Kirkcudbright Accommodation

Kirkcudbright Fishing on the River Dee

MacLellan's Castle, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway

Kirkcudbright Specialist Shopping

Kirkcudbright Art Galleries

Kirkcudbright Scotland Golf, Wicker Man Festival, Kirkcudbright Dumfries & Galloway

Kirkcudbright is one of the most appealing locations in Dumfries and Galloway, with its still working harbour, Tolbooth Art Centre and now annual Wicker Man Festival! Pronounced 'kirk-cou-bri', Kirkcudbright's fishing heritage blends well with its art hub well - Edward Hornel (1863-1933) lived at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright. One of the major players in the Glasgow Boys art collective, his residence in Kirkcudbright from 1901 saw the establishment of a mini art colony here.

Kirkcudbright's centre is attractive indeed, with its pretty Georgian streets lined with pastel coloured houses and delightful specialist shops is a highlight in the region. This Dumfries and Galloway town on the shores of the Solway has a host of historic attractions including MacLellan's Castle, the Stewartry Museum, Broughton House and the Tolbooth Art Centre. The latter is a must for fans of Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys. Nearby Gatehouse of Fleet, once industrial powerhouse referred to as 'second to Glasgow!' is now a delightful rural retreat with the superb Mill on the Fleet centre and a choice of annual festivals.

Kirkcudbright Tourist Guide, Kirkcudbright Hotels & Kirkcudbright Historic Sights

With a superb choice of holiday caravan parks, B&Bs and Hotels. You'll find some fine historic Georgian Hotels and B&Bs around Kirkcudbright's town centre alongside a choice of character pubs and fine restaurants, and it's an excellent central Dumfries and Galloway base from which to explore the region.

Hemmed in by the banks of the River Dee and the Solway Firth, hardly surprising surrounded by so much water that Kirkcudbright makes an excellent base for Scotland fishing holidays. (see Kirkcudbright fishing weblinks right for details on fishing opportunities in the area, particularly the River Dee Catchment area - Salmon are prevalent here). A choice of boat trips are also available from Kirkcudbright's Marina along the River Dee. Boat trips depart from Castledyles Walk within the Marina and they move both up and down stream, lasting about an hour. (see the Kirkcudbright River Trips page on the town's website right).

Kirkcudbright is a Dumfries and Galloway town to wander around - the picture postcard main High Street is a joy, and main attractions such as MacLellan's Castle, the Harbour Cottage Gallery, Broughton House, the Tolbooth Centre and the Stewartry Museum are all within walking distance of each other. Promoted as an 'Artists Town', as indeed Kirkcudbright is, Scottish art fans will not want to miss the opportunity to view numerous works by E A Hornel, Charles Oppenheimer, Jessie M King and Robert Sivell at the Tolbooth Art Centre and Broughton House.

Kirkcudbright Tourist Information Centre, Harbour Square, Kirkcudbright, Dumbries and Galloway, DG6 4HY, Scotland. Tel. 01557 330494.

MacLellan's Castle, Kirkcudbright History

It's all happening on Kirkcudbright's main High Street. Just round the corner from Broughton House sits the impressive 16th century remains of MacLellan's Castle. The ruins are distinctly L shaped and date from 1582. Half castle, half stately home, the MacLellan family lived here until 1639 when debts forced the family to sell it to Sir Robert Maxwell.

Also near MacLellan's castle sits Greyfriars Kirk where Sir Thomas MacLellan is buried in a rather ornate and dominating tomb!

Kirkcudbright Golf, Dumfries and Galloway Golf Scotland

Just south of Kirkcudbright at Borgue sits Brighouse Bay Championship golf course (18 holes/par 74). Spectacular sea views across the Solway can be seen from this Dumfries and Galloway golf course, with driving range on-site. Brighouse Bay Golf Club, Driving Range & Leisure Club, Borgue near Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TS. Tel. 01557 870509/870409.

Nearer Kirkcudbright town and with views of the Dee estuary and Galloway Hills is Kirkcudbright Golf Course (18 holes/Par 69). This one's a parkland golf course with full catering facilities are on-site. Kirkcudbright Golf Club, Stirling Crescent, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4EZ. Tel. 01557 330314. (weblink right for details).

If you're looking for a good practice golf course in the Kirkcudbright area head for the Park of Tongland Family Golf Centre, Tongland, Kirkcudbright DG6 4NA. Tel. 01556 680226. It's a good family golf centre this oen, with a Par 3. A Golf shop selling and hiring out golf equipment is on-site.

The Wicker Man Festival near Kirkcudbright

Annually towards the end of July Kirkcudbright hosts its relatively new Wicker Man Festival, which is essentially a rather good music festival with a spook Wicker Man theme thrown in. Artists performing in recent Wicker Man Festivals here have included acts like Hayseed Dixie, Jah Wobble and the Fun Lovin' Criminals, oh and the tight trousered trio The Proclaimers.

It's a two day event (usually Fridays and Saturdays), and caters well for children with a Children's Area as well as a Dumfries Museum's Activity Tent and other activities such as Drumming Workshops, Cosmic Circles Fire Dancing displays and a funfair on-site. Like the legendary Wicker Man film, the climax of the weekend is the burning of a 25foot high Wickerman - spook. The Wickerman Festival takes place on 120 acres of fairly isolated farmland just near Dundrennan, and with two main stages, dance tends, Acoustic & Reggae tents, a large campside, trade stalls, an alternative area, bars and food stalls, the Wicker Man Festival is firmly on the UK festival map. For more details and a map with directions click on the 'e festival' weblink right.

The Wickerman Festival, Kirkcarswell Farm, nr. Kirkcudbright, Galloway, Scotland. (see E-festivals/Wickerman Festival for map & booking online).

Checkout the Wicker Man Trail website right, which highlights key sites used in the 1973 film around Kirkcudbright and further West towards Stranraer, courtesy of South West Scotland's Screen Commission

The Stewartry Museum, Kirkcudbright

Local history museums with a focus on social history don't come much better than Kirkcudbright's Stewartry Museum. Highlights include an exhibition of Jessie M. King jewellery and art work by her husband E.A. Taylor alongside more pieces by Kirkcudbright artists including Phyllis Bone.

The Stewartry Museum building dates from the Victorian era and exhibits focusing on local life include postcards and photographs, fishing equipment, oldl clothing and hats, weaving equipment and general memorabilia exploring Solway life.

There's a precious Siller Gun here at the Stewartry, awarded to Kirkcudbright by James VI as a shooting trophy in 1587. The name Stewartry is the old name for Kirkcudbrightshire, dating from the days when a royal steward was in charge! A shop is on-site.

The Stewartry Museum, St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4AG. Tel. 01557 331643. (see the Kirkcudbright Town Guide for opening times. Admission is free).

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