Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WATERSPORTS IN GALLOWAY FOREST PARK
Loch Ken on the eastern edge of the Galloway Forest Park is a hub for water activities.
Loch Ken Water Ski and Wakeboard School
(Loch Ken Marina, Parton
T
01644 470333,
W
skilochken.co.uk) on the eastern side of the loch, halfway down, can give an hour's ski tuition
for £90 or a shot on a towed banana boat for £8. For other watersports head for the
Galloway
Activity Centre
(Loch Ken, on the A713
T
01644 420626,
W
lochken.co.uk) where you can
paddle a kayak for £16.50 an hour or have half a day's windsurfing for £36.
£16.
Food served noon-2pm & 6-9pm.
£116
Galloway Activity Centre
Loch Ken, on the A713, near
New Galloway
T
01644 420626,
W
lochken.co.uk.
As well
as hosting a wide variety of land- and water-based activities,
this company also offers a range of accommodation including
a private loch-side cabin with heating and electricity or a
Mongolian yurt with a blazing central wood stove. The café
caters for non-residents also and sells cakes, tray bakes and a
choice of soup with toastie for just £3.50; guests can also eat
here in the evenings by arrangement.
Food served April-
May & Sept-Oct Sat-
Sun
9am-5pm
, Ju
ne-Aug daily
9am-5pm
Cabin for two
£35
; yurt for six
£81
Newton Stewart Youth Hostel
Millcroft Rd, Newton
Stewart
T
01671 402211,
W
syha.org.uk.
In a former
primary school on the north end of town, this is well
placed to reach the Kirroughtree mountain-bike trail
(see opposite). The facilities include self-service lau
ndry
,
kitchen and a locked bike shed.
March-Sept.
Dorms
£15
3
Wigtown
Seven miles south of Newton Stewart,
WIGTOWN
is tiny yet was once the county town
of Wigtownshire. Despite its modest size, it has a remarkable main square, a vast,
triangular-shaped affair, its layout unchanged since medieval times. Over the last decade
or so Wigtown has reinvented itself as “Scotland's National Book Town”, with more
than a dozen
bookshops
occupying some of the houses lining the square, and more
elsewhere; the town hosts an autumn book festival (
W
wigtownbookfestival.com).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
WIGTOWN
By bus
Buses stop on the main square and services run
to Newton Stewart (Mon-Sat hourly, 6 on Sun; 15min)
and Stranraer (Mon-Sat 2 daily; 1hr 30min).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Hillcrest House
Maidland Place
T
01988 402018,
W
hillcrest-wigtown.co.uk.
This extended stone Victorian
villa on the south side of town provides plenty of space.
Champions of slow food, the owners turn out a substantial
three-course menu (£21) each night that might include
roast venison or a caram
elized o
nion and c
hees
e tart.
Food
served at 7pm.
Double
s
£70
;
f
amily room
£96
The Rhinns of Galloway
he hilly, hammer-shaped peninsula at the westernmost point of the Solway coast,
known as the
Rhinns of Galloway
, encompasses two contrasting towns: the old seafaring
port of
Portpatrick
. and the grimy port of
Stranraer
, which is struggling with the loss of
its regular ferry services to Northern Ireland (these now depart from Cairnryan seven
miles north). At either end of the peninsula are two lighthouses: one stands above
Corsewall Point, and now houses a luxury hotel, the other stands on the
Mull of
Galloway
, a windswept headland at the southwest tip of Scotland, which is home to a
vast array of nesting seabirds. he Gulf Stream dominates the climate here and
subtropical plants grow in abundance throughout the area's gardens, linked by the
signposted o
cial garden route (
W
scotlandsgarderoute.co.uk). Each has its own
personality, with colourful seasonal displays, palms trees and often coastal views. If you
only have time to visit two, aim for Castle Kennedy Gardens and Logan.
