UKC

Hi all,

I'm off to Dumfries and Galloway this summer, an area I'm entirely unfamiliar with. Staying down near Isle of Whithorn. Will have my 6 year old with me. Generally he's not a fan of walking, though we usually manage a small hill every holiday. Does anyone have any good suggestions for hills (or other particularly interesting short walks)? Ideally just a few km, not too much ascent, and good paths/tracks.

Ive done some of the bigger hills in the area, the easiest and probably quickest is Criffel 1,870ft but this would probably be a good 1hr 30min drive from Whithorn. 

Not a hill but the walk down to the beach and St. Ninians cave is enjoyable, theres a free car park near to Kidsdale Farm.

The Isle of Whithorn is on the peninsula called the Machars, it's rolling terrain really but there is one little hill I've been up called Knock Fell, it really is pretty small but due to the nature of the terrain is a nice viewpoint with extensive views. From its base it probably is only 10/15 minutes up but it's a nice walk from the road, and on to a track across the moor. https://scotlandstartshere.com/point-of-interest/knock-fell/

Further afield there a few walking options from Glentrool, not summits exactly but the walk around the Loch is really nice and/or up to Bruce's stone. https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/br....

Coastal highlights near to the Isle of Whithorn for me would be Monreith Beach next to the golf course and Garlieston beach and much further to the west coast north of Stranraer which is a little reminiscent to the Western Isles.

Thanks, the cave looks good. Definitely on the list now.

Thanks. Monreith has been recommended to me already (and we're so close to it) so that was on the list. 

For Knock Fell can you drive along the track to its base? The hill sounds ideal. 

Garlieston, Stranraer coast and Glentrool also look great - thanks for the tips.

No real hills to speak of but Portpatrick is well worth a visit. There’s a short walk to the castle. Wander about the harbour. Do the start of the Southern Upland Way. It passes a house that featured on Grand Designs then on to a wee stony beach where I spent many a holiday in blissful peace.

Yes, it turns from a lane to a track. How far you'd want to go may depend on your appetite for tracks but when we were sat on top a white van drove all the way there. You'd have to park on a verge

Something else nearby and worth a short visit is Cruggleton Church. Set on its own in a field, really spooky looking, surrounded by a big wall, like something from a film set. I definitely would think it was haunted if I was 6 years old. Can park close on the lane and walk across to it.

 https://g.co/kgs/Vnrx1Ab

A trip to the Mull of Galloway is really worth while. Good Cafe.

Yep. First place I ever tasted Ecclefachan Tart. Life changer.......

Thanks all, lots of good suggestions, all noted. Cruggleton Church looks worth a stop for sure.

I'll second  Criffel on a good day the view of England, Wales, IOM & NI is amazing. Nothing too strenuous and plenty of car parking.

If its too hot and you are bored with the beach, up to Leadhills, buy a panning license and go gold panning. https://www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk/visit/gold-panning/

Cairnsmore(Black Craig of Dee ) between Clatteringshaws Lich and New Galloway us about 500 metres. The same road, Newton Stewart to New Galloway also takes you past Murray s monument ,The Graey Mare' s Tail waterfall and the Wild Goat Park which is quite a nice spot. 

Thanks, both look good but probably further than we'll want to drive for day trips.

Thanks, that all sounds and looks great.

That's a weird and quirky looking wee place. I've been in the area many times, but somehow never heard of it. Now on my list of places to visit, thanks. 

It feels kinda wild and remote around there. As an aside, about 8 years ago we were driving N past the goat Park, and there was a herd of deer beside the road. One of them was completely white. I've seen 100's of deer over the years, but never seen that. It was a special moment. 

I chanced upon the church on a bike ride so it was a lucky find. And funnily enough I saw two white deer at the Wood of Cree reserve earlier this year. Never seen them before either.

+1 to going to Portpatrick. Walk south from there and there's a ruined castle. Walkhighlands says it is 2km round trip:  https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/galloway/dunskey-castle.shtml 

The beach at Rockcliffe is highly recommmended for 6 YO and there is a lovely walk behind it to an iron age fort on Mark hill and then back via Kippford and coastal paths. 

I should have mentioned if you go up the Minnigaff to New Galloway road it' s worth visiting Murray s Monument which sits atop a hill near the Grey Mare s Tail waterfall. It's s  a memorial to a remarkable local man , Alexander Murray,a shepherd's son who became professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh University in the early 19th  century. He had little formal schooling because of health issues and was largely self taught. 

Thanks, that looks a good addition to a visit to the waterfalls.

As a house owner in Rockcliffe. Take care walking to Rough Island,  do some planning, most of the beach is mud not sand - the split to Kippford is walkable at most states of the tide and covered in shells over the mud.

But there is an ice-cream van most days

and NT toilets.

Hi all, dropping in to say thanks for the suggestions. We had a fantastic week. Beach days at Monreith Beach (near the golf course) and Rigg Bay near Garlieston. Stopped at Cruggleton Church which was suitably eerie. Forest days in Glen Trool (Bruce's Stone, plus kayaking the loch), Kirroughtree, and along the Queen's Way (Murray's Monument, Grey Mare's Tail, red deer range). Oh, and Wigton for books too!

Really enjoyed the area and the mix of coast and hill, and already booked for a return visit next year.

For next year walk south from Rockcliffe to the "fort" at the entrace to the river (Castlehill Point), great views of England, and secret beach just east.

PS Nelson's grave is Nelson the smuggler, not some English Admiral.

Living in Glencoe, Galloway is my top place to escape to. Great walking, beach bouldering, friendly folk, good cafes and not the over priced Highlands. Nithsdale is amazing too. Avoid Southerness as its only redeeming thing is an odd lighthouse. Either side has amazing beaches though. If you like biking then Kirroughtree and Maybe are fantastic XC trails. Dumfriess and Galloway is a fantastic destination. I could happily live in Rockcliff or Kippford but would miss the skiing!