Threave Gardens
Threave Gardens is the National Trust for Scotland's School of Estate Gardening. After entering through the Visitor Centre with its exhibitions, shop and restaurant, the grounds
contain many walks amongst the herbaceous borders, ponds, woodlands, peat gardens, and the Victorian walled garden, which once produced all the fruit, vegetables and flowers
required for the house which stands in the the middle of the gardens.
Back
The Raiders Road Forest Drive
A ten mile drive on Forestry Commission Roads through the forest from Clatteringshaws Loch to Loch Ken, (or vice versa). There is a view point overlooking Loch Ken at the
summit of Bennan, and an attractive picnic area at the Otter Pool. This route is very good for mountain biking. There are a number of other mountain bike routes around the
Clatteringshaws Loch area, which is also the location of the Galloway Red Deer Range where you can see stags, hinds and calves on a guided walk of about 1
1/2miles. There is also an indoor Visitor Centre with exhibitions.
Back
Broughton House
Broughton House in Kirkcudbright High Street, now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, was the home of the artist E. A. Hornel, one of the "Glasgow Boys" in the early
part of the twentieth century. There is an exhibition of his work in the house, and his studio is as he left it when he died in 1933. The very attractive garden, laid out as a series
of "rooms", runs from the house down to the river. Designed by Hornel, it gives the impression of being much larger than it really is, by the imaginative use of paths and planting.
Back
MacLellans Castle
A castellated town house which stands immediately beside the river. Built in 1577 by the then Provost of the town, using stone from a nearby ruined monastery, with many interesting
architectural features.
Back
Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park
A 27 acre park of woodland and grassland containing a collection of animals from all over the world with the objective of breeding threatened and endangered species for release
into the world.
Back
Kippford
An attractive village situated at the estuary of the Urr Water (or river) which is a centre for sailing. Boatyards, chandlers and boat moorings, together with walks along the side of the
estuary, make this a popular place to visit. Along the riverside walk amongst the plants, is imaginative artistic work based on pieces of driftwood washed up by the sea and stones
from the shore. This is also one end of the Jubilee Path to Rockcliffe, an attractive 1
1/2
mile walk over the cliff top. A short diversion leads to the Mote of Mark, an ancient earthwork fortification.
Back
Rockcliffe
A small village built between the hills and the shore at the opposite end of the Jubilee Path Cliff Walk from Kippford. Many of the houses have attractive natural rock gardens. The
shore here has rocks and rockpools near the land, but when the tide is out, the beach is sandy and flat. From here a Countryside Ranger leads walks at low tide to Rough Island
bird sanctuary, which stands in the middle of the estuary.
Back
Screel Hill Car Park
This is the place to leave the car for the 1
1/2 walk up Screel. It is possible to divert from the Screel path to climb Bengairn as well, but this will take considerably longer.
Bengairn alone is best approached from just outside the village of Gelston.
Back
Cream o' Galloway Ice Cream Factory
This organic farm uses milk from their own cows in the making of the spectacular ice cream, which you can try in the farm shop - over 30 different flavours! There is also a good
restaurant and a wonderful Adventure playground. The kids will love it - but probably no more than the adults!
Back
Park of Tongland Driving Range & Golf Course
Practice your golf here at this floodlit golf driving range, which also has a 9 hole golf course and putting, chipping and driving bunkers. Set amid the rolling hills and farmland of
Galloway, but only a short 'drive' from Castle Douglas.
Back
Dundrennan Abbey
An extensive abbey, now a ruin, where Mary, Queen of Scots, spent her last night on Scottish soil before her imprisonment and subsequent execution in the England of Queen
Elizabeth I.
Back
Dalbeattie Forest & Doach Wood
Forestry Commission managed woodland, with numerous walks from between 1 and 3 miles, of up to 2 hours duration, through the valley of the Urr Water, and climbing to a
viewpoint which looks over the Solway Coast. Also contains cycling routes.
Back
Loch Ken
This 15 mile long loch has a number of centres where there are facilities for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and powerboating.
Back
David Coulthard Motor Racing Exhibition and Museum
Twynholm (pronounced "Twine-am") is the home town of Formula 1 racing driver David Coulthard. Here there is an exhibition tracing his career from the go-karts of his youth to
some of the Formula 1 cars he has raced in, and displaying trophies he has won.
Back
The Mill on the Fleet
This old cotton mill is a very interesting place to visit.
Back