Rockville - Holiday Cottage in Dumfries and Galloway

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Things to do and see within easy range of Kirkinner

The following links are to places we have certainly enjoyed visiting when we stay in the cottage – and all are generally within half an hour or so of the cottage. Those a little further away are indicated – but are indicated because they are so worthwhile. Dumfries and Galloway really is an unexpected gem!

Please note that this page is under construction - I'll be adding to it as I go along!

For Kids

D&G is a great region for kids of all ages...

Creetown Gem Rock Museum – especially if it rains!
Beaches – our favourite local ones are at Garlieston and Monreith
Tropic House & Butterfly Farm About 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Newton Stewart on the Moss of Cree road there is an interesting exhibition of insectivorous plants and tropical butterflies.
Kirroughtree at the edge of the Galloway Forest Park offers an excellent play area, trails for walking and mountain biking. It is part of the 7Stanes mountain biking routes set up by the forestry commission.

For Wildlife

The surrounding area is is wild and natural. It offers tremendous opportunities to the nature lover.

Dumfries and Galloway is a fabulous place for birdwatching. Wigtown Bay is a magnet for water birds – Osprey in the summer, Pink footed geese in the winter, and hordes waders all year round.
The Galloway Kite trail offers fabulous views of the scenery, together with rare opportunities to see the Red Kite in the UK.
The RSPB reserve at the Woods of Cree has been recently extended. It is an ancient broadleaved woodland, together with river and flood plains. Watch out for otters.

Outdoors

D&G is likened to the Lake District (which you can see across the water on a good day) – only quieter, more natural, and with less people. However, the secret is now out! Take advantage of it while you still can.

The forestry Commission of Scotland maintain some fabulous space – in Dumfries and Galloway. Most notably these are the Galloway Forest Park, and the closer Kilsture Forest.
There are a wide range of walking possibilities in Dumfries and Galloway. The local tourist board offers plenty of advice and guidance.
Mountain biking has well and truly arrived in Dumfries and Galloway. The 7 Stanes offer the very best in mountain biking to suite all levels of ability.
Golf. Love it or hate it, there is a huge range of courses to choose from. Again the tourist board is a good source of information, but check out St Medan Golf Course, perched on low cliffs by Port William. Absolutely beautiful.

Towns

There are a wealth of towns and villages in the region. The following links highlight just a few of them – but please also watch out for some wonderful little villages such as Port William, Glenluce, Whithorn, Garleiston, and others a little further away such as Glentrool, and Creetown. All have their attractions. Many of the links below will lead you to a wide range of castles, history, museums, gardens and other local attractions. It is surprising exactly how much there is to the region!

Wigtown – Scotland's National Book Town is a Mecca for all 2^nd hand book lovers. Watch out for the regular festivals.
Newton Stewart is the nearest 'bigger' town, with a larger supermarket, cinema, swimming pool, cottage hospital/health centre and a broad range of shops. It is around 9 miles north of Kirkinner.
Gatehouse of Fleet caters for a wide range of interests. There are opportunities for a variety of sporting activities, including golf, sailing, mountain biking and fishing. Above all, this is a peaceful beauty spot in which to relax and unwind.
Kirkcudbright is 20 minutes or so away, and is an 'Artists Town', usually hosting some exhibition or other. It is also a beautifully picturesque fishing village – and does excellent fish and chips (there are also a number of excellent restaurants and tea rooms)!
The Isle of Whithorn is not really an Isle, but is a fabulous place. Rocks and beaches for the kids, history, fishing, sea air, and two fine pubs, one being a particularly good restaurant. One of our favourite places.
Castle Douglas is Dumfries & Galloway's Food town – and as well as regular festivals, there are also a number of restaurants and the like.
Dumfries is the county town and by far the largest town in the region. It has all the shops (including chains) that you'd expect of a large, bustling town, including attractions such as the cinema, ice skating, museums and even an Air Museum. There are also many attractions associated with Robert Burns, a son of the town.
Stranraer is a little smaller than Dumfries, and very oriented to the ferries and links with Ireland, but again, is useful for those in need of retail therapy!

Homes and Gardens and Castles

Homes, Gardens – Castles as well.

Amenities

And the rest – generally unclassifiable, but very useful!

Check out especially the Dumfries and Galloway Online website – it has a host of links to to just about anything you would wish to find in the area.
Pubs: The Kirkinner Arms (in Kirkinner) offers food as well as good beer. The Bladnock Inn has an excellent restaurant. There are several pubs of note in Wigtown, including the Galloway Arms. And we always like the Steampacket Inn in the Isle of Whithorn – really excellent food and beer!
Cinema – In Newton Stewart
Swimming pool – Newton Stewart – The Merric Pool
Also see us at: ClickHolidayCottages.co.uk - Holiday Cottages at the click of a mouse.

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