As a group of six couples that have been friends for over 30 years, we were looking to create another New Year gathering to celebrate our 2000 Millennium gathering of 20 years ago! Netherhall was the perfect venue for our gathering!
Netherhall is a large country mansion, set on the banks of the river Dee and was absolutely perfect for our New Year celebrations. This is such a beautiful family home, which radiates a family feeling in every room. The drawing room with large open wood fire was absolutely lovely, with stunning views over the Dee in morning at sunrise - a relaxing room where we were able to retire after dinner for entertainment.
The dining room was perfect, a fantastic dining table which comfortably seats 12 - the perfect setting for our New Years eve dinner and ample space for us to provide our usual New Year cabaret. Breakfast around the alcove table with views again over the Dee were breathtaking.
The country kitchen was brilliant, with space to relax and to gather with a lovely double Arga and electric oven. There was no shortage of utensils, crockery and pots/pans and plenty glasses - wonderful room!
All the bedrooms were beautiful and well sized and the beds extremely comfortable. even though we stayed in winter, with frost on some nights, the bed linen was cosy and we did not feel the cold.
The billiard room was a real bonus for the men - albeit the games were long (highest break - 8).
The grounds are lovely and the walks along the Dee are truly wonderful. We ventured out to Castle Douglas - a lovely town with fantastic butchers and Bakery - and to Kircudbright, a lovely harbour town - well worth the visit.
Overall, this is a beautiful family home - one can feel the atmosphere of a lovely family home and there is ample space for families with children - an absolute haven for children to roam and explore and for adults to relax and enjoy such peaceful surroundings.
Susie Ross our host, has been excellent in ensuring that we were well catered for and with the assistance of her housekeeper, Maggie, we were well looked after.
We as a group of adults (and two dogs) had a New Year stay to remember at Netherhall - truly magical house, surroundings and peaceful atmosphere - we shall treasure our memories of Netherhall and our New Year celebrations for years to come!
I'm sure we will visit again and would highly recommend this lovely home.
Many thanks to Susie Ross and to Maggie