins. Best time for nesting seabirds - April to July. Ken-Dee Marshes RSPB Reserve Both wetland and woodland attracting winter wildfowl including Greenland white-fronted Geese. During the spring migrant Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers join the resident woodland birds. Mersehead RSPB Reserve A reserve of farmland, wet meadows, salt marsh and mudflats. An important wintering wildfowl area including Barnacle Geese, Pink Footed Geese, Widgeon and Pintail. 'Papy Ha' Bird Trail Choice of 3.5 or 5 mile trails from Kirroughtree in Galloway Forest Park, attracting birds from park & garden, woodland, farmland, heath land, mountain & moorland, marsh, loch, river and estuary. You may expect to see over 100 species in the course of a year. Dumfries & Galloway Natural History Explore the diversity & beauty of Galloways stunning wildlife and landscape through the work of prominent ranger and wildlife photographer, Keith Kirk. An informative site with detail specific to the local woodlands & coast. Dumfries & Galloway Online Visitors to this undiscovered part of Scotland can organize their stay by using the map which gives you place names and distances by road from Dumfries. Bus routes with pick ups in Creetown , run along the A75, offering easy access to places including, Newton Stewart, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, Stranraer and Dumfries. Guest access Parking is on the Lane. The lane is private with pedestrian access. It is single track. Use of Garden area outside the studio with views towards Cairnsmore and across to Wigtown Bay. Other things to note The Studio is Non-Smoking but, Guests may smoke in the Patio/Garden area. Self check in makes arrivals & check out easy. Guests arriving late night - no problem. (But appreciate guesstimate on eta) There is a keysafe at the left of the Studio door. The code will be sent to guests couple of days before arrival. Registration Details DG00965P1015502919309