Local Attractions
Striding Arches
Walking routes and the four iconic 12 ft, Striding Arches, set in the wild and unspoilt Scottish landscape of the Southern Uplands, Dumfries and Galloway.
Barsalloch Fort
An Iron Age promontory
fort, defended by a deep u-shaped ditch
0.75m W of Monreith on the A747
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Bladnoch Distillery
Scotland's most
southerly distillery and home to a fine Single Malt. Visitor
centre, guided tours and gift shop
Bladnoch, Wigtown, DG8 9AB
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Chapel Finian Chapel
Finian The foundation
remains of a small chapel in an enclosure, built in the Irish
style
5m NW of Port William on the A747
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Druchtag Motte
A fine example of a motte
castle, in a part of Scotland where this type of early timber
castle proliferated in the 12th and 13th centuries
At Mochrum village on the A747
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Glentrool Visitor Centre
Forestry
Commission visitor centre, STB 2 Star Attraction
Take the A714 signposted Girvan. Turn right, signposted Glen Trool
village
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Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Forestry Commission visitor centre, STB 3 Star Attraction
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Marrbury Smokehouse Visitor Centre
See how
a Master Craftsman produces smoked foods
Bargrennan, Near Glentrool, Newton Stewart, DG8 6RW
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Newton Stewart Museum
The history of
Newton Stewart and central Galloway
York Road, Newton Stewart, DG8 6HH
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Website
St Ninian’s Cave
Traditionally associated
with St Ninian. Early crosses found here are housed at Whithorn
Museum, but weathered crosses carved on the walls of the cave are
still visible
Physgill, on the coast 4m SW of Whithorn on the A747
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St Ninian’s Chapel
Restored ruins of a
13th-century chapel, probably used by pilgrims on their way to
Whithorn
At Isle of Whithorn on the A747
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Wigtown Book Festival
Held in "Scotland's Book Town" each Autumn
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Eating & Drinking
The Creebridge House Hotel
STB 3 Star
Small Hotel
Newton Stewart, DG8 6NP
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Kirroughtree House
STB 4 Star Small
Hotel
Award winning restaurant. Newton Stewart, DG8 6AN
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Nether Barr Steading Restaurant and Bar
A
small restaurant and bar offering a friendly welcoming atmosphere
and a menu incorporating the best local produce
Newton Stewart, DG8 6AU
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Glentrool
A long forest road-based ride
and a fun route for families and beginners, seasonal café on
site.
Visit
Website
View
Route (Part
One)
View Route (Part Two)
Kirroughtree
Home to some of the best
singletrack in the country. Something for everyone with a seasonal
café and kids' play area
Visit
Website
Moderate walking
Wood of Cree
This is a magical place! A
beautiful RSPB reserve of mixed woodland.
Distance: 3.54km/2.2miles Duration: 1 hour Height Gain: 35
metres/115.5 feet
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St Ninian's Cave
This gentle walk leads to
St Ninian's Cave.
Distance: 4.83km/3miles Duration: 1 1/2 hours Height Gain: 20
metres/66 feet
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Route
In and around Scotland's Book Town:
Wigtown
Take time to enjoy a peaceful walk while
discovering more about Wigtown.
Distance: 5.2km/3.25miles Duration: 2 hours Height Gain: 50
metres/165 feet
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Route
Balloch Wood, Creetown
Experience the
beauty of Balloch Burn and wonderful views over Creetown
Distance: 3km/1.9miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs
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Route
Glen Trool: Forest Trails from Stroan
Bridge
This route amalgamates various forest trails
starting from Galloway Forest Park
Distance: 11.27km/7miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 63
metres/207.9 feet
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Route
Wigtown - Scotland's Book Town
A pleasant,
easy-paced figure of eight walk around Scotland's Book Town
Distance: 7.2km/4.5miles, Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 30 metres/99
feet
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Route
Creetown - Balloch Wood - Cardoon
Ponds
This easy walk from Creetown passes Kirkmabreck
Church
Distance: 3.25km/2miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 100
metres/330 feet
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Around Wigtown
This is a short with
wonderful views across Wigtown Bay
Distance: 6.4km/4miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 40
metres/132 feet
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Newton Stewart
Riverside
Take a delightful stroll along the banks of
the River Cree
Distance: 1.5km/0.9miles, Duration: 3/4hr
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Route
Kirroughtree Forest Trails
An interesting
forest walk, with beautiful views and wildlife
Distance: 4km/2.5miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 50
metres/165 feet
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Route
Around Newton Stewart
Get hooked on
Galloway with these easy walks
Distance: 12km/7.5miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 140
metres/462 feet
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Route
St Ninians Cave, Isle of Whithorn
Step
back in time and enjoy this pleasant coastal walk where St Ninian
retreated
Distance: 3.3km/2miles, Duration: 1hr, Height Gain: 60 metres/198
feet
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Route
Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".
Eagle, buzzard, wild goat, red deer, fox, red squirrel, otter,
peregrine falcon, raven, dragonflies, great spotted woodpecker,
redstart.
Galloway Forest Park
Visit the wild heart of
a wild country
Newton Stewart
Visit
Website
Galloway Red Deer Range
A chance to get
close up to Galloway’s impressive red deer
15 mins north of Newton Stewart on the A712
Visit
Website
Cairnsmore of Fleet
An imposing area of
granite mass. This continuing unforested ground stretches from
river valley bottom to summit top at 711 metres
7 Miles from Creetown off B796
Visit
Website
Carstramon Wood
An ancient wildlife
reserve containing mainly deciduous woodland with history of
charcoal production. Two miles north of Gatehouse-of-Fleet via the
B796
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Wood of Cree RSPB Reserve
The largest ancient wood in southern Scotland. Viewing platform
located over the river where otters are sometimes seen
Visit
Website
Silver Flowe
A wonderful reserve
consisting of many pools that speckle the surface of this bogland
or ‘flowe’ and sparkle with reflections of the sky and surrounding
landscape
12 miles northeast of Newton Stewart off the A712
Visit
Website
Fishing
Off Road Driving
Wigtown Off Road Driving Centre
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Cycling
Easy Routes
Newton Stewart to the Isle of
Whithorn
Gently rolling scenery with fine views of
the sea and hills (22, 33 or 51 miles)
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Varied Routes
Stranraer to Newton Stewart
A scenic
circular, also part of the long distance Stranraer to Dunbar
route
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Derrick, Manager
"From ancient woodland's to the 900 year old Yew in Minnigaff kirkyard, not forgetting the old git at the hostel, it's surprisingly beautiful."
