Walking Holidays in Scotland - Galloway

Galloway Walking - Holidays in South West Scotland for Walkers of All Experiences

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Theme Towns Walks

Theme Town Walks

Dumfries and Galloway region has three theme towns, soon to be marketed as an 'Absolutely FAB', place to visit to highlight the unique Food, Artists and Books cultures within a relatively short distance in our region.
Castle Douglas market town is a food theme town in recognition of the large number of independent food related business, including butchers, bakers, chocolate makers. There are also many other independent shops which make it a popular place for visitors from outwith the area to visit for shopping and even sample the food.
Kirkcudbright has been known as an artists town since the 1800’s. The special light as well as the scenery saw numerous artists make their home in the town – and this is still the case. The fishing port has several art galleries, the county museum and other attractions which make it a popular tourist resort in the summer.
The last theme town was actually the first one constituted as a theme town, i.e. Wigtown book town. Wigtown was the old county town for Wigtownshire before local government reorganisation. There are over 20 book shops and related businesses in and around the town and you can easily spend a whole day browsing around.
Your accommodation will be in each of the three towns for 2 nights with the pre-tour night also being in Castle Douglas. We have both a 4 day and a 7 day tour in and around each of these theme towns.

4 Day Theme Towns Tour

Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden; Galloway Conservation Park; Galloway Hydros VC; David Coulthard museum; Kirkcudbright artsist town; Cardoness Castle; Cream o' Galloway ice cream farm; Kilt making centre; Mill on the Fleet; Newton Stewart museum and cinema; Butterflies and Carnivorous Plants centre; Wigtown Book Town; Bladnoch Distillery; Whithorn Priory. Isle of Whithorn. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest List.
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Day 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.

walking in scotland

Day 2: River Dee and Barrhill Walk - up to 6.5 miles – Riverside and Woodland Walk.
You begin this walk from the harbour in Kirkcudbright. The first part is 4.5 miles. 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.
The second part of this walk if you wish is 2 miles through woodland. There are various footpaths in the wood giving several route options to explore. You leave from the harbour area and walk uphill by road for a mile to enter the Barrhill Wood. You can leave the wood at its opposite end emerging onto Silvercraigs Road and park giving panoramic views over the roofs of the town, the harbour and River Dee estuary.

Day 3: 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.

Day 4: Creoch, Lag and Loch Whinyeon Circuit – 5 miles – Countryside and Hills.
Still in the Fleet 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.

7 Day Theme Town Tour

walking in scotland

Day 1: Threave Castle and Garden Walk – 6 to 9 miles – Countryside, River and Woodland.
This walk, a shorter version of which is also included in the Easy to Moderate category, takes you to Lamb Island, Bridge of Dee and Rhonehouse villages to end with a walk beside Carlingwark loch and along Lovers Lane back into the town. The first part of this fascinating walk has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. Begin from Castle Douglas and follow the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths. We suggest you take the detour to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! The way back is by the renowned National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden which has an excellent restaurant and gives you the option to continue your walk round the Garden.

walking in scotland

Day 2: Balcary Bay - 1.5 to 5.5 miles – Coastal.
This is a very popular walk in the area due to Balcary Bay being a beauty spot and the coastal 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.

Day 3: River Dee and Barrhill Walk - up to 6.5 miles – Riverside and Woodland Walk.
You begin this walk from the harbour in Kirkcudbright. The first part is 4.5 miles. 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.
The second part of this walk if you wish is 2 miles through woodland. There are various footpaths in the wood giving several route options to explore. You leave from the harbour area and walk uphill by road for a mile to enter the Barrhill Wood. You can leave the wood at its opposite end emerging onto Silvercraigs Road and park giving panoramic views over the roofs of the town, the harbour and River Dee estuary.

Day 4: Torrs Point and Lady Bay – 2 to 6 miles – Countryside, Woodland and Coast.
This is a popular walk with locals with several distance options. You can start your walk from the end of Manxman’s Lake or Kirkcudbright. A circular route takes along a quiet road to Torrs Point from where a new longer walk has recently been constructed. From Torrs Point you have expansive views over Kirkcudbright Bay and Ross Island with lighthouse near the opposite shore. The path follows the side of the cliffs through a field and wood to the secluded Lady Bay – a small bay good for swimming. Passing the interesting lifeboat station with its traditional slipway you return to your start point. Another shorter option is a linear walk to the station or beyond and return the same way.

Day 5: 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.

walking in scotland

Walk 6: Cruggleton 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.

Day 7: Creoch, Lag and Loch Whinyeon Circuit – 5 miles – Countryside and Hills.
Still in the Fleet 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.