Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Threave Castle
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
; adult/child incl ferry £4.50/2.70; 9.30am-5pm
Apr-Sep, to 4pm Oct)
Two miles west of Castle Douglas, Threave Castle is an impressive
tower on a small island in the River Dee. Built in the late 14th century, it became a prin-
cipal stronghold of the Black Douglases, including the excellently named Archibald the
Grim. It's now basically a shell, having been badly damaged by the Covenanters in the
1640s, but it's a romantic ruin nonetheless. It's a 15-minute walk from the car park to the
ferry landing, where you ring a bell for the custodian to take you across to the island in a
small boat. From the carpark, a 1.5 mile circular nature path gives you the chance to spot
deer and ospreys, as well as waterbirds from hides. At dusk it's good for batwatching.
CASTLE
WATER SPORTS
Loch Ken
Stretching for 9 miles northwest of Castle Douglas between the A713 and A762, Loch
Ken is a popular outdoor recreational area. The range of water sports includes windsurf-
ing, sailing, canoeing, power-boating and kayaking. Back on land, off-road buggies can
also be hired.
Galloway Activity Centre
(
01644-420626;
www.lochken.co.uk
;
10am-5pm; )
, on the eastern bank north of Parton village, runs a wide range of activit-
ies, and also provides equipment and hostel accommodation. Activities run in sessions of
1¼ hours; one session costs £16.50, and the price reduces substantially for further ses-
sions. There are also walking trails and a rich variety of bird life. The Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has a
nature reserve
(
www.rspb.org.uk
)
on the western
bank, north of Glenlochar.
Sulwath Brewery
(
www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk
;
209 King St; adult/child £3.50/free; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat)
You can see traditional brewing processes at this main street alemakers. Tours only run
twice a week, at 1pm on Monday and Friday, but the brewery functions as a sort of speak-
easy where you can try the beers. Recommended is the Criffel, an India pale ale, and
Knockendoch, a dark brew with a delicious taste of roasted malt.
BREWERY
Sleeping & Eating
Castle Douglas bills itself as a food town, and the main street is bristling with high-quality
delis, butchers and cafés. Decent restaurants are scarcer however.
