Things to do in Dumfries and Galloway

With so many things to do in Dumfries and Galloway, Lake Cottage is the perfect self catering holiday cottage in Kirkcudbright.

There is an attractive marina and a busy working harbour plus a number of hotels and restaurants and good local shopping facilities in nearby Kirkcudbright. Lake Cottage is also within easy access of the sandy beaches and rocky coves of the Solway Coast.

For the sportsman there are superb facilities including a number of attractive and testing golf courses. There is a delightful woodland and cliff top walk right on the doorstep.

Here is a list of all activities in Kirkcudbright, Galloway and Dumfries region of Scotland:

Walking

There is a very nice woodland and cliff top walk right on the doorstep. Go as far as the lifeboat station and keep going through the woods. Further afield there is an endless variety of walking for every stage and taste.  For example, within short driving distance from the cottage, there are forest walks at Gatehouse of Fleet and throughout the Galloway Forest Park, cliff top walks at Balcary Bay and you are just on the edge of the infamous Galloway Hills, which offer safe year round hill walking.

Golf

Kirkcudbright has a delightful 18 hole golf course offering excellent facilities and incredible views over the town, hills and estuary. Within 30 minutes drive there are golf courses at Castle Douglas, Gatehouse of Fleet, New Galloway, Tongland and Brighouse Bay.

Birding

Kirkcudbright Bay is a renowned sanctuary for wild birds, coastal, inland, local and migrating. The area of the Lake is well used destination for birdwatchers.

Cycling

Dumfries and Galloway is fast becoming one of the most cycle friendly places in the UK. The National Cycle Route & National Cycle By-Way both have lots of miles across our area, and the 7Stanes forest cycling project has two centres within a few miles of the town. For the less energetic, the immediate area around Lake Cottage offers easy and safe cycling to and from the town and around the immediate vicinity.

Gardens

There are some real treats for you to explore in and around Kirkcudbright. Here is a sample

• Broughton House & Garden, High Street, Kirkcudbright. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is the former home of EA Hornel the artist. The garden open most of the year.
• Threave Garden & Estate near Castle Douglas. Also owned by the National Trust for Scotland. This garden is open all year round and is most famous for its spring daffodils and summer herbaceous borders. There is also a shop, plant centre, restaurant etc.

Angling

This area is a mecca for fishers. Here is just a short selection. There is a trout fishery at Barmagachan, Borgue, the Gatehouse & Kirkcudbright Angling Association offers day tickets to two of its trout lochs nearby. See the website for the Dee Salmon Fishery Board for information on fishing on the Dee catchment area.

Sailing and Water Sports

Loch Ken (5 miles north of Castle Douglas on the A713) is one of Scotland's finest inland water sport lochs.  The Galloway Sailing and Activity Centre provides dinghy sailing, wind surfing, kayaking and other children's activities. All equipment and supervision is provided and the bookings can be made by the hour, half day and full day.

Beaches

There are little coves and beaches all along the coast line. The nearest to you is a small secluded beach (Ladies Bay) on the other side of the Lifeboat Station further down the estuary. Probably the nicest beaches in the vicinity are at Sandgreen and Mossyard on the Fleet just south of Gatehouse of Fleet.

Cream of Galloway Ice Cream Factory

A must for every one aged 2 to 92!  Not just a fabulous ice cream experience but also an activity centre for children of all ages, a cycling track and really nice nature walks including one for dog walkers.

Pleasure Cruises

From Kirkcudbright Marina you can take day trips, both upstream and downstream. Sailing times vary due to tide times. Times are displayed at the Tourist Information Office, Kirkcudbright, and at the harbour.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is possible in Galloway Forest Park. There is open access for horse riders to over 400 miles of forest roads within the local forest park. There are also riding stables at Lochill Equestrian Centre at Ringford.

Eating Out

In Kircudbright there is a good selection of options. The Castle Restaurant is intimate and friendly and offers formal dining - booking necessary. Both the Selkirk Hotel and the Kirkcudbright Bay Hotel have excellent pub/bistro dining and there is the fish shop restaurant at the harbour. There are also good pubs, hotels and restaurants in Castle Douglas and Gatehouse of Fleet.