National Trust Properties Walks
Central Galloway has five National Trust properties – all within a reasonable distance from each other. We use our local knowledge to arrange accommodation and design walking breaks incorporating visits to the properties – although one is offshore and inaccessible – and other interesting features between and around these properties.
Entry Tickets
If you are not a member of the Trust, we can arrange 3, 7 or 14 day Discovery Tickets which gives entry to the two entrance charging properties, Threave Estate and Broughton House. This would give you access to other NTS properties in Scotland during this period.
NTS Accommodation
Alternatively we can arrange accommodation at their mainly self-catering cottages i.e. 7 night breaks (Sat to Sat) or 4 night midweek and 3 night weekend Winter Breaks (17th March to end of October). We advise on the best locations from their menu of properties and check availability. We liaise to allow you to book direct and charge an arrangement fee which is added included in the Walking Tour cost.
The National Trust for Scotland properties are:-
Threave Estate - near Castle Douglas
Threave Garden, in the midst of the1500 acre Threave Estate, is famous for its breathtaking banks of daffodils in April. The peat, rock and water gardens provide superb displays through out the year. The fascinating Victorian house is also now also open to visitors during the season. You will find a visitor centre, licensed restaurant shop and plant centre within the Garden. Castle Douglas is just over a mile away.
Rockliffe - near Kippford
The Trust looks after a picturesque109 acre coastal site between the villages of Kippford and Rockliffe on the Solway Coast, known by the Victorians as The Scottish Riviera. The Jubilee Path is a fine coastal walk takes you between the two villages and beside the Moat of Mark, the site of an old fort with panoramic views over the River Urr Estuary and the nearby Rough Island, a bird sanctuary also owned by the Trust.
Broughton House – in Kirkcudbright.
This is a fine 18th century town house which was the home, gallery and studio from 1901 to 1933 of the artist E A Hornel, one of the ‘Glasgow Boys’. Open to the public, it contains many of his paintings, a collection of local history books and a major Robert Burns collection. Broughton House has an enchanting garden, heavily influenced by Hornel’s visits to Japan, which extends towards the River Dee.
Murray Isles – near Gatehouse of Fleet.
The Murray Isles are two small uninhabited islands in the Islands of Fleet between Fleet and Wigtown Bays. The islands are host to a colony of cormorants and are significant as a site for breeding gulls. Carrick Shore on the mainland is the best place to see the Isles.
Venniehill - in Gatehouse of Fleet.
This is a 3.5 acres site of wildflower-rich grassland with a hilltop viewpoint at the west end of the main street and managed to encourage diversity of flora and associated invertebrates. The hilltop is partially surrounded by a low earthwork, perhaps the defence structure of an old fort or early settlement. A separate hilltop walk is nearby.
Bruce’s Stone – near New Galloway – slightly further away and only included in 7 day tours.
This is a stone at a site near to Clatteringshaws loch and the Forestry Commission’s visitor centre. It is said that King Robert the Bruce rested against this stone after
using guerrilla tactics to defeat an English army here in 1307.
We have two National Trust for Scotland walking breaks, one for 4 days and one for 7 days, both of which incorporate the National Trust properties mentioned above and include information on local walks and other Places of Interest the area.
Four Day National Trust Properties Walking Break
Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden; Dalbeattie museum; Sandyhills beach; Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve; John Paul Jones visitor centre; Sweetheart Abbey; Galloway Conservation Park; Galloway Hydros VC; David Coulthard museum; Kirkcudbright artists town; 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 Garden and Estate - from 2 to 10 miles.
The National Trust’s Threave Estate has a free 2.5 miles way-marked Estate Walk which can be extended in several ways, including to Threave Castle. We provide information on several additional walk options up to 9 miles taking 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 walk, following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. The detour to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! – is a must. We will advise on opening times. The way back is by Threave Garden which has an excellent restaurant and gives you the option to continue with a walk round the extensive Garden.
Walk 2: Rockliffe - from 2 to 14 miles - coastal and woodland.
The beautiful stretch of Solway coastline for this series of walks has been designated as a National Scenic Area. There are various start point and distance options. The delightful villages of Kippford and Rockliffe, situated on the River Urr estuary, are the main focal points but the best walk is further afield along the coastline – with the option of either walking back to the start point or the novelty of returning by local bus – we supply timetable info. The Moat of Mark, in the middle of the National Trust's land is a great viewpoint to survey the area from. There are several options for tea rooms and pub/hotel/restaurants which we can advise on.
Walk 3: Broughton House, Kirkcudbright - 4.5 miles – Riverside Walk.
Kirkcudbright itself is a pleasant place to stroll around with a riverside walk near to Broughton House. Another popular longer walk is upstream. 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: Venniehill and Ruthford Monument - 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
As part of an alternative option, depending on your preferred distance for walking, the Murray Isles can either be visited by car where you can also do a walk or a longer walk from Gatehouse, as follows:
Murray Isles and Sandgreen Circuit – 10 or 14 miles – Woodland, Countryside and Coast.
This walk, particularly including the 4 miles extra loop, shows off the best of this National scenic Area. You first enter the Cally Woods and follow the National Cycle Route out the other end to the Cream o’ Galloway ice cream farm and visitor centre – a good place for a refreshment. The extra loop takes you around Carrick shore with the Murray Isles off shore. Pass the holiday huts and continue to follow the coast to Sandgreen beach and holiday park. A footpath to Gatehouse takes you back past the Cally Palace Hotel with a detour past the golf course and back into Gatehouse of Fleet.
Seven Day National Trust Properties Walking Break
Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden; Dalbeattie museum; Sandyhills beach; Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve; John Paul Jones visitor centre; Sweetheart Abbey; Galloway Conservation Park; Galloway Hydros VC; David Coulthard museum; Kirkcudbright artists town; Cardoness Castle; Cream o' Galloway ice cream farm; Kilt making centre; Mill on the Fleet; 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 -
Walk 1: Threave Garden and Estate - from 2 to 10 miles.
The National Trust’s Threave Estate has a free 2.5 miles way-marked Estate Walk which can be extended in several ways, including to Threave Castle. We provide information on several additional walk options up to 9 miles taking 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 walk, following the old ‘Paddy’ railway line to link with Threave Estate’s network of footpaths has only recently been constructed and not yet listed in any walking books. The detour to Threave Castle, standing on an island on the River Dee – ring the bell for the boatman to take you over! – is a must. We will advise on opening times. The way back is by Threave Garden which has an excellent restaurant and gives you the option to continue with a walk round the extensive Garden.
Walk 2: New Abbey and The Waterloo Monument – 2 miles – Woodlands and Hills.
New Abbey is a nice place to spend some time and has three significant places of interest, i.e. Sweetheart Abbey, Shambellie costume museum and the Corn Mill. The Waterloo monument can be reached by walking from New Abbey. The monument is fairly steep but a reasonably short distance. There are panoramic views over the River Nith estuary from the top. New Abbey has two hotels and an award winning tea room.
Walk 3: Rockliffe - from 2 to 14 miles - Coastal and Woodland.
The beautiful stretch of Solway coastline for this series of walks has been designated as a National Scenic Area. There are various start point and distance options. The delightful villages of Kippford and Rockliffe, situated on the River Urr estuary, are the main focal points but the best walk is further afield along the coastline – with the option of either walking back to the start point or the novelty of returning by local bus – we supply timetable info. The Moat of Mark, in the middle of the National Trust's land is a great viewpoint to survey the area from. There are several options for tea rooms and pub/hotel/restaurants which we can advise on.
Walk 4: Broughton House, Kirkcudbright - 4.5 miles – Riverside Walk.
Kirkcudbright itself is a pleasant place to stroll around with a riverside walk near to Broughton House. Another popular longer walk is upstream. 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 5: Murray Isles and Sandgreen Circuit – 2, 10 or 14 miles – Woodland, Countryside and Coast.
This walk, particularly including the 4 miles extra loop, shows off the best of this National scenic Area. You first enter the Cally Woods and follow the National Cycle Route out the other end to the Cream o’ Galloway ice cream farm and visitor centre – a good place for a refreshment. The extra loop takes you around Carrick shore with the Murray Isles off shore. Pass the holiday huts and continue to follow the coast to Sandgreen beach and holiday park. A footpath to Gatehouse takes you back past the Cally Palace Hotel with a detour past the golf course and back into Gatehouse of Fleet. The 2 mile walk is reached by taking your car to Carrick shore.
Walk 6: Venniehill and Ruthford Monument - 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
Walk 7: Bruce's Stone, Clatteringshaws – 2.5 miles – Hill Moorland and Woodland.
This walk near Bruce's Stone is about a 45 mins. drive through the Galloway Forest Park from your accommodation in the Kirkcudbright or Gatehouse areas. Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, the Forestry Commission premises at the start of this walk is a popular stopping off spot for visitors during the summer. The views over Clatteringshaws Loch to the mountains behind are magnificent and the subject of many photographs. Nearby Bruce’s Stone is a ˝ mile walk from the Centre which has a tea room. The main walk climbs uphill towards Benniguinea hill, 387m, and loops back down again on a way-marked route. Not far away is the red deer range where regular guided tours take place by Forestry Commission personnel.