Kirkdale Estate

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Visitor Attractions

 

Galloway Forest Park

Galloway Forest Park is Britain's largest forest park with over 300 square miles of forest.

It is just 10 minutes away and offers lots to see and do including mountain biking, wildlife watching, fishing, canoeing and has just been designated as Europe's first dark sky park.

© Photograph copyright of Forestry Commission Scotland

Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park

Forestry Commission Scotland has established part of Galloway Forest Park as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.

The Sky Quality Meter (SQM) scale is from 0 to 25. You would get a reading of 8 in the middle of a major city such as Glasgow or Edinburgh, whereas a 24 would be measured in a photographer's dark room.  Based on this scale, the Galloway Forest Park’s scores range from 21 to 23.6 which gives us as near to total darkness as you can get.

Gardens

Galloway is famous for its gardens and there are a number within a short distance.

This includes Threave Estate, a 1500 acre National Trust property with walled garden, tea room, marked trails and wild fowl sanctuary.

There are also gardens at Glenwhan, Castle Kennedy, Dunskey, Leswalt and the Logan Botanical Gardens near Port Logan.

© Photograph copyright of Allan Devlin

Claymoddie Garden & Galloway Plants

Claymoddie Garden has been described as “the most romantic garden” in this part of Scotland and, despite the endless process of development necessary to keep any garden fresh and interesting, has an air of timelessness and intimacy.

The garden was started from nothing by Robin Nicholson in 1970 on a woodland site. The mature trees now provide the backdrop to a magical garden design which owes nothing to concrete or stainless steel but much to a natural instinct for imaginative landscaping and a wide range of well-placed favourites and exotica.

© Photograph copyright Galloway Plants

Beaches

There are lovely golden sandy beaches very close by both at Cardoness (just 5 minutes away) and Mossyard (pictured opposite - just 2 minutes away).

There are also sandy beaches at Garlieston (30 minutes away) and Portpatrick (50 minutes away).

Wildlife

The Estate is rich with wildlife.

Amongst others you can see Roe Deer, Woodpeckers, Otters, Red Squirrel and Red Kite.

Wigtown Bay is the largest Local Nature Reserve in Britain, it is an estuary with large areas of saltmarsh and mudflats that are important for many of the species that live there.

© Photograph copyright of Allan Devlin

Food and Drink

The area and towns are full of fantastic pubs, restaurants and shops. In Castle Douglas, we have our very own food town offering an array of local produce.

Art and Culture

Over the years the stunning scenery and relaxed way of life has inspired many an artist.

Kirkcudbright is the famous artists town with lots of little galleries where you can gently amble.

The area has a rich history leaving a tapestry of castles and beautiful historic buildings.

© Photograph copyright of Allan Devlin

Wigtown Book Festival

Since 1997, Wigtown has been Scotland's National Book Town.

At the end of September it hosts the ten day Wigtown Book Festival becoming the centre of literary interest across Scotland and beyond.

© Photograph copyright of Wigtown Book Festival

Wickerman Festival

The Wickerman Festival is Scotland's hottest independent music and arts festival offering a rich line-up of live music each year at the end of July.