Kirkcudbright
The light and colours of the historic harbour town of Kirkcudbright – the Artists’ Town – make it a haven for artists and tourists alike. A vibrant summer programme of entertainment culminates in the Floodlit Tattoo, complete with massed pipe bands. Established as a Royal Burgh in 1455, Kirkcudbright has always been supported by a busy fishing trade. Behind the harbour the streets have housed generations of creative artists, a tradition maintained today by a flourishing colony of painters and craftworkers. Other well known features of the town are the pastel coloured houses and wide streets. We have a wide selection of mainly family owned shops where almost everything can be got, and parking is free all over town. Although Kirkudbright itself is on the estuary of the River Dee, there is an excellent beach – Dhoon Beach a mile or two along the coast. The beach is great for bathing and has views of the lighthouse on Ross Island.
Food & Drink
In Kirkcudbright
Hotels
- Selkirk Arms Hotel
- Auld Alliance Restaurant Kirkcudbright
- The Kirkcudbright Bay Hotel
- The Garret Hotel & Restaurant
Café & Takeaway
Cookery School
Shops
Nearby
Borgue
Gatehouse of Fleet
- Gather - Laggan
- Masonic Arms
- The Murray Arms
- Galloway Lodge
- Cream o’ Galloway
- Fleet Fish (at Gatehouse car park on Fridays)
Twynholm
Further afield
Nearby Attractions
Fabulous ice cream & meals/snacks available. Nature trails, an enclosed dog walk area, and crazy golf. Make your own ice cream workshops and cheese making courses.
Come to the Cocoabean for a day full of fun for all the family. Kids make chocolate creations in our interactive workshops and explore the extensive indoor play areas, outdoor play areas and soft play.
Ice cream at Cream o' Galloway
The Wee Pottery in Kirkcudbright
The Wee Pottery is a paint it yourself studio based at The Johnston Centre in Kirkcudbright. The studio can seat up to 16 people and is an ideal idea for children’s parties, groups, get togethers or to simply drop by and paint something unique as a keepsake or a gift to give to someone else.
Mabie Farm Park is a Fun Day Out for all of the family, whatever the weather.
Nestled alongside the beautiful Solway Coast in the South West corner of Scotland, Senwick Alpaca Trekking invite you to experience the wonder and warmth of our adorable alpacas who are waiting to join you on a guided trek on our 320 acre family-run farm.
Dalscone Toy Shop, indoor and outdoor play, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries
Senwick Alpacas
Creetown Gem Rock Museum - The collection contains many fine and rare examples of crystals found in Britain, displayed alongside many other colourful specimens from around the world.
The Galloway Red Kite Trail - Galloway Red Kite Trail is an exciting birdwatching opportunity to view spectacular red kites in lovely scenery.
Drumlanrig Castle - The 90,000 acre Estate boasts miles of beautiful walks and acres of gardens. Launch yourself down one of our championship mountain biking trails, or hook yourself a salmon, fishing on the river.
Mull of Galloway - The Mull of Galloway is Scotland’s most southerly point and one of the best kept secrets in the UK. The Rhins of Galloway peninsula remains an unspoiled paradise for visitors on the lookout for peace & quiet.
Logan Botanic Gardens - At the south-western tip of Scotland lies Logan, the country’s most exotic garden. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, southern hemisphere plants flourish in this plantsman’s paradise near Port Logan.
WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre - Wander through wildflower meadows spotting orchids, butterflies and dragonflies, or see our winter migration spectacle.
Threave Garden & Estate - A National Trust for Scotland garden for all seasons and a haven for wildlife, with an osprey platform and bat reserve
Bladnoch Distillery & Visitor Centre - Offering a number of different whisky tours and of course, a whisky shop
Sulwath Brewery - Hand crafted real ales brewed traditionally, with no concentrates, colourings or extract and with accent on the taste of yesteryear.
Crafty Distillery - Take your taste buds on a tour around around the modern distillery. Learn the grain to glass approach, try Hills & Harbour Gin or mix it up with some cocktail making.
Activities
Dumfries and Galloway is a great place for an active holiday - here are a few options.
Visit Scotland – D&G Activities
From walking and cycling to fishing, mountain biking and golfing, there’s so much to do in Dumfries & Galloway’s outdoor playground, so tee off, saddle up or get your motor running – just get out there, get active and enjoy.
Dumfries and Galloway Walk Highlands - Central Galloway has a great deal to offer visitors. There are several fine small towns that serve as excellent bases, whether you choose Castle Douglas, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dalbeattie, or picturesque Kirkcudbright.
Cairnsmore of Fleet - One of the wildest places in Southwest Scotland, but still surprisingly accessible, Cairnsmore is a paradise for walkers.
7stanes Mountain Biking - The 7stanes are seven mountain biking centres spanning the south of Scotland. No matter how experienced you are!
Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool - Opened in 1997 this safe, clean family swimming pool measures 20m x 8.5m. The water depth is 0.9m, graduating to maximum depth of 1.5m in the deepest part of the pool.
Golf in Dumfries & Galloway - Dumfries & Galloway has as well as affordability and beautiful surroundings, a superb array of golf venues ranging from championship links courses to parkland layouts.
Fish Galloway - Dumfries and Galloway is a great place for salmon, trout, course and sea fishing. We are located near to Ross Bay and Brighouse Bay.
Galloway Forest Dark Skies - Forestry Commission Scotland has established part of Galloway Forest Park as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.
Galloway Activity Centre - In the heart of South West Scotland at Loch Ken. Range of activities from sailing and windsurfing to quad biking and climbing.
The Galloway Forest Park - The Galloway Forest Park, 300 square miles of mixed landscape – yours to explore!
GSA Biosphere - Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere is a place where cooperation and collaboration between people from all walks of life will show that a sustainable way of living is not only possible but already happening.
Cunninghams Outdoor Shop - A family run independent outdoor specialist with over forty years of knowledge and expertise with a store in Newton Stewart.
Websites with further information on Dumfries and Galloway
D&G What’s Going On - The latest Dumfries & Galloway news, events, competitions, sport news & pictures.
Visit Scotland – D&G - Discover things to do in Dumfries and Galloway on the Visit Scotland website.
Kirkcudbright Events - Events and activities, exhibitions, workshops and attractions in nearby Kirkcudbright.
Visit South West Scotland - Information about Dumfries and Galloway with links to places of interest throughout South West Scotland.
Go Rural Scotland - 4WD, Accommodation, Attractions, Cafés & Restaurants, Farm Foods & Drinks, Farm ShopFarm Tours, Kid’s Farm Parks, MotoringPaths & Trails, Scottish Heritage, Sells own produce, Shopping, Spa & Pampering, Sport and more…
Scotland Starts Here - South of Scotland Regional App and website.
Solway Tours - Experience your own private chauffeur driven guided historic tours covering all areas of Scotland.
South West Coastal 300 Route - A stunning drive of just over 300 miles in South West Scotland. Much of the route follows our many miles of awesome coastline. You also have the opportunity to marvel at our hills, glens, forests and lochs. We’ve tried to avoid many major roads to make our route more suitable for all road users – cycles, cars or campervans.