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Heading to the ferry in Stranraer from down south. Will have a few hours spare. Where is good for some fresh air and exercise? A nice walk on the coast or in the hills or some history. Won't have the bike, will have the dog.
Dumfries is a lovely town to wander round and get a bite to eat. Castle Douglas is ok, Kirkcudbright also. Wigtown is known as "The Book Town" if that's your thing
Recommend this walk near Kirkcudbright, along to the church and back:
Senwick Woods, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland - 19 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
Absolutely stunning and more wild garlic than I've ever seen in one place (bonus if you're going soon).
I'd take cd or kbt over Dumfries any day. Wander round Kirkcudbright, up the barhill for a bit of dog off the lead. Problem t the moment is the bridge is shut so getting back to A75 take 5 mins more than when it was open.
I'd head into kirroughtree and go do one of the walking trails, cafe on site for after.
Kirkcudbright/barhill woods not really worth driving in then back out due to hassle of bridge being permanently closed, loads of trees down over the paths at barhill as well
If you are at the port(s) then you can walk along the Ayrshire Coastal Path from Cairn Ryan or if you like a bit of WW2 history then there is a stiff walk up above the ferry ports to the impressive gun battery.
assuming you want to stay fairly close to the A75 I'd recommend this nature reserve:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XK76iRFrBWF1q8Sq5
cheers,
Keith
Depends what you mean by "A few hours" I suppose, but if you have the time to manage 7 or 8 miles, how about wandering up Cairnsmore of Fleet from the carpark at Graddoch Bridge, just off the A75? Carpark at NX463633 by the look of it. I did it as a circular route but could also be done as a straight up & down via the path marked from Cairnsmore Farm.
https://www.geograph.org.uk/geotrips/305
There are some smaller/lower hills (about 1000-1500ft) just to the south of there, also quite close to the road, such as Cairnharrow, Barholm Hill, Ben John
Lap of Loch Trool. Park at Caldons campsite and follow the path round the loch. Quick swim if thats your thing and a visit to Bruce's Stone for the history tick. Small section on quiet road but mainly tracks and paths all the way.
Castle just outside Castle douglas (5 mins) was a nice wander around a bit of a Nature reserve along the river, little row boat over the river to a castle and last year ospreys were nesting and fishing - i'll try and find a link
Dumfries is a lovely town to wander round and get a bite to eat
It's all opinion, of course, but I don't remember Dumfries as being particularly lovely or memorable and I've been there at least three times. The first time was en-route to a rugby international in Edinburgh so barely spent any time there, but even so I managed to utterly forget that I'd ever been there. The next time was a week's holiday nearby, so we spent plenty of time in Dumfries itself. The third time was visiting the friend who I stayed with the first time, when I forgot I'd been there. (I thought she lived in Ayr!) I mean, it's not unpleasant, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to return.
Depends on time etc.
I live in newton stewart. If you want history theres
Pibble mine
Garlies castle
Knockman wood cairn.
Cairn holy
Torhouse stones for starters.
How longs a few hours?
If the tide is out. Park at Sandyhills Bay, walk along beach west wards admiring the cliffs and rock arches.
At the cliff ends return on the cliff top path to where you started.
The cliffs have great geology and colours.
The sandy beach is nice too.
I assume its dog friendly.
It was when we went.
Lots of good suggestions on here.
It's all opinion, of course, but I don't remember Dumfries as being particularly lovely or memorable
I spent an afternoon there a couple of months ago and would agree with this, but it does have some banging charity shops and nice cafés.
Recommend this walk near Kirkcudbright, along to the church and back:
Senwick Woods, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland - 19 Reviews, Map | AllTrailsAbsolutely stunning and more wild garlic than I've ever seen in one place (bonus if you're going soon).
That was one of the trails/routes that I used to keep clear/maintain over the years, when you come across the sawn fallen trees/branches etc…….that was me.
I had the entire trail cleared from the dhoon bay through to Senwick graveyard/church and through to Ross bay at one point, last time I rode it would have been 10years ago.
As above, skip Dumfries. I live there and it's shite.
Kirkcudbright or Gatehouse of Fleet (including the coast a few miles out of town) are really nice, and particularly so at this time of year.