About the area and the Machars of Wigtownshire

Wigtown Harbour

Galloway is located in the southwest corner of Scotland and Dairy Cottage is located in the heart of the Machars Peninsula, with rolling hills, moorland and over 300 miles of coastline to enjoy. With quiet roads and friendly people it's an ideal spot for a holiday or short break with many activities to enjoy in the surrounding area. Although just a few attractions are mentioned below in Dairy cottage are brochures of the many attractions in Dumfries and Galloway.

Around the area

Bladnoch Bridge Glasserton Gardens Machars View Cairnholy Cairn
Bladnoch Bridge from the Distillery Visitor Centre picnic area a short drive awy from the cottage Claymoddie Gardens near Whithorn in the Machars not far from Dairy Cottage. Typical Machars countryside - a view from Torehousemuir Standing Stones Glentrool - The Galloway Forest Park over 300 square miles of Forest, Loch, River and mountain to roam.

Beaches

We are quite close to Rigg Bay near Garlieston. The beach is accessed through old Galloway House Gardens with magnificent displays of plants and trees especially rhododendrons in the Spring. There is a beautiful walk from the beach to what remains of Cruggleton Castle along the coastal path. Another beach lies to the south of us at Monreith just past the St Medans golf course.

Walking

Kilsture Forest a short drive away has many trails for the walker. Look for the fine specimen larch trees and the views out to lush pasture from the margins of the forest. For the more adventurous the Galloway Forest Park to the north has over 300 square miles of forest, mountain, rivers and loch to explore. There are visitor centres at Kirroughtree and Glentrool.

For Children

Monreith Animal World renowned for happy animals in large natural enclosures. Otters, owls, goats, pigs, ponies, cattle, reptiles, waterfowl, birds, small rodents, chickens, alpacas. Peaceful pond side walk. Visit the cream o' Galloway visitor centre neat Gatehouse of Fleet with adventure playgrounds, farmyard animals and fabulous ice cream. The Chocolate Factory at Twynholm is worth a visit - children may make their own chocolates. The Gem Rock museum in Creetown is regarded as one of the finest private collections of gemstones, crystals, minerals, rocks and fossils in Great Britain. Interactive displays and cafe.

Fishing

Galloway offers great fishing. Scotland's 'forgotten corner' provides superb river fishing for salmon, trout and sea trout while its still waters support a variety of coarse species including pike, perch, carp, roach, tench and bream. There are numerous lochs holding wild and stocked trout as well as a coast that offers fantastic sea fishing from shore or by boat.

Golfing

There are two courses nearby both 9 hole at Wigtown and Monreith and an 18 hole parkland course at Newton Stewart. With a choice of 30 courses in Dumfries and Galloway – you can play serious golf or just a few rounds of holiday golf to your heart's content.

Whithorn and the Isle of Whithorn

Where St. Ninian brought Christianity to Scotland. Whithorn Museum houses a remarkable collection of Christian crosses and the nearby Isle of Whithorn with its pretty harbour, is the site of the ruins of St Ninian's Chapel. Visit St Ninian's Cave via a beautiful walk down through the woods to the shore from Glasserton. Visit the pretty Isle of Whithorn harbour and walk from the harbour up the hill towards the cairn where you will see great views to the Isle of Man.

Wigtown

Wigtown is Scotland's National Book Town, with 20 book related businesses and with the usual shops, inns, and cafes. Bookshops line the streets. Spend a day browsing your way through the shelves. The former County Building is newly restored and has a viewing room where nesting Ospreys can be seen on CCTV. For the bird lover there is a bird hide down by the harbour overlooking the Wigtown Bay wetlands.

Gardens

Dumfries and Galloway is renowned for its gardens all helped by the milder climate due to the gulf stream. Claymoddie by Glasserton (Open March to September Fri, Sat, Sun 2-5pm, or by appointment) has been described as “the most romantic garden” of the many gardens in southwest Scotland. Glenwhan Gardens, Castle Kennedy Gardens and Logan Botanical Gardens are all well worth a visit.

Cycling

The National Cycle Network crosses the Machars of Galloway with miles of stunning scenery, from coastline to forests. Further afield for trails and mountain bikers there is Galloway Forest Park. For mountain biking visit two of the '7stanes' trails located at Kirroughtree and Glentrool both rated 'World Class'. 7Stanes link here 7Stanes link The Machars is an ideal spot for cyclists also due to the quiet roads and there are several routes to follow.

More on Dumfries and Galloway

Visit Dumfries-and-Galloway.co.uk online for much more information on this pretty part of Scotland.