Ideas for Dumfries and Galloway please

hels234

Hi, has anyone got any day trip ideas for the Dumfries and Galloway area? Were going for a week in september with an 18 month old and would really appreciate any recommendations for days out. Currently I'm thinking the red kite feeding station and beech if anyones been?

pogofish

Bird-wise, a visit to Caerlaverock castle provided an outstanding young childhood memory for me. Not because of the castle but the sheer variety of lovely birds in and around the moat. I understand it sits right next to an RSPB reserve?

Beach-wise, I remember that D&G topped the list for Scotland's dirtiest beaches on the Solway side not long ago - but the ones further out towards the sea would probably be cleaner - and further away from all the depleted uranium that the MOD were throwing down their range there till quite recently.

If anyone is into WW2 history, the village of Garlieston nr Wigton was where they tested the prototypes for the Mulberry Harbours - Bits of which can still be found at low tide.

http://garlieston.net/wwii/

My main memories of the place are of mainly outdoor/active pursuits and quaint old towns/villages/fine old ruins

Nr Sanquhar, in the north of D&G is the Crawick Multiverse - A landscape art project by Charles Jencks, which is on my list for the next time I'm back in the area:

http://www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk

Sadly the wonderful Glenkilin Sculpture park has had virtually all its superbly displayed sculptures removed due to the activities of thieves - Art or just metal thieves remains to be proved.

YORKSHIRELASS

Its about 8 years since we were last there but Cream O Galloway was a huge hit with my kids. Not sure about suitability for a toddler but definitely worth a look at the website.

Don't remember the beaches being dirty, we went to Sandgreen quite a bit.

Tarry

I went back in May. Stayed near Bargrennan and headed towards Portpatrick which was gorgeous....lovely beach and lovely scenery. Than had a coffee at Corsewall Lighthouse on the Rhins of Galloway.

ca55ie

Had a wonderful week up there in July.
Stayed in Kirkcudbright - nice town worth a visit
Brighouse Beach was wonderful - flat and clean. We paddled for a couple of hours - lovely
Gatehouse of Fleet had a nice park and visitor centre
Mossyard Bay is another nice beach
North of Dumfries is the Garden of Cosmic Speculation - a great outdoors space (take a picnic)

Sure you'll find plenty to do

PhylPho

Galloway is like the Isle of Man. Seriously. A land apart, even if it, er, isn't. Gorgeous countryside. Narrow winding roads. Views out onto sparkling waters, west and east.

Dumfries, en route to Galloway, is about as attractive as Oldham on a wet Wednesday. The aviation museum, however, is. . . superb. It's run by local enthusiasts and is a credit to them: they've restored the World War II airfield control tower and peopled it with mannequins who, surprise, surprise, actually look life-like. Considering the small budget they're working to, it puts to shame the blazingly preposterous Imperial War Museum North on Salford Quays.

We have no connection with any accommodation providers on Galloway. Suggest you consult TripAdvisor. We have, however, stayed at the improbably named East Muntloch Croft, at the very southern tip of Gallow -- improbably named, because it's a gorgeous contemporary family home. The couple who run it are as welcoming as any you'll find anywhere; the breakfast, outstanding. Only problem is, it gets booked up well in advance. They have a family room (bedroom) for adults traveling with little 'uns.

The Mull of Galloway clifftop with its lighthouse is a wonderful place to be, and getting there, a great experience; the clifftop road weaves its way past fields of cattle (who have priority, and know it: be prepared to halt as they stroll in front of your car.) The sea foams and surges on the rocks far below. The clifftop also offers 'Gallie Craig', a coffee house with one of the most spectacular views in the whole of the UK from its panoramic windows.

Logan Botanic Garden on Galloway is a must-see. You don't have to be interested in flowers to adore its size, scale and flora.

Well worth visiting, too, but on t'other side (i.e., more like it's part of the mainland) is Whithorn: a special place for many, though for those somewhat less spiritual (as we are) a great harbour restaurant for great fish 'n chip dinners.

Do not be tempted by 'Wigtown: Scotland's Book Town'. It's a grey, mediocre destination at best, and as for its books, any average town, anywhere, with the usual quota of charity shops has considerably more to offer.

Finally: 'days out' in Galloway has a literal meaning, because distances are deceptively long. Hence, why we stayed at the very tip. T'other thing is the weather. We went in high summer when the sun was, fortunately, shining. Galloway in the rain would be anything but enticing. . .

loskie

I grew up near Portpatrick and still live and work in the area albeit further east.
A great area with a lot to offer, not over crowded like the lake district and highlands.
Chocolate factory incorporating childrens areas and David Coulthard museum at Twynholm, Swimming pool in Kirkcudbright, brewery in Castle Douglas, Galloway activity centre at Loch Ken, also similar at Mossyard, nice beach there too.
Portpatrick's nice, boat trips for fishing and nature, Threave Castle, Dalscone Farm and Mabie Farm Park near Dumfries, New Abbey Cornmill, Dumfries camera obscura, Bladnoch Distillery (may not have re opened), Annandale Distillery.
Cream O Galloway, open farm, with nature trails and ice cream factory, Beaches at Brighouse Bay, Sandy hill, Port Logan which also has a fish pond.
Walking, mountain biking
There's a car rally "The Galloway Hills Rally" this Saturday 9th Sept plus a food town thing in Castle Douglas the same day. Tuesdays you can visit the livestock market at Castle Douglas or Weds at Dumfries or Newton Stewart.
Take a look at website/facebook Dumfries and galloway whats going on DGWGO.
I hope you enjoy this area