Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 7:44 pm

Anyone been here?

Looking for recommendations and tips. Going for just shy of a week (winter time).

Hoping for some clear skies.

Places to see, things to do, scenic drives etc. May look at Aran if time permits.

Thanks in advance

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 7:56 pm

Hiking
Fishing
Mountain cycling
Star gazing
Red Squirrel spotting
Sh@gging if you get the time.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:01 pm

conyoviejo wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 7:56 pm
Red Squirrel spotting
Sh@gging if you get the time.

Will try and do both at the same time. Should save me five minutes.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:15 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:01 pm
Will try and do both at the same time. Should save me five minutes.

You could do some out door sh@gging while squirrel spotting or Stargazing

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:32 pm

Out of curiosity...are Beavers extinct in this country? Never seen a hairy critter for a number of years now!

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:47 pm

tim_noone wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:32 pm
Out of curiosity...are Beavers extinct in this country? Never seen a hairy critter for a number of years now!

Believe they’re making a comeback.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:52 pm

tim_noone wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:32 pm
Out of curiosity...are Beavers extinct in this country? Never seen a hairy critter for a number of years now!

Look in the mirror.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:57 pm

conyoviejo wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:52 pm
Look in the mirror.

Go f..k yerself!

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:01 pm

tim_noone wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:32 pm
Out of curiosity...are Beavers extinct in this country? Never seen a hairy critter for a number of years now!

A lot of shaved Beavers around these days

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:05 pm

Bosscat wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:01 pm
A lot of shaved Beavers around these days

They're quite common...I'm aware of that.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:42 pm

Culzean Castle

Electric Brae is a must!

blsclaret · Post by **blsclaret** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:44 pm

South of Loch Ken there is Bellymack Hill Farm.
Between 2pm and 3pm each day they feed Red Kite, bird of prey.
Last time we were there a few years ago there must have been 70 to 100 in the skies. An amazing sight.

Search Galloway Red Kite Trail ont interweb.

Local cricketer · Post by **Local cricketer** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:42 pm

More holidays than Judith Chalmers

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:54 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:42 pm
Culzean Castle

Electric Brae is a must!

Electric brae is on the list. Always expected to be underwhelmed. But mother’s always wanted to go there

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:55 pm

Local cricketer wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:42 pm
More holidays than Judith Chalmers

It’s not a holiday. I’m helping the aged.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Jan 21, 2020 1:45 am

Ayrshire, as you will know, is the county of Robert Burns.
The museum is superb. The rest of the sites, very visitable.

Haggis must be eaten this week!

ayrshireclaret83 · Post by **ayrshireclaret83** » Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:02 pm

Never been there myself as I’m in North Ayrshire but it’s supposed to be nice

culzean Castle
The burns stuff in Ayr
Isles of Arran and Cumbrae

All worth a visit as well

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:57 pm

Beavers alive and well in Blackburn according to this Board and LET from a few days back (Shocking CCTV captures woman POOING in Little Harwood street)

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:31 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 20, 2020 9:42 pm
Culzean Castle

Electric Brae is a must!

Culzean was very nice Ian. Although inside was closed.

I expected electric brae would be underwhelming. I wish it was that good

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:44 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:31 pm
Culzean was very nice Ian. Although inside was closed.

I expected electric brae would be underwhelming. I wish it was that good

Culzean really is good and is in a fantastic spot. I drove the "electric brae" stretch of road several times over a number of years, before I finally "got it". I can't remember exactly what I did differently, but maybe I drove very slowly? My Mrs and our son were in the car too and we all "experienced" the sensation which is slightly weird tbh. You've reminded me I haven't been to Portpatrick in a while. A lovely spot. We were married there!

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:46 pm

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:44 pm
Culzean really is good and is in a fantastic spot. I drove the "electric brae" stretch of road several times over a number of years, before I finally "got it". I can't remember exactly what I did differently, but maybe I drove very slowly? My Mrs and our son were in the car too and we all "experienced" the sensation which is slightly weird tbh. You've reminded me I haven't been to Portpatrick in a while. A lovely spot. We were married there!

Port Patrick was recommended to us today. Is it worth the drive out?

Think we are heading east to Dundee tomorrow.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:52 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:46 pm
Port Patrick was recommended to us today. Is it worth the drive out?

Think we are heading east to Dundee tomorrow.

Portpatrick is basically a small, quite picturesque fishing village with a couple of decent pubs and hotels and great cliff top walks. It's got a lot of history as originally in Victorian times that was the departure point to Northern Ireland, particularly for the military. In more recent times of course that moved to Stranraer and more latterly Cairnryan.

Bfcboyo · Post by **Bfcboyo** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:55 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:46 pm
Port Patrick was recommended to us today. Is it worth the drive out?

Think we are heading east to Dundee tomorrow.

Get up the west coast you will think your in Alaska. Some stunning scenery.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:03 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:31 pm
Culzean was very nice Ian. Although inside was closed.

I expected electric brae would be underwhelming. I wish it was that good

It does work and it is an odd experience. You more or less start from a static position and let it roll up Hill. Then it is good not underwhelming!

Good excuse to return!

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:31 pm

Bfcboyo wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:55 pm
Get up the west coast you will think your in Alaska. Some stunning scenery.

Done most of that. Loch Lomond. Glencoe. Fort William. Kinlochleven. Up to Skye. Incredible I agree.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:32 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:03 pm
It does work and it is an odd experience. You more or less start from a static position and let it roll up Hill. Then it is good not underwhelming!

Good excuse to return!

We aren’t far away. My mums been on about it for years. Maybe il give it another chance. Perhaps automatic cars don’t work on it even in neutral

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:01 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:32 pm
We aren’t far away. My mums been on about it for years. Maybe il give it another chance. Perhaps automatic cars don’t work on it even in neutral

You may have a point. Can't remember what I was driving, when I tried it last.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:10 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:01 pm
You may have a point. Can't remember what I was driving, when I tried it last.

Try it in your new electric car

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:12 pm

Two electric positives! Better steer clear!

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:16 pm

Just had Scotland taken off me as a territory in my job and whist I’m secretly glad to not have to drive half the UK & Scotland, I really do love the place. I used to look forward to planning my trips and hotels along the route.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 7:29 am

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:16 pm
Just had Scotland taken off me as a territory in my job and whist I’m secretly glad to not have to drive half the UK & Scotland, I really do love the place. I used to look forward to planning my trips and hotels along the route.

Strange. I actually mentioned this about my old job. Everyone hated going to Scotland. Didn’t bother me one bit. Beats East Midlands.

In fact a lot in general moan about driving anywhere.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:15 pm

I love to drive all over Scotland.

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:33 pm

cricketfieldclarets.

It's given us the desire to want to go. Looking at late March, subject to weather. We haven't been to Scotland since childhood (both in our mid 60s). We like your list, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William etc. We like to do hill walking,but not too strenuous nowadays. Going to look at either a rented cottage or a B&B. Any recommendations or did you and your family camp.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 5:27 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:15 pm
I love to drive all over Scotland.

Awful place with ginger haired people and funny money.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:00 pm

tim_noone wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 28, 2020 5:27 pm
Awful place with ginger haired people and funny money.

Time to keep looking over your shoulder Tim!

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:35 pm

beddie wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:33 pm
cricketfieldclarets.

It's given us the desire to want to go. Looking at late March, subject to weather. We haven't been to Scotland since childhood (both in our mid 60s). We like your list, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William etc. We like to do hill walking,but not too strenuous nowadays. Going to look at either a rented cottage or a B&B. Any recommendations or did you and your family camp.

The place in Ayrshire is a great spot as a first stop off on the route up west. It’s in new Cumnock near the first park. Set out of the way on a farm in a lodge with hot tub, two bed rooms / 3 beds. Living area and kitchen. It’s a working farm with lots of animals and believe you can horse ride here but we haven’t. The owners are very nice and would happily pass on their details.

When it’s clear at night the sky is brilliant. It’s true what they say though the weather changes every few minutes! A lovely spa hotel nearby with outstanding food and good spa facilities. Hotel and lodges look brilliant but we didn’t stay there.

From here you are in Burns territory and if you want to head east an hour to Glasgow a little more to Stirling and Perth. And Edinburgh via Biggar is a nice drive an just under two hours. An extra half hour on to Dundee. On this trip we’ve done all but Stirling and Perth (but drove through). Beyond that to Cairngorms and Aberdeen another couple of hours.

Dundee was ok. But weather too drab to fully appreciate it. But had one of the best meals I’ve ever had and the museum there is free and well worth a visit.

Although we are on the West coast we haven’t done much of that this time as we’ve seen a lot of it before and with little one still in a pram didn’t want too much hiking. Probably haven’t done Ayrshire justice tbh. But it’s much more beautiful that way imo. We stayed off in a place called Kinlochleven which was really pretty. We stayed in a small hut on the grounds of a nice hotel where you could camp also. From there the drive to Skye is incredible. And Skye itself one of best places I’ve ever been. Stopping off in places is well worth it. Coming back last time we were short on time. So drove Skye to Burnley in a day. Wouldn’t recommend it and I like driving. It was a long drive and we missed out on seeing a few other places.

Did pretty much everything there is to see and do in Skye.

The people are almost always brilliant up there in my experience.

My mum recommends Oban and Crinnan. Looks beautiful but not been myself.

Aclaret · Post by **Aclaret** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:39 pm

Did you bump into Millertime v1 7 or his secret lover Morag ?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:42 pm

Also from Ayrshire the boat to arran is less than an hour and looks very nice but haven’t had the weather for it.

Edinburgh is always a lot nicer for weather and was complete blue skies there. Albeit very cold. Never tire of Edinburgh though.

Aclaret · Post by **Aclaret** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:52 pm

Me & Mrs Aclaret had some great road trips up that way Cricketfield. A trip up the west coast to Cape Wrath stands out, fantastic scenery. Enjoy your trip.

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:23 pm

Thanks cricketfieldclarets. We'll look at all your suggestions on the map and have a good think about it. Thanks again.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:33 pm

The beach at Barassie near Troon is gorgeous.

You really can't go wrong in Scotland (or England and Wales) for beauty.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:34 pm

beddie wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:23 pm
Thanks cricketfieldclarets. We'll look at all your suggestions on the map and have a good think about it. Thanks again.

Any time. If you like the outdoors and incredible scenery Skye can’t be beaten.

That said avoid peak summer. Mainly for the midgies can’t comment on the tourists. We went in October. Colours were amazing. Had some nice days. Some moody days. But it looked stunning in all. And driving through Glencoe it had just started to snow even then.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 01, 2020 10:24 pm

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:44 pm
Culzean really is good and is in a fantastic spot. I drove the "electric brae" stretch of road several times over a number of years, before I finally "got it". I can't remember exactly what I did differently, but maybe I drove very slowly? My Mrs and our son were in the car too and we all "experienced" the sensation which is slightly weird tbh. You've reminded me I haven't been to Portpatrick in a while. A lovely spot. We were married there!

We went to port Patrick. Can see why you got married there. Weather was absolutely wild and she could easily have blown in if it didn’t go well!!!

This was as calm as it got.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sun Mar 01, 2020 10:45 pm

How do you find the jocks for driving when your up here,im sure none of them have ever passed a driving test!

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Mar 01, 2020 11:29 pm

Steve1956 wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 01, 2020 10:45 pm
How do you find the jocks for driving when your up here,im sure none of them have ever passed a driving test!

They like to overtake. And like to pull out at roundabouts. But that’s the norm everywhere now.

Funny you should mention though. As one thing I’ve never seen before is going the wrong way round the roundabout and head on towards a bus as we saw yesterday.

Local plates too and not a hire car

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:28 am

Some excellent info on ypur posts mate.
Dumfries and Galloway is really underrated, with some great places to visit. Wigtown, Castle Douglas and Rockliffe for the best cliff walk in the UK. Also, some of the restaurants and pubs are as good as anywhere in the country.
The route through to Fort William past Loch Lomond and through Rannoch Moor is just stunning.
Thanks for posting.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:48 am

The Sulwath Brewery in Castle Douglas has a tap room selling their own beers on tap. It's about 3 years since I was in it so it may have changed, but it was an excellent way to spend an afternoon!

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:19 am

Siddo wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:28 am
Some excellent info on ypur posts mate.
Dumfries and Galloway is really underrated, with some great places to visit. Wigtown, Castle Douglas and Rockliffe for the best cliff walk in the UK. Also, some of the restaurants and pubs are as good as anywhere in the country.
The route through to Fort William past Loch Lomond and through Rannoch Moor is just stunning.
Thanks for posting.

Absolutely. Shame couldn’t really take in as much hiking as we would like but even the drives are impressive.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 8:51 am

cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 01, 2020 11:29 pm
They like to overtake. And like to pull out at roundabouts. But that’s the norm everywhere now.

Funny you should mention though. As one thing I’ve never seen before is going the wrong way round the roundabout and head on towards a bus as we saw yesterday.

Local plates too and not a hire car

Saw exactly the same manoeuvre in Kirkcaldy on a Saturday afternoon,and your right they love overtaking mostly on blind bends

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 12:52 pm

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:48 am
The Sulwath Brewery in Castle Douglas has a tap room selling their own beers on tap. It's about 3 years since I was in it so it may have changed, but it was an excellent way to spend an afternoon!

We called in around 18 months ago, but unfortunately I was driving but Mrs Siddo tried a few. Cracking little pub, and like the rest of Scotland, everyone was super friendly.