|
Balcary Bay is in Dumfries and Galloway
southwest Scotland, 64 miles east of Stranraer, 23
miles southwest of Dumfries, 9 miles south of
Dalbeattie, 2 miles off the main A711
road at the village of Auchencairn.
The bay is in the Auchencairn Country Estate
with a 20 room Mansion, and Balcary Tower at
the headland, both private.
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map for area
Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
Also in the estate, by the bay, is the
Balacary Bay Country House Hotel, mainly used
by hotel guests and visitors to the restaurant
or conservatory cocktail bar. The road is
private past the hotel out towards the mansoin
and tower.
Area History
1200s - Hestan Island was owned by Dundrennan
Abbey with the monks using the area for
trapping fish. The Abbey is situted about 6
miles southwest.
The island can be reached via a cuasway at
low tide.
1342 - Edward Balliol, King of Scotland for
a short period, built a manor house on the
Island with the ruins still visible.
1625 - a shipping firm had a house built
overlooking Balcary Bay, with this house later
being converted to the Balcary Bay Country
Hotel.
1750s - smuggling in the area became popular
to avoid paying taxes on imported goods, with
caves on Hestan Island used by smugglers.
1700s late or early 1800s - Auchencairn
Mansion House was built to replace an earlier
house in this estate.
1840s - copper mines were opened on Hestan
Island.
1850 - a Lighthouse was built on Hestan
Island with a cottage for the lighthouse
keeper.
1860 - the three-storey Balcary Tower was
built for the French mistress of Colonel
Johnstone when he was laird of Auchencairn
House.
1900s late - the Lighthouse was automated,
nobody has lived on the Island since, the
lighthouse cottage remains.
2011 - Balcary Tower was put up for sale for
around £850,000.
2013 - Auchencairn Mansion House was put up
for sale for around £1.3 million.
Today - Balcary Country House Hotel serves
as a hotel and restaurant.
|
