South West Region Scout Outdoor Centre - Craigshiels

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Centre is connected to the mains electricity supply and both buildings have disabled access.

• COTTAGE
ground floor
• Kitchen:- sink, hot and cold water, one electric cooker, fridge, microwave oven, toaster, kitchen units containing cutlery, crockery, pots and pans
• Toilets:- one female/disabled - with one sink and one male with sink
• Shower:- one non-electric
• Living Room: - wood burning stove which heats the water supply. This is the dining area with sufficient tables and chairs. Walk in cupboard under the stairs (broom cupboard) also a book/games cupboard
• Bedrooms:- two bedrooms, one with wood burning stove, both have double bunks (N.B. top bunks not suitable for under 10's)
• upper floor
• Bedroom:- Three sleeping platforms with mattresses (up to 12 adults or 20 children)
• Side-room:- (KEEP LOCKED) Contains hot and cold water storage tanks. May be used as a drying room for wet gear

Kitchen area	the main room with woodburning stove	another viw of the main room
one of the 2 bed rooms on ground floor	view of sleeping accomodation upstairs	view of sleeping accomodation upstairs

• BARN
• ground floor
• Kitchen:- sink, hot and cold water, one electric cooker, fridge, microwave oven, toaster, kitchen units containing cutlery, crockery pots and pans
• Toilets:- one female/disabled and one sink one male toilet with urinal and one sink one shower non-electric
• Living room:- Wood burning stove which heats the water supply. Walk in cupboard under the stairs (brooms etc). The living room is also the dining area with sufficient tables and chairs
• Upper floor
• Large room, which may be temporarily separated into two sections to be used as lecture /study/games rooms or sleeping area with beds for 9 persons.
• Cupboard (KEEP LOCKED) :- contains hot and cold water storage tanks

The Barn kitchen area

the Barn main room with woodburning stove

part of the upstairs area of the Barn

• WOOD STORAGE
• Through the white gate at the side of the cottage - please saw some wood to replenish what you have burnt in the stoves

• REFUSE
• There is no refuse collection at Craigshiels - all rubbish to be removed when the premises are vacated

• WATER SUPPLY
• Water is collected from sources in the forest and as such we cannot recommend it for drinking without first boiling it or sterilising it. May be used for cooking and washing

• WHAT TO BRING
• Sleeping bags, dish towels etc, your food, bin liners for rubbish, first aid kit

DOs and DON'Ts

• DO abide by the forest and country code DO take away all your rubbish
• DO NOT DUMP your rubbish in the forest - animals will scatter it making a mess and may injure themselves or die as a consequence
• DO use the Centre carefully. Conserve electricity.
• DO leave the Centre in a clean and tidy state -just as you would like to find it or better.
• DO leave a supply of dry kindling and firewood in the firewood boxes.
• DO turn off the water supply if asked to do so to avoid frozen or burst pipes (1 Oct. to 30 Apr.)
• DO complete the visitors book - include arrival and departure dates - number of persons in the group - activities carried out and routes taken (this will be helpful for other groups visiting for the first time).
• Do report the state of the Centre on arrival and departure and any breakages or damage
• DO NOT wander around the forest alone, it is a vast area of densely timbered land with many tracks - it is easy to get lost.
• DO NOT misuse the fire extinguishers, smoke alarms or first aid kit located in the Centre. They are for your own safety

FACILITIES NEARBY

ACCOMMODATION

The Centre consists of two buildings about 40 yards apart. Stone built in 1811 they were originally a farm/shepherd's cottage and a barn. Unoccupied since 1950/60 they recently have been renovated by volunteers for Dumfriesshire Scout Council to make a self catering Outdoor Centre (2003).

Both buildings are serviced by mains electricity for cooking and lighting, fridge, freezer and microwave oven..

Wood burning stoves provide hot water to kitchen, toilets and shower..

Cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery are provided. Blankets and sleeping bags are NOT..

Water requires to be boiled, or sterilised, before drinking but is suitable for cooking and washing..

The cottage has a leader's room with wood burner and 4 bunks, a similar adjacent room (without fire) also has 4 bunks. Upstairs there are three mattress covered sleeping platforms (sleeps 12 adults or 20 children)..

The barn which may be rented in conjunction with the cottage has similar cooking facilities but no leader's room. Sleeping arrangements are nine beds on the upstairs floor..

Both premises have disabled access and toilets..

CONDITIONS OF LET

South West Region Scout Council will not be responsible For any injury sustained by individuals whilst within the Centre or partaking in any activity therefrom, nor will they be responsible For the loss or theft of any articles belonging to any person or group attending the Centre.

Damages and breakages will be the responsibility of the group in residence and may be recoverable from them.

CHARGES

Charges include the use of all equipment and the cost of electricity.

NOTE:- A deposit of £35.00 (non refundable) is payable at the time of booking, which will be deducted from the final account. The deposit must be received before confirmation of the booking can be given. All cheques must be made payable to 'South West Region Scout Council'.

Booking Form

To Book this venue please download the Booking Form and send, with deposit, to the address on the form.

LOCATION

Craigshiels Outdoor Centre is situated approximately 3 miles from Ae Village within Ae Forest.

The property was originally two houses and a barn, built in 1811. One house was demolished many years ago - the remainder being occupied up to 1950/60 when it became uninhabitable.

In 1997 it was offered as a derelict property by Forest Enterprise to Dumfriesshire Scout Council to be made into an outdoor centre.

Since then both buildings have been extensively renovated and are now suitably equipped on a self-catering basis for persons, male and female, from the age of 6 years upwards. Scouts, Guides, Boys and Girls Brigade, Forces Cadets, Schools, Church and Youth Groups, Ramblers and Cycling Clubs -in fact any organisation accompanied by a responsible leader can use the centre. Private or family groups can also hire the premises which are disabled friendly.

There are many forest walks, mountain cycle routes around Craigshiels plus access to the nearby hills (3 miles).This includes part of the 7 Stanes Mountain Bike Circuit. There are swimming and canoeing areas on the nearby Water of Ae and also fishing (permits obtained from Forest Enterprise Offices, Ae).

The Centre has two flat areas each capable of siting 5 small tents. This may be booked, but users must also book one of the buildings to obtain water supplies and toilet facilities. Outdoor cooking on wood burning fires is allowed.

one of the camping areas	campfire circle	the pond - home to some wild life
The River Ae	The River Ae	The River Ae
suitable for swimming and canoeing

a near by abseil rock face

The River Ae

Other outdoor activities can be carried out in the area, e.g. Conservation, Orienteering, Pioneering, Field Studies, Proficiency Badge Work, Ornithology, etc.

THE AREA IS E-COLI SAFE, ON ZERO TERRAIN AND YOU CAN DRIVE CARS AND MINI-BUSES TO THE DOOR OF THE CENTRE

OS Map Sheet 78 Grid Ref. NX 994929
From Dumfries and south, or Beattock and north, take A701 road to Ae Bridge,turn onto the unclassified road sign posted Ae Village.
At the crossroads west of the village, turn right, cross a bridge and pass the Forest Enterprise Offices.
150 yards on turn left on to an untarred road, continue over 2 cattle grids and through a forest gate for about 3 miles to the Centre.
Ignore road off to the left about 1 mile into the forest.