Galloway Visitor -

Out and About in Glorious Galloway

The below is merely a brief introduction to the attractions of the area. Please bookmark this page to return for detailed information on what to see and do during your visit to 'Glorious Galloway'.

First in Scotland

For History - some of the earliest prehistoric settlements in Scotland are to be found around Luce Bay, the Machars and Rhins, while Whithorn Priory was founded by St Ninian, Scotland's first missionary Bishop, and Drumlanrig Castle, home to the Dukes of Buccleuch, is one of the country's foremost stately homes.

For Bird-watching - the Solway Coast is internationally famous as host to many thousands of migrating waterfowl, and boasts a number of national and local wildfowl reserves, including Wigtown Bay and Mersehead. Join the annual Wild Goose Chase across the region, watch the nesting Ospreys via CCTV, or enjoy the Red Kite Trail.

For Wildlife - the Solway Coast is a prime breeding ground for Natterjack Toads, while the region has the highest concentration of otters in mainland Britain. Look out also for Red Squirrels, Great-crested Newts and various species of Deer.

For Mountain-Biking - check out the 7Stanes network of off-road cycling opportunities, as well as miles of quiet rural byways and planned cycle routes.

The Galloway area offers a wealth of attractions to entertain and delight the visitor.

Towns of interest include Castle Douglas (Food Town), an elegant 18th century planned town with a good range of small local shops, cafes etc., and the delightful Cullingwark Loch and Lochside Theatre. The Royal Burgh of Kirkudbright , (Artist's Town) is a picturesque harbour town, with a mixture of Georgian townhouses and quaint medieval closes housing a variety of art galleries and shops. Gateway of Fleet is a picturesque small town with a kilt-making centre and old mill centre housing cafe, shops and exhibitions. Newton Stewart , on the banks of the River Cree, offers a variety of small shops and a local cinema, and hosts an annual walking festival, while nearby Wigtown, Royal Burgh and medieval county town, is a must for keen readers, with its various antiquarian and secondhand bookshops making it recognised as Scotland's national booktown. Scotland's southermost whisky distillery is to be found just down the road at Bladnoch . Up in the Galloway Hills you will find Scotland's smallest Royal Burgh, New Galloway, now home to an innovative community arts centre.

There are numerous historic sites in the area, including Threave Castle, near Castle Douglas and smaller castles at Carsluith and Cardoness (near Gateway of Fleet). Ruined abbeys abound, including Sweetheart Abbey, near Dumfries, Dundrennan Abbey (between Dalbeattie and Kirkudbright), Glenluce Abbey, and Whithorn priory (a historic focus for pilgrims with its links to St Ninian, and known as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland). Earlier history (and prehistory) is reflected in numerous bronze and iron age sites throughout the region, including the famous Cairn Holy chambered cairn neolithic burial site near Creetown and Torhouse standing stones near Wigtown. American visitors should not miss the John Paul Jones museum at Arbigland, and the nearby Shambellie House museum of costume will be sure to interest almost everyone.

The main attraction of the area, however, is probably the beautiful unspoilt countryside, offering a wealth of opportunities for walking, and cycling, both inland among the hills, forests and lochs, and along the many miles of coastline - much of which is designated a National Scenic Area - offering rocky cliffs and quiet pebbly or sandy beaches, as well as acres of unspoilt salt marsh (or merse) which provide overwintering sites for a multitude of wildfowl. The lovely coastal villages of Kippford, Rockcliffe and Sandyhills on the Colvend Coast are ideal for a gentle ramble in picturesque surroundings, Balcary Point, once the haunt of smugglers bringing contraband from the Isle of Man, offers more challenging walks along the clifftops (home to thousands of nesting seabirds in the early Summer), with numerous other small bays in the area offering quiet hideaways and spectacular views to the Cumbrian coast and Isle of Man.

Further west, the villages of Garlieston and Isle of Whithron in the Machars, once bustling ports and now home to pleasure craft and a handful of fishing vessels, open up miles of unspoilt coastal walks, while picturesque Portpatrick in the Rhins offers stunning views across the North Channel to the Irish coast. From the Mull of Galloway, Scotland's most southerly point, on a clear day rumour has it you may be lucky enough to glimpse '5 Kingdoms' - Scotland, Ireland, Man, England and Wales (tho' the latter seems somewhat fanciful!).

From Dalbeattie to the Colvend Coast, miles of unspoilt woodland is home to deer and red squirrel - and also holds one of the reknowned '7stanes' cycle trails to be found across the region, including others at Kirroughtree and Glentrool, near Newton Stewart, and Mabie, near Dumfries.. Further inland, the Galloway Forest Park offers scenic drives through some spectacular scenery with ample opportunity to get away from it all along various paths and cycle ways. The Galloway Hills offer opportunities for the hardier walker to explore some true unspoilt wilderness, including a number of areas of special scientific interest. The Solway Firth is a major staging post for migrating wildfowl, and the many salt marshes (Merse) of the area are home to a number of wildfowl reserves, including Caerlaverock and Wigtown Bay, while the famous Galloway Red Kite Trail is a major attraction in its own right. Ospreys have been nesting in the area for several years now, and can be viewed on live tv from April to September at Wigtown county buildings. Keen gardeners should be sure not to miss Threave Gardens, near Castle Douglas, or Castle Kennedy, Glenwhan and Logan Botanical Gardens, near Stranraer

For the more sporting-minded, the area boasts a number of good quality golf courses, while the numerous rivers and lochs offer excellent fishing opportunities, and sea fishing boats may be chartered from Kirkcudbright, Portpatrick or just over the Ayrshire border in Girvan. The area is also very popular with shooting parties. Loch Ken , between Castle Douglas and New Galloway, is home to two small watersports centres, while horseriding is available at a number of local equestrian centres. For the children, there are various attractions, including Mabie Farm Park and the Taste of Galloway ice cream farm.

Dumfries , the capital of today's Dumfries & Galloway region, while the wrong side of the river Nith to be included in Galloway proper, is still worth a visit. The town offers good shopping opportunities, cinema, theatre, Ice Rink and sports centre, and is famed for its connections with Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns - be sure to visit the Robert Burns Centre, Burns House and Burns Mausoleum. Also worth a visit are the Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura. Shopaholics may also enjoy a visit to the various Designer Outlets at Gretna (home to the famous blacksmith's marriage parlour).

The Natural Place

... To explore miles of quiet country roads, winding through hills and forests, rolling farmland and spectacular coastlines, past historic ruins and peaceful lochs - or stop off in uncrowded small towns where parking is never a problem.

... To take a stroll along the cliffs or beach, explore the forested hillsides and wild moorland, home to red squirrels, roe deer, wild goats and red deer, or tackle the challenging terrain of the Galloway Hills and Southern Upland Way.

... To enjoy a round of golf on one of the many excellent golf courses, including Southerness and Powfoot.

... To fish the various rivers of the region, including the Nith, Dee and Cree, or charter a boat from Kirkcudbright or Portpatrick for some excellent sea fishing.

... To star-gaze under some of the darkest night skies in the country

... To take in some of the many art exhibitions and galleries, featuring the works of local artists and photographers. Don't miss the annual 'Spring Fling' of open studios.

... To follow the 'Burns Trail', tracking Scotland's national poet along the coast he patrolled as an Exciseman to his burial place in Dumfries.

... To while away the hours among a myriad of cairns and stone circles, medieval castles, abbeys and landscaped gardens

If you would like to comment on places you have visited in Galloway, or discuss plans for holidaying in the area etc., why not visit our Discussion Forums?