Dark Sky retreat

LOCAL WALKS AND SIGHTS:

Loch Trool and the Bruce’s Stone, probably the region’s most stunning Loch.
About 8 mins drive from us. There are lots of trails that start down by the main car park, around the Loch and alongside the beautiful Water of Minnoch. Alternatively you can drive past the first car park up to the Bruce’s stone, another 10 mins drive and you will find some brilliant views and trails taking in the views and sights such as Buchan Waterfall.

Wood of Cree. - gorgeous ❤️ ancient woodland, waterfalls, walks, nature, otter spotting. These gorgeous woods are about 10 mins drive from us. No facilities other than car parking. I cannot recommend Wood of Cree highly enough, we are so lucky to have it on our doorstep.

Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, forest walks, a big cafe and a mountain bike rental from the Brake Pad (you can book online). There are walking and mountain bike trails of all difficulties, that start from the visitor centre. Mountain biking is one of the things this region is known for, so definitely worth a try if it’s your sort of thing. About 25 mins drive from here.

Galloway House gardens in Garlieston are beautiful semi wild botanical gardens - great for a picnic. You can walk from the gardens onto the huge beach at Rigg Bay, which is normally deserted and has lovely sand and rock pools. No facilities at the gardens or beach, but short 3 min drive to harbour village of Garlieston (or you there is a great walk round the headland to get there). Garlieston has a good pub with food 7 days (harbour inn) and a lovely cafe open for lunch called The Hive. About 35 mins drive from us to Galloway House Gardens, cost is just for the parking, no entrance fee. Magical place.

Culzean Castle - 40 mins drive, great day out, lovely walks along the cliffs, beautiful location, good cafe, lots to see.

Mull of Galloway lighthouse - incredible views, especially on a sunny day - a very memorable spot. Lots of great walking trails around that headland. About 55 mins drive, combine with a stop in the picturesque harbour village of Portpatrick

- Kirkcudbright (45 mins drive) - this lovely harbour town has interesting shops and cafes and a couple of good pubs. The coastline around Kirkcudbright and surrounding area is stunning and there are loads of lovely walking routes and very pretty beaches to stop at. Carrick, Sandgreen, Borgue, Brighouse - all beautiful beaches. The town of Gatehouse of Fleet nearby is also well worth a visit for a coffee/cake/pub lunch stop.

OTHER BEACHES

Mossyard - gorgeous Sandy beach. Just 10 mins up the coast Carrick, Sandgreen and Brighouse are also lovely. Stop at very quaint village of Gatehouse of Fleet or lovely bohemian town of Kirkcudbright for refreshments - both nearby

Monreith beach (especially the sandy cove accessed via the golf club road)

Port Logan - gorgeous sandy bay, convenient for a trip to Mull of Galloway lighthouse.

Rigg Bay - accessed via the beautiful Galloway House Gardens, large, very quiet sandy bay, with rock pools and a WW2 landing stage

Drummore - the southern most village in Scotland. It’s a lovely little bay and harbour

Rockcliffe Bay, Maidens beach, Ardwell Bay, Brighouse Bay, Carrick Shore - located on Solway coast and South Ayrshire coast - all are lovely beaches

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Red Deer Range: a sanctuary where you can view red deer in the wild free of charge. There are no facilities, just an outdoor viewing spot, but the deer are beautiful. Remember to take a bag of carrots and you can hand feed the deer.
About 30 min drive from us to the range
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/red-deer-range

LOCAL TOWNS / VILLAGES

Wigtown - Scotland’s book town, full of independent bookshops, is nice for a bite to eat and a walk around. It’s about 25 mins away. Best cafe by a mile is Reading Lasses, amazing cake, followed by Cafe Rendezvous.

Gatehouse of Fleet is a lovely little village, with good options for food pubs + Crafty Crew and Iron Brew cafes. Close to Mossyard beach if you’ve been out and worked up an appetite. Oak Hill Cafe on the main road back to Newton Stewart is also a great drop off point.
Definitely also worth visiting Kirkcudbright if you’ve already made it as far as Gatehouse. Lovely shops, harbour and cafes. Walking and coastline/beaches around there are stunning.

Newton Stewart has excellent facilities and some good options for the evening - Creebridge House Hotel has great food offering and a lovely beer garden. Cree Inn and the Crown both do nice food. The Vaults is excellent for drinks and live music on a weekend. Always check in advance for eating out, especially early in week. The Indian restaurant, India Gate, is very good.

PortPatrick - lovely little harbour town with shops and places to eat

Isle of Whithorn - historic harbour village, home to ancient St Ninian’s Chapel. The Steampacket Inn does great food and the walks on the headland are lovely. Especially Burrowhead to St Ninian’s Cave trail.
.

WILD SWIMMING

For swimming and paddle boarding our personal favourite is Loch Maberry- 20 mins drive from us if you use the normal roads, 10 mins if you’re willing to bump along the forest road (we can show you the route, it’s very doable even in a normal car). As you drive along the B7027 that skirts the shore of the Loch you will see a lay-by with some big rocks in it just before the road turns away from the Loch- park in that lay-by and follow a very short path down to the loch shore. It has a lovely little shingle beach and beautiful clear waters. There are even a couple of islands to swim out to. We love kayaking and swimming here - would also be perfect for paddle boarding

Loch Trool, only 10 mins drive from us and you are absolutely spoilt for choice with swimming spots. You can swim in the Loch itself, one easy to reach access point is continuing through the main car park, driving a bit further and instead parking at Caldons car park, walk up the path that leads from the car park and when you see the big stone, get in there, at the head of the loch. Alternatively, we actually love to swim in the river (Water of Minnoch) that leads to the Loch. Park in the main car park and take the footpath that leads along the side of the riverbank on the car park side of the bridge, not the cafe side of the bridge