Walking and Sightseeing No. 2

Accommodation - 3 nights ccommodation at Castle Douglas or the Solway Coast; 2 nights at Kirkcudbright or Gatehouse of Fleet and 2 nights at Newton Stewart or Wigtown. Accommodation List.
Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden (Options on Walk 1) Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest List.
Price - from £315p.p. (B&B); £415 p.p. (small hotel). 

This tour combines some excellent walks with areas of the region with other interesting features, whether natural, historical or cultural. After you daily walk in the morning and possibly a bar lunch to restore your energy nearby are features or a visitor attraction which you may want to visit to pass some of the rest of the day. 

Day 1: River Nith, Dumfries – 3 or 5 miles – Riverside.

Dumfries is the largest town of the region and has the River Nith flowing through the centre. The Dock Park, beside the river is an ideal place to park and go a river walk. If you walk upstream, a path follows the side of the river, past the rowing club, to skirt the edge of the County golf course – a distance of 5 miles there and back.. Downstream from the Park, the riverside path doubles as the National Cycling Route as it winds its way into the countryside with views out to the Nith estuary. After 1.5 miles at the extremity of this path, a popular pub awaits to provide refreshment.Apart from the town of Dumfries, nearby is several Robert Burns related places such as Ellisland Farm and the Robert Burns Centre, Caerlaverock Castle, Mabie Farm Park and a wildfowl and nature reserve, the extensive Drumlanrig Castle and other attractions, a list of which we supply within your tour pack. Accommodation on the Solway coast.

Day 2: Carsethorn – 5 miles – Coast and Countryside.
Start your walk from the old port of Carsethorn from where many local people emigrated from Scotland in the 1800’s. Carsethorn has the Steamboat Inn  which would be ideal for a refreshment at the end of your walk.  Firstly you follow the shore to a popular leisure spot at Powillimount. Going inland, on the way back you can call in Arbigland, the birthpl;ace of John Paul Jones, who is credited as being the founder of the United States Navy. The visitor centre and small tea room is in a pleasant location near to Arbigland mansion house, where the laird would formerly live and which opens its gardens to the public on occasions. You can take a quiet country road route back directly to Carsethorn or a slightly longer distance via Kirkbean village. A top quality country house hotel is nearby which would be peaceful base while in the area. Accommodation on the Solway coast

Day 3: Threave Castle and Garden 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. Castle Douglas food town is a popular shopping centre in its own right with many independent shops. The Sulwath brewery tour may be an ideal way to end the day! Accommodation in Gatehouse of Fleet or Kirkcudbright.

4: Carrick Circuit – 5.5 miles – Coastal and Countryside
The area round Gatehouse of Fleet has been designated as the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area. The Fleet Isles off the Carrick coast, where this walk begins is also a National Trust for Scotland site. This easy if longish walk in this category is mostly on a peaceful tarred roads either along the coast or inland by the National Cycle Route and visits the Cream o’Galloway ice cream farm and visitor centre. The shore at Carrick is popular with locals for swimming and boating with many longstanding beach huts still inhabited during the summer holidays. Cardoness castle, the Mill on the Fleet and the Galloway Country Style with its kilt making centre are additional places to visit. Accommodation in Gatehouse of Fleet or Kirkcudbright.

Day 5: Torrs Point and Lady Bay, Kirkcudbright. – 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. Apart from the Stewartry museum and several art galleries, the Galloway Conservation Park, David Coulthard museum and Galloway Hydros visitor centre are three possible places a visit after your walk. Accommodation in Newton Stewart or Wigtown.

Day 6: Isle of Whithorn to Burrowhead – 6 miles – Country road and Coastline.
This walk starts from the fishing village of Isle of Whithorn, 15 miles from Wigtown at the tip of The Machars peninsula. The walk takes the cul de sac road to Burrowhead caravan park and the location of the burning of the Wickerman in the cult film of that name. The scenic return route follows the cliff edge back to the harbour in Isle of Whithorn. Nearby is St. Ninian’s Cave and the old fashioned town of Whithorn which some say could have developed into a major town like Glasgow – see the extra wide main street in preparation for this! The Whithorn Story Visitor Centre is an interesting visitor centre in this historical town of archaeological significance. A walk out of town and through the countryside brings you back to the Centre where the Cathedral ruins and Dig site are worth a visit. Accommodation in Newton Stewart or Wigtown.

Day 7: Loch Trool - 5.5 miles - Lochside and Woodland.
This is a Forestry Commission location including a visitor centre and tea room. The popular and stunningly beautiful area around Glentrool could be said to be the most like the Scottish Highlands having craggy hillsides, a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees, and tumbling waterfalls with the highest mountain of the region, Merrick 843m nearby. Bruce’s Stone, beside Loch Trool commemorates a battle in 1307 when Robert the Bruce scored a victory over an English Army. The walk around the loch has an information board showing how the battle was won using the natural features of the area. No accommodation provided tonight unless requested.