Visitor Attractions
From the challenging uplands of the Galloway hills to gentle seaside trails, rolling moors and dramatic cliff-top walks, the Southern upland way passing close by presents the ideal focus from which to enjoy the many and varied shorter walks within the region. The dramatic scenery is home to a rich company of flora and fauna, with many unusual species including pine martins, golden eagle, red deer , red squirrels and natter jack toad.
Dramatic coastline surrounds
the cottage and lighthouse
Portpatrick with its picturesque lively harbour, craft shops and good selection of restaurants is just 4 miles away.
The area has many renowned gardens to visit including the botanic gardens in Port Logan.
Wigtown, Scotlands official book town is also home to a charming gallery, excellent cafes and is located only a few miles from Bladnoch Distillery, where visitors can sample the local malt whiskey.
For fishermen the area offers a wide variety of opportunities including sea fishing from Portpatrick and both trout and salmon fishing close by.
Other country pursuits are available including shooting and riding.
Golfers will feel equally at home in this area with Stranraer, Portpatrick and Lagganmore golf courses within a 20 minute drive. Turnberry, with its world famous course is only 1 hour away and also offers a spa, off road driving, quad biking activities and restaurant facilities.
For the active there are numerous cycle routes set out in stunning forestry commission surroundings and cycle hire is available at these centres.
Sailing is available via the local marina and for those happy to travel slightly further afield there is the Galloway sailing centre where visitors can also try windsurfing, canoeing and power boating.
From Stranraer (10 miles) there is the ferry service to Ireland for a day trip.
Coastal and cliff-top walks overlooking
the sea to Northern Ireland.
As well as enjoying the peaceful surroundings, the dramatic scenery and rural location, we would also recommend taking time to discover the many visitor and tourist attractions, all within a short distance of the cottages.
Places to Visit
The Mull of Galloway (25 miles)
The Mull of Galloway is Scotland's most southerly point. Less than 25 miles from the Isle of Man and Ireland, the Mull of Galloway is a natural isthmus, with prehistoric fortifications, bird sanctuary and lighthouse.
www.mull-of-galloway.co.uk
Entertainment
Ryan Centre (20 miles)
Leisure Centre in nearby Stranraer with swimming pool and fun pool (flume, slides). The Ryan Centre also has a health and fitness suite with modern gym equipment, sauna and jacuzzi. Situated within the centre, there is also the Green Room, a licensed venue for live music, parties and concerts. The centre also has a theatre and cinema that hosts year round entertainment, the latest films and live music events.
Arts & Crafts
The Waterloo Gallery (15 miles)
Also in nearby Stranraer is the Waterloo Gallery which exhibits works by professional artists familiar with Galloway.
Lighthouses
Killantringan Lighthouse is one of three lighthouses on this stretch of the Galloway coastline! Read about the history of Killantringan, Mull of Galloway and Corsewall Lighthouses on our lighthouse page.
Killantringan Lighthouse - Decommissioned lighthouse set on the cliff top on the western coast of the Rhins of Galloway.
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse - The Mull of Galloway is the furthest South you can go in Scotland. The active lighthouse sits on top of cliffs over 200ft above the sea below.
Corsewall Lighthouse - Corsewall Lighthouse is situated on the northern tip of the Rhins of Galloway.
Gardens
Aldouran Wetland Garden
Aldouran Wetland Gardens Wetland Habitat with Birdwatching Bird Hide, Community Garden and Woodland Walk, Leswalt, Stranraer, Scotland.
www.leswaltwetlandgarden.org.uk
Dunskey Gardens (1 miles)
An 18th Century walled garden with McKenzie & Moncur greenhouses, Dunskey Gardens has a wide variety of plants for sale, woodland walks and seasons tearoom.
www.dunskey.com
Ardwell Gardens (4 miles)
Ardwell Gardens has a range of daffodils, rock plants, rhododendrons and flowering shrubs in a woodland setting with a pond walk and sea views.
Logan Botanic Garden (20 miles)
Logan Botanic Garden is unrivalled as the country’s most exotic garden. Because of the influence of the Gulf Stream, a remarkable collection of bizarre and beautiful plants flourishes outside, making this Garden a plantsman’s paradise.
www.rbge.org.uk
Logan House Gardens (20 miles)
Logan House is set in 20 acres of gardens and grounds, created in 1869. There are many fine species of trees and shrubs.
Castle Kennedy Gardens (18 miles)
Famous for its rhododendrons, Castle Kennedy Gardens landscaped garden is set between two lochs with plant specimens from all over the world.
www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk
Glenwhan Gardens (18 miles)
12 acre gardens with sea views over Luce Bay and Mull of Galloway. The gardens are peaceful with exotic plants around two lochans.
www.glenwhangardens.co.uk
Castles & Local History
Dunskey Castle (5 miles)
Early 16th Century castle ruins sit dramatically on the Portpatrick coastline, overlooking the Irish Sea. Access to Dunskey Castle is a short walk along the clifftop footpath starting from the car park at the far end of the village.
Kirkmadrine Early Christian Stones
Some of the earliest Christian carved stones in Scotland dating from the 5th Century can be found at nearby Sandhead (15 miles) in the former chapel.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Glenluce Abbey (25 miles)
Visited by Robert the Bruce, James IV and Mary Queen of Scots, Glenluce Abbey was founded by the Earl of Galloway in 1192.
Further information can be found at:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Golf Courses
Portpatrick (Dunskey) Golf Club (5 miles)
www.portpatrickgolfclub.com
Stranraer Golf Club (15 miles)
www.stranraergoflclub.net
Wigtownshire County Golf Club (25 miles)
www.wigtownshirecountygolfclub.com