ATTRACTIONS Ardwell Gardens Logan Fish Pond Kirk Covenant Kirkmadrine Stones Kirkmaiden Info Centre Logan Botanic Gardens Mull of Galloway Attractions Logan House Garden Nearby ...

Nearby Attractions

Places of interest nearby include ....

Bladnoch Distillery
Castle of St John, Stranraer
Castle Kennedy Garden
Gem Rock Museum
Glenluce Abbey
Glenwhan Garden
Portpatrick
Stranraer Museum
Wigtown Book Town
Whithorn Excavation

Take A75 east of Stranraer, A714 south of Newton Stewart, A746 south of Wigtown.

Take a guided tour of the distillery, watch a video of whisky production and have a complimentary dram. You will also find an excellent gift shop, a picnic area, a river/woodland walk, fishing, canoeing and regular musical evenings.

Bladnock Distillery and Visitor Centre - www.bladnoch.co.uk

Tel: 01988 402605 for further information.

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The Castle of St John is a medieval tower house.It was built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in Wigtownshire. Over the centuries the Castle has been used as a home, a local court, a military garrison and a prison.

Videos and reconstructions are used to tell the story of:

• the medieval landowners who built and lived in the Castle.
• the government troops who used the Castle as their headquarters during the Killing Times in the 1680's.
• the criminals and debtors imprisoned in the Castle during the 19th Century.

There is an activity room for families and children.

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Four miles east of Stranraer on the A75.

The entrance drive to the gardens is spectacular:

Located in beautiful scenery between two large natural lochs, Castle Kennedy Gardens extend to seventy five acres of carefully landscaped terraces and avenues. With the ruined and historic Castle Kennedy, which was destroyed by fire in 1716, at one end, and Lochinch Castle, completed in 1864 at the other, the gardens are laid out around a two acre circular lily pond.The terraces and embankments were built mostly in the 18th Century by men and horses, and several are based on military fortifications used at that time.

Many of the avenues contain specimen trees grown from original seed brought to this country at least fifty years ago. The gardens are particularly famous for the displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Embothriums. The Monkey Puzzle Avenue is supposed to be unique in size and is thought to be at least 100 years old.

Close to the ruined castle is the walled garden, where colour is found all year round but especially so in summer when the herbaceous borders are at their best.

Tel: 01776 702024 for further information.

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Take the A75 east of Stanraer to Glenluce, follow signs for two miles north of Glenluce village.

Founded by Roland, Earl of Galloway in 1192, the ruins of this Cistercian house are set in a lovely tranquil valley. The remains include a handsome 16th century chapter house. The abbey was visited by Robert the Bruce and James IV, and Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here during a royal progress. An exhibition of artefacts found at the abbey is on display at the site. Open all summer and at weekends in winter.

Tel. 01581 300541 for further information.

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Seven miles east of Stranraer on A75, turn right at Dunragit, continue for one mile following signs.

Started in 1079, this picturesque garden was hewn from a hillside covered in bracken and gorse by Mrs. Tessa Knott. Two lochans were made by damming up bogs to provide a rich habitat for rare species. The rocky outcrops are home to a wide variety of alpines, scree plants, heathers and conifers.

Winding paths lead through rose arbours to enchanting woodland walks with bluebells, snowdrops and daffodils in Spring. Rhododendrons, azaleas and shrub roses nestle together on the 'whinnie knowes' in a blaze of colour. There is also a collection of rare ducks to be discovered.

From its highest point it commands spectacular views over Luce Bay and the Mull of Galloway.
New areas of this exciting twelve acre garden are now open to the public, including a magnificent Primula Arena and a wooded, stream side walk.

Tel: 01581 400222 for further information.

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Take A716 south from Stranraer then A77 west, following signs for Portpatrick.

A picturesque village with a bustling harbour set amidst beautiful rugged cliff scenery. The start of Scotland's Southern Upland Way.

Portpatrick was once a thriving harbour being used by Irish ferries, freight ships, mail packet boat and fishing craft. Today it gives shelter and mooring to smaller craft, being a popular harbour for sailing boats and its lifeboat. Portpatrick is one of 30 lifeboat stations in Scotland that has a lifeboat continually 'on call'. The lifeboat station was established in 1877 and the exhibition, open to visitors, at the harbour is well worth a visit, with its considerable information of the valuable work done by the RLNI in the area.

This attractive harbour lies at the foot of rocky cliffs, from where you can look across the 22 miles of the Irish Channel to Donaghdee. The Gulf Stream, flowing into the channel from the north, gives the area a mild climate in which sub-tropical plants and trees flourish.

Portpatrick is a delightful village to wander around, with its variety of fascinating shops, the lighthouse, built in 1883 and now inoperable, and the ruined parish church. Part of this church, a four stage circular tower, was repaired at the end of the 19th Century. Its graveyard contains tombstones that commemorate many of the lives lost through shipwreck near Portpatrick. The church was last used in 1842. Visitors will also find an abundance of restaurants and tea rooms.

For those wanting more than a wander there is an amusement arcade and putting, bowls and tennis available. Alternatively you can walk further, with a short walk to the south to Dunskey Castle or a longer one to the north to Killantringan.

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George Street, Stranraer.

Stranraer's historic Old Town Hall, built in 1776, is the home of Stranraer Museum.

Step inside and discover Wigtownshire's fascinating past. See one of Scotland's oldest ploughs, look at Victorian Wigtownshire in 3-D photographs and follow in the footsteps of Stranraer's own Polar explorers.

There are displays on archaeology, local history, farming and dairying. Temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year and there are activities for all the family.

Open all year, Monday to Saturday, admission free.

Tel: 01776 505088 for further information

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Take A75 east of Stranraer, A714 south of Newton Stewart.

Wigtown was officially endorsed as Scotland's National Book Town by the Scottish Parliamenton 15th September 1999. Now with over twenty book-related businesses Wigtown is fast becoming a literary Aladdin's cave. You will be offered a variety of books and literature; Scottish and Irish writing as well as English literature; antiquarian and illustrated books; rare and unusual literature; first editions and collectables. The town hosts a bookbinder and publishers, the largest second-hand book shop in Scotland and the printer of the smallest books in the world.

Tel: 01988 402036, the Book Town Office, for further information.

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Take A75 east of Stranraer to Newton Stewart, A714 south to Wigtown, A746 to Whithorn.

The site of the first Christian church in Scotland founded by St. Ninian in the 5th century, it later became the cathedral church of Galloway. In the museum is a fine collection of early Christian stones. The archaeological excavation is open to visitors. Managed by the Whithorn Trust.

Tel: 01988 500508 for further information.

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