Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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
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
-
- Posts: 5829
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:38 pm
- Been Liked: 2491 times
- Has Liked: 1477 times
- Location: On the high seas chasing Pirates
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Hiking
Fishing
Mountain cycling
Star gazing
Red Squirrel spotting
Sh@gging if you get the time.
Fishing
Mountain cycling
Star gazing
Red Squirrel spotting
Sh@gging if you get the time.
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Will try and do both at the same time. Should save me five minutes.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
You could do some out door sh@gging while squirrel spotting or Stargazingcricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:01 pmWill try and do both at the same time. Should save me five minutes.
-
- Posts: 17108
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
- Been Liked: 4384 times
- Has Liked: 15117 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Out of curiosity...are Beavers extinct in this country? Never seen a hairy critter for a number of years now!
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Believe they’re making a comeback.
This user liked this post: tim_noone
-
- Posts: 5829
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:38 pm
- Been Liked: 2491 times
- Has Liked: 1477 times
- Location: On the high seas chasing Pirates
-
- Posts: 17108
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
- Been Liked: 4384 times
- Has Liked: 15117 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Culzean Castle
Electric Brae is a must!
Electric Brae is a must!
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
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.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
-
- Posts: 2347
- Joined: Mon May 13, 2019 5:46 pm
- Been Liked: 412 times
- Has Liked: 87 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
More holidays than Judith Chalmers
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
It’s not a holiday. I’m helping the aged.
This user liked this post: Bosscat
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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!
The museum is superb. The rest of the sites, very visitable.
Haggis must be eaten this week!
-
- Posts: 794
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:02 am
- Been Liked: 225 times
- Has Liked: 36 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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
culzean Castle
The burns stuff in Ayr
Isles of Arran and Cumbrae
All worth a visit as well
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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)
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Culzean was very nice Ian. Although inside was closed.
I expected electric brae would be underwhelming. I wish it was that good
- Attachments
-
- AED03AE9-A2E3-4F6D-9ECF-1F880815271B.jpeg (1.71 MiB) Viewed 2767 times
-
- 9B4408E6-F91A-4D03-B9F4-A188CDFDCE91.jpeg (905.17 KiB) Viewed 2767 times
-
- Posts: 6637
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:03 am
- Been Liked: 2004 times
- Has Liked: 3336 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:31 pmCulzean was very nice Ian. Although inside was closed.
I expected electric brae would be underwhelming. I wish it was that good
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Port Patrick was recommended to us today. Is it worth the drive out?Dark Cloud wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:44 pmCulzean 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!
Think we are heading east to Dundee tomorrow.
-
- Posts: 6637
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:03 am
- Been Liked: 2004 times
- Has Liked: 3336 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:46 pmPort Patrick was recommended to us today. Is it worth the drive out?
Think we are heading east to Dundee tomorrow.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Get up the west coast you will think your in Alaska. Some stunning scenery.cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:46 pmPort Patrick was recommended to us today. Is it worth the drive out?
Think we are heading east to Dundee tomorrow.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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!cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:31 pmCulzean was very nice Ian. Although inside was closed.
I expected electric brae would be underwhelming. I wish it was that good
Good excuse to return!
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
You may have a point. Can't remember what I was driving, when I tried it last.cricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:32 pmWe 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
-
- Posts: 17108
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
- Been Liked: 4384 times
- Has Liked: 15117 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Try it in your new electric car
This user liked this post: IanMcL
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Two electric positives! Better steer clear!
-
- Posts: 7389
- Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 2:19 am
- Been Liked: 2293 times
- Has Liked: 2166 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Strange. I actually mentioned this about my old job. Everyone hated going to Scotland. Didn’t bother me one bit. Beats East Midlands.Burnley1989 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:16 pmJust 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.
In fact a lot in general moan about driving anywhere.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
I love to drive all over Scotland.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
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.
-
- Posts: 17108
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
- Been Liked: 4384 times
- Has Liked: 15117 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Awful place with ginger haired people and funny money.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Time to keep looking over your shoulder Tim!
This user liked this post: tim_noone
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.beddie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:33 pmcricketfieldclarets.
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.
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.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Did you bump into Millertime v1 7 or his secret lover Morag ?
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
Edinburgh is always a lot nicer for weather and was complete blue skies there. Albeit very cold. Never tire of Edinburgh though.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Thanks cricketfieldclarets. We'll look at all your suggestions on the map and have a good think about it. Thanks again.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
-
- Posts: 10969
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:38 am
- Been Liked: 5185 times
- Has Liked: 803 times
- Location: On top of a pink elephant riding to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
The beach at Barassie near Troon is gorgeous.
You really can't go wrong in Scotland (or England and Wales) for beauty.
You really can't go wrong in Scotland (or England and Wales) for beauty.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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!!!Dark Cloud wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:44 pmCulzean 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!
This was as calm as it got.
- Attachments
-
- 0665F460-A2CF-4310-89C8-06586DB9BFF8.jpeg (577.07 KiB) Viewed 2017 times
This user liked this post: Bin Ont Turf
-
- Posts: 17246
- Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:57 pm
- Been Liked: 6485 times
- Has Liked: 2910 times
- Location: Fife
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
How do you find the jocks for driving when your up here,im sure none of them have ever passed a driving test!
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.
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.
This user liked this post: cricketfieldclarets
-
- Posts: 6637
- Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:03 am
- Been Liked: 2004 times
- Has Liked: 3336 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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!
-
- Posts: 21464
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:59 pm
- Been Liked: 8585 times
- Has Liked: 11285 times
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Absolutely. Shame couldn’t really take in as much hiking as we would like but even the drives are impressive.Siddo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:28 amSome 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.
This user liked this post: Siddo
-
- Posts: 17246
- Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:57 pm
- Been Liked: 6485 times
- Has Liked: 2910 times
- Location: Fife
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
Saw exactly the same manoeuvre in Kirkcaldy on a Saturday afternoon,and your right they love overtaking mostly on blind bendscricketfieldclarets wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 11:29 pmThey 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
Re: Galloway Forest Park, Ayrshire
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.Dark Cloud wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2020 7:48 amThe 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!
This user liked this post: Dark Cloud