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Kirkcudbright is an attractive town to the south-west of Castle Douglas, overlooking Kirkcudbright Bay. Its restored 17th and 18th century High Street with narrow wynds and its working harbour attracts many visitors to the area - and was a magnet for artists from the late 19th century. One Georgian townhouse, Broughton House, home of the artist Edward Hornel (1863-1933) who encouraged the 'Glasgow Boys' to establish an artists' colony there, is open to the public with examples of his work on display. The nearby Tolbooth Arts Centre depicts the town's development as an artists' colony and displays some famous works by Peploe and Hornel, and further art exhibitions are to be found in the Harbour Cottage Gallery.
The 16th century MacLellan's Castle by the harbour was built as a mixture of fortified castle and comfortable home which reflected the increasing stability of the area at that time. Its interior is well-preserved and features the 'laird's lug' behind the fireplace in the Great Hall used as a hiding place by the laird to eavesdrop on his guests. The Stewartry Museum on St. Mary's Street has a fascinating display of memorabilia of the Solway Coast.
Other attractions include wildlife river trips from the marina, the Wildlife Park on the B727 east of the town and, 3 miles north-west of the town, the David Coulthard Museum in Twynholm, the Formula I driver's home town.
Information
Hourly buses run to Dumfries via Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie, and to reach Stranraer, you need to change buses at Gatehouse of Fleet. There is a tourist office in Harbour Square. Hotels include the Gordon Arms and Selkirk Arms Hotels and the Auld Alliance (the name and cuisine relating to the alliance between France and Scotland) is considered the best place to eat in Kirkcudbright (booking necessary).
Around Kirkcudbright
West of Kirkcudbright off the A75 is Gatehouse of Fleet which developed in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cotton mill, shipbuilding and brewery town but its main industries now are tourism and forestry. It occupies a beautiful setting on the banks of the Water of Fleet. The few visitor attractions include the Mill of the Fleet Museum in a converted cotton mill with a working water wheel, which relates the history of the industry and the local area, and the exclusive Cally Palace Hotel which has gardens open to the public. Another local hotel is the Bank O' Fleet which provides meals and entertainment. The 15th century Cardoness Castle lies about a mile south-west of the town. It was originally the seat of the McCullochs but bought by the Gordon clan in the 17th century, resulting in further rivalry between the clans. Buses from Gatehouse of Fleet run to Dumfries and Stranraer.
Sleeps: 2, Bedrooms: 1
Set high on a hill with fine views over the lovely countryside of 'Bonnie Galloway', the Bothy at Troston is a most comfortable conversion of an old stone Bothy where visitors can relax in peaceful surroundings and enjoy the quiet beaches, forest walks and the fascinating historical associations of this easily accessible corner of Scotland.
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
Is a detached south-facing cosy 200-year-old pleasingly decorated/furnished stone cottage standing in its own pretty garden above Loch Carsfad 5 miles north of St. John's town of Dalry and Loch Ken, amongst the hills of Galloway on a quiet back-road leading up to Ayr. The shallow R. Blackwater tumbles at its rear.
Sleeps: 8, Bedrooms: 4
Is a truly delightful house standing high and proud in its own grounds 2 miles from the pretty village of New Abbey about 7 miles south of Dumfries - a warm, extremely comfortable, well-appointed, tastefully-furnished, really excellent house built on several levels with old stone (one stone is marked 1680) and whitewashed externally in the true Galloway style.
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