Have you ever walked into your hotel and felt immediately at ease that your stay was going to be a good one? That’s exactly how you feel when you visit The Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club, situated in the heart of Dumfries.
Entering the hotel, I was immediately struck by its charming and elegant décor. The unique artwork on the staircase is striking and will not fail to put a smile on your face, that is of course assuming you aren’t already smiling after being greeted by one of the hotel’s many amazing members of staff. Offering cheerful and genuine conversations, the staff create a truly warm and friendly atmosphere that makes you excited about your stay.
We’d arrived quite late on in the day so after we’d checked in, we headed down to the Barracuda Leisure Club, located in the hotel, where they offer a fully equipped gym, a heated pool and jacuzzi and a sauna and steam room, for guests to enjoy.
After a workout, we’d built up quite an appetite, so we headed up to our room to change and headed down to the hotel’s Reivers Restaurant for our dinner. The food was excellent, and I was not upset with my choices. The Barony smoked salmon to start, followed by pan roasted fillet of pork and the trio of Scottish cheeses which rounded off the meal perfectly. I was pleased we opted to eat at the restaurant the following evening as there was such a range of dishes on the menu, opting for the duck the following evening. The breakfast in the same restaurant followed much of the same tone. We indulged in a proper Scottish breakfast, haggis included, as well as some of the cereals on offer and plenty of coffee.
Our room was exceptional. Spacious, with high ceilings, period features and a gorgeous bay window, which flooded the room with natural light. In true Scottish style, our complimentary shower gels were whisky scented, setting the tone for our day!
It was our first visit to the area and on the recommendation of the hotel we headed out to the Annandale Distillery plans involved a tour as well as a whisky tasting! A 30-minute drive from the hotel, the distillery provided an insight into the rich history and craftsmanship behind Scotland's most beloved spirit.
Scotland has a zero-tolerance approach to drink driving, so naturally, as the person who has never tried whiskey, the tasting fell to me! Designated drivers need not worry, they’ll be given their own dram of whisky to take home.
The weather was glorious during our stay, and upon recommendations from hotel staff, after our tour, we drove to Kipford where we took a leisurely stroll, we walked from the charming harbour village along the coast to Rockliffe, having stopped for fish and chips in the Anchor Hotel first!
The walk was an absolute treat. The route offered breathtaking views of the Solway Firth, was easy to navigate and picturesque landscapes provided ample opportunities for photography and relaxation.
The Cairndale always has a full schedule of events, a quick look at their Instagram shows they’re jam-packed with activities. However, there is a certain event that piqued my interest. The Carindale has teamed up with the 12th century Caerlaverock Castle, to conjure up an ‘out of this world’ two-night package under the stars.
At Caerlaverock, seven miles from Dumfries, 18 people will view constellations through astrobinoculars, learn how to navigate and tell time by the stars and hear stories, myths and legends. They’ll enjoy dinner under the heavens in one of the fabulous, heated fibreglass domes at the hotel.
There are two more Dark Skies packages available this year. The Harvest Moon event will run September 28 and 29, and the Moon Crossing Venus event, running November 8 and 9. Packages include dinner, bed and breakfast with transfers between the hotel and castle included.
We checked out and headed home, feeling sad that our short stay had come to an end, but elated at the charm and joy we’d experienced on our first trip to Dumfries. With a birthday in September, I’m hoping to drop enough hints for a return visit to the Dark Skies event!
Whether you're a nature lover, whiskey enthusiast, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, the Cairndale Hotel is a fantastic choice for your stay in Dumfries.
To book either of the Dark Skies experiences, or any other stays, call the hotel in English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DF, on 01387 254111, email sales@cairndalehotel.co.uk or visit cairndalehotel.co.uk.
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