Galloway Activity Centre

Outdoors

4 Days in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere

A holiday in south west Scotland, the country's first UNESCO biosphere, is one of the country’s best kept secrets. With everchanging skies, exciting activities, forests, coasts and mountains, you’ll be spoilt for choice whatever it is you love doing. We have this all on good authority from regional expert Carylann Williamson, who has suggested some fabulous activities to enjoy as part of a sustainable holiday in the region.

Part of a husband and wife team who own Shepherds Huts Scotland on the beautiful Garroch Glen Estate, Carylann’s business and lifestyle are based on her passion for sustainable living and environmental concerns. She aims to provide holiday accommodation that has minimal impact on the land and does not cost the earth. Great stuff!

Carylann loves being in nature and her work gives her the opportunity to spend more time in the beautiful Garroch Glen surrounded by ancient woodland and wildlife. For your first day on this itinerary why not try staying in one of her handmade shepherd’s huts and making your way from there?

These off-grid huts are surrounded by ancient woodland and wildlife and perfectly located to explore this part of Scotland. Each hut has its own woodburning stove, double bed and campfire, so you will be set up for an eco-friendly and technology free break. Just what we all need sometimes.

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been recognised internationally as a world class environment for people and nature. It is no exaggeration to say that this is groundbreaking for the region. The following are all Biosphere Certified Businesses or Biosphere Proud Supporters who will provide an unforgettable experience for you and your family.

Remember to check directly with the businesses before visiting on their reopening date, and look out for the Good to Go scheme logo, which shows which businesses have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment.

Transport

Car Cycle Walk

Days

4

Miles

150

Route

Explore the Southern Ayrshire and Galloway UNESCO Biosphere

Highlights

Loch Ken, Galloway Forest Park, Wigtown, Bladnoch Distillery

Areas Covered

Dumfries & Galloway

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Day 1

overview

An Active Day Around Loch Ken

This part of the world is no stranger to beautiful stretches of water and Loch Ken, nestled in the heart of Galloway hills, is pretty special. Start your day off with action-packed activities and relax later on with a visit to a historic property. You could do one or the other if you prefer a slower pace of break.

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Galloway Activity Centre

Galloway Activity Centre is a friendly, family-run outdoors centre offering a range of land and water-based activities and water sports tuition. Whether you're a beginner getting into a wetsuit for the first time or an experienced sailor looking to progress, Galloway Activity Centre has a range of options to suit everyone. From kayaking and sailing to climbing and archery, there are loads of adventurous activities to try.

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Threave Garden & Estate

Threave Estate has trails and woodland walks to enjoy, leading to viewpoints, a nature reserve and the River Dee. The nature reserve includes wildlife hides and an osprey viewing platform. At dusk, there is a chance to see rare and beautiful bats in their natural habitat. This is a garden for all seasons and a haven for wildlife. Take a stroll through the secret garden, rockery and walled garden if you have time. Threave Estate is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland.

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The Clachan Inn

Round off the day with a meal at The Clachan Inn, where attentive and friendly staff will ensure you feel relaxed and looked after. The award-winning team offer traditional and varied food, from bar meals to exquisite dining in the restaurant and bothy. From here it is only a short journey to your Shepherds Hut accommodation.

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Day 2

overview

Dark Skies and Rolling Hills

Galloway Forest Park is a fantastic example of Scotland’s natural beauty. In the lighter months of the year, the park is great for spotting wildlife and tackling invigorating walking trails. As the nights draw in, the park is also one of the best places in the country to enjoy the night sky.

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Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre and Café

Your first stop is a lovely visitor centre that overlooks the tranquil Clatteringshaws Loch, a haven for waterbirds in summer. On a clear day, look out for the mighty Merrick, the highest hill in the Southern Uplands. Soak up the stunning views or meander beside the loch to the historic Bruce's Stone. This is the granite stone where Robert the Bruce is said to have rested. You may also be lucky enough to spot a spectacular summer visitor, the osprey, fishing on the loch. Access the centre along the magnificent Queen's Road, which if you follow it will lead to the area's red deer and wild goat parks. Nestled in between them is a track that takes you to the Black Loch and The Eye Obelisk.

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Scottish Dark Sky Observatory

The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is located on a hilltop and open to the public, educating people of all ages about astronomy and the night sky. This is a great chance to try out a bit of sketching – you can learn all about sketching the observatory in Episode 2 of our Sketching Scotland series. We also have lots of information on looking at the night sky, including our Stargazing Toolkit, which is great for families.

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Day 3

overview

A Walk and a Dram

If you’ve enjoyed a spot of glamping so far on this trip, Carylann suggests that on the next leg of your journey you could travel across to Wigtownshire and stay at the Carraig Shepherd’s Hut. Here you could book a reflexology or reiki session that would help to ease those muscles, especially if you’ve chosen to cycle across!

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Wigtown

Wigtown is the home of the annual Wigtown Book Festival and the town has a wide range of independent bookshops. It was officially designated Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998, a title which it has held proudly ever since. Once you’ve browsed the bookshops (if you can tear yourself away) there are also some beautiful walks in the area including the Wigtown Explorer.

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Bladnoch Distillery

The south west of Scotland may not be the first place you think of when it comes to whisky, but Bladnoch Distillery is one of Scotland’s most historic whisky spots. The visitor centre opened in the summer of 2019 and here you can go on a distillery tour as well as sample the gift shop and café. The estate itself is over 200 years old and you’ll feel a sense of history as you explore the whisky making process. The perfect way to unwind after a rousing walk.

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Day 4

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Retail Therapy and Museum Fun!

Spend your final day in the south west exploring museums and looking for a keepsake to bring home. You’re bound to learn, and buy, something new!

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Creetown Gem Rock Museum

Crystals and minerals are some of nature's most fascinating creations and the Creetown Gem Rock Museum demonstrates this with many beautiful specimens on display. You’ll encounter unusual items such as a 4.5 billion year old meteorite, a fossilised egg and even the dung of a dinosaur! This is one of the finest private collections around and a real joy to admire. Creetown also has an excellent play park, burnside walks and a Heritage Centre.

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Catstrand Arts and Visitor Centre

Your next stop is a 5-star contemporary community arts centre, voted Scotland’s Greenest Arts Venue. Named after the small stream which runs under the building, the centre provides a wide range of arts, community and training activities for residents and visitors to the area. Enjoy delicious home baking in the café before checking out the centre's fantastic shop which sells a selection of crafts from local artists and makers.

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Loch Arthur Farm Shop

All this adventure is bound to have given you an appetite. At Loch Arthur Farm Shop you’ll find award-winning locally produced food. This includes organic farmhouse cheeses, freshly baked breads, cakes, biscuits and pies, organic fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and eggs. You’re sure to find something to enjoy on the way home!

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What next?

Carylann believes it is difficult to have a favourite place in Scotland… because it’s all so beautiful and has so much to offer. While she still has plenty of exploring to do herself, she says the sunsets in south Ayrshire have to be the best in the world! The changeable weather also makes it more exciting, as you can experience nature through all the elements.

After your time in the biosphere, why not extend your holiday and follow our 7 days in the west coast of Scotland itinerary? Carylann loves camping, and this year she hopes to take a trip up the west coast to Arisaig and then take the ferry over to visit family on Tiree where she hopes to swim in the amazing seas every day. Her favourite experience that can only be found in Scotland? Hillwalking on a day when you experience all four seasons in one day, finishing with a whisky in front of an open fire.

4 Days in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere

Day 1