Things to do

Around & About

Beaches, Coastline, Lighthouses and Walks

The Rhins of Galloway enjoys a stunning and varied coastline. Near the cottage you will find numerous sandy and pebbly beaches, dramatic rocks and caves, hills and moorland and acres of pastureland. Further afield Lady Bay, The Wig, Larbrax Beach, Killantringan Beech, Sandeel Bay, Ardwell Bay and Port Logan and Sandyheads all provide breathtaking ways to enjoy our unspoiled coastlines.

From north to south on the Rhins, Corsewall Lighthouse (lighthousehotel.co.uk) serves five course dinners (booking essential) and offers breathtaking views of Ailsa Craig and the Ayrshire coastline. Killingtringan Lighthouse is situated on the acclaimed Southern Upland Way, while the Mull of Galloway lighthouse has a circular walk from which the Isle of Man and the Lake District are visible on clear days, and puffins are regular summer visitors. It also offers visitors a cosy cafe.

There are countless walks through woodlands, wetlands, forests and uplands in Galloway. An ordnance survey map and a book of walks is in Seascape Cottage for your use.

Gardens

The Gulf Stream provides a particularly mild climate, enabling a surprising diversity of flora. Castle Kennedy (www.castlekennedygardens.com) with its vast lake, Logan Botanic Garden (www.rbge.org.uk) with its enviable tree-fern collection and Ardwell Gardens (www.parksandgardens.org) are just some of the gardens easily reachable from Seascape Cottage.

Towns and Villages

Portpatrick with its romantic harbour, numerous eateries, cliff walks and a few quaint shops is the starting point of the Southern Upland Way and is a great day out.

Port Logan with its sheltered west-facing bay provided the backdrop for the BBC series 2000 Acres of Sky. Its bell tower was designed by the famous Thomas Telford, while Logan Fish Pond (www.portloganfishpond.com) is a popular family attraction where visitors can see many species of fish and crustaceans.

Stranraer, once the main departure point for ferries to Northern Ireland, provides ample shopping for provisions and gifts alike. It has a museum and a castle, Agnew Park with a mini railway and go-carts in the summer, and several excellent coffee shops.

seascape-cottage-7-night-northern-lights

Further Afield

Belfast, Northern Ireland, can be reached by P&O or Stena Line car ferries from nearby Cairnryan. There are several crossings a day, with journey times around 2 hours.

Galloway Forest Park (www.forestryandland.gov.scot) provides not only forest trails and visitor centres, but hosts Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park complete with an observatory, perfect for stargazing and learning more about planets and constellations.

Creetown with its new Arts Centre and Gem Rock Museum is another family favourite, while chocoholics might find themselves lured to the Cocoa Bean Company Chocolate Factory (www.thecocoabeancompany.com).

Festivals, Fairs and Events

Throughout the year there are seasonal attractions, cultural events, fairs and festivals to suit all ages and tastes. Visit www.dgwgo.com to find out what’s on when you’re planning to visit.