Newton Stewart, Minnigaff - Local Information
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Local Events
Walkfest
14th to 17th May 2012
Biggest walking festival in the south of Scotland
for more information visit www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk
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
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
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
Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park
The UK's first Dark Sky Park. The lack of light pollution makes this park a special place for star gazing. Best season is October to April.
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
Glentrool Visitor Centre
Forestry Commission visitor centre, STB 2 Star Attraction
Take the A714 signposted Girvan. Turn right, signposted Glen Trool village
Visit Website
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Forestry Commission visitor centre, STB 3 Star Attraction
Marrbury Smokehouse Visitor Centre
See how a Master Craftsman produces smoked foods
Bargrennan, Near Glentrool, Newton Stewart, DG8 6RW
Newton Stewart Museum
The history of Newton Stewart and central Galloway
York Road, Newton Stewart, DG8 6HH
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
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
Wigtown Book Festival
Held in "Scotland's Book Town" each Autumn
Eating & Drinking
The Creebridge House Hotel
STB 3 Star Small Hotel
Newton Stewart, DG8 6NP
Kirroughtree House
STB 4 Star Small Hotel
Award winning restaurant. Newton Stewart, DG8 6AN
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
Mountain Biking
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
Walkers
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
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
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
Balloch Wood, Creetown
Experience the beauty of Balloch Burn and wonderful views over Creetown
Distance: 3km/1.9miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs
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
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
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
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
Newton Stewart Riverside
Take a delightful stroll along the banks of the River Cree
Distance: 1.5km/0.9miles, Duration: 3/4hr
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
Around Newton Stewart
Get hooked on Galloway with these easy walks
Distance: 12km/7.5miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 140 metres/462 feet
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
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".
Wildlife
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
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
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
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
Wood of Cree RSPB Reserve
The largest ancient wood in southern Scotland. Viewing platform located over the river where otters are sometimes seen
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
Active & Adventure
Off Road Driving
Wigtown Off Road Driving Centre
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)
Varied Routes
Stranraer to Newton Stewart
A scenic circular, also part of the long distance Stranraer to Dunbar route
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