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 …
My Favourite Pictures of 2023
It’s 2024 and I like to kick off the new year by looking back at my favourite pictures from the previous year. It’s a great opportunity to look back and remind myself of what I’ve been up to. I’ve had some wonderful adventures in 2023 and a lot of lovely pictures as a result! Each picture has a brief description …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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’. …
Criffel via New Abbey
I’d been looking for a nice summer walk, something for a warm day that would still get me a good day out and would give nice views. A quick bit of Googling later and I discovered a little hill in Dumfries & Galloway that I’d never heard of: Criffel. Perhaps you haven’t heard of it either. The hill sits overlooking …
A Guide to the Corbetts of the Southern Uplands
The Southern Uplands of Scotland is the southernmost geographic area of the country, it’s the section that borders England and it contains seven beautiful Corbetts that you really ought to climb. Being Corbetts, these hills all vary between 2,500ft – 2,999ft and differ greatly in the views they offer and difficulty of hike they pose. Whether you are looking to …