LOCAL ACTIVITIES
If you are looking for things to do in Dumfries and Galloway, Penninghame Estate is perfectly situated as your base to explore from. The area features a vast array of activities for adults and children alike. You can spend your morning playing golf, feel the wind in your hair as you traverse one of the 7Stanes cycle tracks in the afternoon and spend the evening star gazing in Galloway National Park.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES
If you are looking for things to do in Dumfries and Galloway, Penninghame Estate is perfectly situated as your base to explore from. The area features a vast array of activities for adults and children alike. You can spend your morning playing golf, feel the wind in your hair as you traverse one of the 7Stanes cycle tracks in the afternoon and spend the evening star gazing in Galloway National Park.
PHYSICAL PURSUITS
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
GALLOWAY NATIONAL PARK
- 10 miles to Glentrool Visitor Centre
- Best for stargazing, nature, cycling and walking
The Galloway Forest was the first in the UK to be awarded the Dark Sky Park certification in 2009. Many more have since emerged in the Cairngorms and English National Parks. Three visitor centres are located within a 20 mile radius from Penninghame House, Glentrool Visitor Centre, Kirroughtree Visitor Centre & Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre and are the perfect viewing spot for the stars.
7STANES
- 3 miles to Kirroughtree Centre
- Best for mountain biking
The 7stanes are world-class mountain biking centres that span the south of Scotland. Their award-winning trails offer some of the best mountain biking in the country and attract riders from across the UK and beyond. The two closest 7 Stanes mountain bike trails to Penninghame House are Glentrool and Kirroughtree however there is scope to do a tour of each trail within the region.
GOLFING
- Various, but within 30 mins drive
- Best for golf fans
Aside from the two famous South West Scotland courses, Turnberry & Royal Troon, Dumfries and Galloway boasts numerous smaller courses all within 30 mins of Penninghame House including St. Medans Golf Club, Newton Stewart Golf Club, Wigtownshire County Golf Course , Wigtown & Bladnoch Golf Club and Brighouse Bay Golf Club.
GALLOWAY WILD FOODS
- Various local areas in Dumfries and Galloway
- Best for walking and nature lovers
Mark Williams teaches about the full range and depth of wild food and foraging including plants, fungi, seaweed, and shellfish. Across a diverse range of habitats – from high mountains, through forests, hedgerows, and down to the coast, Mark covers all areas of foraging including food uses, health, traditional and modern medicinal uses, survival and bushcraft, wild booze and lots more.
FISHING
- Various
- Best for anglers
Dumfries and Galloway is Scotland’s ‘hidden gem’ in terms of fishing and is famed for its Brown Trout. Boasting a wide range of aquatic landscapes from loch to sea and a variety of species including pike, perch, carp, roach, tench and bream, means there truly is something for everyone, no matter which style you favour. Please check local by laws and licence rules before heading out.
CREAM O'GALLOWAY
- 24 miles to farm
- Best for a day out with the kids
Finlay’s Cream O’Galloway Farm is a wonderful location for young kids and adults alike. The award winning organic farm includes crazy golf, ice cream making workshops, cheese making courses, farm tours, miles of beautiful walks and nature trails and of course the ice cream scooping counter and sundae menu for when you need to top up your energy!
HISTORY AND CULTURE
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
BLADNOCH WHISKY DISTILLERY
- 11 miles to Bladnoch Distillery
- Best for whisky enthusiasts
Bladnoch Distillery is famously the most southerly single malt whisky distillery in Scotland. With over 200 years of history, the distillery has recently undegone a transformative restoration and reopened in 2015 to launch its award-winning range of Bladnoch Single Malts and Pure Scot Blended Whiskies. The visitor centre offers a range of distillery tours as well as a gift shop and cafe. A must see for whisky fans.
ROBERT BURNS BIRTHPLACE
- Various in Dumfries. Click links for details
- Best for history buffs
Dumfries and Galloway is a fantastic spot to explore the birthplace of Scotlands most celebrated wordsmith. See the sites that inspired some of his most famous work or visit the house where he spent his final days. We would recommend heading to the Robert Burns Centre first, followed by Burns House where he spent his final days. Round off your trip by having a tipple in the great mans favourite pub The Globe Inn.
CRAFTY GIN DISTILLERY
- 4 miles to Netwon Stewart
- Best for gin lovers
Galloway is the home of the Crafty Distillery and a special corner of Scotland. Surrounded by forests and unspoilt coastlines, it’s the perfect larder for their Hills & Harbour ingredients. Combining a commercial and working distillery, which provides tours where visitors can learn about the Crafty Distillery’s unique approach to distillation, enjoy a taste of their gin and admire the scenery all from the comfort of the new, modern purpose built facilities.
JAYNE MURDOCH PHOTOGRAPHY
- Will travel to meet guests
- Photography and learning
FOOD AND DRINK
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
KILNFORD FARMSHOP AND CAFE
- 50 miles to Kilnford Farm
- Best for lunch time dining
The old steading at Kilnford has been tastefully renovated using lots of stone and wood to provide a farm courtyard setting with an elegant Farmhouse Kitchen café / restaurant adjoining the Old Barn and Old Stable. The traditional Farm Shop has a top quality butchery and deli supplying the kitchen with only the best locally produced products, which allows their chefs to imaginatively prepare and serve fantastic dishes.
AULD ALLIANCE RESTAURANT
- 30 miles to Kirkcudbright
- Award-winning fine dining
The Auld Alliance is an award-winning restaurant situated in Kirkcudbright. The menu is quite small and quite unique, Scottish cuisine blended with French. With just five starters, four mains and a grill menu that changes every six or seven weeks, they are able to carefully prepare each dish using the very best ingredients Galloway has to offer. This ensures maximum flavour, excellent presentation and much praise from their diners.
MARRBURY SMOKEHOUSE AND DELI
- 14 miles to Carsluith Castle
- Best for light bites and coffee
The Marrbury Smokehouse, situated next to Carsluith Castle features a wonderful deli, cafe and art gallery. The Smokehouse is home to the award-winning Vincent Marr, who has been producing smoked goods for Michelin starred chefs, royalty and celebrities since 1996. The smokehouse and deli are famed for their smoked salmon and cheese’s, so kick back, enjoy a coffee and view some art before visting Carsluith Castle.
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