Overview
Start at MacLellan’s and Cardoness Castles and then pause at St Ninian’s Cave en route to Glenwhan Gardens. Enjoy the tranquillity of The Mull of Galloway, then visit Dunksey Castle and Castle Kennedy gardens. Stop at Stranraer and the Irish ferry port of Cairnryan before ending at Alloway in Ayrshire.
MacLellan’s Castle
Named after Sir Thomas MacLellan who began to build the tower-house castle in 1560 in Kirkcudbright. This was a spacious townhouse which retained some defensive qualities but wasn’t intended to stop an army. You may also wish to visit nearby Broughton House and Garden.
Cardoness Castle
A good example of a Scottish tower-house castle, built in the later 15th century, is a well-preserved ruin with some great views over Fleet Bay and the Solway Firth. Built on a rocky bluff it occupies a commanding defensive position and originally it would have had direct sea access before land has been subsequently reclaimed.
St Ninian's Cave
If you take the short woodland walk from the car park you will see why St Ninian used this spot as a place for prayer and contemplation. It is by a pebbly beach overlooking the sea and the Mull of Galloway but with small cave in a rocky outcrop you can get the sense of why this secluded place was special.
Glenwhan Gardens
A beautiful newly made garden recovered from marshy moorland ground with stunning sea views. The warming influence of the Gulf Stream enables Glenwhan to grow many tender plants from around the world with large collections of rare trees and shrubs. The acid soil makes for spectacular rhododendrons and azaleas.
RSPB Mull of Galloway
Nestled at the southernmost tip of Scotland, the Mull of Galloway has views over the Solway Firth and Irish Sea best seen from the unique Lighthouse foghorn. On a clear day, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Cumbria can all seen, as can the Scar Rocks, an outlying part of the reserve with a small gannet colony.
Dunskey Castle
Nestled at the southernmost tip of Scotland, the Mull of Galloway has views over the Solway Firth and Irish Sea best seen from the unique Lighthouse foghorn. On a clear day, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Cumbria can all seen, as can the Scar Rocks, an outlying part of the reserve with a small gannet colony.
Castle Kennedy
The ruined castle was destroyed by fire in 1716 and never rebuilt although the gardens surrounded by water and comprising 75 acres of terraced earthworks and magnificent avenues are maintained. This is one of Scotland's most well-known historical gardens. Nearby Stranraer is home to The Castle of St John, a medieval tower house and garden.
Cairnryan
The village that overlooks Loch Ryan and is notable for its large modern ferry port with services to Northern Ireland. The village has a proud maritime history but the modern port dates from the Second World War when it was developed to build the famous floating Mulberry Harbours used on the Normandy beaches on D-Day.
Robert Burns Birthplace
Cross into Ayrshire and walk around the village of Alloway and see the modest cottage where Burns was born in 1759; follow in the footsteps of Tam o’ Shanter by visiting atmospheric Alloway Auld Kirk and the Brig o’ Doon bridge; and see the classically styled Burns Monument, set in luscious rose gardens and the Burns Museum.
Also Nearby
