We are delighted to announce that all our holiday cottages are finally re-open as of 10th July!
We’ve done a bit of research to help everyone on holiday know what’s open, when and sadly, sometimes, what’s not. We’ll keep an eye out for any changes and will update this page regularly. Wishing you all happy holidays in Galloway everyone!
Gardens
Castle Kennedy Gardens, Castle Kennedy – opening on 25th July. Will be open Wednesdays to Sundays. Prior booking on the website essential.
Castle Kennedy Gardens
Threave Gardens, Castle Douglas – open 6th July – some things remain closed – historic buildings, visitors’ facilities, cafes and shops – toilets will be open. Strongly advised to pre-book and check website times. General opening hours – 10:00 – 17:00. Nature reserve – open from dawn to dusk.
Logan Botanic Garden – open as well as café/bistro (11:00 – 16:00 – take away) and toilets. Open from 10:00 – 17:00 – it is advised to check the website before as timings may differ.
One of the fishponds at Logan Botanic Garden
Spectacular summer colour at Logan Botanic Garden
Glenwhan Gardens, Dunragit – Open – 10:00 – 17:00 . Tearoom currently open for takeaways and will be properly open with appropriate social distancing measures from 15th July.
Wonderful Views over the Gardens at Glenwhan and Across Luce Bay
Aldouran Wetland Garden, Leswalt – open all year round – no specific opening times. https://www.visitsouthwestscotland.com/attractions/aldouran-wetland-garden-leswalt/
Castles and Houses
Dumfries House, Cumnock – open from Monday 6th July. Not all parts are open. Cafes, visitors centre, adventure playground, engineering playground and maze remain closed. Plans to open walled garden in the coming weeks. Toilet facilities are open. 09:00 – 17:00 – times may vary.
Culzean Castle, Maybole – Castle will remain closed for the remainder of 2020. Home farm, café and shop open from 6th July – 10:30 – 16:30 – may close earlier on later in the year. Adventure cove and wild woodland – closed until further notice. Country park open from 6th July – 10:00 – 17:00.
Broughton House, Kirkcudbright – gardens and house closed for the rest of the year.
Threave Castle, Castle Douglas – castle and historic buildings remain closed – gardens and nature reserve however are open from 6th July – 10:00 – 14:00.
Cafes and Restaurants
Potting Shed Bistro at Logan Botanic Garden – 11:00 – 16:00. Range of refreshments for take away only – also offering picnics to take into the garden.
Old Colfin Creamery, Portpatrick – open from 1st August initially from Thursdays to Sundays 12-8pm. Booking is essential – either on Facebook or by calling 01776 820622.
Connors, Portpatrick – open from 17th July. Serving lunch from 12-2pm and from 6pm in the evening. The restaurant will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Email info@connorsrestaurant.co.uk or call 01776 810314 to reserve a table.
The Lighthouse Pizza and Beer Garden at Sands of Luce Holiday Park, Sandhead – operating take away slots and beer garden reservations. Beer garden is open every dry day from 12-9pm. Pizzas are available for takeaway and in the beer garden Thursday-Sunday 5-9pm. Call 01776 830456 to book
Fig and Olive Café, Stranraer – Opening 22nd July at 10am
Lando’s, Stranraer – Re-opening date not confirmed but open for takeaways
selected take away menu for different nights. Call 01776 702020 to order. Check the Facebook page for menu
Henry’s Bay House, Stranraer – re-opening on 15th July https://henrysbayhouse.co.uk/contact/
Tighnamara Hotel & Restaurant, Sandhead – Beer garden open from 6th July. Restaurant with limited pre-booked tables (01776830210 – to reserve) from 15th July. Take away is available – collection and pre-order only.
Papa Rab’s Restaurant, Stranraer – now serving food in the beer garden and offering takeaways from Wednesday-Sunday nights. Full menu on offer from 15th July. Please call to place an order or reserve a table – 01776 700766
Port Pantry, Portpatrick – opening on 18th July
Blue Peter Pub, Kirkcolm – Beer garden – open from 6th July, fully re-open from 15th July, with food available from 17th July – booking essential
Fish and chips – tel 01776-853221
Driftwood Café, Agnew Park Stranraer – re-opening from 15th July
Knockinaam Hotel – Hoping to open 31st July – awaiting confirmation from the Scottish Government. Lunches by reservation only in dining room and drawing room– the bar will not be open – table service only.
Glenapp Castle Hotel, Ballantrae – Will not be taking non-resident restaurant bookings from July until October after when it will be reviewed.
Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel – opening from 15th July. Call 01776 853220 to make a reservation
Visitor Attractions
Laggan Outdoor, Gatehouse of Fleet – Open from 17th July – no onsite café – reduced group numbers – no mixed family groups – 09:30 – 17:00. Masks to be worn. Must pre-book by emailing lizzy@lagganoutdoor.co.uk
The Exhilarating Zip Wire at Laggan Outdoor
Logan Fish Pond, Port Logan – re-opening on 15th July and will be open every day 10am-5pm.
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, Galloway Forest Park – Car park, toilets and ALL bike trails are closed – until safety checks can be conducted on trails.
The Breakpad (bike hire shop) – operating home delivery and collection – shop remains closed to visitors – call 01671401303 (10:00 -16:00 Mon to Fri).
Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken – open from the 15th July. Booking is essential. https://www.lochken.co.uk/media/uploads/cat-1/gac-covid-19-activity-provision.pdf – contains the list of activities available during Covid. No showering or changing facilities will be available to day visitors – will be asked to change in the car park and should bring appropriate changing kit. Toilets will be available and cleaned regularly. Masks will be worn on most on land activities. Opening times to follow.
Cream O’ Galloway, Gatehouse of Fleet – from 9th July the adventure playground, nature trails and crazy golf will be open. Order and book slots and ice cream online in advance. For the foreseeable future Go Boing, the indoor play areas, indoor café and ice cream tasting events will be closed.
Cocoa Bean Chocolate Factory, Twynholm – outdoor eatery and beer garden are open and takeaway is available. Plus, there’s an outdoor dessert and ice cream parlour.
Mull of Galloway – RSPB – Closed – will be updated and reviewed.
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse and Museum – Closed until Easter 2021.
Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart – re-opening on 15th July. New opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 11.30am-3pm. Running gin distillery tours but bar and café won’t be open at the moment.
Mossyard Farm Pottery, Mossyard, Gatehouse of Fleet – re-opening from 20th July. Initially taking bookings for Mondays and Tuesdays, possibly Wednesdays too. Tel: 07928 103490 to book
Pottery painting at Mossyard Farm Pottery
Gem Rock Museum, Creetown – re-opens on 1st August from 10am-4pm. Book a session online in advance.
Stranraer Museum, Stranraer – online resources available. Not re-opening just yet.
Stranraer Golf Course, Stranraer – Open – 09:30 – 16:00. Currently open to members only
Portpatrick Golf Course, Portpatrick – open to visitors from 4th July. Must be booked in advance. https://www.portpatrickgolfclub.com
Wigtown – Scotland’s National Book Town – the majority bookshops will be re-opening from 13th July onwards including Number 11 and The Bookshop, with some opening on 15th July and Reading Lasses on 25th July
Bladnoch Distillery & Visitor Centre, Newton Stewart – currently closed, shop will be re-opening on 28th July. Tours and Café Melba to follow shortly after