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The unique feature of Coachman’s Cottage (shared with its neighbour, Groom’s Cottage) is its location in the grounds of the Adam-style Arbigland House with historic links to American Independence and the Scottish Enlightenment. Arbigland Gardens are open to the public four afternoons a week, but residents are free to roam round the 24 acres at any time. There are walks along the beach, in one direction to Powillimount with its strange rock formations and on to Southerness with its lighthouse. In the other direction you can walk to Carsethorn.

Although many may just wish to relax in such peaceful surroundings, Arbigland is an excellent base for recreational pursuits. Southerness Links golf course is almost within walking distance and the RSPB Mersehead Reserve is just a few miles further along the coast. The Reserve is spectacular in winter and spring with thousands of geese and other over-wintering wildfowl. In summer there are delightful walks down to the beach. The RSPB staff run wildlife events throughout the year, including dawn walks, pond dipping and badger watching. Beyond Mersehead, you come to the picturesque villages of Rockcliffe and Kippford, with more coastal walks, sailing, pubs and teashops. Away from the coast, there are Forestry Commission woodland trails and cycling is well catered for, particularly with the 7 Stanes Mountain Bike Routes, the closest of these being at Dalbeattie and Mabie Woods. If you are more interested in history, there are numerous sites to explore, including Arbigland House itself (by prior arrangement with the owners) and the neighbouring John Paul Jones Cottage, being the birthplace of the founder of the American Navy. In New Abbey, there are the ruins of Sweetheart Abbey and one of the country’s oldest Corn Mills (both maintained by Historic Scotland). Dumfries boasts the world’s oldest Camera Obscura at its Museum. Connections with Robert Burns can be explored throughout Dumfries, at Arbigland itself (he was a close friend of the family) and at Ellisland Farm, Holywood where Burns lived and wrote for a number of years. In the opposite direction, lie Dalbeattie with two curiosities, its private Museum and Buittle Tower, then Castle Douglas with Threave Castle and Threave Gardens, and then Kirkcudbright with Broughton House, the Stewartry Museum and numerous art galleries. Beyond Kirkcudbright there are further gardens benefiting from this area’s mild local climate, including Cally Gardens and the Logan Botanic Garden.