Cavens
Kirkbean, Dumfries and Galloway
Good Hotel Guide Review
Guests love the tranquillity and attentive service at Angus and Jane Fordyce’s Georgian mansion, set in open countryside close to the dunes and salt marshes of the Solway coast. ‘You feel as if you are welcome guests in someone’s much-loved home’, surrounded by antiques, paintings and cherished objects. The grandest bedroom, Criffel, named after a local hill that thinks it’s a mountain, is huge, with a super-king bed, plus a sofa bed for a child. Ground-floor Solway has a splendid bathroom with bath and walk-in shower. At night, Angus cooks a three-course dinner, and can accommodate special diets. His repertoire includes venison with redcurrant and port sauce, hake with samphire and scallops, and corn-fed chicken with cream and ginger, accompanied by good wines from the well-stocked 18th-century cellar. ‘The drawing room, where drinks were served, was well proportioned, airy and had numerous comfy settees.’ Breakfasts are ‘a highlight, with strong coffee, lovely black pudding and haggis’, perhaps a kipper from a smokehouse in Lochmaben, organic eggs from Mrs McMyn’s free-ranging Lohmann Browns or the hotel’s own hens. (DS)
Hotel details
Address
Kirkbean
Dumfries
Dumfries and Galloway
DG2 8AA
Scotland
Telephone
01387 880234
Bedrooms
6. 1 on ground floor.
Open
Apr–1 Nov, exclusive use by groups at New Year.
Facilities
2 sitting rooms, dining room, wine cellar, meeting facilities, broadband throughout hotel, in-room TV (Freeview), 10-acre grounds.
Background music
light classical all day in 1 sitting room, dining room.
Children
all ages welcomed, free cots, sofa beds in some rooms.
Dogs
allowed by arrangement (£20 per stay), not in public rooms or unattended in bedrooms.
Credit cards
MC, Visa.
Prices
D,B&B doubles from £310, singles from £248, family from £435. Dinner £35 for non-residents. 1-night bookings may be refused.
Other reviews
Good Hotel Guide articles about
Cavens
- Sunday Post: Seven beautiful hotels in Dumfries and Galloway
- USA Today: 20 of the most beautiful hotels in Scotland
We had a lovely two-night stay in this fabulous hotel in a lovely part of Scotland. We were made to feel very much at home by Angus and Jane. The food by Angus was first class, and we both particularly enjoyed the local rib-eye steak . As for the room (Criffel) ,it was stunning and so comfortable.
- Colin Arthur - March 2020
A rare combination of relaxed professionalism with high standards. Angus and Jane Fordyce made us feel very cared for. The decor is Scottish country house with good paintings and interesting objects. We especially enjoyed the very fresh plaice and the crunchy lemon brulee.The wine list is fairly extensive but there are no halves and few glasses. There is a fine choice of gins, whiskies and particularly brandies.
- Frances and David Thomas - July 2018
Information from the 2022 Good Hotel Guide.
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