Kings of their castle This exuberant former bathing house can be found on a ‘secret’ beach on the Galloway coastline. It was built in the early 20th Century by millionaire, James Brown, who retired to South West Scotland and had a keen interest in the Arts & Crafts Movement which was reaching its peak at that time. Focusing on traditional craftsmanship using folk, romantic and medieval styles of decoration, Brown used his fortune to indulge his passion and this extravagant, castle-like structure was created in order to protect Brown’s modesty after bathing at this beautiful stretch of sandy beach…a far cry from the modern day beach hut!

Another tribute to Brown’s rather eccentric style and love of design is ‘The Coo Palace’ which was built between 1911-1914 as a grand home for his 12 prize Belted Galloway cows (‘coos’).

With curved finials, decorative glazed tiles and Palladian water troughs, the cows that lived here really were kings of this castle! After falling into disrepair after Brown’s death in 1920, new life was breathed into this former dairy facility a century after its creation and is now home to 26 luxury holiday cottages and apartments with modern communal facilities and some tributes to this iconic building’s original occupants. With such glorious views, it’s easy to see why Brown fell in love with this corner of Scotland …maybe you will too! For further details of The Coo Palace, visit