Outdoor activities and sightseeing near Arduaine

What's On: Exhibitions Festivals Talks Walks Churches in Wigtown

A Royal Burgh 1457, Covenanters, today Scotland's Book Town: Wigtown

Experience the freedom: Golf - Birdwatching - Geese migration - Ospreys - Red Kites - Satellite tracking - RSPB & WWT Nature Reserves - Mountain biking - Cycling - The Galloway Hills - Walking Festival - Walking, Hiking, Rambling - A Walk in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce - The Southern Upland Way

Explore and discover: Pre-historic & Neolithic & Bronze Age Sites - Celtic Crosses - Castles - Stately Homes - Dumfries House - Historic Houses - National Trust for Scotland (NTS) - Mary Queen of Scots - Covenanters - Gardens - Whithorn, Cradle of Christianity - St Ninian - Kirkcudbright, Artists' Town - Harbour villages - Lighthouses - Dark Sky Park - Beaches - Artists' Open Studios - Gem Rock Museum - Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh

King Robert the Bruce - Robert Burns, Scottish Poetry - Literature, John McNeillie, Ian Niall - Arts & Crafts, Charles Rennie Macintosh - Talks in Wigtown programme

Follow your tastebuds: Whisky Distillery - Smokehouses

Restaurants: Eating Out Gluten Free diet: Eating Out

Retail therapy: Art Galleries - Antiques - Crafts 'handmade in Galloway Scotland' - Second hand Book shops - Nice shops

Diary with: Festivals - Exhibitions - Events - Guided Walks: click here

Is there enough to do at Arduaine to stay for a few days?

Absolutely, and for much longer! There is easily enough for you to explore to stay even longer than a week: 12 different tours for 12 full days out with your car are waiting for you (full details in your bedroom pack) besides local walks in Wigtown to take in great panoramic views or to the bird hide or visiting the many book shops - after all: Wigtownshire is named among the world's top 50 most authentic destinations to visit, selected by a panel of 19 travel experts and writers, e.g. Tony Wheeler founder of Lonely Planet and author of The Lonely Planet Story, and e.g. Alain de Botton philosopher and author of The Art of Travel, e.g. Clive Aslet editor-at-large Country Life magazine among 16 others. 'Authentic travel' is the latest trend to find genuine experiences. Authentic tourism is growing in popularity because it is more inclusive, more liberating, and maybe more open to personal interpretation. (Wigtownshire is the only place in Scotland which made it onto the top 50 list, beside world-famous names such as Paris, Venice, or Lord Howe Island in the South Pacific, or Zanzibar. - see the up-market British Airways magazine "BA High Life magazine", Nov 2008)

We also have a comprehensive collection of maps for you and we are happy to suggest tailor made itineraries to make sure you make the best use of your time in the area - without feeling exhausted! – And when back at ‘base’ you can relax in the comfort of your own sittingroom (part of The Master Suite), or sit outside on the patio and take in the clean fresh sea air.

For the discerning Couple - relax & unwind in "The Master Suite" with your own sitting room.

“The perfect spot from where to explore." Barbara W, Australia

An extensive folder with leaflets and information on events and on what to do and see awaits you. There are also cycle maps. Ordnance Survey Maps for walking or touring may be borrowed. And the detailed Guide to 12 different tours for 12 full days out by car: see the real, the authentic Scotland.

Tourist Attractions: Sightseeing & To Do - Events - Links

(all distances are approximate)

For your Diary: Literary Wigtown Book Festival in Scotland’s Book Town,

Fri 24 Sept – Sun 3 Oct 2010

Wigtown Book Town & Osprey watch & Nature Reserve
Wigtown, an old county town where the whole centre with its large square is a protected conservation area with the original houses still in place, a small population (900) Scotland’s National Book Town is over a thousand years old and steeped in history; for instance the Covenanters memorials. This small village and ancient Royal Burgh (on 28 April 1457 Royal charter granted by King James II) has today over a dozen second hand book businesses and more than a quarter of a million titles to offer, and is home to the largest second-hand book shop in Scotland with over a mile of shelving and roughly 65,000 books, as well as a 200 year old whisky distillery and a golf course (T. +44 (0) 1988 403354: 9 holes, parkland, PAR 68, length 5462 yards; handicap certificates are not required: click here for Visitors Green Fees).

'Handmade in Scotland' Art & Craft Shops: get all those presents for birthdays, special occasions, or Christmas; "The-Book-End-Studio" in the square is run by artist Julie Houston where she sells some of her modern paintings and specialises in crafts handmade in Galloway; original paintings and prints are available in The-Picture-Shop / Art Gallery; there is also a very nice Antiques Shop "Traditions" with beautiful furniture, antique jewellery and pretty collectables. Just round the corner from the historic County Buildings (with the clock tower) there is landscape watercolour artist William Neal in his studio which overlooks Wigtown Bay.

Churches in Wigtown & nearby: Baptist Church, Catholic Church, Church of Scotland, Episcopal Church. mass times: click here back to top

Birdwatching at Wigtown Bay, an estuary with large areas of saltmarsh and mudflats, it is the largest Local Nature Reserve in Britain, ideal for birding with a bird hide less than 10 minutes walk from the town centre. From late September until early May Wigtown Bay and areas further east in the Solway (Mersehead, Caerlaverock) play host to 50,000 of over-wintering Arctic geese in 6 species: Barnacle Geese (= Branta leucopsis) hundreds near the bird hide, Pink-footed Geese (= Anser brachyrhynchus) in their 1000s in the saltmarshes and near the bird hide, also Greylag Geese; Greenland White-fronted Geese at Loch Ken, Brent Geese at Loch Ryan (very small numbers of Canada Geese in Dumfries & Galloway, but not in Wigtown Bay); also wild Whooper Swans in large numbers and Mute Swans can be watched in Wigtown. They come to escape the bitter winters of their arctic breeding grounds. Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre (free), County Buildings, Wigtown - open all year.

March 2010: Wild Goose Chase events - a Wildlife Spectacle: Geese on migration

Arctic Geese, Whooper Swans on migration. Special Wildlife experience. The best time is March here in Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve, which is the largest in Britain: 50,000 geese in 6 species - an experience not to be missed. Nature at its best.

Read on-line, photos: (these wild geese winter here: Solway - Wigtown Bay)

Pink-footed Goose (= Anser brachyrhynchus)

Barnacle Goose (= Branta leucopsis) breeding on Artic Island of Svalbard

After an absence of over 100 years, Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus, or fish-eagles in other languages) returned in 2001 to Galloway to breed. See photos and read the osprey diary on-line and here in Wigtown watch their family-life in the nest, live Apr-Sept until they return to Africa for the Winter (other months recorded footage), all year free in the Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre in the County Buildings Wigtown; the CCTV camera shows amazing pictures as it is only 5ft / 1.5 m from the nest which is at a secret location in Galloway:

2010 - watch on Wigtown CCTV: Saturday 27 March the male Osprey EP returned from wintering grounds in West Africa (bells were rung from the clock tower of the County Buildings) and on Thursday morning 1 April the female Osprey H/D was spotted first time this season on the nest (again the bells were rung in jubilation and to let everyone in Wigtown know that she had arrived). Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre quickly filled with locals and visitors who had heard the bells ringing and they were rewarded as both birds were on the nest together.

2009 in Galloway & on Wigtown CCTV: female Osprey "H/D" returned from Africa Thu 2 April; male Osprey "EP" returned on Tue 7 April. 3 eggs laid 24th+27th+30th April. 1st egg hatched at 7:45am on Tue 2 June - and the town-bells were rung! Unfortunately this chick died in the afternoon on Thu 4 June. Egg number 2 hatched Sat morning 6 June - again town-bells were rung. 3rd egg unfortunately did not hatch. - Our chick has grown very well and seemed to be bigger than its father at the time before its first flight and due to its size it is thought that it is a "girl" as female ospreys are about 10% larger than the male. - It has been ringed with a blue ring with white letters BA (the colours of the Scottish Saltire in the year of 'Homecoming'). - All 3 birds of our osprey family left Galloway the first week in September on different days to make the long and dangerous flight individually on their own to their wintering home in West Africa, that is the Gambia or Senegal maybe. Everyone here wishes them a safe journey. - As none of "our" birds is satellite-tracked we will not know of their fate and just hope the two adults EP and H/D (metal ring G8344) will arrive back here in their summer home end of March / early April next year. - The young bird BA will stay in Africa for a few years until maturity before making its flight back to Scotland. Perhaps we will see it in five year's time as we were able to see AW born 2004 this year on its first recorded sighting back in Scotland; maybe earlier or maybe never - the mortality rate during the first year is over 50% unfortunately.

2009 in Dumfriesshire: young male with green ring "AW" (hatched 30 May 2004 in the Galloway nest, first flight 24 July 2004 when the town bells rung in Wigtown to let everyone know of this event, last seen on the Galloway nest on 13 Sept 2004 before first migration to Africa; parents: father orange ring "BS" hatched 1993 Loch of the Lowes, has since died during migration Sept '06/April '07; mother orange ring "H/D" and metal ring "G8344" hatched 1998) . "AW" has found an unringed partner who was seen in Dumfriesshire last year with a different osprey partner (they had a nest, but no eggs). This is the first time the young male Osprey green ring "AW" has been seen since his migration in Sept 2004. And they have 3 eggs!!! (1st egg seen Mon 27 Apr, 2nd egg seen Fri 1st May, 3rd egg seen Mon 4 May). This is a first for osprey-eggs in Dumfriesshire for about 200 years - it is about that long ago that ospreys were breeding there. - Their 1st chick hatched Sun 7 June and growing up well; other 2 eggs did not hatch.

Some "history" of our "Galloway" ospreys: in 2008 for the first time 3 young chicks ! ! ! (in 2007 no chick; 1 chick 2006: metal ring only with numbers 1392805 on its right leg; 2 chicks 2005: green rings "DB" + "DA", 2 chicks 2004: green rings "AV" + "AW", all ringed; and probably 1 chick 2003 and also 2002 which were not ringed and this was before the camera was installed, 2001 busy nestbuilding); hatching dates 2008: Fri 6 June, Sun 8 June, Tue 10 June; ringed on Wed 16 July (white ring "BB" on oldest chick, no white ring on 2nd chick as this ring broke and therefore it has only a small metal ring, white ring "BA" on youngest chick) usually their first ever flight is made aged 49-56 days: chick BB made it first flight aged 50 days on Sunday afternoon 27 July - and duly all the bells from the clock tower of the County Buildings were rung! This brought huge numbers of people (locals & visitors) into the visitor room and BB obliged and did a few more brief flights to the great delight and applause of everyone present who watched this on the live-TV screens.

Covenanters’ Monuments – The Killing Years
The Wigtown martyrs Margaret Wilson (18 years) and Margaret McLoughlin (63 years) are being remembered with the covenanters’ monument which stands high above this small town on Windy Hill from where there are beautiful views of the pastures and rolling countryside of The Machars peninsula, the peaks of the Galloway Hills and of the sea and Wigtown Bay. Their graves are in the parish churchyard; the martyrs’ stake where they were executed in 1685 by drowning in the incoming tide is in the saltmarshes (easily accessible via a boardwalk). Those sad times are referred to as ‘the killing years’, when covenanters were being persecuted for their religious beliefs in Scotland. back to top

Bladnoch Whisky Distillery & Visitor Centre open all year
Scotland’s most southerly whisky distillery. Take a tour and sample some of the fine lowland single malt Scotch whisky. A must for any whisky lover! Distillery tours, gift shop, fishing, canoeing, river and woodland walks – or attend the Whisky School. 1 mile / 1.5 km from Wigtown in Bladnoch back to top

Retail therapy: Art Galleries - Crafts - Antiques - Books - nice shops

Wigtown: art gallery with original paintings & prints by Scottish artists; craft shops 'handmade in Galloway Scotland'; "Traditions": antiques shop with furniture & decorative items; several gift shops; over a dozen second hand book businesses; and just opened: Ravenstone Deli - the Wigtown branch of the famous Whithorn shop.

Art Galleries: Wigtown "The Picture Shop-Gallery", Stranraer "Waterloo Gallery", several both in Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright

Antiques: "Traditions" in Wigtown, "Priory Antiques" in Whithorn, "Douglas House Antiques" in Newton Stewart, "Osborne Antiques" in Kirkcudbright

Nice Shops: Wigtown, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright back to top

Nature Reserves – RSPB and WWT Reserves – Bird Watching – Red Kites –Satellite tracking
Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve, the largest in Britain, with saltmarshes, Wigtown Bay (part of the Solway Firth and sea), River Bladnoch estuary; a 10 minute stroll to bird hide for birding, 5 minutes walk to saltmarshes; winter visiting birds, e.g. arctic geese from Iceland and Greenland and Svalbard / Spitsbergen. Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre (free), County Buildings, Wigtown - open all year.

RSPB Reserves (west to east): Mull of Galloway (visitor centre, CCTV seabirds), Wood of Cree (8 miles / 12.8 km), Ken Dee Marshes, Mersehead (visitor centre).

Caerlaverock WWT Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre open all year, in winter wild geese from the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, of Whooper Swans from Iceland and wild ducks and wading birds (arriving from as far away as West Africa and Arctic Russia). WWT is satellite tracking Whooper Swans between their breeding grounds in Iceland and their wintering grounds in Britain and Ireland, as well as Barnacle Geese: follow their epic journeys on-line: http://whooper.wwt.org.uk/whooper

WWT Caerlaverock is 9 miles / 14 km southeast of Dumfries, 3 miles / 4.8 km to Caerlaverock Castle.

Red Kites (Milvus milvus) released 2001 near Laurieston at the edge of the Galloway Forest Park; watch from the bird hide at Laurieston to see them feeding, tour the 30 mile Red Kite Trail by car or do one of the walks.

Closer to Wigtown (5 miles / 8 km), the moorland areas around Mochrum Loch are also worth a visit. back to top

Artists’ Studios Open in Wigtown & Port William - workshops
Commission a portrait or buy a painting from resident artist Julie Houston; meet William Neal in his studio with his tranquil landscape or abstract watercolour paintings - both in Wigtown. In Port William you find 'Hoopoe Prints' - the studio of artist/ printmaker Lisa Hooper, where you can see and purchase artwork, or why not try printmaking out for yourself as she runs courses / workshops in different techniques.

Scotland's Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event: Spring Fling

3 days every year at the end of May: the most successful open studios event of its kind in Scotland. 29-31 May 2010 with over 80 established artists and makers in Dumfries & Galloway; it's free! The weekend is all about visiting studios, meeting artists and makers who are not usually open to the public; seeing them at work. If you think of purchasing a piece of art directly, please bring your chequebook as most do not take credit cards. Instead of driving around in your own car to hop from studio to studio, why not join the tour bus. back to top

29 - 31 May 2010: Spring Fling more info / or request brochure

The Cradle of Christianity & Saint Ninian - Celtic Crosses

- Mary Queen of Scots

The Whithorn Story & Whithorn Priory - Historic Scotland Museum
Long before Saint Columba and Iona, Christianity arrived in Scotland via Whithorn with Saint Ninian in 397AD. (Reference-Book: Peter Hill, Whithorn & St Ninian, The Excavation of a Monastic Town 1984-91, 651 pages. Fiction-Book; Donna Brewster, My Ninian, 349 pages.) Todays small laid back town once contained a large cathedral to which Scottish Kings and Queens (Mary Queen of Scots came in 1566) together with ordinary people made regular pilgrimages. The fascinating history is told in the visitor centre with audioshow, exhibition of excavation and museum with one of the finest collections of Celtic Crosses: the Latinus Stone was erected around 450 AD and is the oldest surviving Christian memorial in Scotland. Wander around the excavated monastery, ruins of the medieval cathedral-abbey and crypt. There are a further 9 related sites in this area. 10 miles / 16 km

OPENING TIMES 2010: 1 April to 31 October. 7 days a week. 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.

(excavation site & ruin accessible all year)

St Ninian’s Cave (Ancient Monument, Historic Scotland) & St Ninian’s Chapel (Historic Scotland)

The cave at the sea shore was, by tradition, the retreat of St Ninian; he would have walked here from his abbey and church in Whithorn to be alone with his thoughts and prayers. Car park 2 miles / 3 km south of Whithorn. Walk along Physgill Glen, where the forest floor is covered with bluebells in spring, down to the sea shore (20 minutes); the cave is to the right. "St Ninian's Cave is so quiet and remote that visiting becomes a spiritual experience" (BA High Life magazine, Nov '08: authentic travel: The 50 most authentic places on earth).

The Catholic Diocese of Galloway holds an annual pilgrimage to St Ninian’s Cave on the last Sunday in August in the afternoon. 12 miles / 19 km from Wigtown

St Ninian’s Chapel faces the sea just beyond the small village of Isle of Whithorn; car park at the harbour, 4 miles / 6.4 km from Whithorn. It now stands as a restored reception chapel from the 1300s although excavation revealed traces of an earlier chapel from the 1100s. It was used by pilgrims travelling by sea to the shrine of St Ninian in Whithorn. 14 miles / 22 km from Wigtown back to top

Kirkcudbright – Artists’ Town (say: Cur-'cooo-bree)
The National Trust for Scotland property Broughton House with its nationally important Robert Burns collection is in the attractive port of Kirkcudbright. Cross the threshold and enter the world and former home of well known Scottish artist E A Hornel of the ‘Glasgow Boys’. In the early 1900s Kirkcudbright became a haven for the leading Scottish artists of the time, including Peploe and Fergusson of the Scottish Colourists, Jessie M King, E A Taylor and a host of others who found the light and landscapes of Galloway irresistible. Hornel hosted the Glasgow Boys during those summers. Today you can admire his paintings and those of his fellow artists throughout the house and gallery. - The famous mystery crime writer Dorothy L Sayers stayed regularly and wrote some of her best loved ‘Lord Peter Wimsey’ mysteries here; the book ‘The Five Red Herrings’ is set in Galloway and this town. There are many things to do in this pretty place, with interesting art galleries, museums (Stewartry Museum, Tollbooth Art Centre Museum), and shops, and its colourfully painted houses. Visit the Miniature Artist Jane Gibson RMS, member of the ‘Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers’ in her studio; open once a week on Fridays or by appointment. 20 miles / 32 km back to top

many, many Castles & 5 Historic Abbeys & 30 Historic Scotland sites
Fiercely independent and in former times a strategically important place, Galloway had many castles, keeps and towerhouses to fend off invaders, as well as the five great churches and abbeys. Most of these are open to the public.

The castles of Dunskey, Carsluith, Cardoness, Threave, Caerlaverock, Sorbie Tower are amongst the most accessible, with the particular romantic settings of Dunskey perching on a cliff top west of Wigtown at Portpatrick and Threave on its own tiny island (where at the shore you ring the bell for the ferryman to take you over) further east of Wigtown. Other castles in this area: Castle of St. John, Castle Kennedy, Lochinch Castle, Cruggleton Castle, and Maclellan's Castle.

The remains of the great cathedral churches and abbeys of Galloway are all open under the banner of Historic Scotland. These are (west to east) Glenluce Abbey, Whithorn Priory (abbey & cathedral church), Dundrennan Abbey, Sweetheart Abbey and Lincluden-Collegiate Church & Abbey.

You will be surprised to see that some of our castles are not ruins, in fact they are still inhabited: e.g. Isle of Whithorn Castle (built 1674), Rusko Castle (built 1500-1550) - impressive towers of stone. And Barholm Castle (built in the 1500s) with an atmosphere of late Medieval times has just been fully restored from a ruin in 2006; now exclusive use available of this romantic five-storey Scottish castle for a holiday live like a laird. (the history of The Renovation, the painting of the ceiling in the Great Hall, do a Virtual Tour: the owners story)

All 30 Historic Scotland properties & places open to the public in Dumfries & Galloway, looked after by Historic Scotland:

No 1 - 10, No 11 - 20, No 21 - 30 (click on each to see all 30)

Historic Houses - Stately Homes - National Trust for Scotland / NTS

Dumfries House is not in Dumfries but in South Ayrshire (featured on Antiques Road Show several times) and was designed 250 years ago by renowned architect brothers John, Robert and James Adam; it is an imposing Palladian mansion built 1754-1760 for the 5th Earl of Dumfries (hence the name "Dumfries House") . Today the house is widely acknowledged as one of the most architecturally significant stately homes within the United Kingdom. It is internationally renowned for its unique collection of rococo furniture dating from the mid-1700s and the largest collection of Chippendale furniture worldwide. Prince Charles opened Dumfries House for the first time ever to the public on Friday 6th June 2008. Tours are available by ‘pre- booking’ through the booking line (01290 551111). House open for pre-booked tours in 2010: 1 April - 27 Sept; open Thu to Mon 11:00-16:00 (closed Tue and Wed each week).

Drumlanrig Castle is one of the family seats of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry and ancient Douglas stronghold. So, if you want to visit a grand stately home with a celebrated art collection, it's the magnificent 'Pink Palace', Drumlanrig Castle, one of the finest examples of late 17th century Renaissance architecture in Scotland.

2010 season opening: Castle (inside: tour on your own or join a guided inside tour) 26 March - 31 August (inclusive) daily 11 am - 4 pm;

Gardens and Country Estate 26 March - 24 October (inclusive) daily 10 am - 5 pm

Country Estate, Visitor Centre, Gardens and Stableyard are open from 9 am at weekends and during school and bank holidays.

Additional architecural guided outside tours in July and August at 12:30 and 2:30.

Waymarked Walks & Cycle Trails remain open all year.

Threave House and Garden (NTS = National Trust for Scotland) A Scottish Baronial House. Garden open 2010: 1 Feb to 28 Mar, Fri-Sun 10-5; 29 Mar to 31 Oct, daily 10-5; 1 Nov to 23 Dec, Fri-Sun 10-5. House: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, Wed-Fri and Sun 11-3.30. Visit to house by guided tour only and visitors are advised to book in advance. Estate: all year, daily.

Broughton House and Garden (NTS) A fine 18th century artist's town house with a treasure trove of collections and a magically secret garden. Garden 2010: 1 Feb to 31 Mar, Mon-Fri 11-4. House and Garden 2010: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 12-5 (last entry 4.30)

Culzean Castle (NTS) The National Trust for Scotland's premier property. 2010 Opening: Country Park: all year, daily 9.30-sunset. Walled Garden: all year, daily 9.30-5 or sunset if earlier. Castle: 30 Mar to 31 Oct, daily 10.30-5 (last entry 4).
Visitor Centre and Other Facilities: 3 Jan to 29 Mar, Sat/Sun 11-4; 30 Mar to 31 Oct, daily 10-5; 1 Nov to 31 Dec, Sat/Sun 11-4 (closed 25/26 Dec).

Free Entry to all NTS properties for members of the English National Trust and members of the National Trust for Scotland.

6000 years history: Pre-historic Sites - Stone Circle - Chambered Cairns

This area of Scotland is steeped in history and tells a story stretching back over six thousand years. Galloway was a centre of prehistoric population, and at Cairn Holy there are a pair of burial chambers and cairns with gigantic standing stones, spectacular in their setting in the hills, dating from the Neolithic and Bronze age (3000-1800 B.C.). From this hillsite place you can see far out onto the sea, as far as the Isle of Man. (20 minutes from Wigtown, off the A75 near Carsluith)
There are several cup and ring marked rocks dating from the Bronze age (1800-1200 B.C.). These markings are particularly common in Galloway as well as in Argyll, but absent in other parts of Scotland and their purpose is unknown. One of those sites is Drumtroddan cup and ring marked rocks which also has nearby the stunningly tall Drumtroddan Standing Stones. 8 miles / 13 km, on B7021
One of the best preserved stone circles in Britain is Torhouse Stone Circle. It consists of a ring of 19 rounded granite boulders set around 3 larger boulders forming a threshold. Its central stones are in an alignment facing Cairnsmore-of-Fleet mountain (summer solstice sunrise) and the Fell of Barhullian (winter solstice sunset).
3 miles / 4.8 km, next to the B733 back to top

12 Galloway Gardens & several Nurseries
With it’s famously mild climate and the balmy influence of the gulf stream, Galloway is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic gardens in Scotland. Don’t miss (west to east) Logan Royal Botanic Garden , Logan House Garden, Ardwell, Dunskey, Castle Kennedy Garden, Glenwhan; 4 gardens are found on the Machars peninsula on which Wigtown sits and these are Maggie's Garden at "Dunmore" in Wigtown, Galloway House Garden, Claymoddie Garden & Galloway Plants, Woodfall Gardens; - a bit further away Cally Gardens, Broughton House Garden in Kirkcudbright (NTS = National Trust), and Threave (NTS). – Not forgetting specialist nurseries like Elizabeth MacGregor who regularly exhibits her cottage plants at the world-famous London Chelsea Flower Show.

The nearest garden is in Wigtown itself, a gem of a private garden, "Maggie's at Dunmore"; open on Sat/Sun in the summer; there are 3 others on the Machars peninsula.

6 miles / 9.7 km to the nearest outside Wigtown back to top

Harbour Villages: Machars peninsula - Rhins peninsula
Here on the Machars peninsula are the three picturesque harbour villages of Garlieston (6 miles / 9.5 km), Isle of Whithorn (12 miles / 19 km), Port William (10 miles / 16 km), and also on the Rhins peninsula are three harbour villages: Portpatrick with fishing boats, romantic cliff top ruins of Dunskey Castle (30 miles / 48 km) and then Port Logan and Drummore (ca 40 miles / ca 60 km) not far from the Lighthouse at Mull of Galloway which is Scotland’s most southerly point and has very high cliffs and RSPB nature reserve with visitor centre and CCTV cameras to show the nesting birds. back to top

Lighthouses
Five lighthouses are on the west coast of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula at the Irish Sea with the Irish coast visible, the 3 tallest ones are from south to north: Mull of Galloway Lighthouse built in 1830 by Robert Stevenson, open to the public at weekends in the summer – this is as far south as you can go in Scotland without falling off the 260ft / 80m cliffs, views of the Isle of Man; 25 miles / 40 km further north Killantringan Lighthouse; after 15 miles / 24 km at the northern tip Corsewall Lighthouse which is not only a still fully functional lighthouse but now a hotel with restaurant (restaurant open to non-residents); the smaller ones are at Port Logan and at Portpatrick. - In Isle of Whithorn on the Machars peninsula is a distinctive white tower - the Cairn - which has been a mariner's landmark for close on two centuries. back to top

Logan Fish Pond
Fully restored Victorian Fish Larder (which served Logan House): Historic and unique tidal pool, created in a natural geological feature – a blow hole which formed some time during the last Ice Age, stocked with fish and other marine life. At Port Logan, close to the village where the TV series ‘2000 acres of Sky’ was filmed. 1 mile / 1.5 km from Logan Royal Botanic Garden. (ca 1 hr from Wigtown)

Gem Rock Museum
One of Scotland’s top tourist attractions with one of the finest privately owned collection of gemstones, crystals, minerals, gemstone objects d’art and fossils in Britain; only 20 minutes away in Creetown. back to top

Castle Douglas - Food Town
Marketing itself as Scotland’s Food Town, Castle Douglas is not only home to many butchers shops but also to one specialising in handmade chocolates, fine deli’s and cafés – the main street has a number of shi-shi shops with unusual and interesting stock you won’t find anywhere else. 30 miles / 48 km

Smokehouses – Cheeses – Local Delicatessen
The nearest smokehouses which produce smoked products such as smoked salmon, other fish, as well as meat are just across the bay: Galloway Smokehouse and Marrbury Smokehouse with its café (Marrbury is supplier to Michelin-star restaurants and the world famous restaurant at Gleneagles). A good selection of delicatessen, including locally produced cheeses (from ewes-, goats-, cows-milk) and Marrbury products as well as Rowan Glen Yoghurts are available in Newton Stewart at Owens the Butchers where we buy their Award-winning Sausages "Best in south-west Scotland" for your breakfast. (6 miles / 9.5 km). back to top

Golf
Galloway has many excellent golf courses including one on our doorstep :-

Wigtown and Bladnoch Golf Course is about 10 minutes walk from us. T +44 (0) 1988 403354 - open all year, no booking required: 9 holes, parkland, PAR 68, length 5462 yards; handicap certificates not required. (If you wish to play at the weekend, perhaps it's best to phone.)

Green Fees for Visitors 2010: 18 hole £22 (OAP £17), 9 hole £13 (OAP £11), Day pass £27, Week pass £66.

St Medan Golf Club near Monreith is Scotland's most southern golf course, well worth exploring being next to an inviting sandy beach with spectacular cliffs and unparalleled views of the open sea and Luce Bay, the Mull of Galloway & Lighthouse, the Isle of Man and on a very clear day, the Mountains of Mourne in Ireland (12.9 miles / 20 km). Full visitor information on their website.

There are 20 golf courses within one hour’s drive from Wigtown, 4 are less than 30 minutes drive. (Full details available, brochure in your bedroom info folder; golf-pass available from tourist information: 3-Round Pass from £80 = play on 3 courses over 5 consecutive days; 6-Round Pass from £120 = up to 6 rounds on any of the participating courses over 5 consecutive days. To buy your Golf Pass phone tourist information office on T 01387 245566; contact us if you want to know more).

We are about 1 hour drive south of the world-famous Turnberry golf course.

Mountain Biking – The 7Stanes: Glentrool - Kirroughtree
Some of the best and most exciting mountain bike trails in the world are right on our doorstep. The 7Stanes network consists of trails across Dumfries and Galloway, and draws thousands of cyclists to the region every year. The nearest trail (and arguably the best; - cyclists are even flying in ‘for the day’ from America!) is Kirroughtree, 8 miles away, with routes to suit all abilities and nearly 30 miles of singletrack in the Galloway Forest Park; also Glentrool near beautiful Loch Trool. The Galloway Forest Park has plenty of interesting waymarked walks too. 8 miles / 12.8 km from Wigtown.
Bikes can be hired locally from HDI in Newton Stewart. back to top

Cycling
Wigtown is on a cycle route and there are a number of signposted routes in The Machars (the peninsula on which Wigtown sits). This area offers the space and pace to suit cyclists with unspoilt scenery, contrasting landscapes, a mild climate and a wealth of history and heritage to explore. The whole of Dumfries & Galloway is fast becoming one of the most cycle friendly places in the UK. The National Cycle Network traverses the region, taking in more than 130 miles / 210 km of stunning scenery, rugged coastline and vast forests. (maps in your bedroom info pack) back to top

Galloway Hills (and Galloway Forest Park, the largest in Britain)
The last wilderness – these stunning hills may lack some of the drama of the Highlands but they also lack the huge number of people who flock there. The Galloway Hills are full of wildlife (Red Squirrels, Wild Goats, Red Deer, Golden Eagle, Red Kite), bleak moors, dotted with tranquil upland lochs, stunning views, and 200 square miles / 518 km² of solitude. There is something for everyone in this landscape which John Buchan so loved and which inspired his book ‘The 39 Steps'. Newton Stewart, the gateway to the hills, is 6 miles / 9.5 km from Wigtown. If you are into climbing there are lots of good crags to test your skills; see the Needlesports website for locations and routes. back to top

Dark Sky Park - a UK first !

LATEST NEWS 2010: Galloway Forest Park is officially recognised as a Dark Sky Park. It's the only one in the UK; others are in the USA.

Dark Sky is where you see lots of stars, while cities today often have just black skies due to the amount of light pollution. Read about Dark Skies in this article from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE.

Guided Walks – join the WalkFest (biggest walking festival in Southern Scotland)
Well extablished yearly event in May, 7 days of guided walks, many are led by members of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team: e.g. the Merrick 2,764 ft / 843 m highest of the Galloway Hills (strenuous walk), any number of other tops, also several walks along coastal cliff path, - walks for different abilities, some are a real challenge and aimed at the very fit outdoor enthusiast. Programme & on-line booking www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk

dates for next year 2011: Fri 6 - Thu 12 May 2011

Walk with a personal guide
If you enjoy walking but do not have the experience to use a compass: you may wish to join the Galloway Mountain Guides and Sandy White (phone 01556 504305, evenings), a qualified mountain leader. Also Map and Compass Workshops and Hill Navigation practice sessions for occasional / leisure walkers. A scheduled full day group walk out on the wild hills and remote lochs (approx £15) – or a private walk tailored to what you would like to do (a bit more expensive). Obviously, contact should be made well in advance before leaving home for Scotland. back to top

Walking - Hiking - Rambling: join a group - guided walks
Information on walks is in your bedroom information pack; you are welcome to borrow our Ordnance Survey Maps. -
On Saturdays throughout the year a Ramblers group meets for day-long walks (phone 01671 402733, day or evenings). Stout walking boots essential plus rain gear, rucksack, packed lunch etc.

On Tuesdays, Apr-Sept, "Wigtown Talks and Walks" (talks Oct-Mar, walks Apr-Sep), a local Wigtown group meets informally for half-day or day-long walks in beautiful and interesting areas in the Machars (the peninsula an which Wigtown sits) and a bit further afield in Wigtownshire and Galloway; charge: £2 per walk for non-members (Note: participants walk entirely at their own risk; no dogs allowed on walks); an opportunity to meet friendly people, share your love of the outdoors, discover the area (car-sharing option to start of walk; exact meeting place will be confirmed: contact Arduaine B&B). Remember to take water on the walks and also wet-weather gear, just in case.

2010 walking programme (join a small local group):

Mochrum - Elrig circuit. 4.5 miles, easy, along quiet Machars byroads; meet 10am Mochrum. Lunch at The Clansman after?

Tue 6 Apr

Creetown - Cardoon Ponds - Glenquicken Oak Trail. 3.5 miles, easy, up glen and through newly-designated woodland trai with final section along lanel. Enjoy lunch or refreshments at Gem Rock Museum; meet 10am Creetown

Tue 20 Apr

Kirroughtree's Papy H'a Trail. Easy 6.24 mile walk around the Forestry Commission Scotland's designeted 'bird trail' in the Galloway Forest Park; meet 10am at Kirroughtree. Bring lunch or eat at visitor centre.

Tue 4 May

Fell of Barhullion. 6.5 miles, easy, far-reaching views, hill-fort, cup-and-ring marked rocks; meet 10:30am St Medan nr Monreith. Bring lunch.

Tue 18 May

Portpatrick - Dunskey Glen - Sandeel Bay - Portpatrick. 3.7 mile moderate and varied route: wooded glen, seashore; cliff paths and lots of steps; bring lunch or eat in village; meet 10:30am Portpatrick

Tue 1 June

Bird and Flower Walk at Mull of Galloway RSPB reserve led by RSPB warden Paul Tarling; short but steep; RSPB centre; bring binoculars; Gallie Craig Café is nearby ; meet 12:45pm Mull of Galloway

Tue 29 June

Orchids Galore! not a walk; just a stroll around an SSSI to admire wild orchids in profusion; meet 2pm at location

Tue 6 July

Mossyard to Chapel Bay. short saunter along the foreshore; visit the chapel on Cardoness Estate; bring lunch; meet 10:30am Mossyard (£2 car parking charge)

Tue 20 July

Gatehouse of Fleet - Carrick Shore Circuit. Entirely flat, easy route of 7 miles via woods and along Fleet Bay to the seaside. Meet 10:30am Gatehouse-of-Fleet and bring lunch.

Tue 3 Aug

Portpatrick - Knockinaam - Dunskey Castle - Portpatrick. 6 miles, moderate; moorland road with return over cliffs. Stop half-way for tea and world's largest scones served on hotel lawn; bring lunch or eat in village afterwards. Meet 10:30am Portpatrick

Tue 17 Aug

Rockcliffe to Kippford and back. Easy 4 miles including option to visit the Mote of Mark. Meet Rockcliffe 11am. Bring lunch or eat at Anchor Inn, Kippford

Tue 31 Aug

Historical Stroll around Wigtown. Maggie reprises her 'walk and talk' for the Ranger Service with tales of Wigtown's past. Meet 10:30am Wigtown

Tue 14 Sep

Mossdale Circular. Easy 3 mile stroll starts and ends along the old 'Paddy Line' (former railway track) and visits two lochs. Meet 10:30am Mossdale. Lunch optional.

Tue 21 Sep

Long Distance Footpath – The Southern Upland Way
Coast to coast, west to east in 212 miles / 340 km - much more challenging than the Highland Way! Scotland's longest and arguably most dramatic and unspoiled Long Distance Route.

Beaches
This peninsula on which Wigtown sits, The Machars, has 40 miles / 64 km of coastline and secluded beaches with good swimming. Rigg Bay in Garlieston is 6 miles / 9.5 km from Wigtown, St Medans a sandy beach with towering cliffs on the west coast of the peninsula is about 10 miles / 16 km. Nearby Monreith has a lovely long sandy beach, as have Auchenmalg and Stairhaven. Other secluded spots can be found all around the coast. Snorkelling is great here at high tide with exceptionally good visibility. More beaches with great character are on the Rhins peninsula along Luce Bay, as well as at Port Logan among other places. back to top

Talks in Wigtown 2009 / 2010 season
Oct-March, Tuesday afternoons, almost every week on natural history and other subjects. "Wigtown Talks and Walks" group (talks Oct-Mar, walks Apr-Sep)

Talks Venue: Wigtown & Bladnoch Golf Club, everyone welcome

Time: 2:30 pm

Tickets available at the door (no pre-booking), everyone welcome: £2

2009

Tue 6 Oct:   Galloway Emigration and Homecoming

by David Devereux, Director, Stewartry Museum Kirkcudbright

Tue 20 Oct:   RSPB - a history.

Tue 3 Nov:   Woodland History.

Tue 17 Nov:   Family History, Wigtownshire.

Tue 24 Nov:   What Stone is That? by Dr Fin Stuart, Senior Lecturer in Isotope Geology, Head of the noble gas isotope laboratories, University of Glasgow

Tue 1 Dec:   Cairnsmore-of-Fleet.

2010

Tue 12 Jan:   The Whithorn Trust. by Janet Butterworth, Business Manager, Whithorn Story Visitor Centre

Tue 19 Jan:   t.b.a. - by Professor Ted Cowan, University of Glasgow

Tue 2 Feb:   Footpaths in The Machars.

Tue 9 Feb:  Scottish Music Instruments by Dr Fraser Hunter, Dept of Archaeology, National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh

Tue 16 Feb:   Old Maps of Galloway.

Tue 2 March:   Castles of Clay - The World of Ants. by Jim Logan, Marine Biologist

Tue 9 March:   Rare plants of Britain.

Tue 16 March:   Some Off-Beat Sources Of History. by Ian Dewhirst MBE, Historian, Keighley

Click here for more talks and a full list of events through the year

Scottish History – King Robert the Bruce (1274-1329)
At Bruce’s Stone at the head of Loch Trool the battle of Glentrool (1307) is being commemorated where Robert the Bruce defeated the English; an important step towards Scottish independence. Find out more by reading up on a walk in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce round the "Cradle of Independence"

Scottish Poetry – Robert Burns - 250th anniversary year 2009
Robert Burns’ birthplace – cottage & museum in Alloway/Ayr at Burns National Heritage Park. Ellisland Farm, his farm, just a few miles outside Dumfries. Robert Burns Centre/Museum and mausoleum in Dumfries. Broughton House in Kirkcudbright holds a nationally important collection of his works. – We have a special map ‘Burns Heritage Trail’ for you to borrow. back to top

Scottish Literature – John McNeillie = Ian Niall
John McNeillie (1916-2002), author of more than 40 books, wrote under the pen name of Ian Niall; he grew up here and his book ‘The Wigtown Ploughman’ is just one of his books set in this area. back to top

Scottish Artist - Arts & Crafts - Charles Rennie Macintosh
A day trip to Helensburgh (3 hours) near Glasgow with a visit to the Hill House, the building designed and furnished by Macintosh (now open under the National Trust for Scotland) or to Glasgow with more arts & crafts attractions related to him (2 hours). back to top

Day Trips further afield – Belfast – Glasgow – Edinburgh
Belfast 45-50 minutes drive to Stranraer or Cairnryan ferryport; as a foot passenger board the 10 a.m. (approx) departure ferry; then by open-top bus or taxi to city centre. Glasgow by train from Barrhill or Girvan or in 2 hours by car.
Edinburgh 3.5 hours drive by car. back to top

- What's On :

Events - Festivals - Exhibitions - Talks - Guided Walks

in & near Wigtown - a selection

NOTE: Events/Dates in the past are taken off this list, to give a better overview

Birdwatching River Bladnoch estuary at Wigtown Harbour

spot birds, such as: Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, King Fisher, Tawny Owl, Widgeon, Pintail ducks, Lapwings; Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Mute Swans, Pintail Ducks, Shell Ducks. From late Oct to early April the talked-about winter visitors amongst others: Whooper Swans from Iceland,1000s of Pink-footed Geese (= Anser brachyrhynchus), several hundred Barnacle Geese (= Branta leucopsis).

12 Oct 2009, birds seen from the bird hide: Sparrowhawk female, Pintail Ducks, Brent Goose (or Brant Goose) = Branta bernicla, Buzzard, Mallards, Common Snipe, Peregrine Falcon, Spotted Redshank, Mute Swans,

3 Whooper Swans, Heron and more common birds.

21 Oct 2009: - birds seen from the bird hide: Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Little Grebe, Curlew, Mute Swans, Golden Eye, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Ducks, Mallard, Starlings, 3 Heron.

12 Dec 2009: - most memorable: female Peregrine Falcon flying low over the bird hide; Mute Swans, Whooper Swans from Iceland; Redshank, and others.

3 Feb 2010: over a thousand geese are here feeding on the merse / saltmash land; we can hear them from our garden at Arduaine B&B and even when we are in the house. We just love hearing them - it's great they are here, all the way from their Arctic summer grounds.

7 March 2010: Peregrine Falcon, Golden Plover, Shelducks, Cormorants, Pintail Ducks, Widgeon, Lapwings, geese as usual, and very special: we watched a Grey Seal for over an hour as it swam in the River Bladnoch next to the Bird Hide during the incoming high tide.

Wigtown Harbour Birdhide, free, never closed

Mull of Galloway Guided Walks with the RSPB-Ranger

around the Mull of Galloway looking at the diverse flora and wildlife of this reserve at the end of an island with a land bridge.

July & August: every Tue & Thu, 1pm

meet at Mull of Galloway RSPB Visitor Centre, OSGR: NX 155304

Red Deer Guided Walk

See Galloway Red Deer at close hand in their natural environment - Wild Galloway.

July & Aug: every Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu at 10am

meet: Red Deer Range car park, Galloway Forest

THE GLASGOW GIRLS - a 'must' for any lover of paintings and art ! A landmark event

2010 Summer Art Exhibition @ Kirkcudbright Town Hall

This major retrospective exhibition represents the work of nearly 40 women artists, designers and craftworkers who studied at the Glasgow School of Art and worked in Glasgow during the early part of the 20th Century.

July 3 - August 30, 10am 'til 6pm, Admission Free, Kirkcudbright Town Hall

(this is the 10th annual block-buster art exhibition of famous painters)

Red Deer Guided Walk

See Galloway Red Deer at close hand in their natural environment - Wild Galloway.

August: every Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu at 10am

meet: Red Deer Range car park, Galloway Forest

JOIN THE WALKING GROUP: Gatehouse of Fleet - Carrick Shore Circuit. Entirely flat, easy route of 7 miles via woods and along Fleet Bay to the seaside. Meet 10:30am Gatehouse-of-Fleet and bring lunch. (£2 non-members, Wigtown Talks & Walks, book with us)

Tue 3 Aug

Agricultural Show - one of the oldest in Scotland & largest in Wigtownshire,

at Wigtown Showground, 8am to 5pm

Wed 4 Aug

Going Batty - watch Bats

Threave is a phantastic place for bats with seven species recorded. Enjoy the opportunity to listen to the bat click and calls as they hunt.

Booking: essential: NTS Ranger service 01556 503702

meet: Threave Castle car park near Castle Douglas, OSGR: NX 745615

Wed 4 Aug, 8:30pm (until approx 10:30pm)

Porpoise watch

Drop in on local whale and dolphin experts looking for porpoises on the Inner Solway. Learn about the different species of whales, dolphins and porpoises found off the Dumfries and Galloway coast.

Meet: Balcary Point on coastal footpath, OSGR: NX 826490

Sun 8 Aug, 10am to 2pm

Walking and Talking with RSPB Ranger Elizabeth Tindal

and looking at birds and other stuff. - A gentle walk.

Meet: Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre in Wigtown, OSGR: NX 434553

Wed 11 Aug, 2:00pm

JOIN THE WALKING GROUP: Portpatrick - Knockinaam - Dunskey Castle - Portpatrick. 6 miles, moderate; moorland road with return over cliffs. Stop half-way for tea and world's largest scones served on hotel lawn; bring lunch or eat in village afterwards. Meet 10:30am Portpatrick. (£2 non-members, Wigtown Talks & Walks, book with us)

Tue 17 Aug

Mulbery Harbours to Saint Ninian (guided walk)

Part cliff top, part shore walk. 7.5 miles / 12km

looking at war-time history and natural history and anything else as well, bring some lunch with you.

Meet: Harbour Car Park at Isle of Whithorn, OSGR: NX 478362

Wed 18 Aug, 10:00am

Mud Glorious Mud - with RSPB Ranger Elizabeth Tindal

Find out why it is so good. Be prepared to get muddy! Bring wellies! and old clothes! - a walk at low tide on the mud.

Meet: Wigtown Harbour, OSGR: NX 428547

Thu 19 Aug, 2:00pm

JOIN THE WALKING GROUP: Rockcliffe to Kippford and back. Easy 4 miles including option to visit the Mote of Mark. Meet Rockcliffe 11am. Bring lunch or eat at Anchor Inn, Kippford. (£2 non-members, Wigtown Talks & Walks, book with us)

Tue 31 Aug

Archaeology

Discover medieval villages and ancient cairns, including the Corn Kiln, in Knockman Wood.

Booking: essential, T 01671 401423 (a free event)

Meet: Knockman Wood car park (near Newton Stewart), OSGR: NX 410679

Fri 3 Sept, 2:00pm

Red Deer Guided Walk

See Galloway Red Deer at close hand in their natural environment - Wild Galloway.

Sun 5 Sept at 10am

meet: Red Deer Range car park, Galloway Forest

Mull of Galloway Guided Walks with the RSPB-Ranger

around the Mull of Galloway looking at the diverse flora and wildlife of this reserve at the end of an island with a land bridge.

Sept: Tue 7 & Thu 9, then Thu 16, Thu 23, Thu 30 , 1pm & 2:30pm

meet at Mull of Galloway RSPB Visitor Centre, OSGR: NX 155304

Red Deer Guided Walk

See Galloway Red Deer at close hand in their natural environment - Wild Galloway.

Sun 12 Sept at 10am and at 12noon

meet: Red Deer Range car park, Galloway Forest

JOIN THE WALKING GROUP: Historical Stroll around Wigtown. Maggie reprises her 'walk and talk' for the Ranger Service with tales of Wigtown's past. Meet 10:30am Wigtown. (£2 non-members, Wigtown Talks & Walks, book with us)

Tue 14 Sep

Wigtown and its stories

Wigtown is not just about books! A gentle walk around the streets of Wigtown listening to stories about the places and people who live and lived here. This is a short walk at a gentle pace on pavements.

Meet: Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre in Wigtown, OSGR: NX 434553

Wed 15 Sept, 2:00pm (a free event)

14th Creetown Country Music Festival

Fri 17 - Sat 18 - Sun 19 Sep 2010 in Creetown

www.creetown-countrymusic-festival.com

JOIN THE WALKING GROUP: Mossdale Circular. Easy 3 mile stroll starts and ends along the old 'Paddy Line' (former railway track) and visits two lochs. Meet 10:30am Mossdale. Lunch optional. (£2 non-members, Wigtown Talks & Walks, book with us)

Tue 21 Sep

pre-book your accommodation in Wigtown early as places are now being snapped up before the programme is being published !

- programme is out sometime between early Aug to mid-Aug -

WIGTOWN EVENT & FESTIVAL 2010

Winner of the prestigious Scottish Thistle Award: Best Event in Scotland

Set in the idyllic Galloway countryside, Wigtown's festival hosts some of the biggest names in books.

Wigtown Book Festival in Scotland’s National Book Town, 10 days:

Fri 24 Sept 2010 – Sun 3 Oct 2010 www.wigtownbookfestival.com

Combine days of exploring the area, National Trust houses & gardens, walks along the coast or in the hills . . . with visits to the festival !

Wigtownshire - "one of the 50 most authentic places on earth" (quote "BA High Life magazine").

Red Deer Guided Walk - Roaring Stags

See Galloway Red Deer at this exciting time of year at close hand in their natural environment - Wild Galloway.

every day from Mon 4 - Fri 8 Oct, 10 am

meet: Red Deer Range car park, Galloway Forest

Walking and Talking with RSPB Ranger Elizabeth Tindal

and looking at birds and other stuff. - A gentle walk.

Meet: Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre in Wigtown, OSGR: NX 434553

Wed 6 Oct, 2:00pm (free event)

Geese and Birds in Galloway

Illustrated talk by RSPB bird expert Paul Tarling. Abour the different types of geese coming to Galloway on their winter migration, and what is living on the beaches, fields and seas around you.

Meet: Logan Botanic Garden, OSGR: NX 095424

Tue 12 Oct, 2:00pm

Walking and Talking with RSPB Ranger Elizabeth Tindal

and looking at birds and other stuff. - A gentle walk.

Meet: Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre in Wigtown, OSGR: NX 434553

Wed 20 Oct, 2:00pm (free event)

Bringing Birds to You

Loch Ryan is internationally important for its winter migration birds.

We provide binoculars and telescope, you just need to bring your interest, and hopefully the tide will do the rest.

Meet: Stranraer Harbour / Marina, OSGR: NX 058612

Booking not essential, Elizabeth Tindal T. 01988 402401

Sun 7 Nov, 10:00am and 11:00am and 12:00noon

Sun 6 Dec , 10:00am and 11:00am and 12:00noon

Sun 23 Jan , 12:00noon and 1:00pm and 2:00pm

Sun 20 Feb , 12:00noon and 1:00pm and 2:00pm

Carpets of Snowdrops - flowering wild near seashore and in forests

from about end of January until about mid March (depending on weather)

Wild Goose Chase - see Arctic Geese wintering during their migration

birdwatching here in the merse / saltmarshes of Wigtown Bay Nature Reserve

scheduled events with guided dusk and dawn walks (weekends),

and with bus trips in small groups (Saturday or/and Sunday) to more places in the

west of Wigtownshire to see even more species of geese:

Pink Footed Geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) thousands of them, Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) several hundred - both species are here in Wigtown; other nearby places in Wigtownshire have Brent Geese (Branta bernicla), Greylag Geese, Greenland White-fronted Geese, Canada Geese.

The rare Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) from Iceland approx 100 can be seen near Wigtown beside the more familiar Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) which are often seen on British rivers.

from about end of October until early April the geese are here
best time for largest numbers in Wigtown Bay: late Feb until early April
throughout March scheduled events

Plan ahead your walking holiday for next year 2011:

Walk Fest the biggest walking festival in the South of Scotland: Mountains, Hills or Coast; transport provided. Qualified guides are mostly members of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team.

Fri 6 - Thu 12 May 2011 - it's the time of year with often the most sunshine !!!

programme & on-line booking www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk

(programme for 2011 will be on-line approx Jan 2011; for ideas and similar walks check out 2010 programme on-line)

Bluebells Galore ! - Millions of Bluebells flowering in the wild

from about mid April until approx mid June , Wigtownshire

Scotland's Premier annual Art & Craft Event in Dumfries & Galloway

Art & Craft Open Studios Weekend 'Spring Fling' (throughout the region of Dumfries & Galloway): about 90 established artists & craftmakers open their private studios to the public, hugely popular - chance to buy with no sales pressure whatsoever. More info or download program: click here

Sat 28 - Sun 29 - Mon 30 May 2011

(Bank Holiday traffic ? Not here ! Our busiest main road the A75 Euroroute is much quieter than any minor road in the Yorkshire Dales!)

Eating Out - "tested" by our guests (small selection: there are many more)

(marked "GF" if gluten free diet available - "tried" by guests)

In Wigtown:

Bayview Restaurant, Bank St

Café Rendevous (closed evenings), South Main St / Agnew Crescent

Ploughman (pub, restaurant) South Main St, T 01988 403236

ReadingLasses (café, bookshop: closed evenings), South Main St ("GF")

In Bladnoch: (1 mile / 1.5 km from Wigtown)

Bladnoch Inn (pub, restaurant), T. 01988 402200 ("GF")

"The Machars": (our peninsula)

Clansman (restaurant), Port William, T. 01988 700344 ("GF")

Kirkinner Inn (pub with separate restaurant), Kirkinner, T. 01988 840252

Steam Packet Inn (pub, restaurant: several sea food dishes on menu), Isle of Whithorn, T. 01988 500334 ("GF")

In the area:

Café Cree (café: evening opening Fri/Sat), Newton Stewart, ("GF")

Campbell's (restaurant: many sea food dishes), Portpatrick, T. 01776 810314

Creebridge (restaurant), Newton Stewart, T. 01671 402121

Galloway Arms (pub, restaurant), Newton Stewart, T. 01671 402653

Indian Restaurant, Victoria St, Newton Stewart

L'Aperitif (Italian restaurant: well known chef Douglas Lisi), Stranraer, T. 01776 702991

Selkirk Arms (restaurant: well known chef Chris Walker), Kirkcudbright, T. 01557 330209 ("GF")

Unicorn - Chinese Restaurant, Victoria St, Newton Stewart (T.01671 403939) ("GF")

Church Services - Mass Times

Baptist Church, Wigtown: Sun 11 am, 7 pm (Minister Stephen McGarva, T. 01988 402635)

Church of Scotland, Wigtown Parish Church: Sun 10:00 am (Rev. Eric Boyle, T. 01988 402314)

Catholic Church: Sat 6 pm Wigtown "Sacred Heart", Sun 10 am Newton Stewart "Our Lady and St Ninian", Sun 12 noon Whithorn "St Martin and St Ninian" (Fr Ben Lodge CP, T. 01671 402182) - annual diocesan pilgrimage with Mass at St Ninian's Cave at the sea shore: Sun 29 August 2010, Mass probably 3pm or 4 pm

Episcopal Church, Challoch nr Newton Stewart: Sun 9 am (Holy Communion), Sun 10:30 am "Matins" on 1st Sunday of the month, on other Sundays Holy Communion back to top

Links

A.P. and R. Baker, Booksellers Wigtown (Archaeology & History & Art Books, - largest stockist in Scotland), free paper catalogue 10x year (catalogues now also on-line), they prefer to deal with their customers the traditional way to provide better customer service: please phone for books or a paper catalogue or information T. 01988 403348

The Bakehouse, dedicated to the literary arts live (24 miles / 38 km from Wigtown)

The Swallow Theatre (6 miles / 9.6 km)

The Galloway Meat Company, Organic Meat by Mail Order
Drive a Tank (5 miles / 8 km)
Cream o’ Galloway (Fair Trade Ice Cream makers, Organic Farm, Nature Walks)
The Bookshop, Wigtown
Self Catering Holiday Home , in Wigtown - a very nice one

Self Catering Castle luxurious Barholm Castle, £1150 / week 2010 high season