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- Ayr
- North Ayrshire
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- A74M
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- Dumfries
- Gretna Green
- Kirkcudbright
- Newton Stewart
- Stranraer
Around Kirkcudbright, Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, Gatehouse of Fleet
Just to the North West of Kirkcudbright is one time industrial hub Gatehouse of Fleet which today is a rather quiet spot contrasting with its busy history. In the late 1700s the town had cotton mills, breweries and shipbuilding centres all instigated by local laird James Murray. The town's boom period had ended by the 1850s.
Around Kirkcudbright are a number of superb attractions including the Galloway Hydros Visitor Centre and the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park.
Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway
Gatehouse of Fleet today is a delightfully peaceful and rural spot and it's well worth exploring the history of this town in The Mill on the Fleet centre (see Gatehouse of Fleet weblink right for details).
The mill is a restored cotton mill which was powered by water and built by the Birtwhistle family from Yorkshire. As well as a fascinating archive, this mill has a pleasant Riverside cafe and gift shop/parking on-site. In 1795 there were four cotton mills in Gatehouse, alongside tanneries, a soap factory and brickworks. Changing exhibitions at the Mill on the Fleet have included the likes of work by Andy Goldsworthy.
Numerous historic sites in and around Gatehouse of Fleet bear witness to both its ancient and industrial past. Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in the area include the chambered cairns at Cairnholy and Trusty's Hill fort which has Pictish stone carfings. Nearby 15th century Cardoness Castle has a distinctive tower and was once a McCulloch stronghold. The industrialist James Murray of Broughton lived in Cally House which is now a luxury hotel.Robert Burns is known to have visited Gatehouse on two occasions, popping in to the Murray Arms (one of a selection of pubs on the Robert Burns pub trail!). At the end of March annually Gatehouse of Fleets hosts a rather good little music festival, as well as other festivals - The Gatehouse Gala in the first week of august and the Gatehouse Beerfest in September. (see weblink right).
Gatehouse of Flieet Tourist Information Centre, Car Park, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway, DG7 5EA, Scotland. Tel. 01557 814212.
Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, Kirkcudbright
The Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park just 1 mile from Kirkcudbright on the B727 (signposted from the A75) is a true conservation park and breeding centre for small animals Around 150 different animals, many of them threatened species, are here. The Park plays an important role in conservation.
Just recently (June 2007) a Red Panda cub was born here at the Galloway Park, a major achievement and testament to their breeding success. Red Pandas are not much bigger than domestic cats, They're indigenous to the forests of the Himalayas and mountain areas of China and Myanmar, but are currently endangered due to habitat destruction.
The park is open from February to November and highly recommended to both support, and as a fascinating family day out. You can adopt animals here too.
Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, Lochfergue Planation, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, DG6 4XX. Tel. 01557 331645. (weblink right for details & opening times. A cafeteria, gift shop, picnic area, baby facilities, disabled facilities and free parking are all on-site.
Galloway Hydros Visitor Centre, Near Kirkcudbright
Just to the north of Kirkcudbright on the A711 at Tongland Power Station there's an interesting visitor centre exploring how hydro water power is produced. The Galloway Hydros Scheme dates back to the 1930s, and here at the Galloway Hydros Visitor Centre you can tour the station and dam, browse an exhbition on how power is generated, see a recreation of a 1930s style office and around the site you are free to walk around the attractive local countryside.
A shop and refreshments are available on-site, and the exhibit is wheelchair friendly. If you're particularly interested in green ways of producing energy then you'll find this chance to tour a hydro station fascinating and useful.
Galloway Hydros Visitor Centre Exhibition & Tour. Tel. 01557 330114. (situated off the A711 2 miles north of Kirkcudbright. The exhibit is clearly sign posted off the A75).
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