There is a warm welcome at the Lodge with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Balkissock Lodge is a comfortable Georgian house, built as a shooting lodge to serve the Laggan Estate.

Situated in the hills behind Ballantrae in an acre of garden and woodland, it offers a peaceful location where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Near to the ferries and the lovely Galloway Forest, it is en-route for touring the West side of Scotland.

The bedrooms at the lodge have been completely refurbished and tastefully decorated - all have en-suite bath/shower rooms. Other facilities include - colour TV, hairdryer, radio alarm, hospitality trays for tea or coffee, electric blankets and mini fridge.

Drying and ironing facilities are available together with storage for cycles. Cycles also are available for hire.

There is ample private parking and dogs are welcome by arrangement.

The AA has awarded Balkissock Lodge with 4 Diamonds plus an Award for Dinners and an Award for Breakfasts!

Winner of AA 4 Red Diamonds award for 2003/2004!

Please note: This is a non-smoking establishment and children are not accepted. Thank you.

Rooms:

All bedrooms have en-suite facilities. We have a double, a twin and a further double with optional attached single room, all available for bed & breakfast.

Bedroom 1:

A comfortable elegant double room with antique satinwood furniture and genuine Victorian bed. Its en-suite bathroom has a power shower.

There is direct access to a single room with wash hand basin from this room which, if required, makes a very spacious 2 roomed suite - ideal for those bringing a friend or relative.

Bedroom 4:

This twin bedroom is located on the ground floor overlooking the garden. With classy decor in creams and gold it has a spacious en-suite shower room.

Bedroom 5:

A delightful ground floor double bedroom overlooking the gardens. Complete with brass bedstead and antique furniture, this room also has an en-suite shower room.

Food:

Breakfast offers the usual full Scottish or variations plus some interesting alternatives.

A 3 Course Dinner with complimentary glass of wine is available for a small fee.

The dinner menu includes traditional Scottish fayre with complimentary wine or our own ales. Locally produced meat and fish is used and game is our specialty during the season. A vegetarian menu is available and special dietary requirements can be catered for.

You are welcome to bring your own wine or drinks as we do not have a license.

Denis, the host - enjoys cooking for those who enjoy good food. All the meals are home cooked including the bread and preserves etc. The kitchen garden will provide most of the fruit vegetables and herbs. Other produce is bought locally.

Sample Menu:

• Starters:
  • Butternut squash and apple soup with home made rolls and chervil butter.
  • Smoked mackerel pate with rhubarb and chilli chutney.
  • Warm brie and grapes with a cranberry and dressing on mixed salad leaves.
• Mains:
  • Lamb cooked in red wine and balsamic served on herbed puy lentils.
  • Breast of local pheasant in cider, apples and cream.
  • Char grilled tuna steak with a warm herb and caper dressing.
• Vegetarian:
  • Lentil bergers in a creamed tomato and herb sauc.
  • Pasta shells stuffed with wild mushrooms and blue cheese topped with a tomato sauce.
• Deserts:
  • Mini Dundee Cakes served with a warm custard cream.
  • Lime and ginger cheesecake with a mixed berry coulis.
  • Apricot and almond tart.
  • Selection of homemade ice cream.
  • Cheese board - a selection of English, French and Scottish Cheeses served with celery and grapes.

NB This is a sample menu - as we are a small establishment we run a set menu changed daily.

Galloway Forest Park:

Galloway Forest Park is well over 368 square km (230 square miles) in size.

Located in south west Scotland, Galloway Forest Park covers the full length of the Galloway Hills, from Loch Doon in the north to Gatehouse of Fleet in the south and from Barr in the west to Loch Ken in the east.

This area, has primarily served over the years as a place for getting timber. Ae, Mabie, Dalbeattie, Clatteringshaws, Carrick, Glentrool and Kirroughtree are all forests within the park that have been developed since the 1930's to produce timber.

More recently, the forests have also been converted for recreational use. Visitor centres can be found at Kirroughtree, Clatteringshaws and Glentrool in addition to a Red Deer Range and Goat Park on the Queen's Road (A 712) near Talnotry.

Directions:

Balkissock Lodge is about 3 miles from the A77 - the main route from Stranraer up to Glasgow.

Coming from the North:

• Go through Ballantrae and over the river Stinchar and take the 1st left (following the campsite sign).
• Follow the road to a T junction and turn right.
• Following the sign for Balkissock Lodge, along the "no through road".
• At the fork, Balkissock is signposted left and the house is on the right, just after a white cottage, up behind the trees.
• Parking is available at the rear of the house.

From the South:

• Turn right at the campsite sign just before the river Stinchar, on the south side of Ballantrae.
• Follow the road to a T junction and turn right.
• Following the sign for Balkissock Lodge, along the "no through road".
• At the fork, Balkissock is signposted left and the house is on the right, just after a white cottage, up behind the trees.
• Parking is available at the rear of the house.