Accommodation

The house sleeps a maximum of twelve people and we request that per house-party there are no more than five children aged under ten years.

Ground Floor
Drawing room
Dining room (14 persons maximum)
Kitchen/breakfast room (seating six persons comfortably)
Games room/playroom with sky television (sports channels), table-tennis table.
There are also two pianos within the house for guests to play.
Utility room
W.C.

First Floor
3 twin bedrooms
3 double bedrooms (one with ensuite bathroom)
1 single room
3 bathrooms
One shower-room

Telephone/Internet
A record is automatically taken of all outgoing calls. Full internet access in the house with Wi-Fi available in the drawing room, playroom, dining room and various bedrooms. A fax machine and photocopier can also be made available in the Estate Office during opening hours three mornings a week. (Secretary: Mrs. Yvonne Craig).

Arrival/departure
Please aim to arrive around 4pm on the day of arrival and vacate by 10am on the day of departure. This allows cleaning, etc, between lets.

Exclusive use of the whole house (except for four rooms which are kept locked), the gardens, ponds and tennis court. You have access to the Estate for picnics, walks and trout fishing which is available on the River Lossie for no extra charge (see supplementary sheet).

There is a rowing-boat for the pond, barbeque, croquet set and basic tennis equipment kept at the house, although you may prefer to bring your own. Wonderful indoor sports hall/games room for children to play football, practice indoor tennis, use the net ball posts, whatever they want! There is also a trampoline to amuse the younger ones.

Electricity, oil and logs are included in the rental.

Housekeeping staff come into the property each morning. We can also arrange a good local cook for your stay, and we would encourage this as she not only knows the kitchen but also the best local shops. Her services should be booked through us when booking the house, thereafter arrangements should be made with her directly and payment should be made direct to her. She is happy to do shopping for you, etc.

Dogs are very welcome but are not permitted in the house. There are two kennels with small runs available.

Sporting

Fishing
Dallas is situated on the River Lossie equidistant between the Rivers Spey and Findhorn . There are two private stretches of the Lossie on the Estate which are reserved for guests at Dallas Lodge and these give a good chance of sea or brown trout (and an occasional grilse) on either fly or bait, the best chance being from June to the end of September. Regarding the Spey and the Findhorn (each about 20 minutes from Dallas), we can advise about fishing on most of the private beats, subject to availability, as well as details of where day tickets can be bought on Local Association water.

Morayshire is well provided with attractively located trout lochs
surrounded by heather hill or woodland and further details of where day or weekly tickets can be bought are available.

Shooting
We can provide details of Estates and Sporting Agents who should be able to arrange grouse, pheasant, roe/red deer and rough shooting for you. We would recommend that this is done well in advance. The shooting on Dallas Estate is pre-let to a local syndicate.

Activities

Activities
On arrival at Dallas Lodge you will find a folder containing information on many sporting and other activities available in the area, as well as details of shops, beaches, restaurants, plus local visitor centres and tourist attractions. Here is a brief précis:

Beaches
There are good sandy beaches, ideal for picnics/ swimming/windsurfing, all along the Moray Firth coastline from Nairn to Buckie and beyond. Many of these are within half an hour of Dallas Lodge.

The Moray Firth has its own resident dolphin population which
has featured on several nature programmes. There are regular boat trips from Inverness and Cromarty to their pre-found locations. There is also a nature interpretation centre at SpeyBay from where dolphins, seals, ospreys and otters can often be seen.

Sailing
Findhorn Bay (20 minutes by car) has a highly regarded sheltered anchorage and is home to the famous Findhorn Yacht Club.

Skiing
The ski slopes of the Cairngorms are within one hour’s drive of Dallas and the more gentle slopes of the Lecht Ski Centre are the same distance away. The latter is suitable for children and beginners.

Golf
Nairn Golf Club (30 minutes) is deservedly regarded as one of Scotland’s very best links courses. Other nearby courses are at Elgin, Forres, Lossiemouth, Fochabers, Boat of Garten, Nethybridge, Grantown-on-Spey, Castle Stuart and elsewhere. Royal Dornoch is one and half hours away by car. Further details are contained within the information file at the Lodge.

Walking//Pony trekking
There is a map of recommended walks on the Estate with suitable picnic sites. There are various pony trekking centres located nearby where tuition can also be obtained. Details of these can be supplied.

Birdwatching
Dallas Estate is home to many species of less common birds — such as the Capercaillie, the Black Grouse, Peregrine and Merlin Falcons, Hen Harriers, and smaller varieties such as the Siskin, Crossbill and Longtail Tits. In the spring and summer Swallows, Swifts, Housemartins, Wagtails and Oystercatchers all nest around the house and gardens.

The RSPB Reserve at Abernethy including the famous Osprey
nesting site at Loch Garten are 40 minutes away by car.

Flora/Fauna
Dallas Gardens are open regularly to the public through Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and are accordingly regarded as one of the great gardens of Moray. As well as many rare specimen trees there is a fine collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and a large water garden.

The Estate is home to roe deer, badgers, foxes, red squirrels, as well as otter and mink along the riverbanks.

Other activities
Hillwalking, bicycling (these can be hired locally), pony-trekking or visits to one of the Malt Whisky distilleries or cooperages on Speyside are all available.

Baxters of Fochabers (Scottish foods) and Johnstons of Elgin (Scottish Woollens) all have visitor centres and shopping facilities.

Brodie Castle (National Trust) is situated just outside Forres; Cawdor Castle, Ballindalloch Castle and Culloden Battlefield are half an hour further on. The National Galleries for Scotland have recently opened a branch at Duff House in Huntly. Brochures with details of these and many other activities are contained within the information folder.

Property location

Testimonials