Facilities

Guests have shared access to our facilities, helping you to relax, get active or create during your stay.

The Local Area

There is so much to do and explore around The Machars, and wider Dumfries and Galloway. If you want adventure, mental stimulation, or even just time and space, Galloway Estate is an inspiring place to focus your experiences from. We offer both short term lets and longer residencies, so do get in touch and we'll endeavour to accommodate you. We even can provide workshop space alongside your accommodation for longer artists residencies.

Galloway House Gardens

At the heart of the estate, the historic gardens of the Earls of Galloway showcase vibrant rhododendrons, towering trees, and exotic species, thriving in the mild Gulf Stream climate.

The Galloway Forest Park is Britain’s largest forest park. Established in 1947, the Galloway Forest Park is often referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands'. Home to dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of local wildlife, the park is perfect for the whole family. Whether walking, cycling, driving through the woods or just relaxing in the tearooms, the Galloway Forest Park has something for everyone.

Galloway Hills

Galloway Forest Park, the largest in Britain, offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and activities from walking and cycling to fishing and scenic drives.

There are some wonderful places to eat in the vicinity of the estate. Within walking distance, The Hive is a lovely café on the seafront in Garlieston offering an impressive selection of cakes while, just a few doors down, The Harbour Inn serves generous pub grub by a roaring fire. In the nearby village of Sorbie, The Pheasant restaurant serves authentic Italian pasta dishes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For delicious seafood, The Steam Packet Inn sits on the quayside at the Isle of Whithorn - just a 10 minute drive from the estate.

Eating Out

There are excellent dining options nearby, from The Hive’s homemade cakes in Garlieston to The Pheasant’s authentic Italian pasta in Sorbie, and fresh seafood at The Steam Packet Inn on the Isle of Whithorn.

St Medans is a beautiful 9-hole course on the shores of Luce Bay, about 10 miles away. It is a family-friendly course with some challenging holes and spectacular sea views. Non-golfers can enjoy the beaches and coastal walks on either side of the course. Or go further afield and play the bigger courses at Portpatrick (1 hr), Southerness (1 hr) or Turnbury (1.5 hr).

Golf

St Medans is a scenic 9-hole course on Luce Bay, offering a family-friendly game with stunning sea views, while larger courses like Portpatrick, Southerness, and Turnberry are within reach for a day’s play.

The estate is just 10 minutes’ drive from Scotland’s most southerly malt whisky distillery at Bladnoch, where you can book tours and buy some of the world-famous cask-aged single malt. And just 20 minutes away is the home of Hills & Harbour Gin, The Crafty Distillery at Newton Stewart. Tours take you through this state-of-the-art boutique distillery, which is a must for gin lovers, with a variety of award-winning bottles for sale in the café.

Whisky and Gin Tours

Just 10 minutes away, Bladnoch Distillery offers tours and world-famous single malt whisky, while gin lovers can visit The Crafty Distillery in Newton Stewart, home to Hills & Harbour Gin.

The Galloway Coastal Path runs through the estate and takes you northwards to the village of Garlieston, with its coffee shop (The Hive) and pub (The Harbour Inn). To the south, the path leads from Rigg Bay through the estate woodland to the cliffs at Cruggleton Lodge and onwards to Cruggleton Castle. Cruggleton Castle was built in the 12th Century to defend the coastline against the Vikings and was occupied until the 1700s. The castle is located on a high outcrop of shale, which forms a promontory on the east-facing cliff edge, about 40 metres (130 ft) above sea level. The path continues southwards for a further 5 miles and takes you to The Isle of Whithorn, with The Steam Packet Inn and its micro-brewery a popular resting spot.

Coastal Walks

The Galloway Coastal Path runs through the estate, connecting Garlieston to the north and The Isle of Whithorn to the south, passing historic Cruggleton Castle along the way.

Mountain Biking

For world-class mountain biking, Galloway Forest Park boasts the renowned 7stanes trail centres at Kirroughtree and Glentrool, offering top-tier singletrack and diverse routes for all abilities.

Wigtown was officially designated as Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998 and is now home to a wide range of book-related businesses. A book-lover's haven - and with over quarter of a million books to choose from - it is impossible to escape empty-handed. Wigtown hosts more than 10 bookshops, including the world-famous Open Book, where residents can run the bookshop for a week at a time, and The Bookshop, Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop. It is also home to The Bookshop Band, the Oscar and Ivor Novello Nominated band who write songs inspired by books. If you're lucky they might be doing a concert, or you can book them for a private concert of your own on AirBnB Experiences. There are also a number of wonderful cafes, including ReadingLasses, as well as a post office, pub or two, the best Community Shop around and a Coop. Wigtown also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Spring Book Weekend and The Wigtown Book Festival. Check here for more info on the town: https://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk and here for info on the various events and festivals: https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com

Scotland's Book Town

Designated Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998, Wigtown is a haven for book lovers, boasting over 10 bookshops, literary festivals, and charming cafés, including the renowned Open Book and The Bookshop.

Discover the best wild swim locations in Dumfries and Galloway, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. Your hosts are very knowledgeable about the best spots in the local area. Freshwater bathers will head to Glen Trool or the otter pools at Clatteringshaws, while sea swimmers can explore some of the beaches and rocky coves on the estate and around the coast. For those wishing to swim with others, there are local wild swimming groups who are welcoming to newcomers.

Wild Swimming

Dumfries and Galloway offers stunning wild swimming spots, from river pools and lakes to hidden coves, with local groups welcoming newcomers to join the experience.

Beaches

Galloway House Estate is surrounded by stunning coastal scenery, with beautiful beaches and hidden coves waiting to be explored.

Sailing, kayaking, and powerboat lessons are available nearby and should be booked in advance with Wigtown Bay Sailing Club. Coastal rowing is also popular, with The Isle of Whithorn and Hippo Coastal Rowing Club often looking for extra crew. If you have your own kayak, paddleboard, or anything else you enjoy exploring the sea with, the stunning coastline is the perfect place to bring it along on your holiday.

Boating

The coastline offers fantastic opportunities for sailing, kayaking, powerboating, and coastal rowing, with local clubs and plenty of ways to enjoy the water.