Get back to nature at this sweet off-grid shepherd's hut sitting on a working farm above Loch Patrick. Sitting on the edge of Kirkpatrick Durham, it’s only 6 miles from the foodie town of Castle Douglas. Sleeping two people in a king-size bed, it's perfect for couples or solo travellers who are searching for a quaint bolthole where they can swap their screens for starlit skies while they discover the Galloway Hills and Solway Coast. Spend happy days hiking to the Old Bridge of Urr or exploring the 14th-century Threave Castle, and in the evening come home to settle into an Adirondack chair by the glamping hut’s fire pit and toast marshmallows under the stars. Galloway is renowned for its Dark Sky Reserve status, so on a clear night, you can see the dramatic sweep of the Milky Way.
Pull into your parking spot (there’s room for two cars) and climb the five steps up to your hut’s raised deck. Step inside and you’ll find an adorable, boho-chic space with a traditional barrel-shaped roof, timber-lined walls, a small wood burner, comfortable seating, and a custom-made king-size bed dressed in cosy blankets. Step outside and cook up a storm in the outdoor kitchen, where a small gas stove and charcoal BBQ let you rustle up a meal to eat at the picnic table while you watch the geese and moorhens drift across the loch. Set apart from the hut, you'll find an off-grid shower with hot and cold running water and a composting WC.
Cast a line for free coarse fishing right on the doorstep, or head off to the Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken (11 miles) to try your hand at archery or stand-up paddleboarding. Alternatively, feed the red kites at Laurieston (9.5 miles), or head to Sandyhills Beach (13.5 miles) for a stroll.