There are many activities in the area to suit all tastes and abilities. Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board produce an excellent publication called See and Do which covers everything there is to see and do in the whole of Dumfries and Galloway. This publication is available in the cottage or if you wish to plan your holiday in advance it can be viewed at www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk
Here are some of the things to do near to the cottage:-
WALKING - as well as many varied walks from the door you will be spoilt for choice, so however strenuous or relaxing you like your walks there will be plenty to choose from the booklets in the cottage. If you would like to plan some walks beforehand then visit www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/walking
GOLF - there is a nine-hole course which is open all year in Gatehouse-of-Fleet which is the nearest to the cottage but there are plenty more to choose from in the area www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/golf
BIKING AND CYCLING - with quiet country roads and a wealth of routes to discover, travelling by pedal power is a real pleasure. You can bring your own bike with you or you can hire one. Local bike hire is available in Kirkcudbright www.lawskirkcudbright.co.uk or from Castle Douglas www.cdbikes.co.uk A bit further afield Kirroughtree, Mabie, Dalbeattie and Glentrool provide some of the best mountain biking opportunities in Scotland. For information visit www.7stanes.gov.uk or ' www.forestry.gov.uk For mountain bike spares and repairs go to www.nextlevelbikes.co.uk
HORSE RIDING - whether you are a beginner or a more experienced rider there is something to suit everyone. The nearest Trekking Centre is at Brighouse Bay, Borgue. For details email trekking@brighouse-bay.co.uk or phone 08443220318
SWIMMING - if you like splashing about in the water or want to get more exercise then there are swimming pools in the area, the nearest being 2 miles away at www.auchenlarie.co.uk or at Kirkcudbright www.kirkcudbrightswimmingpool.co.uk. There are others in the area at Castle Douglas and Dumfries.
FISHING - there is river, loch and sea fishing in the area close to the cottage. For details try www.fishing-scotland.net
STARGAZING - because of low light pollution Dumfries and Galloway is one of the best places in Europe to view the night sky. There are excellent views from the cottage garden on a clear night, however if you wish to visit the night sky observatory then visit www.gallowaynightsky.co.uk
ARTS AND CRAFTS – Dumfries and Galloway has a wide variety of arts and crafts venues. The artists town of Kirkcudbright 7 miles away has several arts and crafts shops, museums and galleries. Each year Dumfries and Galloway hosts Spring Fling – one of the most successful open studio events of its kind in the UK. To learn more about the arts and crafts in the area visit www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/see-do/art-crafts/
GARDENS AND NURSERIES - due to the close proximity of the Gulf Stream there are many beautiful gardens in the area - the nearest Nursery Garden is in Gatehouse-of-Fleet www.callygardens.co.uk. In Kirkcudbright you can visit Broughton House and Garden - an 18 century town house where the artist E.A.Hornel lived, featuring exhibition rooms, studio, art gallery and shop overlooking the fascinating and peaceful garden - broughtonhouse@nts.org.uk. There are many others in the area well worth a visit Logan Gardens at www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/logan Glenwhan Gardens at www.glenwhangardens.co.uk Castle Kennedy Gardens at www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk Threave Gardens at www.scotlands-garden.org.uk/threave An interesting nursery to visit is Buckland Plants near Kirkcudbright www.bucklandplants.co.uk There are many more, details of which are in the cottage. If you would like to visit a garden in the Scotland's Garden Scheme whilst you are on holiday then you can check beforehand for gardens open in the area during your holiday dates www.gardensofscotland.org
BIRDWATCHING - the area around the cottage is excellent for bird watching. As well as many species of birds we regularly see the recently re-introduced RED KITES and the feeding station near Laurieston is well worth a vist www.gallowaykitetrail.com OSPREYS can be seen nesting from the hide at Threave Estate Castle Douglas www.nts.org.uk/property/threave-estate/ also www.westlandwhig.blogspot.com/osprey-at-threave OSPREYS can also be viewed via live CCTV from the top floor of the County Buildings in Wigtown www.dgcommunity.net/osprey or email ospreys@dumgal.gov.uk OSPREYS are also nesting at Caerlavorock Castle, with it's moat, twin-towered gatehouse and imposing battlements. It is a popular place to visit with some of of our regular visitors to the cottage www.historic-scotland.gov.uk For OSPREY,BADGER AND BARNOWL watching and for the wetland centre www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/caerlaverock
CASTLES - there are many castles in the local area and further afield is one of Scotland's best loved castles at Culzean www.culzeanexperience.org
WHISKY DISTILLERY - there is an excellent small distillery at Bladnoch which gives guided tours www.bladnoch.co.uk
THE GEM ROCK MUSEUM at Creetown is the leading independent museum of it's kind in the UK. More than just a static display it is a fully interactive experience with lots of things to see and do www.gemrock.net
BURIAL CAIRNS - two remarkably complete neolithic burial cairns can be seen just off the A75 near Creetown www.historic-scotland.gov.uk and www.ancient-scotland.co.uk
Also near Creetown on the A75 is an excellent SMOKEHOUSE. As well as smoked produce they sell fresh fish and they will fillet and wrap local salmon for the freezer for you to take home www.gallowaysmokehouse.co.uk
For ICE-CREAM lovers there is the ice-cream factory at Cream o' Galloway. As well as their award winning ice cream they serve snacks and burgers using produce from their own organic farm. You can also follow the nature trails situated around the farm. www.creamogalloway.co.uk
For Formula 1 enthusiasts why not visit the DAVID COULTHARD MUSEUM in his hometown of Twynholm near Gatehouse-of-Fleet where you will find the most complete collection of memorabillia for any Fl driver past or present. You can also enjoy snacks and beverages at the pitstop diner.
A must for chocoholics is the COCOA BEAN CHOCOLATE factory also in Twynholm. Although catering mainly for families, with a large childrens play area, they do have a talented team of chocolatiers who make and decorate a wide range of chocolate products. There is also a large cafe area and purpose built chocolate workshop www.thecocoabeancompany.com
As you can see from the above there is plenty to see and do in the area around the cottage and much more if you are willing to travel a few more miles. However, should you wish to do more then you could take a day trip to NORTHERN IRELAND. For details of ferry crossings and day trips visit www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry