Luxury Castles & Country Houses in Britain- Scotland
Balgray
Dumfriesshire Sleeps 19
1 hour from Glasgow 8 double bedrooms, 1 twin bedded room, 1 single room and 8 bathrooms.
Balgray is first and foremost a family home and offers its guests proper old fashioned country hospitality. In comfortable surroundings you will be looked after by charming but unobtrusive hosts. The House itself sits in 39 acres of gardens and has all the modern day facilities that discerning guests might need. The estate can arrange a wide variety of activities and there many other attractions in the area.
INTRODUCTION
Set at the end of a winding valley, among the hills and rolling fields of south west Scotland, the house was built by the present owner's great-grandfather in 1885. It is Victorian to the core, from its massive oak doors and panelled dados to its miles and miles of plumbing. The current owners are extremely genial hosts.
CORPORATE EVENTS
Balgray is well laid out for handling exclusive corporate events, from board meetings to car launches and dinners for up to 28 guests. The house is secluded and there are extensive grounds for the guests to stroll in total privacy and security.
30 minutes from Carlisle
4 separate sitting rooms and a large dining room
Huge flat area of lawn adjacent to the house
75 minutes from Glasgow
Rolling gardens
Extensive parking facilities
HISTORY
Balgray having been built in 1885, is Victorian to the core, from its massive oak doors and panelled dados to its miles and miles of plumbing - superbly fitted and laid out with a great deal of sound Victorian practicality. The baths were among the first to be installed in Britain as an intrinsic part of the house and have gleaming copper cupolas into which you can retreat. It is a deceptive house, for despite its compact and square appearance, it has 70 rooms in all. All the rooms have high ceilings and the attic floors have enough rooms to provide sleeping, working and entertaining quarters for what was a living staff of 22 - even at the end of the Second World War.
It is thought that the house was built by John Bryce, nephew of David Bryce, the famous Victorian architect, who had at the time completed several buildings in the area. The gardens extend to 39 acres and include a large walled kitchen garden and greenhouses. The house is usually filled with pot plants - brilliant fuchsias and orchids - brought up from the greenhouses, and during a hot summer the fruit bowl smells warmly of figs, nectarines, peaches and grapes. No wonder an uncle returning from a long spell abroad, commented that the best journey of all was the three miles at the end, from the railway station back home.
ACTIVITIES
Shooting
Fabulous, high quality driven pheasant shoot and clay pigeon shoot on the estate.
Fishing
Excellent sea trout fishing on the Annan and trout fishing on the estate loch.
Swimming
Heated pool just behind the house.
Theatre & Museums
Burrell collection (in Glasgow), Portrack - amazing garden of the senses, Sculpture - Andy Goldsworthy, Hadrian's Wall, 1 hour from the Lake District.
Golf
Lovely Coastal courses.
Falconry
Falconry, tennis and quad biking all available on the estate.
Spa Treatments
Massage and aromatherapy available.
DISTANCES
1 hours drive from Glasgow20 minutes drive from Dumfries
30 minutes from Carlisle Main Railway Station
BOOKING & MORE INFORMTION
If you would like to obtain booking information about Balgray, you can EMAIL us or call us on the numbers below. We will respond your email enquiry within 24 hrs.
If you have any questions about any of our other properties or indeed our service please do not hesitate to contact us.
Telephone: +353 1 288 9355
From Canada & the US 1-800-894 5712
By e-mail info@privateluxurytravel.com
