New Galloway

New Galloway is a picturesque village in Galloway Forest Park and is the smallest Royal Burgh in Scotland. From New Galloway, roads head out in five directions so the village makes an excellent base for exploring Galloway Forest Park and beyond.

New Galloway village has quaint and interesting streets lined with 18th & 19th century buildings including two coaching inns. Great for a stroll and maybe stop for a coffee at one of several excellent coffee shops. Catstrand, the community centre also has a tea room/cafe as well as being an Arts Centre, Information Centre and a theatre. Unfortunately, due to flooding early in 2015, the magnificent Catstrand building is currently closed for restoration and hopes to reopen in September 2015. Meantime the Catstrand is operating from nearby Rosebank Cottage. New Galloway also has a welc0ming 9 hole golf course.

The Water of Ken flows close to New Galloway, the road bridge was built by the same engineer as the second London Bridge. The banks of the Water of Ken can be explored on a delightful half-day walk from New Galloway to St John`s Town of Dalry ( known locally as Dalry). The distance one way is just over 5 miles and you can return to your starting point by bus. The Clachan in Dalry is a great place for lunch after your walk.

Red Kites

New Galloway is on the Galloway Red Kite Trail. Red Kites are clearly visible at all times of the year. Feeding time at nearby Bellymack Hill Farm – 2pm daily, is an awesome spectacle when large numbers of red kites – sometimes more than 100 can be seen swooping down to the feeding point. There is also a hide at the farm and information boards are to be found at many locations in nearby villages.

Wild Goat Park, Red Deer Range, The Raider`s Road and Grey Mare`s Tail

The road known as the Queen`s Way from New Galloway  to Newton Stewart – is a delight. You could easily spend a day exploring all this scenery packed road has to offer. There are numerous places to stop beside the road and admire the views which rival anywhere in Scotland. You can stop off to look for red deer at the Red Deer Range where Ranger-Led visits are available up to 5 days a week depending on the time of year. Other times you can wander around the park and see the deer.

Closer to Newton Stewart is is the Wild Goat Park where a good number of wild goats can usually be seen on the hillside – often cute kids as well!

The Grey Mare`s Tail is a pretty waterfall where a short waymarked walk climbs from the roadside up to Murrays monument – an impressive obelisk with good views then descends past the waterfall to return your starting point. (about 2 miles/ 1 hour)

The Raider`s Road

From Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, a few miles SW of New Galloway on the Queen`s Way, The Raider`s Road is a very scenic forest drive of 10 miles to the shores of Loch Ken. Although the road is unsealed it is well maintained and there is a small toll  charge payable at a machine. (Open to cars April – October). The road has many scenic stopping places including the Otter`s Pool – about half way along and great for a picnic. Further along you can stop at Stroan Loch with its viaduct and peaceful views.

The Otter Pool – The Raider`s Road.

Loch Ken

To the south east of New Galloway lies Loch Ken. A drive along the shores of the loch is often rewarded with sightings of Red Kites. On the eastern shore of Loch Ken is Galloway Activity Centre where you can try a wide range of water based activities along with other on-land activities such as climbing and mountain biking. Also on the shores of Loch Ken is Loch Ken Waterski and Wakeboard School.