Things to see and do

Climb the Lighthouse, visit the Exhibition of Lighthouse History, experience the Vintage Engines and Foghorn, walk around the RSPB Scotland Nature Reserve and enjoy delicious food and drink at Scotland’s most Southerly Coffee House.

The Camera Obscura provides a fascinating way to ‘spy’ on the town and has the world's oldest working Camera Obscura. Includes an extensive museum charting local history and history from the pre-historic era.

One of Britain's oldest, best and immaculately kept castles - Drumlanrig with gardens, cycling routes, bike hire, castle tours, adventure playground and tearoom.

Nearby Caerlaverock Castle, one of Scotland's finest medieval triangular moated castles, was the scene of two famous sieges and owned by the Maxwell family. The castle has an adventure park and nature trail which children in particular will love.

Caledonia Park is an outlet shopping village with free parking and free wi-fi in Gretna.

Tack on a visit to this shopping mall after seeing nearby Gretna Green and its Blacksmith's Shop, famous for runaway marriages.

The DG1 Leisure Pool in Dumfries also offers a training pool and a children's leisure pool. The DG1 Centre also has a sauna and steam room, gym, badminton, table tennis, soft play, etc.

There are also public swimming pools in Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright.

From 7am to dusk and only a ten-minute drive from the chalet, Fairgirth Trout Loch is set in a lovely place and offers an exciting day's fishing.

Within a stone’s throw of all our holiday properties is Bainloch Deer Park which operates tours to view herds of Red Deer, Fallow and Sika. Among the woodland also live wild Roe deer and a small flock of Feral Goats. The park and cafe are open daily 10am-4pm. Now open is an 'Escape room', family fun for all.

The nearby Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve at Southwick is centred on extensive wetlands, saltmarsh and coastal areas where breeding waders, wintering waterfowl, year-round bird and wildlife watching is available. 

Dark Sky Planetarium. All ages can enjoy to learn, play & explore the wonders of space.

The Johnson, St Marys St, Kirkcudbright DG6 4EG

About Galloway Forest Park

Anytime is a great time to visit!

Our accommodation is only 45 minutes away from the Galloway Forest Park. Meet red deer & wild goats. Two scenic Forest Drives. The Robert the Bruce or the peaceful loch. This is also Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park – one of the best places to stargaze in Europe!

The Galloway Forest Park has three visitor centres. Kirroughtree, Glentrool & Clatteringshaws

Dalbeattie Forest, just 6 miles away, offers forest walks and, for adrenaline junkies, some of the world’s best mountain biking trails. The 7Stanes Trails are said to be the best mountain bike trails outside North America, providing some full-on challenges even for the most experienced mountain bikers! (Parking at Dalbeattie Forest is now charged at £1 using RingGo only) https://ringgo.co.uk/

Our holiday accommodation is only 45 minutes from The Galloway Forest Park.

On Loch Ken, in the Galloway Forest, there’s the Galloway Activity Centre with instructor-led activities including sailing, kayaking, archery, mountain biking Laser Quest, stand up paddle boarding and a climbing tower. 

With its indoor soft play and outdoor play areas and petting farm, Dalscone is highly recommended as perfect for children of all ages.  Farm shop/toy & gift shop with Cafe. Also Childrens birthday parties.

The Cocoabean Company at Twynholm is sure to be an irresistible attraction during your stay. As well as interactive children’s workshops, there are large indoor and outdoor play areas, a cafe and a shop selling a wide range of chocolates. 

Annandale Distillery. Classic Distillery Tours, casks for sale & coffee shop.

Dumfries Aviation Museum, based on a former wartime RAF airfield, has a collection of mostly military aircraft including fighter jets and a wartime control tower. Has Supersonic lightning fighter & Battle of Britain veteren Loch Doon Spitfire.

Visit Kirkcudbright - events, festivals, art exhibitions and much more throughout the year.

Kirkcudbright is known as Scotland's Artists' Town and also has a lovely harbour and quaint architecture.

The whole family can step back 150 million years and discover the giants that roamed the earth at southern Scotland’s Dinosaur experience. Dino Park features life-size Dinosaurs, a Dino Mine and Dino Den. Children can dig for fossils and have fun on a bouncy Dinosaur too. Alternatively, the children can play in the soft play area whilst the adults run around having fun!

GOLF, GOLF, GOLF ......  Dumfries and Galloway offers 200 miles of expansive coastline and remarkable panoramas featuring rolling countryside of dramatic beauty.  Southerness Championship links are a short drive away while Colvend Golf Club is an 18-hole course in a beautiful setting just half a mile from our holiday properties where visitors are always welcome. 

Local Walks around Sandyhills, Rockcliffe, Kippford, Southerness and Dalbeattie with its forest walks. Fancy Alpaca or Valais sheep trekking? Drumburn Farm, Colvend. Bookings only April-Oct. twead@hotmail.co.uk.

Keep dogs on leads when near sheep. If you wish to venture further afield, visit https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/galloway/rockcliffe-sandyhills.shtml.

The Scots word for stone is Stane, and at each of the 7stanes locations, you'll find a unique stone sculpture - called a stane - reflecting a local legend or myth. Our nearest is at Dalbeattie forest and Mabie forest.

They are found in prominent locations in the forests on the trails. Accessible on foot, horse or bike, they range in size from one to three metres high and from two to six tons in weight.  Perfect for a selfie.

Threave Castle, garden & estate.

View an enchanting castle on its own island. Threave estate stands in the 19th century garden with rockeries and walled areas. Nature reserve, plant centre, bat reserve with cafe & shop. Check their website for more details. https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/threave-garden

Castle Douglas. 01556 502575

Photo by Stuart Tilbury

Rabbie Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born in nearby Ayrshire, but also spent many years in Dumfries and Galloway.

Burns built Ellisland Farm to the north of Dumfries for his young wife, Jean Armour and their children and wrote about a quarter of his life's works here.

The family later moved into the town and the home where he died is now a museum, Robert Burns House.

John Paul Jones, "Father" of the United States Navy, was born in 1747 on the Arbigland estate, near Kirkbean.

After his service in the US Navy, he also served in the Russian Navy.

John Paul Jones died in Paris in 1792 and is now interred in the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis.