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✅ How to book your XL Escape
All bookings for Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holiday Lodges are managed directly through their website.
For the latest prices, availability and booking information, please click "Book Now" to be directed to their page.
Kim & Chris Ewen
We are SO excited to welcome you to our home! As the founders of XL Escapes, we pour our hearts into creating a space where you can relax, unwind, and make lasting memories.
With two rescue dogs—Holly from Bosnia and Buddy from All Bullie Rescue—and Nala, our beautiful ginger cat (and undisputed Queen of the house), we understand how important it is to feel not just at home, but truly content and relaxed—especially when traveling with your furry companions.
Our goal is to offer more than just a holiday; we want to provide a home away from home where you can escape daily pressures, have a laugh, and enjoy quality time with loved ones. Whether it’s a cosy night in, exploring the local area, or simply making time for yourself, we’re here to make your stay special.
If you have any requests—big or small—just let us know. We’re always happy to help (and we love an excuse to bring a smile to your face, drink in hand, of course!).
Meet Your Hosts
Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holidays was established in 2018 by Kathryn Taylor and her partner Martin.
After moving to Scotland from Lincolnshire, Kathryn recognised how few holiday options existed for owners with multiple dogs and wanted to create somewhere dogs could truly be treated as part of the family.
As dog owners themselves, they understand the challenges of finding genuinely dog-friendly accommodation and have created secure lodges and woodland where owners can relax knowing their dogs can safely enjoy their holiday too.
XL Escapes Peace Of Mind Promise
Every business you see on XL Escapes has confirmed to us that they welcome XL Bullies.
Before being listed, we ask the questions we'd want answered ourselves — from real experience living and travelling with XL and reactive dogs.
That includes confirming they are happy to host XL Bullies, that their listing details are accurate, and that they've considered their own legal and insurance responsibilities.
We don't assume.
We don't guess.
We ask — and they confirm.
If anything changes or a business doesn't stand by what they've told us, we take it seriously.
If a business listed on XL Escapes turns you away because of your dog's breed, contact us.
We will review it, remove them if necessary, and refund your membership.
Cancellation Policy
Home Rules & Useful Information
Balmaghie Holiday Lodges
⚲ Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
Self-catering lodges · Unlimited dogs welcome · Secure 6ft enclosed gardens · Exclusive 18-acre secure woodland
Dog-friendly, self-catering lodge holidays where your dogs are part of the family. Bring as many dogs as you like at no extra charge and enjoy secure gardens alongside exclusive access to an 18-acre fenced woodland.
Full Property Description:
At Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holiday Lodges, we understand that dogs are part of the family, so there's no need to leave them behind in kennels.
Designed by dog owners for dog owners, our three self-catering holiday lodges offer comfortable accommodation in the heart of beautiful south-west Scotland. We know how difficult it can be to find somewhere that welcomes more than two dogs, especially if your dogs suffer from separation anxiety, so there is no limit on the number of dogs you can bring and there is no extra charge for them.
Each lodge has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious lounge with TV, bathroom or shower facilities, heating throughout and a large enclosed garden with secure 6ft fencing.
Dogs are welcome to make themselves at home during their stay, too. They're allowed on the furniture, which is protected with covers, and they're welcome on the beds. We simply ask that guests bring a throw or their own bedding where possible. We want guests to treat the lodge as a home and their dogs to be able to do what they do at home — it makes for more relaxed, happy dogs and owners.
Guests also have access to our 18-acre securely fenced private woodland, which can be enjoyed without other guests, dogs or people entering while you're using it.
There's no booking system for the woodland as it's only used by guests staying in our three lodges and ourselves, so there's usually plenty of opportunity to enjoy it and it's rare that you'll need to wait.
The system is deliberately simple and works particularly well for reactive dogs. Before getting your dog ready, take your lodge's padlock to the woodland gate. If there's already a padlock on the gate, someone is using the woodland. If it's free, simply attach your padlock before returning to collect your dog. This means you know the woodland is yours before bringing your dog out, helping avoid unexpected encounters with other dogs or people.
If you want to visit somewhere that isn't dog friendly during your stay, we'll happily look after your dogs free of charge while you're away.
We offer the same pricing throughout the year because we believe holidays shouldn't cost more simply because it's summer or the school holidays.
About This Listing
This property is owned and managed by the host. The information below is provided by the property owner and confirmed as accurate by them.
XL Escapes publishes this information to help guests make informed decisions and does not own or manage this property.
Full Property Description:
At Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holiday Lodges, we understand that dogs are part of the family, so there's no need to leave them behind in kennels.
Designed by dog owners for dog owners, our three self-catering holiday lodges offer comfortable accommodation in the heart of beautiful south-west Scotland. We know how difficult it can be to find somewhere that welcomes more than two dogs, especially if your dogs suffer from separation anxiety, so there is no limit on the number of dogs you can bring and there is no extra charge for them.
Each lodge has three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious lounge with TV, bathroom or shower facilities, heating throughout and a large enclosed garden with secure 6ft fencing.
Dogs are welcome to make themselves at home during their stay, too. They're allowed on the furniture, which is protected with covers, and they're welcome on the beds. We simply ask that guests bring a throw or their own bedding where possible. We want guests to treat the lodge as a home and their dogs to be able to do what they do at home — it makes for more relaxed, happy dogs and owners.
Guests also have access to our 18-acre securely fenced private woodland, which can be enjoyed without other guests, dogs or people entering while you're using it.
There's no booking system for the woodland as it's only used by guests staying in our three lodges and ourselves, so there's usually plenty of opportunity to enjoy it and it's rare that you'll need to wait.
The system is deliberately simple and works particularly well for reactive dogs. Before getting your dog ready, take your lodge's padlock to the woodland gate. If there's already a padlock on the gate, someone is using the woodland. If it's free, simply attach your padlock before returning to collect your dog. This means you know the woodland is yours before bringing your dog out, helping avoid unexpected encounters with other dogs or people.
If you want to visit somewhere that isn't dog friendly during your stay, we'll happily look after your dogs free of charge while you're away.
We offer the same pricing throughout the year because we believe holidays shouldn't cost more simply because it's summer or the school holidays.
Paw of Approval
Photos from real stays, with dogs who gave it their paw of approval.
Amenities:
Dog-Friendly Details That Matter
* XL Bullies are welcomed.
* Reactive dogs are welcomed, and the owners have reactive dogs themselves, so understand the importance of avoiding unexpected encounters with other dogs and people.
* XL Bullies do not need to be muzzled whilst using the private woodland because guests have sole use of the enclosed woodland while they are inside.
* The business has confirmed that its insurance does not specify or restrict any breed of dog.
* Please note that Scotland has legislation restricting the bringing of XL Bullies into Scotland. Owners are responsible for ensuring they comply with current Scottish legal requirements before travelling.
* There is no limit on the number of dogs you can bring and there are no additional charges for dogs.
* Every lodge has its own large enclosed garden with 6ft fencing. Depending on the lodge, this is either secure panel fencing or deer fencing.
* Guests have access to an 18-acre private woodland enclosed with 6ft fencing.
* The woodland is used only by guests from the three lodges and the owners, with one party having sole use at a time.
* There is no booking system for the woodland. Instead, each lodge has a padlock. Before getting your dog ready, check the woodland gate: if another padlock is already there, someone is using the woodland. If it's free, attach your padlock before returning to collect your dog. This means reactive dogs can enter knowing there will be no other guests, dogs or people inside.
* The owners say it's rare to have to wait to use the woodland because there are only three lodges sharing access.
* Dogs are allowed on the furniture, which is protected with covers.
* Dogs are also allowed on the beds. The owners appreciate guests bringing a throw or their own bedding, although this is not a condition of booking.
* The owners encourage guests to treat the lodge as a home and allow their dogs to follow their usual home routine, helping both dogs and owners have a more relaxed stay.
* Dogs can stay inside the lodges.
* If you plan to visit somewhere that isn't dog friendly, the owners are happy to care for your dogs free of charge while you're away.
* Free parking is available on site.
Neighbourhood Overview:
Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holiday Lodges are situated in a secluded rural area near Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway.
The surrounding area offers stunning countryside, the Galloway Hills and miles of coastline to explore with your dogs. Nearby you'll find beaches including Sandyhills, Rockcliffe, Auchencairn and Brighouse Bay, along with coastal walks and forest trails at Dalbeattie Forest and Town Wood.
Guests can also visit local attractions including Dundrennan Abbey, McLellan's Castle in Kirkcudbright, Threave Castle and the Galloway Forest Park. There are several dog-friendly cafés and inns nearby, along with local vets and pet supplies should you need them during your stay.
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