As far as local attractions go, the main attraction to this region is the beautiful countryside. It has been described as very similar to Ireland. Because it is so sparsely populated, you can really get close to nature, and away from the hubbub of city life. The region abounds with wildlife, and birds in particular. Nearby are breeding grounds for many species of ducks, geese and swans, plus this one of the few places you can spot the rare red kite.
“I discovered even more to love about the area”
Mary, Edinburgh
Kirkcudbright itself is an ancient and beautiful town sheltered near the mouth of the River Dee. Its old town centre is very picturesque, as is the working harbour. It is now officially called Scotland’s Artist’s Town, because of the large number of artists who have lived and worked here. And you are literally within a few minutes walk of charming countryside. Guests of Haven Cottage will receive extensive advice, but here are some of the main ‘see and do’ attractions:
IN THE TOWN:
Summer Festivities Between mid July and the end of August the harbour square hosts Scottish nights (award-winning local pipe band, dancing, live music etc.). The summer festivities culminate in a spectacular tattoo on the August bank holiday weekend.
Throughout the year there are also events such as the Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival, the Arts & Crafts Trail, the Spring Fling, Gael Force, the Riding of The Marches, the Wicker Man Festival, a Medieval Fayre, and others.
McLellan’s Castle, – impressive ruins of a castle built for Thomas McLellan in 1582. Now run by Historic Scotland.
Broughton House, the former home of a famous painter called EA Hornel (one of the ‘Glasgow Boys’ school). Grand property, lovely garden with Japanese influences.
The Stewartry Museum, - This small museum offers a varying display of local artefacts and historic items. Outside you can see some ‘cup and ring’ marked stones (as made by The Picts, almost 4,000 years ago).
The Tolbooth - Very old building standing at the ‘elbow’ of the L-shaped High St. Formerly a tax collection building, then a jail (where founder of the American navy, John Paul Jones, was briefly held on a charge of murder). The building is now used as an arts centre.
Art galleries & open studios: There are several small commercial galleries in the town. You can also visit artist’s studios within walking distance.
Harbour - This is a working harbour, with the catch usually dominated by queen scallops. Overlooking it is tiny Greyfriars Church, named after the monks, who built a Franciscan friary on this spot in1449.
High Street - The oldest part of the town. Kirkcudbright’s unique L-shaped High Street dates back to at least the 13th Century, and used to be walled. Wonderfully photogenic. This is a Conseravation Area and almost all the buildings are listed as of Historic Interest. Notable for many different architectural styles, a lot of the buildings have been painted in pastel shades.
Robert Burns - Burns has connections with several places in the town from when he was an excise man in these parts. Several locations used in a recent film about his life.
Millburn Street – Haven Cottage sits on this street, a very short walk from the high street, shops etc. The street takes its name from the fact that King James VI gave permission for Thomas McLellan to build a wool ‘fulling’ mill here in 1491. This later became a corn mill. The street still retains many old houses and most of it lies within the Conservation Area. Haven Cottage itself dates from 1795.
Sporting facilities – The town has an excellent swimming pool, a lovely golf course, a bowls club, a football pitch with league team, a squash court, gym, pony trekking, boat trips, sailing, tennis courts etc.
“What a charming hide-away!”
Kathryn, Aberdeenshire
JUST OUT OF TOWN:
The Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park,
Within walking distance of Haven Cottage. Pleasant woodland setting for a variety of wild animals including Scottish wild cats, Lynx and Red Panda. They sometimes also have handling sessions (snakes and the like, for those who are inclined).
Galloway Hydros Visitor Centre, Tongland.
Part of the hydro-electric power system built on the River Dee in the 1920’s. This has provided ‘clean’ energy for almost 80 years. Art deco touches to the building.
The Dhoon Shore
Nice sandy beach with interesting rock formations and the wreck of an old wooden schooner visible at low tide (you can even walk out to it if you catch the tides right).
Barrhill Woods
The woods above the town. Marked walks among lovely woodland, with fine views on a clear day. Full of bluebells in spring.
‘Sandside’
This is a pleasant walk leading to lovely views of Kirkcudbright Bay and Ross Island (with it’s lighthouse by Stephenson).
“Two weeks went too quickly”
The Fisher Clan, Reading
FURTHER AFIELD:
Threave House and Gardens, Castle Douglas (approx 8 miles away)
Well laid-out, colourful gardens, large house with 1930’s memorabilia, excellent shop and tea rooms (as per usual NTS standards).
Threave Castle – by Castle Douglas. Castle on island in the River Dee. Stronghold of the ‘Black Doulases’, and built by Archibald The Grim. Ring the bell for the boatman.
Dundrennan Abbey. (7 miles away) Ruins of large 12th-Century Cistercian abbey built by David I. Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night on Scottish soil here, and it’s where several of the ancient Lords of Galloway were laid to rest.
Twynholm (3 miles away) Birthplace of racing driver David Coulthard. There is a small museum dedicated to his career.
Cream O’ Galloway (10 miles West). Some of Britain’s best ice cream! Organic farm with great facilities (fun for kids especially).
Gatehouse of Fleet (10 miles West). Ex-mill town set in rolling hills. Couple of good pubs with food, golf course, country walks, cricket at Cally Palace Hotel in summer. Also Cardoness Castle.
Creetown and the Gem Rock Museum - Granite town on the River Cree. Home to the better-than-expected Gem Rock Museum.
Cairn Holy – This is a pre-historic burial site with standing stones. There are 2 chambered burial cairns dating from about 2000BC.
Carrick (about 10 miles West)A lovely stretch of shoreline, popular with local artists.
New Abbey (about 20 miles East) Quaint village with remains of 13th-Century Sweetheart Abbey. Also in New Abbey is a fully operational 18th-Century corn mill, and Shambellie House is an impressive stately home which incorporates some nice gardens and a museum of costume.
New Galloway, Loch Ken & Dalry Loch Ken is the largest in the region, at around 10 miles long. It has a sailing centre (with boat hire), a water-ski centre, and is a popular fishing venue. Picturesque and restful. Nearby are the villages of Dalry and New Galloway.
Caerlaverock Castle, - One of Scotland’s finest ruined castles. Very picturesque.
Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill - Impressive stately home, occupied by the Duke of Buccleuch. Victorian gardens, art collection, woodland walks, cycle hire and trails, craft shops.
The Colvend Coast - Lovely stretch of coastline, including the villages of Kippford and Rockcliffe. There’s the site of an ancient hill fort. A few miles further is Sandyhills, a sweeping sandy beach between hills. 2 golf courses, including highly-rated Southerness.
Wigtown (Scotland’s Book Town). A sleepy old town with many second hand book shops to browse through. Nearby is Bladnoch distillery, Scotland’s most southerly whisky distillery. Also nearby is Whithorn Priory (Scotland’s oldest Christian site) and Isle of Whithorn, a lovely little fishing village.
Port Patrick, a great little harbour town with enough to keep you busy for a few hours. Down the coast Port Logan has beautiful botanical gardens. You might recognise tiny Port Logan village as the setting for the BBC TV series ‘2 Thousand Acres of Sky’. And right down on the tip is the Mull of Galloway, from where you may be able to see the Antrim coast. There is a visitor centre, a lighthouse, clifftop walks, and a stiff sea breeze (apparently there are puffins etc. in July).
Glentrool (north of Newton Stewart) is a lovely wooded place with hills and a loch. There are many good walks to be had here and it’s very photogenic
