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The

Scotland’s Best Kept Secret...Shh!

Visitors Guide 2017 The

Welcome Welcome to the and Rhins of Visitors Guide 2017, Beautiful Birds 4 produced by the and District Business Association for the Gardens 5 benefit of visitors to the area; we sincerely hope that you will find what you are looking for within these pages, and enjoy exploring the Lighthouses & Beaches 7 treasures the Rhins and Machars peninsulas have to offer. Cycling & Walking 7 History of the Machars & A list of local and regional events can be found on our website www.whithorn.info. Please email us at [email protected] if you Rhins 8 would like to give us feedback on this publication, or get in touch for Whithorn 9 any other reason. Map 10 Our sincere thanks go to all the businesses that have placed adverts, 12 which have enabled this guide to be published and distributed. Culture 14 Also our grateful thanks go to our local experts who have written within this guide, to tell visitors about these special Scottish Dark Skies 17 peninsulas and what treats are in store when people come to Fishing 18 visit; Duncan Vincent, Julia Muir-Watt, Marie McNulty, Paul Tarling, Andrew Wilson, Mike Alexander and Peter Wareing (for beautiful Golf 18 Machars & Rhins Treasure map). Food & Drink 19 The Rhins 20 With very best wishes for an enjoyable adventure in Southwest , Biosphere 21 Places to Stay 22 Whithorn and District Business Association

See our Where are we? Treasure Map on page 10

2 Introduction The Rhins peninsula is 25 miles (40 kilometres) setting for a golf course!) and (home of long, ending at Scotland’s most southerly point, the author Gavin Maxwell; look for the memorial , and is a designated area of to him at St Medan’s), dramatic cliffs (discover the Special Scientific Interest. Visit the wonderful ruins of Cruggleton Castle, St ’s Cave, and Stevenson Lighthouse, and RSPB Nature Reserve, Burrow Head where much of the cult classic The where Razorbills, Guillemots and Puffins can be Wicker Man was filmed), and harbours at Isle of seen. The natural beauty and relatively sparse Whithorn, and Port William. population is undoubtedly why the BBC chose to film the drama ‘Two Thousand Acres of Sky’ here, Lochs in the area include Loch, Castle in . Visit near , Loch and the White Loch of Myrton. In Castle near (a beautiful Loch near The Old Place of Mochrum are the harbour town with lifeboat station), six wonderful remains of several crannogs. Many examples of gardens including Gardens, and prehistory remain, mainly in the form of standing Logan Botanic Gardens, gorgeous sandy beaches, stones and cup and ring marks. for example New Bay, and the historic fishpond near Port Logan. The rich local and natural history and archaeology is reflected in the collections at the Whithorn The Machars peninsula lies within the Galloway Story, Museum, Wigtown and Southern Ayreshire Biosphere, and boasts Museum, Museum, The Castle rolling green hills, forest and woodland and 40 of St John, and Museum. There are two miles (64 km) of varied coastline; mud-flats and important collections of early carved stones at salt marshes near Wigtown (don’t miss RSPB Whithorn and at Kirkmadrine near . reserves at and Crook of In this year of History, Heritage and Archaeology Baldoon), sandy beaches at Garlieston, Rigg visit the Rhins and Machars peninsulas in Bay (where the WWII Mulberry Harbours were Southwest Scotland, and discover Galloway’s developed in 1943), St Medan’s (spectacular historic treasure house for yourself.

Find out more at www.whithorn.info 3 Beautiful birds

RSPB Scotland have three great reserves for you to The protuberance that is the Mull of Galloway explore here in , the newest thrusts out into the Irish Sea. A centennial to being the Crook of Baldoon, which sits in the bay shipping stands at its tip, with a cafe, lighthouse just south of Wigtown. If you spend some time museum, and an RSPB visitor centre on offer. Cliff in the bay you will see thousands of geese in cameras showing breeding birds are relayed onto winter and breeding lapwings in spring and early screens for you to watch from the comfort of the summer; visiting on any high tide can be the most centre. rewarding. The reserve is open all the time. Visit our website for events at these reserves. Another of our reserves in the area is the Wood www.rspb.org.uk of Cree, a beautiful Atlantic oak wood which in spring is full of song, with many migrant birds arriving to take advantage of the wealth of insects that are emerging. You can wander through the drifts of native bluebell when they bloom in GALLOWAY NATURE May. At other times of the year wander through & HERITAGE TRUST this stunning woodland and sit by the tumbling Conserving Barn Owls in Bonnie Galloway waterfalls and perhaps see dipper and the metallic flash of a kingfisher. Contact us for advice about nestboxes and habitat management. [email protected] 07554 146 383 Scottish charity No.SC038470

RSPB Scotland Nature Reserves The heart of Galloway hosts wonderful wildlife. Visit Wood of Cree the largest ancient oak woodland in southern Scotland. Visitor Centre within Wigtown County Buildings gives information about the local area. Get out in the ir fresh a at Crook of Baldoon, for seas of thrift, waders and geese. Events all year – see websites below.

RSPB Scotland Wigtown Office 26, South Main Street, Wigtown, , DG8 9EH. Phone 01988 402130 www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/c/crookofbaldoon/index.aspx www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/woodofcree/index.aspx

4 Visit Logan Gardens Botanic Garden The Rhins and Machars of Galloway enjoy a relatively Scotland’s most mild oceanic climate thanks to the balmy influence exotic Garden of the Gulf Stream ocean current, and have rich, free Discovery Centre & Gallery I draining and lime free soil which provides ideal growing Potting Shed Bistro l Gift Shop l Plant Sales l Guided Walks conditions for many plant species, including a Visitdiverse Loganand Events l Victorian-style range of tropical plants as well as hardier plants like conservatory housing tender rhododendrons and azaleas. Botanic Gardensouthern hemisphere plants Open daily from 10am, 15 March to There is wonderful variety in the 9 spectacular gardens 31 October, Sundays in February. Scotland’s mostAdmission: exotic Adult Garden £6, Concession £5, and specialist plant nurseries available to visit in the Children under 16 go free Includes Discovery Centre & Gallery | Pottingsmall voluntary Shed donation Bistro to | the Machars and Rhins peninsulas; run by enthusiastsGift who Shop | Plant Sales | GuidedGarden. Walks For entry and prices Events without | are happy to share their passion and enthusiasm,New and for summer 2014: Victorian-styledonation pleaseconservatory see website. offer expert advice. There are events and exhibitionshousing tender southern hemisphere14 miles south plants of Stranraer, off the throughout the season. There are also a numberOpen of daily from 10 am, 15 MarchB7065, to 31 October,Port Logan, Sundays Stranraer, in February DG9 9ND Admission: Adult £6, Concession £5, Children under 16Tel go 01776 free 860231 Charity Open Days where private gardens openIncludes to the small voluntary donation to the Garden. For entry prices without www.rbge.org.uk/logandonation please see website. public; a wonderful opportunity to visit hidden14 gems miles south of Stranraer, while raising money for charity. off the B7065, Port Logan, Stranraer, DG9 9ND Tel 01776 860231 Part of the Royal Botanic Garden , www.scotlandsgardens.org www.rbge.org.uk/logan a charity registered in Scotland (no SC007983)

Open Daily : 1st April – 31st October TEAROOM GARDEN RANGER CHAMPION TREES FAMILY EVENTS PLANT CENTRE HISTORY GUIDED WALKS HOLIDAY COTTAGES

3 miles east of Stranraer on the A75 Castle Kennedy Gardens, Castle Kennedy, Stranraer DG9 8SJ W: www.castlekennedygardens.com T: 01581 400 225 / 01776 702 024

Events and more at www.whithorn.info 5 CLAYMODDIE GARDEN & PLANT NURSERY CLAYMODDIE WHITHORN DG8 8LX Contact Mary Nicholson TEL: 01988 500422 EMAIL [email protected] WEBSITE www.gallowayplants.co.uk

Situated in the centre of Whithorn. We stock China and Glass, Jewellery, Books, DVD’s and CD’s, Toys, Stunning 5 acre plantsman’s garden with year round interest. Many southern hemisphere plants, and Children’s and Adult clothing, good collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, Bric a brac and much more. trees and shrubs. Do come and browse! camelliasEntry £5, as groups well as welcome,and summer and guided autumn tours flowering and propagation courses by arrangement. Huge range Opening Hours: of plants for sale, sorry no mail order. Tues, Thurs, Friday 10am - 3.30pm OPEN DAILY 10AM – 5PM, honesty box basis 70 George Street, Whithorn DG8 8JQ Scottish Gardens Scheme Open Day with teas Charity No SC016681 11am-5pm, Sunday 23 April 2017

COLLECTOR’S CABINET We buy and sell top quality vintage, contemporary and modern furniture, collectables, china and jewellery Proprietor : Raymond Hamilton 29 Queen Street, Stranraer DG9 7LQ Telephone : 01776 700411 Mobile : 077997 32829 10% discount on presentation of this advert

Unique knitted accessories. Designed and hand crafted in South West Scotland. To become a stockist or to place an order please call 07552 127139 or visit www.happysnail.net

6 Lighthouses & beaches

Family-friendly beaches are to be found at sheltered Monreith, gently-shelving Garlieston, or all down the eastern side of the Rhins peninsula.

Widely regarded as the finest beach in the Stranraer area, Luce Sands is an expansive stretch of sheltered sand. At low tide the beach here extends around three miles from the village of Sandhead, home to the Sands of Luce holiday park.The bay here is also rich in marine wildlife and is designated a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) for its dune, seashore and seabed habitats.

At the award winning Mull of Galloway Experience, you can climb the 115 steps to the top of Scotland’s most southerly lighthouse, where a spectacular view will reward you for your efforts! For refreshments, the popular Gallie Craig Coffee House offers a range of meals, snacks, drinks and delicious home baking.

Cycling & walking The have attracted walkers and the most challenging mountain biking trails in the writers for generations; even today as you stand country have been developed here; for something on the peaks of the , there’s more contemplative try fishing on a tranquil nothing but remote uplands and wilderness as inland loch. far as the eye can see. This rugged area has many titles - UNESCO Biosphere, one of the first Dark If you are looking for world class mountain Sky Parks in Europe, Nature biking suitable for all ages and abilities, then Reserve – but none are half as evocative as the the nearby Galloway Forest Park is the place for local names : Rig of the Jarkness, the Dungeon you. Kirroughtree and Glentrool are two of the Range, the Silver Flow or the Devil’s Bowling internationally renowned 7stanes mountain Green. Join one of the organised walks in May biking trail centres that span the south of during the Walking Festival to receive expert Scotland. Fancy something a little less strenuous? guidance in what can be surprisingly challenging many of the roads in the area are part of the terrain. National Cycle Route 73. scotland.forestry.gov.uk The Galloway Forests were deliberately planted for sustrans.org.uk timber, yet wildlife flourishes here – red squirrel, red deer and red kites are all to be seen. Some of

Find out more at www.whithorn.info 7 History of the Machars and Rhins

In the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology In the Rhins, you can see the magnificent 2017, immerse yourself in the rich seams of earthwork fortifications which once defended the history you will find throughout the Machars Mull of Galloway, or visit the at and Rhins. The remains of thousands of years of Stranraer, which once played a role in the region’s religion and ritual, and of a turbulent and varied grim Covenanting history and at the Museum, secular past are easy to find, from the standing find out about the Ross Polar explorers. stones of the Bronze Age (try Torhousekie Stone The best examples of mediaeval streetscapes Circle or Drumtroddan Stones with nearby are at Wigtown and Whithorn, with narrow gates mysterious cup and ring markings ) to the enclosing wide marketplaces. Nearby Isle of network of mediaeval castles along the coast Whithorn was once the ’s port for the thriving (there are remnants of brochs at Stairhaven and pilgrimage centre at Whithorn, while Garlieston is ), and unspoilt 18th and 19th century a stunning example of a planned village, created streetscapes and harbours. by the Earl of Galloway, whose gardens you can visit.

8 Whithorn : Celebrating 2500 years of Archaeology Whithorn is one of those rare places where The history has been made : it is the first place in religious Scotland where evidence of Christian practice centre at and worship are to be found, from around 450AD. Whithorn Archaeologists, over the last 130 years, have became identified uncovered a wealth of evidence you can see on with the cult of St display, including one of Scotland’s first literate Ninian, which became monuments. hugely popular in the , attracting both Scottish and English kings and queens Whithorn’s Christian beginnings took root in the (including no other than Richard III) who came preceding Iron Age culture, of which stunning for penance and cures. Thanks to the throngs of evidence has been uncovered over the last few pilgrims, a network of routes developed from the years at nearby Monreith. You can now visit a sea, and from easterly and westerly directions. full-scale Iron Age roundhouse, based on this Now, the Whithorn Way from is under evidence, and see how Celtic and Christian redevelopment and you can try out sections of cultures ultimately fused to create unique art the walk using maps from objects, like the Whithorn School crosses. www.whithornway.org

Events and more at www.whithorn.info 9 Corsewall

Cairnryan

Glenluce Abbey

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Stranraer

Portpatrick

Sandhead

Port Logan

Drummore

The Mull of Galloway

10 The Galloway Forest

Glenluce Abbey

Newton Stewart

Creetown

Glenluce

Wigtown

Garlieston

Whithorn Port William Monreith

Isle of Whithorn

St Ninian’s Cave of Wigtown

Wigtown is a small former county town, that is no longer a commercial centre. It maintains an old world charm, and the shape of a medieval burgh. It WIGTOWN became Scotland’s book town in 1997, and has around 12 second hand bookshops, as well as BooK B&Bs, cafes, shops, and the rather splendid FestIVal County Buildings, with library, museum, and RSPB 22 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER 2017 room. There is an annual book festival in late September that brings crowds in; otherwise it is a relaxed, peaceful place. Wigtown featured in the

history of the Covenanters in 1685, and is an ideal More than place for those who love reading, history, nature 2oo events for adults, and folklore. young people & children Below the town and its golf course, the most southerly distillery in Scotland perches on the edge of on the peaty Bladnoch, filtering its waters o1988 4o3222 to make the fragrant, Lowland malt. www.wigtownbookfestival.com southwest scotland www.booktownscotland.com www.wigtown-booktown.com www.wigtownbookfestival.com

AG M AZ LE IN I E F Y A

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S O Charity No. SCO37984 C ER 20 WINN 1516

12 Find out more at www.whithorn.info 13 Culture Whatever the weather, you will want to familiarise To understand the area’s agricultural history, yourself with the region’s culture and history, you’ll head to Stranraer Museum, with varied which, thanks to multiple layers of invaders and exhibitions, and Newton Stewart with its settlers, is one of the most complex in Scotland. charming displays of 19th and 20th Century You can’t miss the castles dotted all along the domestic technology. Whithorn is the jewel in line of the A75 and administered by Historic the crown for historians and archaeologists, with Environment Scotland. its internationally important collection of Early Mediaeval Christian stones. At , once the jumping off point for ferries heading to Wigtown on the pilgrimage route to Whithorn, you can learn about the granite The Swallow Theatre quarrying that – literally – built the town and Scotland’s smallest theatre head up the steep brae to the Gem Rock Museum, to learn all about geology and gemstones : just visible to the north, the rounded granite intrusion of Cairnsmore of Fleet, and the UNESCO Biosphere, home to Galloway’s true wilderness and Dark Sky Park. Take one of the old roads into Drama | Music | Family | Workshops | Venue Hire the nature reserve and see the vertiginous railway Creative Retreat with on-site accommodation viaduct which features in the 39 Steps film. Moss Park, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. DG8 8DR www.swallowtheatre.co.uk Box Office : 01988 850368

10% OFF ADMISSION i n spiring 10% OwFiFth tAhisD aMdveIrSt SION Naturally O epn place to visit every d ya

DISPLAYS WORKSHOP PROFESSOR'S STUDY THE AMAZING CRYSTAL CAVE AUDIO VISUAL DISPLAY FANTASTIC CAFÉ UNIQUE GIFT SHOP We have fantastic displays of gems, crystals, minerals and fossils, a collection of unique and breathtaking creations from all over the world. And our café is renowned for fantastic food, home baking, quality coffees and teas.

The Gem Rock Museum, Chain Road, Creetown DG8 7HJ Tel: 01671 820357 [email protected] www.gemrock.net

14 marcher advert half page 128x90mm 12 February 2012 14:00:21 Creative Whithorn Peter Wareing Ceramics ARTS&CRAFTS TRAIL 22 & 23 JULY 2017

Amanda Sunderland Author and illustrator of the famous Wee McAsh to the Rescue Children’s Book Tel: 01988500148 [email protected] Bring this advert with you for free entry in our Spa Cottage (behind the grand prize draw on Sunday 23rd July 2017 castle), , DG8 8LP FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING www.weemcash.co.uk Plus FREE entry to the prestigious 5 More Exhibition facebook: weemcashtotherescue

Priory Antiques

A friendly, family-run business established in 1987. Furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery and paintings bought and sold.

29 George Street, Whithorn DG8 8NS. 01988 500517 or mobile 07500 965565

Sandar Events Yoga for flexibility & relaxation

07880 790899

[email protected]

www.sandarevents.co.uk

Events and more at www.whithorn.info 15 n’s Priory Ch inia ur N ch St — Whithorn —

St Ninian’s Priory Church stands in the grounds of the late medieval cathedral Whithorn Priory. Much of the former cathedral has disappeared since its glory days in the early 16th century when it rivalled the abbeys of Galloway, in wealth and size. Built in 1822, the interior of St Ninian’s is pleasantly light with two recently restored stained glass windows and it contains a fine carved pulpit and communion table. By visiting the church you will tread a path that many have taken to reach one of medieval Scotland’s major pilgrimage destinations in past years. Do come and visit. Whithorn

Newsagents Opening Hours 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday Saturday 6am to 1.30pm and Sunday 6am to 1pm. Local & National Newspapers & Magazines. Wide Range of Greeting Cards & Post Cards Toys Including Britain Models. Whole Foods, Pet Foods & General Grocery Electrical & Small Hardware Wide Range of Garden Seeds and Vegetable Seeds (approx. 149 varieties.) Second Hand Books. Range of Fishing Tackle Off-Licence : Fine Wines and Varieties of Malt Whisky Contact Ashok and Bhupendra Amin 9 George Street, Whithorn, DG8 8NS 01988 501152 email: [email protected]

16 Dark Skies The inky black night sky of the Machars and Rhins than 6000 stars besides. You can also enjoy the has been appreciated by visitors and amateur spectacle of the long hazy band of light called the astronomers alike for many years. However, it was Milky Way stretching right across the sky. It is the designation of the Galloway Forest as the well worth remembering to pack a pair of UK’s first Dark Sky Park in 2009 that brought the binoculars as these will allow you to view tens of clear, dark skies of SW Scotland to the attention thousands more stars and even the starlight from of the world. the billions of stars that make up the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy. It is possible to experience these near perfect skies all across the region. Venture just a short Regular stargazing sessions are organised distance away from the street lights in any of the throughout the year by both the Dark Sky Rangers small towns to see each constellation picked out and the Galloway Astronomy Centre. with every one of its constituent stars plus more

www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/explore-the- biosphere/biosphere-dark-sky-rangers/

17 Fishing Sea Jack’s Loch is a great wee stocked loch with trout Between Wigtown Bay and , the Machars to around 15lb. This fly only venue is definitely coastline has so much to offer the travelling worth a go! angler with a mixture of sandy beaches and rocky outcrops where a variety of species can be found. Coarse Boat fishing in the area can produce some Glendarroch Loch is about 3 acres in size. This fantastic sport for Tope, Smoothound, Pollack, small mixed fishery can produce some great Rays amongst many more species. Rock fishing mixed bags with some nice Tench and Bream. in the summer can be prolific when using sliding floats with ragworm for Wrasse and Pollack. Permits for fishing the rivers and loch are available Beaches are the main venue for the Bass angler, from the Galloway Angling Centre. and these fish can be taken spinning or on bait; some good sized fish are caught each year. Open Mon-Sat Boat fishing trips are available at Portpatrick and 9am-5pm Isle of Whithorn. 1 Queen St, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, Game DG8 6JR Two main rivers dominate the area; the river Contact Duncan Bladnoch and the ; the Cree is fly and Vincent spin only, whereas the Bladnoch is fly, spin and Tel: 01671 401333 worm when in season. Salmon and Sea Trout are to be caught on the Cree, and Salmon and Brown [email protected] Trout in the Bladnoch. www.gallowayangling.co.uk

Golf The Machars and are the perfect location for a golfing holiday with beautiful courses from heathland to links all with outstanding views and very affordable green fees.

Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Course has a clifftop setting and offers spectacular views across the Irish Sea while Creachmore in Stranraer is on the shores of . Sandeel. the 13th at Portpatrick Dunskey is thought to be one of the most visually stunning in Scottish Golf. Stranraer Golf Course was the last golf course to be designed by James Braid.

Wigtownshire County Golf Course near Glenluce, is a true links course on the shores of Luce Bay St. Medan`s Golf Club at Monreith, the most with a warm welcome for visitors who want to southerly golf course in Scotland, and Wigtown experience golf in its truest form. and Bladnoch are both 9-hole gems.

18 Food & Drink

STEAM PACKET INN ISLE OF WHITHORN Renowned quality Family run harbourside pub. seafood restaurant Home of Five Kingdoms in prime location microbrewery. Serving up to 6 real ales. All food freshly prepared on the premises. Holiday cottage also available. LUNCHES 12-2pm. EVENING MEALS 6.30-9pm Children and Dogs Welcome 1 South Crescent, Portpatrick DG98JR Ensuite accommodation overlooking harbour Tel.01776810314 Book now: Phone 01988 500334 [email protected] [email protected] website:www.campbellsrestaurant.co.uk

The Harbour Inn Garlieston Family owned Pub, Restaurant and B&B Lunch 12-2.30pm Evening Dinner 5.30-8.30pm Sunday Carvery 12.30-2.30pm Children and dogs welcome Tel: 01988 600685

FROM EWE TO YOU! Millairies, Newton Stewart, DG8 8AL

GALLOWAY FARMHOUSE CHEESE SHEEP MILKING, CHEESE MAKING, FREE SAMPLES, SPECIALITY SHEEP SHOP OPEN: May-Sept. Mon-Fri. 11-4 Tel: 01988 850224

Events and more at www.whithorn.info 19 Portpatrick and Stranraer

With its miles of rocky coastline (traced by coastal paths) and sandy beaches, the history of the Rhins is intertwined with the sea : it boasts no fewer than two lighthouses, north and south, both of which you can visit (the north, a luxury hotel).

At Portpatrick, today’s lifeboat is a high tech affair, replacing wooden boats which were bravely rowed out into the choppy waters of the North Channel; LIME ORCHID the RNLI lifeboat week is a prominent feature of FLORIST & GIFT SHOP Portpatrick’s lively summer calendar. The harbour All Year Round there is built to protect the picturesque village from Christmas Shop, the tides and provides an intimate space for cafe Secret Garden culture to flourish. (Selling Plants) 45 Queen Street Nearby Stranraer is the regional shopping centre, DG9 7LQ Stranraer with small independent shops and narrow streets circling its central Castle of St John. 01776 707222

20 Biosphere

Welcome to the UNESCO Galloway and Southern Biosphere are the world’s only internationally Biosphere, a fantastic place to explore recognised ‘badge’ for demonstrating excellence and make your own discoveries about the big in sustainable development. Locally there are Biosphere ideas of conservation, learning and many attractions in the Machars that have signed development. The UNESCO Biosphere hosts an up to the Biosphere principles*. By agreeing to amazing combination of wildlife, landscape and the six principles of the Biosphere individuals, culture but is as much about a way of living as groups, organisations and businesses show they a place to visit where the rolling countryside is are proud supporters of the Biosphere and are more than ‘just scenery’. taking positive action to promote sustainable environmental, social and economic growth.

*Look out for the Proud Supporter sticker and find out more about Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and the six guiding principles by visiting gsabiosphere.org .uk

Hawthorn House Bed & Breakfast Port William DG8 9QP e-mail: [email protected] website: www.hawthorn-house.co.uk Tel: 01988 700989 Wigtown Agricultural Show Wigtown Agricultural Show Wednesday 2nd August from 8.30am Bladnoch Park, Wigtown, DG8 9AB There’s something for everyone at Wigtown Show! Details at: www.wigtownshow.org.uk Annual Galloway Diocesan Pilgrimage to St Ninian’s Cave Sunday 27th August 2017. 01557 330687 [email protected]; www.rcchurchesmachars.org.uk G&C Galloway, Licensed Grocers 69 George St. Whithorn DG8 8NU T : 01988 500357 Off licence, calor gas, coal and peat Home Delivery

Thanks for permission to reproduce images to : Shaun Bythell, Mike Marshall, Julia Muir Watt, Bladnoch Distillery, Iain Mathieson, Whithorn & District Business Association Dooj Brawls, NMS, RSPB, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Castle Kennedy Gardens, Stephen Jolly Photography, Wigtown Book Festival, are proud supporters of the Biosphere. Newton Stewart Walking Festival, Forestry Commission Scotland

Find out more at www.whithorn.info 21 Places to stay

Woodpecker Cottage CULTS Bladnoch, Wigtown COTTAGE Comfortable cottage in conservation village. HOLIDAYS Booktown one mile. Lovingly restored country cottage, sleeps 4, Tel: 01988 500517 near Whithorn. Magnificent views, beaches, Mob: 07500 965565 dark skies, and Book Town. www.woodpecker-cottage.co.uk Contact: Kirsty Currie 01988 500267 www.cultscottageholidays.co.uk

DRUMFAD HOLIDAY HOMES hapel uton C O Offer two 4 Star holiday cottages and is the perfect base for you to explore and armhouse Galloway. Both cottages sleep 4, have all modern F appliances and are pet friendly with separate Dog friendly Bed & Breakfast enclosed gardens. An ideal location for walking, Kath and Tim Annison Whithorn • DG8 8DH fishing, golf, or just recharging your batteries. Facilities for all rooms • Full CH • Evening meals available Tel: 01988 700545 www.holidaysingalloway.co.uk T. 01988 500136 or M. 07721 348787 [email protected] E. [email protected] www.chapelouton.co.uk

Fernhill Hotel

3 Course Dinner Midweek £22.50 Friday & Saturday £28.00 sunDay LunCh Holiday homes for sale or hire 3 Courses £14.50 Tents and tourers welcome Tel: 01776 810 220 Telephone: 01988 500252 Portpatrick, DG9 8TD Email: [email protected] www.burrowheadholidayvillage.co.uk Mid Bishopton Cottage ‘Escape from reality’ A warm and welcoming cottage based in the idyllic remote location of Whithorn. Relax in the countryside on long walks or enjoy the local nearby amenities. Lynsay Bradford: 01988 500315 Email: [email protected] www.midbishoptoncottage.co.uk

22 Telephone: 01988 700 367 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.westbarr.co.uk

Castlewigg Lodge B&B PEND HOUSE Whithorn DG8 8DL Stay in this 500-year old monastery Gatehouse in luxury - peat fires and a four-poster bed ! 01988 500469 for relaxed, friendly & comfortable en-suite www.pend-house.com accommodation call Anne on 01988 500294 or www.nts.org.uk/Holidays m: 07855 064060 e:[email protected] www.castlewigglodge.co.uk

Events and more at www.whithorn.info 23 Haste ye back

© Royal Burgh of Whithorn & District Business Association Telephone: 01988 500294 E-mail: [email protected]