Cottage # 4 Description:
West Balloch
West Balloch
A farmhouse whose misty origins stretch back into history, with generous, stylish, well equipped rooms, log fires and elegant comforts-a-plenty amid the gentle dream ‘lost world’ of Peter Pan's Angus, but a mere ten minutes from everyday needs available in Kirriemuir.
West Balloch lies in a gentle rural farming area, reminiscent of how we image the muted worlds of the 1930s or 50s, closeted by gently folding fields where one might certainly be overlooked – but only by far distant cattle on the skyline which appear to have been stage managed to linger just on the horizon.
The roads to West Balloch narrow into single lanes. Small farms drift past.
You meander along, swishing the odd group of wild flowers and grasses, and absorb the dreamlike world into which you feel as though you have strayed.
If nearby Kirriemuir, just 3 miles distant, is the birthplace of James Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan, then this dream world justifiably extends to West Balloch. But a mile or so over the hills is Ascreavie house, once home of a Mrs. Betty Sherriff who dreamt she saw blue poppies when in Bhutan (for those not in the know, blue poppies were as rare in the 1930s as scarlet daffodils today!). She asked the porters to follow the directions in her dream and there indeed they found them. The tale was immortalised by the BBC among others and entitled the ‘Dream Blue Poppy’. The owner lives next door and is happy to provide local information about off-the-beaten track places to visit or eat.
The gardens at West Balloch contain small areas to sit and contemplate, over trim little squares of box hedging to beneath a canopy of giant, ancient sycamore trees. A tall beech hedge continues on the edge of the road, affording extra privacy. A dove cote clings to the garage wall. A huge stone mill stone reminds of days when farmers ground their own corn.
There is a multitude of stone walls, stone steps and all in muted, soft colours. As you contemplate these ancient stones, gathered a century or so ago, think back to another eminent local man, Sir Charles Lyell whose interest in fossils on rocks and stones established the theory that fossils can pin point a certain time in history. You may sit amid a link with dinosaurs?
West Balloch lies in a gentle rural farming area, reminiscent of how we image the muted worlds of the 1930s or 50s, closeted by gently folding fields where one might certainly be overlooked – but only by far distant cattle on the skyline which appear to have been stage managed to linger just on the horizon.
The roads to West Balloch narrow into single lanes. Small farms drift past.
You meander along, swishing the odd group of wild flowers and grasses, and absorb the dreamlike world into which you feel as though you have strayed.
If nearby Kirriemuir, just 3 miles distant, is the birthplace of James Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan, then this dream world justifiably extends to West Balloch. But a mile or so over the hills is Ascreavie house, once home of a Mrs. Betty Sherriff who dreamt she saw blue poppies when in Bhutan (for those not in the know, blue poppies were as rare in the 1930s as scarlet daffodils today!). She asked the porters to follow the directions in her dream and there indeed they found them. The tale was immortalised by the BBC among others and entitled the ‘Dream Blue Poppy’. The owner lives next door and is happy to provide local information about off-the-beaten track places to visit or eat.
The gardens at West Balloch contain small areas to sit and contemplate, over trim little squares of box hedging to beneath a canopy of giant, ancient sycamore trees. A tall beech hedge continues on the edge of the road, affording extra privacy. A dove cote clings to the garage wall. A huge stone mill stone reminds of days when farmers ground their own corn.
There is a multitude of stone walls, stone steps and all in muted, soft colours. As you contemplate these ancient stones, gathered a century or so ago, think back to another eminent local man, Sir Charles Lyell whose interest in fossils on rocks and stones established the theory that fossils can pin point a certain time in history. You may sit amid a link with dinosaurs?
Facilities:
Sleeps four, special rates for couples.
Elegant sitting room with dining table four chairs, sofa and two comfy armchairs; three windows for spectacular views.
Three ample sized double bedrooms; one super king, two king.
2 spic-and-span bathrooms with bath and overhead shower.
Shower-room.
Cosy farmhouse kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine, microwave and wood burning stove.
Heating and hot water by oil fired combi boiler.
TV with Freesat and DVD player.
Laundry room with washing machine, pulley and two Belfast sinks.
Large garden with several sitting areas and garden furniture.
Cot and high chair available.
Short breaks - 3 nights minimum.
Airports - Dundee 18 miles, Edinburgh 65 miles, Aberdeen 50 miles.
Stations - Dundee 18 miles.
Golf courses - Kirriemuir 4 miles, Alyth 5 miles, Strathmore 5 miles, Glenisla 5 miles, Rosemount 9 miles, Forfar 9 miles.
Walking in the nearby Angus Glens, the Cateran Trail near Blairgowrie.
Horseriding in Glenisla and near Kirriemuir.
Skiing in Glenshee.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at £20 per dog per let, but please make sure your dog does not bark for long periods. There is a kennel with a small area outside if you need to leave your dog for a while.
Electricity is free of charge.
No smoking in the property.
Telephone for incoming and emergency only outgoing calls, no mobile reception.
Accommodation:
This old farmhouse sits on a hillside overlooking Balloch Moss and Cluniehill Wood on a minor road with very little traffic about 4 miles from Kirriemuir. The only constant sound is curlews in the spring and summer with their haunting call.
Within the cottage are plenty of windows affording views all round. Soft furnishings for comfort, but also rows of books for evenings or rainy days. Sensible tiled floors at entrances for boots, wellies and drying off damp dogs. There is a spacious sitting room with high ceilings looking out to the south and east and a comfortable sofa and armchairs, wood burning stove and TV with Freesat, radio and DVD player. In the large kitchen there is another wood burning stove, range cooker, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. There are two large bedrooms, one with king size bed and en-suite bathroom, the other with superking or twin beds and separate shower room.
Within the cottage are plenty of windows affording views all round. Soft furnishings for comfort, but also rows of books for evenings or rainy days. Sensible tiled floors at entrances for boots, wellies and drying off damp dogs. There is a spacious sitting room with high ceilings looking out to the south and east and a comfortable sofa and armchairs, wood burning stove and TV with Freesat, radio and DVD player. In the large kitchen there is another wood burning stove, range cooker, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. There are two large bedrooms, one with king size bed and en-suite bathroom, the other with superking or twin beds and separate shower room.
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