Page 98 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

96  SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION SOUTHERN SC O TLAND  97

strife. Surviving chronicles of work is displayed in his former a The Rhinns of
Edward’s adventures de scribe home, Broughton House, on the Galloway
the castle in much the same High Street.
form as it stands today, despite MacLellan’s Castle in the Dumfries & Galloway. 3 Stranraer.
@ Stranraer, Portpatrick. g Stran­
being partial ly demolished and town centre was built in 1582
rebuilt many times, due to the by the then Provost of Kirkcud- raer. n 28 Harbour St, Stranraer
(01776) 702595.
clashes between the English bright, while outside, the ruins
and Scottish forces during of Dundrennan Abbey date In the extreme southwest of
the 14th and 16th centuries. from the 12th century. Mary, Scotland, this peninsula is
Throughout these troubles it Queen of Scots spent her last almost separated from the rest
remained the strong hold of the night there before fleeing to of the country by Loch Ryan
Maxwell family, and the Maxwell England in May 1568. and Luce Bay. It has a num ber of
crest and motto remain over attractions, including the Logan
the door. It was the struggle E Tolbooth Art Centre Botanic Garden, near Port Logan.
between Robert Maxwell, who High St. Tel (01557) 331556. Loch Trool, Galloway Forest Park, site of one of Robert the Bruce’s victories Established in 1900, subtropical
was the first Earl of Nithsdale Open 11am–4pm Mon–Sat (also species in the garden benefit
Moated fairy-tale Caerlaverock Castle with and a supporter of Charles I, and 1–4pm Sun mid-Apr–Sep). 7 as well as great beauty. The park the north of Loch Trool are from the area’s mild climate.
its red stone walls a Covenanter army that caused + MacLellan’s Castle extends to 670 sq km (260 sq a considerable size: Bennan Stranraer on Loch Ryan is the
the castle’s ruin in 1640. Tel (01557) 331856. Open Apr–Sep: miles) just north of Newton stands at 562 m (1,844 ft) and main centre and ferry port for
u Caerlaverock 9:30am–5:30pm daily. & = Stewart. The principal focal point Benyellary at 719 m (2,359 ft), Northern Ireland. The nearby
Castle ∑ historicenvironment.scot is Loch Trool. By Caldons Wood, while Merrick, at 843 m (2,766 ft), Portpatrick is a prettier town,
i Kirkcudbright to the west end of the loch, the is the tallest mountain in featuring a ruined church dat­
Near Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway. Martyrs’ Monument marks the Southern Scotland. The area is ing from 1629 and the remains
Tel (01387) 770244. Open Apr–Sep: Dumfries & Galloway. * 3,400. o Whithorn spot where six Covenanters were great for mountain biking and of 16th­century Dunskey Castle.
9:30am–5:30pm daily; Oct–Mar: @ n Harbour Sq (01557) 330494. killed at prayer in 1685. Bruce’s home to the famous 7stanes
10am–4pm daily. & 7 - = Open Apr–Oct: daily. Dumfries & Galloway. * 850. 3 Y Logan Botanic Garden
∑ historicenvironment.scot ∑ kirkcudbright.town Stranraer. @ n High St, Gatehouse Stone, above the north shore, route. It is also the UK’s first
of Fleet (01557) 814099. commemorates an occasion in Dark Sky park, and there are Near Port Logan, Stranraer. Tel (01776)
This impressive, three-sided, By the mouth of the River Dee, ∑ dumfriesandgalloway.co.uk 1307 when Robert the Bruce information panels so you can 860231. Open mid­Mar–Oct:
red stone structure, with its at the head of Kirkcudbright routed English forces. The hills to identify stars in the night sky. 10am–5pm daily. & 7 8 -
distinctive moat, is the finest Bay, this town has an artistic The earliest site of continu ous
example of a medieval castle heritage. The Tolbooth, dating Christian worship in Scotland,
in southwest Scotland. It stands from the late 1500s, is now the Whithorn (meaning white house) Galloway Forest Park Walk
14 km (9 miles) south of Dumfries, Tolbooth Art Centre, which takes its name from the white This walk gives a taste of wild hill­country and remote, high­level
and was built in around 1270. exhibits work by Kirk cud bright chapel built by St Ninian in 397. lochs. Adequate footwear, waterproof clothing and a map are
Caerlaverock came to promi n- artists from 1880 to the present Though nothing remains of the recommended. From the car park, descend towards the house,
ence in 1300, during the Wars of day. The most cele brated was chapel, a guided tour of the cross a bridge, and take a path northeast through a field. Follow the Loch Enoch
Independence, when it was Edward Hornel (1864–1933), archaeo logical dig reveals valley of the Gairland Burn for about 1.5 km (1 mile) to find Loch
beseiged by Edward I, king of one of the Glasgow Boys, who evidence of Northumbrian, Valley. A few minutes further north, the path reaches lonely Loch
England, setting a precedent for painted striking images of Viking and Scottish settlements Neldricken, from where you can return by the same route. This area
more than three centuries of Japanese women. Some of his ranging from the 5th to the 19th is a combination of glaciated hills and small hill lochs, set in hollows
centuries. The Whithorn Story scraped out by the ice thousands of years ago. If time is short, or Loch Aaron
provides audio-visual information the weather poor, there are shorter walks around Loch Trool.
on the excavations, and contains
ancient carved stones.
Loch Neldricken
E The Whithorn Story
45–47 George St. Tel (01988) 500508. Key
Open Easter–Oct: 10:30am–5pm. Footpath
& 8 7 partial. - = Access road
∑ whithorn.com
Loch Valley
p Galloway
Forest Park Long Loch of
Glenhead
Dumfries & Galloway. 3 Stranraer. Tips for Walkers
n Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre Round Loch of
Glenhead
(0300) 067 6800, Glen Trool Visitor Starting point: Bruce’s Stone car
Centre (same tel), Kirroughtree Visitor park, north side of Loch Trool. Loch Trool
Centre (same tel). - = Length: 10 km (6 miles).
∑ gallowayforestpark.com Getting there: By car: off the
A714, about 14 km (9 miles)
This is the wildest stretch of north of Newton Stewart, along 0 kilometres 2
country in Southern Scot land, an access road for 8 km (5 miles). 0 miles 1
Traditional stone buildings on the shore at Kirkcudbright with points of historical interest
For hotels and restaurants see pp173–5 and pp183–4 For additional map symbols see back flap

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