Rennaldburn self-catering farmhouse
Available for bookings of three nights or more, Rennaldburn is a seventeenth-century farmhouse a couple of miles south of Samye Ling which sits secluded in three and a half acres, part of which is a wooded ravine with a beautiful waterfall running through it.
Surrounded by pastureland, Rennaldburn is the first house built by Thomas Telford under the apprenticeship of a master stonemason in his early teens (when he was known as ‘Laughing Tam’ due to his joyful disposition :)
The self-catering half of the house sleeps seven to eight, though individual rooms can also be rented. (See bottom.)
The farmhouse has been lovingly refurbished in a rustic, earth-friendly way, with many unique features inside ~ from organic woodwork to original art, antique shrines and hand-printed prayer flags. I hope each time you visit Rennaldburn you’ll see something different to inspire you; I see it as an ever-evolving artwork!
New for 2018, there’s also an in-house gallery featuring illuminated pieces inspired by the world’s wisdom traditions; you can also see some in the back of the cafe at Samye Ling.
There are two spacious family rooms upstairs, the Loupin room and the Wailele room, each with a double and single bed in them. They both face West, towards the nearby ancient Loupin Stanes and the White Esk which winds through the valley.
Also upstairs is the sunny bathroom, with curved bath, stained-glass and mosaics, while half-way down the stairs there’s also the Swallow room. This cosy single, painted with rich blue earth pigment, has a skylight to the stars and sunrise and and its own ‘secret room’: the Mousehole, with a magical illuminated painting on the ceiling.
Also upstairs is the sunny bathroom, with curved bath, stained-glass and mosaics, while half-way down the stairs there’s also the Swallow room. This cosy single, painted with rich blue earth pigment, has a skylight to the stars and sunrise and and its own ‘secret room’: the Mousehole, with a magical illuminated painting on the ceiling.
Downstairs, the sitting room is home to an extensive and varied library, including many books of a spiritual and esoteric nature ~ and also has an open fireplace, with firewood provided. There is also a DVD player + wide selection of DVDs and wifi…but no TV reception.
The kitchen, with its own door leading to the front garden and meadow, has a table which (just!) seats seven, as well as a washer-dryer and all cooking facilities - including basics such as oil, tea, spices and eco-washing liquid.
My son, Sati, cat Tashi and I live in the back of the house, but there are no 'shared areas'; the front door, and all the living areas mentioned, are exclusively for your use.
Nightly costs include a donation to Rokpa and average £64 for the whole holiday let side for one, with additional guests £16 each.
To book, call Shen on 01387 373277 or email shen@returntotheway.org
Rennaldburn is child-friendly with cot, high chair and child safety gates available if required, crafts and games, a big trampoline, homemade table-tennis table (with strictly improper proportions!) and bikes to borrow.
We’re also pet friendly, as long as any canine visitors don’t chase our cat, Tashi, or surrounding sheep!
There’s plenty of room for parking, and barns for keeping bikes undercover.
We’re also pet friendly, as long as any canine visitors don’t chase our cat, Tashi, or surrounding sheep!
There’s plenty of room for parking, and barns for keeping bikes undercover.
Prices include all bed linen, towels, firewood and energy usage, but not food: I can provide a veggie/vegan/GF breakfast for an extra £5 pppn if required.
Nightly costs include a donation to Rokpa and average £64 for the whole holiday let side for one, with additional guests £16 each.
Individual rooms average £30/£50 for one room for one/two people.
Please note if you rent one room and someone else books at the same time, you’ll all be sharing the kitchen & bathroom; there are no en-suite options :)
To book, call Shen on 01387 373277 or email shen@returntotheway.org
Our address is:
Rennaldburn Self Catering Farmhouse, Eskdalemuir, Nr. Langholm, DG13 0QQ
More details can be found on www.returntotheway.org/gallery/about-self-catering/