Ardwell village is situated on the Sandhead – Drummore road (A716), near to the shore. The beach here is attractive but not very sandy. There is a small caravan site and picnic area standing on the shores of Luce Bay, which are popular with visitors.

This pretty village consists of a number of stone-built cottages and has recently expanded with the addition of new housing, which complements the traditional feel of the village.

Ardwell is a very quiet village these days. It was once host to the “Leek Fair” where plants were sold and bouts of drinking and violence occurred. It is also the home of Ardwell Gardens which is famous for its displays of azaleas and rhododendrons.

		Situated in the grounds of Ardwell House are the remains of a fine motte, which stand on the ridge above the road, with possibly a bailey to the north. West of the village stands the quoad sacra parish church which was built by Sir Mark and Lady McTaggart Stewart (1900-1902). South of the church stands the remains of Killaser Castle which was the home of the McCullochs, who also held Ardwell.
Ardwell House

Although the Post Office is now closed, a bait and tackle shop is open during the summer season.

The South Rhins covers the parishes of Stoneykirk and Kirkmaiden, which form the southern half of the Rhins of Galloway. The parishes are on the extreme Southwest corner of Scotland with the southernmost point being the Mull of Galloway.

The area starts a few miles south of Stranraer, which is approached from the north and east by two main routes which are links to the ferry terminals at Stranraer and Cairnryan.

It is a coastal area with a variety of coastal features – comprising many large sandy beaches on the east of the peninsula, while the west is predominantly cliffs with some sandy bays.

The delightful coastline boasts many pretty little ports like Port Logan and Drummore, with stunning cliff top views from the nearby Mull of Galloway, across to the Isle of Man and the Irish coast.

Land rises from sea level to 180 metres.

There are five villages: Stoneykirk, Sandhead and Ardwell in Stoneykirk parish and Drummore and Port Logan in the Kirkmaiden parish to the south.

Agriculture is the major provider of employment, but changes in the last 60 years have led to a decline in numbers employed which has also been mirrored in an overall population decline in the two parishes.

Tourism is now a significant part of the economy and is the other main employer. The rest of the economy is mainly made up of small businesses in the service and retail sector with small retail outlets in most of the villages.

Many other residents of the area travel to work in and around Stranrae.

The lack of industry and manufacturing has kept the area unspoilt and unpolluted, which adds to its attraction for both wildlife and visitor alike. It is an area steeped in history – the Kirkmadrine stones are among the oldest Christian artifacts in Scotland and it has a rich environment, which benefits from the warmth of the passing Gulf Stream. Cabbage palms, tree fern and other fascinating plants from the South Seas grow abundantly in the gardens of Ardwell and Port Logan.

From the north, connecting with Glasgow, M8, joining the M77, which merges into the A77 - continue along this, bypassing Kilmarnock and Ayr, through Maybole, Kirkoswald, Girvan, Lendalfoot, Ballantrae and Cairnryan, to Stranraer.

Long distance coach services to and from Stranraer.
These are operated by Eurolines Tel. 08705 143219

These run daily from Stranraer to London, stopping a Glenluce, Newton Stewart, Creetown, Gatehouse of Fleet, Twynholm, Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Annan, Carlisle, Manchester, Birmingham and Milton Keynes.

P & O European Ferries operates out of Cairnryan and Larne and until 16th October it has seven sailings daily, Monday to Sunday, five of which are with Superstar Express. There is one other sailing, Monday to Friday and on a Sunday.

GLASGOW AIRPORT
Glasgow Airport Ltd. Paisley PA3 2ST
Tel: 0141 887 1111 Fax: 0141 848 4586

Non stop flights are available to and from:

Scotrail runs a service from Stranraer to Glasgow, with some trains stopping at Barrhill, Girvan, Maybole, Ayr, Prestwick, Troon and Kilmarnock.

There is a connection from Kilmarnock to Dumfries, via Kirkconnel and Sanquar.

Drummore is the largest and most southerly of all the Rhins villages. It has the distinction of being Scotland’s most southerly village.

The village is fortunate to have a small supermarket – “Drummore Stores”, Mill Street where you can obtain cash-back, a public house,“The Ship Inn” on Shore Street and "The Queens Hotel” on Mill Street. There is also a Post Office with cash machine, and you can buy deisel and get repairs done at “Ward’s Garage” in Stair Street. Drummore has a Primary School, and you will find local information available at Kirkmaiden Information Centre in the main street (Mill Street). Centre is only open at Easter and from the end of May until mid September.

“Clashwhannan Caravan Park” – and Pub, greets you as you enter the village and you will find a caravan site at Maryport when you leave, towards the south.

Drummore has a harbour, the pier of which was built at the beginning of the last century by A. McDowall, corn merchant and tenant of High Curghie. It was used by the M.O.D. in connection with the West Freugh until a couple of years ago, but now owned by Drummore Harbour Trust.

The name Drummore comes from the Gaelic Druim-mor, “the big ridge”, although in reality the highest point is only between 250 and 300 feet. A castle once stood where the farm of Low Drummore now stands, the home of the Adairs of Kinhilt, the lands having been granted to them in 1602 by King James VI. High Drummore was the place where the Adairs meted out justice at the ancient court hill or Mote, and a gold torc was found there, which is now in the National Museum in Edinburgh.

Standing overlooking Low Curghie is the Kirk Covenant which was built in 1638. On display is the old bell, which was made in 1534 for Nicholas Ramsay, Laird of Dalhousie by one John Morrison. It previously hung in Kenmure Castle, the home of the Gordons, and, somehow, made its way to the Gordons of Clanyard, where it was used as a dinner bell, later presenting it to the church. In the graveyard are some interesting stones, dating back hundreds of years, one in particular having been built in the shape of a lighthouse.

At Low Curghie shortly before 1860, a gravestone was discovered which appeared to date to the 5th or 6th century, the Latin inscription was badly weathered, but the name “Ventidius” was legible along with another word which translated at “sub-deacon”. The stone was being used as a grave cover and had obviously been moved from the original grave. The stone has been lost but has similarities with the Kirkmadrine Stones.

In the 1871 census, Drummore had 1127 males and 1318 females, a total of 2445. In 1998 a community profile was drawn up to show that Drummore had a population of 310, with a total of 810 for the 5 villages.

In 1892 a horse drawn coach ran from the “Queens Hotel” to Stranraer leaving Drummore at 7.30am and 4.50pm, arriving at 10.30am and 7.25pm respectively, a journey of 3 hours. The motor bus service began in 1907, leaving at 9.30am, 2.00pm and 6.00pm, the journey time being cut to one and a half hours. A railway was considered in 1878 but was opposed by the Earl of Stair and permission was refused.

    The Mull of Galloway lighthouse exhibition is housed in the former fuel store, workshop and engine room to the right of the tower.

Perched high on top of the cliffs is the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse.

The lighthouse, known as a Stevenson Tower, was built by Robert Stevenson.  It took 2 years to build, work commencing in 1828 and was first lit in 1830.  The tower stands 26 metres high, and the actual light is 99 metres above sea level.   On a clear night the light can be seen for some 28 miles distance.

SPRING: Undoubtedly the Mull at its finest. the cliffs are a noisy scramble of Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar and Kittiwake. Overhead Raven tumble and black-backed Gulls soar while on the sea black Guillemot and Puffin bob on the tidal race. The birds of this colony build precarious 'nests' or lay directly on the cliff or on boulders, along with a small number of Puffins which, vulnerable to rats and foxes, avoid the burrows where they would ordinarily produce their eggs.

Port Logan lies in the south corner of Port Logan (or Port Nessock) Bay, and consists of two rows of houses, one on the level of the shore, the other higher up on the hill face. The peculiarity of the lower houses is that the road runs along an embankment in front of the houses blocking the view of the sea from the ground floor – however the view is still to be had from the second level.

Boats can be launched from the slipway.

In 1800 Colonel Andrew MacDouall formed the Logan Fishpond, which is situated on the north side of the bay. This is a circular hole in the rocks which has since been enlarged and deepened artificially to create a natural pool, into which the sea washes at every tide through a narrow crevice (nowadays it is done with valves), and then washed out again refreshing the water left behind. It was used to keep cod for the table at Logan House but today it is a marine centre housing all kinds of sea creatures.

In 1820 the same Colonel MacDouall built the stone pier at Port Logan in an attempt to make a safe harbour to rival Portpatrick but the trade did not materialise and Port Logan remained a small fishing village, at one time housing the local lifeboat which was hauled between Port Logan and New England Bay.

Perhaps the most famous local attraction is the Logan Botanic Gardens, where the visitor can see rows of Chusan palms from China, huge tree ferns and Cabbage palms, all growing outside, in the mild climate, courtesy of the Gulf Stream.

"Two Thousand Acres of Sky"
Great excitement was generated in summer 2000 when a film crew descended upon this little village. Months of filming resulted in the making of this series being shown on BBC  in 2001. Local people were drafted in as “extras” though disappointingly not all of the filmed material was used. It is not readily known that Port Logan was used as a backdrop for this popular programme and most viewers think that the “island” was one accessed from the Isle of Skye.

Open Daily April - mid-October
10.00am - 4.00pm
Entry free. Donations most welcome.

The building which is now the RSPB Centre originally housed the workmen building the lighthouse in 1828 and was later extended to act as a byre.   It was opened in 2000 as a visitors centre.

The area around the lighthouse is an RSPB reserve and is
designated as a site of special scientific interest.

The reserve at the Mull is one of the RSPB's smallest,
yet it contains an amazing variety of wildlife.

Mull of Galloway Summer Club.

Mondays 1-4pm  18th July - 29th August 2011.

Join Kirsty & Hannah for wild family afternoons discovering butterflies, bugs, seabirds and marine life At the Mull of Galloway RSPB reserve.

£3.00 per child, or free for Wildlife Explorer Members. All children to be accompanied by an adult.

 Every Tuesday & Thursday until end of October 2011 at 1pm join RSPB Information Officer Hannah Doyle for a walk around the Mull of Galloway. See the wild flowers, seabirdss and stunning views at the southermost point of Scotland. Bring stout footware. £1.00 RSPB members, £2.00 non-members and children free. For more information telephone 01776 840539.

The main attraction at Sandhead is the beautiful sandy beach, which stretches for more than a mile. The sea is very safe for bathing – however, depending on the tide, you may have quite a walk out for a swim.

There is a large Caravan park adjacent to the village, which bring many visitors to the area –  Sands of Luce Caravan Park – and a  hotel  and restaurant– the “Tigh-na-Mara” . You will find a well-stocked village shop, a bowling green and a Church of Scotland. A  Doctor's Surgery is also situated in Sandhead. The former creamery building has now been converted into flats, and the Manse is now a private dwelling.  Woodlea Tea Room provides excellent home baking.  Ample parking available next to beach with a village green and children's play area.

The village school is situated above the village, and a little north of this is Balgreggan Motte which stands above the A716. The Motte was the first in a line of early castles along the eastern shore of the Rhins. The top was used by the Royal Observer Corps during the Second World War as a lookout point, but in earlier times the castle was made of wood and was inevitably burned to the ground by marauding forces.

The village developed as a strip village with a smithy and a school by 1850, and the bay was used for landing lime and later coal.

Stoneykirk is the most northerly of the South Rhins villages, and is situated inland on the A716 Stranraer to Drummore road.

The village boasts two hotels, the “County” and the “Torrs Warren”, the latter having previously been the church manse, is now a pleasant country hotel with the recent addition of a large conservatory. The “County” is well known for live music at weekends with an Irish flavour.

The garage is situated along side the village store on the main road. The village has undergone a transformation recently with new houses having been built there.

The parish church was built in 1827, and has a bell made by Gerard Koster II of Amsterdam in 1663, which bears the coat of arms of Glasgow.

The village takes its name from the church. The first church was probably built here between the 12th and 14th centuries and was dedicated to St. Stephen – St. Stephen’s Kirk was known as Steeniekirk, then Stainiekirk, and finally Stoneykirk. In 1827 the existing church replaced the medieval one, but due to changing social and ecclesiastical circumstances, has been out of use since 1988, and stands empty, a sentinel to the past.

The Stranraer to Ayr Support Association (SAYLSA) is a registered charity.

Telephone : 01465 714665

http://www.saylsa.org.uk/excursions.html

Mull of Galloway & Coastal drive  - Tour E

Let SAYLSA take you on an excursion to Scotland's Lands End - The Mull of Galloway with its fabulous Lighthouse and Exhibition, RSPB reserve and spectacular coastal scenery.

Alight at Stranraer station. This tour takes you to Scotland's Lands End, the southernmost point of Scotland and features cliffs over 200ft(60m) high that jut out into the Irish Sea. Standing atop the cliffs is the lighthouse, built in 1830. Open on weekends and Bank Holidays from April until October with the Exhibition open daily from April to October.

Surrounding the lighthouse is an RSPB reserve and the award winning Gallie Craig Coffee House.

Return along the Galloway Coast to Girvan station with an afternoon tea stop en route.

FOR FULL DETAILS AND BOOKING JUST CLICK ON WEBSITE ADDRESS.