Art Galleries
Castle Douglas Art Gallery, DG7 1BE
The gallery features a varied programme of temporary exhibitions, featuring the work of local art and craft groups.
Clience Studio, DG7 1DS
The Castle Douglas based gallery of artist Angela Lawrence shows her contemporary land and seascapes, as well as some abstract paintings.
Kirkcudbrightshire Harbour Cottage Gallery Trust, Castle Bank, Kirkcudbright
This is the oldest art gallery in the artist town of Kirkcudbrightshire which specialises in original works of local artists.
Leeming and Paterson Photography, DG7 3UB
Visit photographers Ted Leeming and Morag Paterson in their studio overlooking the spectacular Rhins of Kells Hill. Limited edition prints, workshops, tuition. Open all year, by appointment only.
McGill Duncan Gallery, DG7 1DT
An exquisite family owned art gallery in Castle Douglas selling a selection of contemporary work by national and international artists.
The Catstrand, DG7 3RN
An exciting Arts Centre in New Galloway which presents a high quality programme of arts, events, activities and workshops.
Festivals
Wild Spring Festival
Dumfries and Galloway’s Wild spring Festival has over 100 events for families and wildlife fans, many of which are near Stranraer.
Newton Stewart Walking Festival, (May)
The biggest walking festival in the South of Scotland is half an hour’s drive away, taking place over seven days with 28 spectacular walking routes in the hills through woodland and along the coast.
Spring Fling, May
Spring Fling is Scotland’s premier arts and crafts open studios event and take place each year in Dumfries and Galloway. In 2014, nearly 80 artists took part across the region.
Wickerman Festival, July
The award winning Wickerman Festival offers a diverse line up of music, arts and entertainment for all ages.
Wigtown Book Festival, October
Based in Scotland’s National Book Town, the 10-day Wigtown Book Festival has become one of the UK’s best-loved literary events. In 2014 it had more than 175 events and activities for all ages, including music, theatre, food and visual arts. The Guardian called it “the sort of festival people become possessive about”.
Local Produce
Barsolus Farm, Stranraer DG9 8NR, 01776 820 227
Highly recommended fresh farm produced seasonal vegetables. Open daily.
Clash Farm Pedigree Saddlebacks, Stranraer DG9 9NL
Producers of quality traditional pork and bacon from the Clash herd of outdoor reared, pedigree British Saddleback pigs. Available direct from the farm or by mail order.
Galloway Farmhouse Cheese, Sorbie DG8 8AL, 01988 850 224
A delicious range of Cairnsmore cheeses (principally a hard ewes’ milk cheese) is available in various flavours, created from the organic milk of the farm’s flock of Friesland sheep. The range also includes cheeses produced from organic cow and goats’ milk.
Galloway Smokehouse, Carsluith DG8 7DN , 01671 820354
The home of prize winning smoked salmon, trout, seafood and game, from the simple kipper to the grand salmon a huge variety of smoked food is on offer.
Local Restaurants and Cafés
Campbell’s Restaurant, Portpatrick DG9 8JR, 01776810314
Renowned quality seafood restaurant, situated on the harbour front in the fishing village of Portpatrick. It offers a wide variety of local fresh produce including lobsters and crabs, often caught on the day by the owner. Very popular with locals, the lunch-time menu is not to be missed. Closed Mondays.
Gaillie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway DG9 9HP, 01776 840558
Perched on a cliff edge with breath-taking panoramic views of Scotland’s most southerly point there is a coffee shop / restaurant and a gift shop.
The Bay House Restaurant, Stranraer DG9 8AT, 01776 707388
Recently refurbished, Bay House offers locally sourced fish and meat prepared and cooked freshly, with wonderful views over Loch Ryan.
Corsewall Light House, Kirkcolm DG9 0QG, 01776 853220
The Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel offers stunning views of some of Scotland’s most spectacular coastline towards N Ireland. Visitors can enjoy delicious food prepared in the 3 AA Rosette awarded restaurant.
The Crown Hotel, Portpatrick DG9 8SX, 01776 810261
The Crown sits close to the water’s edge overlooking Portpatrick’s historic harbour. It has a long-standing reputation for good food and wine. There is a cosy lounge bar and an outside seafront terrace offering a wide selection of food.
Tigh Na Mara Hotel, Sandhead DG9 9DR, 01776 830210
A family friendly restaurant which serves a selection of freshly prepared dishes, utilising fresh, local produce such as Scottish beef and fresh seafood from the West Coast.
Knockinaam Lodge, near Portpatrick DG9 9AD, 01776 810471
Renowned hotel with an outstanding Michelin star restaurant situated on its own private beach. A fabulous place to go for a special treat.
Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae Girvan KA26 0NZ, 01465 831212
A 5 star Relais & Chateax Hotel with an award winning restaurant with views over Ailsa Craig and the Ayrshire coast.
The Port Pantry, Portpatrick DG9 8JL, 01776 810655
A welcoming cafe in Portpatrick, which serves excellent lunches and baking. It also does BYOB evening meals at the weekend.
