View Post

Balcary to Rascarrel Bay Coastal Circuit

To the south of the village of Auchencairn in Dumfries and Galloway lies the little-known spot of Balcary Bay. Sitting 13 miles and about 20 minues drive away from Kirkcudbright, the walk starts next to the Balcary Bay Hotel, in the free car park which can hold around 15 cars. I’ve been enjoying ticking off coastal walks in Dumfries and …

View Post

Kirkcudbright to Torrs Point

One of my favourite towns in Dumfries & Galloway is Kirkcudbright, which is pronounced ‘kir-coo-bray’, and is without doubt one of the most mispronounced towns in all of Scotland! It is incredibly popular, and for good reason, as it’s the ‘Artist Town’ and is full of art galleries, art shops and other displays. Sitting on the sea, the River Dee …

View Post

Killantringan Lighthouse Circular

Killantringan Lighthouse was designed by engineer David Alan Stevenson and entered service in 1900. The lighthouse sits to the north of Portpatrick and overlooks the Irish Sea and is a category B listed building with Historic Environment Scotland. It is currently privately owned after being decomissioned in 2005. This beautiful lighthouse is a dramatic part of the Dumfries & Galloway …

View Post

Lamachan Hill and Curleywee

Glen Trool has been a favourite place of mine in Dumfries & Galloway for adventures. I have bagged Merrick (the highest point in the south of Scotland), I’ve fly fished lochs Valley and Neldricken, and I’ve hiked out to Mullwharchar (one of the most remote hills in the south of Scotland). One hill I discovered as I was researching walks …

View Post

Stairhaven Coastal Circuit

One of the true hidden gems in Dumfries & Galloway is the tiny village of Stairhaven, which lies on the north-west side of the Whithorn peninsula. Even Google Maps seems to struggle with it, focusing instead on the nearby hamlet of Auchenmalg. Heading south on the A747 towards Port William and the Isle of Whithorn, a tiny sign on the …

View Post

Benniguinea and Black Hill of Dee via Clatteringshaws Loch

One of the most popular tourist spots in the Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries & Galloway is Clatteringshaws Loch, which is a large freshwater reservoir-loch that has a large carpark and visitor centre. The loch offers beautiful views to the Merrick ridge and Corserine and the Rhinns of Kells and I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve driven …

View Post

The Striding Arches at Moniaive

Hiking out to the striding arches at Moniaive have been one of my ‘must-do’ walks in Dumfries & Galloway for quite a while and I recently found time on a cold (I stress, cold!) January day to see these quirky artworks. What are the Striding Arches at Moniaive? Probably best I explain what these arches actually are. Landscape Artist Andy …

View Post

Mullwharchar via Loch Enoch

One of the most remote hills in Dumfries & Galloway, Mullwharchar is a Donald which sits between Merrick and Corserine, high in the Galloway Forest Park. At 2,270ft and around 6 miles out, it is not an easy little walk. However, it may be the best walk I’d done in 2022. The Area I have walked in the Glen Trool …

View Post

Moffat to the Devil’s Beeftub

The target is a bench, high upon ‘Great Hill’, which overlooks the ‘Devil’s Beef Tub‘, which is a dramatic hollow in the four hills which make up the ridge. The hollow is 500ft deep and is one of the sources of the river Annan. I have walked this route many, many times. Alone, with a friend or with my dad. …

View Post

Brighouse Bay Circular

Hidden to the south-west of Kirkcudbright is one of my favourite beaches and circular walks in Dumfries & Galloway: the Brighouse Bay circular. If you follow the A75 and look for the turn for Kirkcudbright you will see signs for the B727 which will take you to the pretty little village of Borgue. From here head south to ‘Brighouse Bay’. …