Snapshot of Scotland 3

Stay at Castle Douglas & Solway Coast 

Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden (Options on Walk 1); Dalbeattie museum; Sandyhills beach; Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve; John Paul Jones visitor centre; Sweetheart Abbey. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest.
Price -

Walk 1: Threave Walk - 2 to 6 miles - Countryside, River and Woodland.
The first part of this fascinating walk has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. Begin by taking a newly constructed walk from Castle Douglas following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths. One detour takes you to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! Longer loops take you to Lamb Island with options to visit Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse villages. The way back is by the renowned National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden with finally a option to join another walk past Carlingwark loch and along Lovers Lane back into the town. There are two choices for tea room and restaurant refreshment along the way. We can advise on the merits of the different options at the welcome meeting.

Walk 2: Balcary Bay - 1.5 to 5.5 miles - Coastal. 
About 9 miles from Castle Douglas, this is a very popular walk in the area due to Balcary Bay being a beauty spot and the coast being designated as a National Scenic Area. The main feature is the cliff side walk with captivating views over Heston Island. There is a short and long walk option  with woodland and countryside features. The four star Hotel looking out over the bay is an ideal end of walk stop, maybe whilst enjoying a wee dram.

Walk 3: The Jubilee Path – 2.5 to 4 miles – Coastal.
This is a popular walk between the delightful coastal villages of Kippford and Rockliffe - 10 miles from Castle Douglas. Being a National Scenic Area, the recent scrub clearance work done by the National Trust for Scotland has created a reasonably short loop path - possibly ideal to walk off a pub lunch at a nearby popular pub! As you wind your way round the well used path, walk in the footsteps of King Rheged, 5th century, and take in the wonderful panoramic view from the old fort known as the Moat of Mark. There are other walks in this area, e.g. The Muckle Walk – 3 miles and even further to Castle Point – 4 miles – all of which we can advise you of at a welcome meeting.

Walk 4: Rockliffe to Sandyhills – 6 miles – Coastal.
This is a truly spectacular walk mentioned in several Scottish walking books. Firstly following the shore to Castle Point with spectacular views over the Solway Firth to the Lake District of England. The long coastal path rises along the cliff tops to the ruined Gutcher’s House. In the nesting season birdwatchers can enjoy seeing guillemots, gulls, cormorants, ravens and birds of prey. Further along you pass a cairn in memory of a ship which sank in 1866. Passing the hamlets of Port o’ Warren and Port Ling, the path continues in a dramatic fashion to arrive at Sandyhills – the best beach in the area. After refreshments, a local bus will take you back to the start point.

Snapshot of Scotland 4

Stay at Castle Douglas & Kirkcudbright

Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden (Options on Walk 1); Galloway Conservation Park; Galloway Hydros VC; David Coulthard museum; Kirkcudbright artsist town. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. 
Places of Interest list.
Price -  

Walk 1: Threave Walk - 2 to 6 miles - Countryside, River and Woodland.
The first part of this fascinating walk has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. Begin by taking a newly constructed walk from Castle Douglas following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths. One detour takes you to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! Longer loops take you to Lamb Island with options to visit Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse villages. The way back is by the renowned National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden with finally a option to join another walk past Carlingwark loch and along Lovers Lane back into the town. There are two choices for tea room and restaurant refreshment along the way. We can advise on the merits of the different options at the welcome meeting.

Walk 2: Balcary Bay - 1.5 to 5.5 miles - Coastal. 
About 9 miles from Castle Douglas, this is a very popular walk in the area due to Balcary Bay being a beauty spot and the coast being designated as a National Scenic Area. The main feature is the cliff side walk with captivating views over Heston Island. There is a short and long walk option  with woodland and countryside features. The four star Hotel looking out over the bay is an ideal end of walk stop, maybe whilst enjoying a wee dram.

Walk 3: River Dee - River Dee Walk - 4.5 miles – Riverside Walk.
You begin this walk from the harbour in Kirkcudbright. It is an easy terrain with a short more rugged part at Tongland. The meandering walk follows the line of the River Dee, partly on top of the flood banking. The Galloway Hydros visitor centre at Tongland is worth a visit when open.

Walk 4: Meikle Ross - 4 miles – Coast and Countryside.
This is a recently way-marked new walk with several interesting characteristics. You begin by walking uphill through a field and over the hill to get glorious views over Ross Bay with Kirkcudbright Bay behind. After walking down to shore level to the Ross Dairy farm, a pleasant walk round the Bay to the other side takes you to a kissing gate leading uphill to the Meikle Ross. You soon reach the top to find spectacular views over to Little Ross island and lighthouse which is only ¼ mile offshore. The house on Little Ross is still occupied for part of the year and was once the site of a grizzly murder of a lighthouse keeper during the 1960's. Continuing round the rocky peninsula there are various spots to explore as you return to your starting point.

Snapshot of Scotland 5

Stay at Castle Douglas & Gatehouse of Fleet
Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden (Options on Walk 1); Cardoness Castle; Cream o' Galloway ice cream farm; Kilt making centre; Mill on the Fleet. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest List.
Price -

Walk 1: Threave Walk - 2 to 6 miles - Countryside, River and Woodland.
The first part of this fascinating walk has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. Begin by taking a newly constructed walk from Castle Douglas following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths. One detour takes you to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! Longer loops take you to Lamb Island with options to visit Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse villages. The way back is by the renowned National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden with finally a option to join another walk past Carlingwark loch and along Lovers Lane back into the town. There are two choices for tea room and restaurant refreshment along the way. We can advise on the merits of the different options at the welcome meeting.

Walk 2: Balcary Bay - 1.5 to 5.5 miles - Coastal. 
About 9 miles from Castle Douglas, this is a very popular walk in the area due to Balcary Bay being a beauty spot and the coast being designated as a National Scenic Area. The main feature is the cliff side walk with captivating views over Heston Island. There is a short and long walk option  with woodland and countryside features. The four star Hotel looking out over the bay is an ideal end of walk stop, maybe whilst enjoying a wee dram.

Walk 3: Ruthford Monument and Anwoth - 3.5 miles - Rugged Hill and Countryside.
At the start of this walk is an easy detour walk to the National Trust’s Venniehill with seat and viewpoint giving fascinating town views of Gatehouse of Fleet.  The main walk is more rugged terrain uphill to the Rutherford monument, a trig point and a Ministers Memorial cairn - all with fantastic views around the Fleet hinterland and estuary. Descend in the opposite direction to the picturesque hamlet of Anwoth – used during the filming of the cult movie The Wickerman. A flat lane round the back of the hill takes you back into Gatehouse of  Fleet which is in the heart of the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area.

Walk 4: Creoch, Lag and Loch Whinyeon Circuit – 5 miles – Countryside and Hills.
Still in the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area with panoramic views over the Water of Fleet valley, this is a newly constructed way-marked route following traditional old footpath lines.  Although the circuit can be done in either direction, we suggest you go downhill to the Water of Fleet valley and return by a longer more gradual hill to the narrow public road with no fences where sheep roam around at their leisure. The detour to Loch Whinyeon is 1.5 miles in length there and back and can be missed out if desired.

Snapshot of Scotland 6

Stay at Castle Douglas & Wigtown

Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden (Options on Walk 1); Wigtown Book Town; Bladnoch Distillery; Whithorn Priory. Isle of Whithorn. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest List.
Price -

Walk 1: Threave Walk - 2 to 6 miles -  Countryside, River and Woodland.
The first part of this fascinating walk has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. Begin by taking a newly constructed walk from Castle Douglas following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths. One detour takes you to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! Longer loops take you to Lamb Island with options to visit Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse villages. The way back is by the renowned National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden with finally a option to join another walk past Carlingwark loch and along Lovers Lane back into the town. There are two choices for tea room and restaurant refreshment along the way. We can advise on the merits of the different options at the welcome meeting.

Walk 2: Balcary Bay - 1.5 to 5.5 miles - Coastal. 
About 9 miles from Castle Douglas, this is a very popular walk in the area due to Balcary Bay being a beauty spot and the coast being designated as a National Scenic Area. The main feature is the cliff side walk with captivating views over Heston Island. There is a short and long walk option  with woodland and countryside features. The four star Hotel looking out over the bay is an ideal end of walk stop, maybe whilst enjoying a wee dram.

Walk 3: Crugglleton Castle - 6.5 miles – Coastal, Countryside and Woodland.
This walk is 8 miles from Wigtown and starts from the old harbour town of Garlieston. Although just over 6 miles in length, we have included this popular coastal walk in the easy/moderate category. From Garlieston village the way-marked coastal route is easy to follow passing Galloway House around Cruggleton Bay. Following open ground the path rises along the cliff tops from where you can see the remains of Cruggleton Castle, a former important settlement. The views from the Castle are magnificent towards isle of Whithorn and Isle of Man in the distance. Return the same way with the option of entering the rambling Galloway House Gardens which are open to the public.

Walk 4: Wigtown - 3.5 miles – Town and shoreline.
Scotland’s booktown is a shinning example of diversification in the region. This old county town has been transformed into a walking experience for the avid reader. As well as the surrounding district, strolling around these specialist book stores the reading enthusiast could lose themselves for hours in ceiling high stacks of new or second hand books. The walk around the town takes in the Martyr’s Stake where two Covenanters were left to drown in the incoming tide. Further along the shore you arrive at the old harbour and site of Wigtown Castle.

Snapshot of Scotland 7

Stay at Castle Douglas & Glenken

Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden (Options on Walk 1); New Galloway, Dalry and Balmaclellan towns; Clog & Shoe Workshop; Loch Ken; Clatteringshaws Loch & V.C.; Galloway Kite Trail. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest List.
Price - from £185 p.p. (B&B); £247 p.p. (small hotel)  

Walk 1: Threave Walk - 2 to 6 miles - Countryside, River and Woodland.
The first part of this fascinating walk has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. Begin by taking a newly constructed walk from Castle Douglas following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths. One detour takes you to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! Longer loops take you to Lamb Island with options to visit Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse villages. The way back is by the renowned National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden with finally a option to join another walk past Carlingwark loch and along Lovers Lane back into the town. There are two choices for tea room and restaurant refreshment along the way. We can advise on the merits of the different options at the welcome meeting.

Walk 2: Balcary Bay - 1.5 to 5.5 miles - Coastal. 
About 9 miles from Castle Douglas, this is a very popular walk in the area due to Balcary Bay being a beauty spot and the coast being designated as a National Scenic Area. The main feature is the cliff side walk with captivating views over Heston Island. There is a short and long walk option  with woodland and countryside features. The four star Hotel looking out over the bay is an ideal end of walk stop, maybe whilst enjoying a wee dram.

Walk 3: Waterside Hill - 4.5 miles – Riverside; Moderate Hill.
With the riverside path including a suspension footbridge, a stretch on the Southern Upland Way cross-Scotland walking route including a nearby climb up Waterside Hill with its panoramic views from the top, before returning by a typical glen and the river again, this circular walk has lots of features to keep you interested. A good end of walk pub in Dalry for a bar lunch or drink.

Walk 4: New Galloway to Dalry – 5.5 miles – Riverside.
The Glenkens Area is ideal as a peaceful walking location. This recently way-marked walk mostly follows the Water of Ken river floodbank between the two picturesque hillside towns of New Galloway and St. John’s Town of Dalry. You can start at either town with the Ken Bridge Hotel part way along the route. A bus would take you back to your starting point. Excellent tea rooms and Hotels for pub lunches.