Things To Do

dark-sky-parkDark Sky Park

Galloway Forest Park has been designated the only Dark Sky Park in the UK, one of only four in the western world, offering visitors the opportunity to appreciate unpolluted skies and to see shooting stars, the Milky Way and star-studded skies amongst many other astronomic phenomena.

walkingDumfries and Galloway

All the beauties of the area, including the high granite mountains of the Galloway Hills, the Galloway Forest Park (which is the UK’s largest forest park), the Solway coast and the tranquil freshwater lochs are all easily accessible from Douglas House.

red-kiteBird Watching

There are five nature reserves in Dumfries and Galloway, plus the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre at Caerlaverock, where the whole population of Barnacle geese from Svalbard overwinter, and we host the reintroduction of the red Kite close by at Loch Ken

callyGardens

Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the area enjoys a mild climate and has all year round attractions. There are over 30 Gardens to visit including Threave Gardens Scotlands school for gardeners showcase, that is only about a mile away. Logan Botanic Garden, Broughton House Garden and Glenwhan are just a few of the others.

beachWhere are the crowds?

Is there a place as beautiful as the Cotswolds, as stunning as the Lake District, as remote as the Hebrides, as wild as the Cornish Coast? It’s all here except one thing – the crowds !!!!

THREAVE_CASTLECastles and History

Threave Castle is just two miles away is one of Scotlands most famous castles, set on an island on the Dee river below loch Ken was once the home of the ‘Black Douglases’ and built by Archibald the Grim. Why ‘grim’ you will need to visit to find out.

pondFamilies will have fun

There are so many great things to do as a family, Cream’o’Galloway has a fantastic adventure trail, you can make your own pots and take them home from Dalton Potteries, horse trekking, 4×4 buggy rides, sea trips to see dolphins, and a selection of great beaches and rocky coves.

 

Art in Dumfries and Galloway

This region is renowned for its art and artists, and you may just come across magnificent works as you are out and about. The ‘Spring Fling’ opens over 50 artist studios to the public but art is part of our culture and will not be far away. Kirkcudbright is famous for the ‘Scottish Colourists’. You can even find a Henry Moore or a Goldsworthy on a walk

biking7 Stanes – Mountain Biking Heaven

Castle Douglas is located at the centre of 5 of the 7 Stanes. Scotland premier mountain biking routes. Each route has 3 versions for the easy, medium and hard rides. Your bikes will be safe in our private bike store.