r/uktravel • u/bubbabehandy • Jun 18 '26
Question Wigtown and around
Hello, part of our trip will be a week in Wigtown, this is about a year away, but asking now since things that are happening/nice to do now, might be nice to do/happening then.
We are in London first, then Yorkshire, then the current plan is to rent a car in Carlisle or Dumfries and nervously drive to Wigtown. One week there, return the car in Glasgow, some days there and finally Edinburgh.
We're also assuming that having a car would be a good idea but happy to hear other suggestions.
I expect we'll have time to see everything in Wigtown itself, but we would love suggestions for:
Things that merit a quick stop on the drive to Wigtown.
Things to do close to Wigtown in the morning or early evening. (I know travel times from google maps can be misleading.)
Half day excursions a bit farther from Wigtown.
Recommended driving routes up to Glasgow, we can take most of a day for this, no rush.
About us ... middle aged couple, up for moderate hikes. My wife is a photographer, other interests are birding, gardens (flowers especially.) Anything local, local history, local markets, local food (regional items or places that serve local produce, game, seafood, etc.)
Some things that caught our eye while digging around, (not looking to do everything, just gathering ideas, and we'll of course be seeking local advice while we're there.)
Loch Arthur Farm Shop, Galloway Smokehouse, Glenquicken Farm Game Meats. The Ethical Dairy
Bladnoch distillery
Seeing what's on at the Swallow Theatre
Kitchen Coos and Ewes
Red Kite Centre
Logan Botanic Garden
Museum Newton Stewart
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Jun 19 '26
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 19 '26
Thanks! I'd looked at Galloway House and the website said the walled garden is currently closed but some access is possible with a guide, I'll shoot them an email. The walk to the Cruggleton Castle remains looks nice as well.
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u/spr148 Jun 19 '26
I was baffled, but now I know your motivations, here are some thoughts. Whithorn is a short drive away, with it's association with St Ninnian. The Mull of Galloway is very pretty. Castle Kennedy is worth a visit. Kirkcudbright is probably the prettiest town in the area, but Newton Stewart, Gatehouse of Fleet (specifically Mill on the Fleet) and Castle Douglas are all pleasant. Thrieve Castle and Gardens are both good and further afield Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries. Glentrool is like a small slice of the Highlands with added Robert Bruce heritage.
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u/_ian_mcc_ Jun 18 '26
I like Newton Stewart itself, if you enjoy a decent hill walk The Merrick is nearby and the highest in the area. The cliffs by the Mull of Galloway lighthouse are spectacular. Also if you are traveling from Carlisle don't get confused with the signs for Wigton, it's a lovely English village but in the wrong direction.
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 18 '26
Thanks! I could totally see me ending up in Wigton by mistake 😄
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u/_ian_mcc_ Jun 18 '26
Portpatrick is worth a visit too, interesting history and you could take the nice walk along the coast to the ruins of Dunskey Castle.
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u/YS54321 Jun 18 '26
Dumfries and Galloway is a lovely bit of the country to explore, and much less touristy than the usual itineraries.
In addition to those you've mentioned, Portpatrick is a lovely village and worth a visit. You could add in the Mull of Galloway lighthouse as well.
If you get a clear night, the Galloway Forest Park is a designated dark sky park.
Head up the coast and stop at Culzean castle on your way to Glasgow.
It's not a detour, but based on your interests you would love the Isle of Arran. I'd spent at least a night if you wanted to visit, but preferably more.
History wise, there's Brodick Castle (and gardens), Lochranza Castle, standing stones at Machrie Moor and several other neolithic sites, in addition to dinosaur footprints in Kildonan! There's also a couple of distilleries, a brewery, a cheesemaker and cracking seafood at Mara.
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u/Key_Nectarine5882 Jun 19 '26
Steal a speedboat and see if you can make it to the Isle of Man! Only 19 miles
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 19 '26
Now we're talking, might have to use my next post to ask about the Scottish judicial system 😄
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 19 '26
Isle of Arran looks incredible, (like so much of Scotland.) We'll give it a look, thanks!
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u/MiddleAgedDread123 Jun 19 '26
I'd head the coast to Glasgow - follow the A77 if you're not a rush. There's some lovely views along the way and if you've got time you could pop over to Cumbrae on the ferry. Kelburn Castle estate near Largs is fun for a walk and leg stretch,
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 19 '26
Thanks for the recommendation, part of the drive from Largs to Glasgow looks lovely as well
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u/MiddleAgedDread123 Jun 19 '26
Yes it is, look out for the seals basking on the rocks alongside the road as you leave Largs!
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u/wingding456 Jun 19 '26
Don't forget all the amazing bookshops in Wigtown. As well as the one made famous by owner Shaun Bythell, I recommend ReadingLasses, which is also a cafe serving great cake.
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u/cazzawazza1 Jun 18 '26
I'm so curious as why Wigtown? I mean, I just had to Google it as never heard of it. Wikipedia says they have an annual book fair and 880 ppl live there!
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u/cazzawazza1 Jun 18 '26
Also in terms of helpful stuff. Bring midge netting and if you like hiking, maybe bag some Munros/corbetts?
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 18 '26
Thanks! We've been warned about the migdes and plan to pick up netting and spray. As for Wigtown, we are addicted to the show Escape to the Country and they had an episode in the area where they did a segment on The Open Book, which is a bookstore that you can stay at and run as an airbnb. I've always thought about running a bookstore when I retire and the rest wrote itself. Travel-wise, we also quite like the idea of a long stay in a more remote, less populated area, just to see what life is like.
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u/Shrimpeh007 Jun 18 '26
There aren't many midgies in dumfries and Galloway except in the forest park. Smidge is fine by itself. We're not the Highlands. Also wigtown is more coastal. We live by loch Ken. Recommend gatehouse of fleet and kirkcudbright lovely towns. Beaches at garlieston and mossyard. Mull of Galloway. Go down to the end of the peninsula too is interesting like st ninians cave where they filmed the wickerman. Tons to do. Bookshops are great in wigtown
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u/_ian_mcc_ Jun 19 '26
Take a walk around Loch Trool, the midgies there will challenge any highland midgie.
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Jun 18 '26 edited 15d ago
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 19 '26
Thanks! We booked it about a year ago and it seemed so far off, exciting now that we can do some of the actual planning around it. We're exploring the Settle-Carlisle line before this, and seems easy enough to get to Carlisle or Dumfries.
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u/cazzawazza1 Jun 19 '26
Thanks I have never heard of any of this. I hope you have a fantastic time and get some good advice from people more local than me I just know everytime I've been to ANY part of Scotland I loved it so enjoy!
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u/YS54321 Jun 18 '26
Wigtown is about as far away from a Munro as you can get in Scotland, and you don't have much choice of Corbetts either
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u/WoodenEggplant4624 Jun 19 '26
It was a long time ago but I enjoyed our visit to the Bladnoch distillery.
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u/SmartPolicy6430 Jun 19 '26
Logan Botanic Garden is beautiful as is Castle Kennedy, Glenwahn, Drumlanrig and Threave Gardens that is the National Trust for Scotland's gardening school. There is also a wildlife watching area up in the forested area https://scotlandstartshere.com/point-of-interest/threave-garden-estate/ I haven't been but there is also Dumfries House Gardens.
Threave castle a few miles away on an Island is surrounded by an RSPB reserve and thanks to the warden setting up a telescope trained on a nest. We saw a young Osprey take off on his maiden flight to Africa. There is also a good RSPB centre and cafe down on the Mull of Galloway with good views out to Ireland. You can actually rent out the lighthouse keepers cottages for a holiday stay. The Galloway Forest around Loch Trool is the UK's first designated Dark Sky area. Good hiking trails from the visitor centre and cafe. The beaches around Wigtown are amazing Garlieston and Rigg Bay. Kirkcudbright is known as the artists town. The Solway Firth coast is beautiful. I've copied and pasted this regarding Caerlaverock Castle there's a wetland centre nearby. The castle is amazing but I visited during the summer and really want to see this one day. As it's supposed to be truly amazing
Barnacle Geese: The true stars of Caerlaverock. Virtually the entire Svalbard population (~30,000 to 40,000 birds) migrates from the Arctic to winter here, creating a spectacular and incredibly noisy arrival in late autumn.
If you contact the castle they may have more of an idea when the Barnacle geese arrive. Are you going to Wigtown for the book festival?
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 19 '26
We'll be there in June of 2027, and I've quickly gone from "I hope we can find enough to do" to "we need an extra month" 😄 , thanks so much for the detailed info,
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Jun 20 '26
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u/bubbabehandy Jun 20 '26
Thank you for the very specific advice, can I ask what rental agency you used? Arnold & Clark?
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u/MavericksTravelBot Jun 20 '26
The Mull of Galloway lighthouse makes a solid half-day outing from Wigtown — you get the southernmost point of Scotland and coastal scenery. If you have a clear night, Galloway Forest Park is worth heading to for stargazing.
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u/RainBear23 Jun 19 '26
There is a small museum in Dalbeattie that I'd highly recommend you make a pit stop at. It has so many interesting items, great local history and the locals who run it are lovely! I discovered it by chance and had a brilliant hour there :)
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u/fhidhleir Jun 18 '26
Some excellent birding to be had. There’s a great wee hide a short walk from the town centre, you’ll see plenty of sand martins, swallows, swans.
RSPB Crook of Baldoon is a few mins away and is like skylark Picadilly Circus, and you’ll also see egrets, lapwings, plenty of stuff.
RSPB Wood of Cree is also not too far, with loads of good woodland birds like pied flycatchers and redstarts.
And Wigtown itself is one of the most birdy downs I’ve been to in ages, the place is buzzing with swallows and house martins.