It might be autumn, but there’s still lots to see and do in Dumfries & Galloway while staying at our Dumfries and Galloway holiday accommodation. Here’s our latest pick:
Cream o’ Galloway
Just over an hour’s drive from our Dumfries and Galloway holiday accommodation, Cream o’ Galloway runs fun ice cream making workshops. As a family we tried our hand in the summer holidays. Up to three people can join one station. You can make up your own flavour – mine was a wonderful lemon and white chocolate creation, which proved popular with everyone. And because you have to wait an hour or so for it to freeze, you can feel perfectly entitled to enjoy an ice cream or two from the ice cream parlour.
Kitchen Coos & Ewes
Located on High Airyolland Farm in the hills between Castle Kennedy and New Luce, this award-winning attraction is an easy drive from Corsewall Estate Holiday Cottages and our Dumfries and Galloway holiday accommodation. Kitchen Coos & Ewes is essentially a coo safari round a working farm. Farmers Neale and Janet McQuistin will give you a warm welcome and tour you round the farm in a covered trailer whatever the weather – no need to get wet or muddy. Passionate about their herd of majestic Highland Coos, you are introduced by name to all the stars of the show.
There are plenty of opportunities for photographs, in fact, the cows seem to love posing for shots. After returning to the farm, you are treated to the most wonderful farm kitchen afternoon tea, where Highland Coo shortbread and delicious traybakes are the order of the day. Neale and Janet are excellent hosts and guides and having experienced two tours now, I could easily find an excuse to do a third.
Highland Coos at Airyolland Farm
Mull of Galloway
It has been a while since we last visited ‘the Mull’ as it’s often referred to locally. This year we visited on a hot and sunny day in July and we had a terrific time. Just under an hour’s drive from our Dumfries and Galloway holiday accommodation on Corsewall Estate, the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse was built in 1828. Designed by Robert Stevenson, it towers some 99 metres about sea level. It stands on a dramatic setting perched high above the sea on the cliffs at Scotland’s most southerly point, which for interest’s sake is further south than Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
We opted to visit the lighthouse and go right to the top of the tower – up all 115 steps. This was the right decision – the views from the top were spectacular – we could see the Cumbrian hills, Isle of Man and Ireland. If you’re lucky (we weren’t), you might also spot porpoises and dolphins.
The fabulous views from the top of the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
There’s also a RSPB Nature Reserve with an information bothy which is staffed by volunteers usually Fridays to Tuesdays from Easter to the end of October. Lots of seabirds make the cliffs on the Mull of Galloway their home – from Guillemots and Razorbills to Kittiwakes and Shags. The area is also home to thousands of gannets and it’s fun to watch them dive bombing into the sea.
We had a great lunch in the Gallie Craig café on our visit – soups, salads, steak pies and burgers made from homegrown beef from the owner’s farm. I was extremely tempted by a fruit scone but I managed to be restrained on this occasion. The views from this spot are tremendous and the café itself is a clever design with its grass roof which blends into the surrounding hill.
Looking over cliffs at the Mull of Galloway, with the Gallie Craig Cafe in the distance
Do check opening times before you go if you would like a tour of the lighthouse, but currently in the autumn, it is open at the weekends and will open daily from October 14 – November 3 2024.
Kirroughtree
There are a number of visitor centres dotted throughout the vast Galloway Forest Park, however, Kirroughtree, is the one we tend to gravitate to most and is just under an hour from our Dumfries & Galloway holiday accommodation.
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre is a great base from which to explore the Galloway Forest Park. The visitor centre with a cafe, shop and children’s adventure playground is located at Palnure just off the A75, the far side of Newton Stewart.
The Breakpad bike hire and shop is next door to the visitor centre and is an excellent place from which to hire bikes for all ages and electric bikes too. Phone in advance to give them your height and they’ll reserve you a bike. You can either hire them for the morning or afternoon sessions or if you’re very keen – all day!
Kirroughtree is one of the 7Stanes mountain biking centres that offers a number of bike trails through the woods from green (easy) right up to black (scary). It’s a fantastic day out. There are several walking trails from Kirroughtree of varying lengths with some breathtaking scenery and wonderful views. They are great for spotting wildlife – red squirrels and deer in particular and pine martens if you’re lucky.
Mountain biking at Kirroughtree
Our Dumfries and Galloway Holiday Accommodation
We currently have availability across October and November at our Dumfries and Galloway holiday accommodation with cottages from 4 to 8 people and with short breaks from £300 for a three-night stay at Stables Cottage in November. For family half term holidays, Cedar Lodge in Portpatrick, which sleeps 8, is available from 19-26 October and the rate for a 7-night stay is £1358. Visit our Corsewall Estate website for details of all our holiday cottages and up to date availability.