Borgue, the nearest village 1.5 miles away. Public phone, post office and small shop, hotel, recycling centre.
Kirkcudbright, 5 miles away. ‘Artist Town’ dominated by St Cuthburt’s Church spire, Gothic tower of Tolbooth and 16th Century McLellan’s Castle. Has all small town amenities and supermarket (Somerfields) plus Tourist Information Centre. Also just outside the town is Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park,with a varied collection of 200 animals from all over the world in natural settings, and Broughton House- a museum and art gallery in elegant Georgian mansion with sheltered gardens and the River Dee. Library has 15,000 books and manuscripts.
Dundrennan Abbey 6 miles south of Kirkcudgbright. Founded by David 1, Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night on Scottish soil in this Cistercian Abbey.
Tongland Battlemented and turreted bridge over River Dee, designed by Thomas Telford in 1800s. Guided tours of hydorelectric power station and dam.
Gatehouse of Fleet 7 miles away. Former cotton town is now walking and holiday centre on banks of Water of Fleet. Original gatehouse now houses whitewashed wine bar, and Mill on the Fleet, a restored 18th Century Cotton Mill with displays on natural and human heritage. 2 miles south of this town is Cream o’ Galloway.with its fantastic adventure playground, covered play barn, bike hire and nature trails. Have a taste of their fabulous ice-cream!
Castle Douglas 15 miles away. Larger town with good amenties, also known as the Food Town for the variety of food produce available through local family businesses. (Also has a supermarket - Co-op). A number of events take place through the year such as Food and Craft Fairs, Galloway County Fair and theme menus provided by the local hotels, cafes and restuarants.
Bronze Age crannogs (artificial islands) amongst islets of Carlingwalk Loch on southern edge of 18th Century weaving and carpet making centre. Main street has steeple-like clock tower.
Threave Garden and Wildfowl Refuge, 1 mile west of Castle Douglas, is an estate surrounding Scottish Baronial Threave House. This has woodland walks and various gardens. Observation points overlook refuge along banks of River Dee with wild swans, duck and geese. On the island to the northwest is ruined Threave Castle, 14th Century stronghold of the feared Black Douglases.
Dumfries 30 miles away. Largest town in Dumfries and Galloway. Former seaport where Robert Burns lived before his death in 1796. House contains personal possessions. Robert Burns Centre recalls his years in Dumfries and his mausoleum is in St Michael’s churchyard. Mid Steeple was built in 1707 as courthouse and prison. Bridge dating from 15th Century is oldest of five across River Nith, and 18th Century windmill contains Camera Obscura and local history museum, and which gives panoramic views over the town.
Mabie Forest – Views of Nithsdale and the Solway Firth can be seen from marked trails the lead through the hillside plantations of fir, spruce, oak and beech.
Mabie Farm Park on the outskirts of Dumfries. Fun for all the family with animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, quad bikes, boats, astroglide grass sledging and tearoom.
Sweetheart Abbey 8 miles south of Dumfries. Splendid remains of a late 13th Century/early 14th Century Cistercian Abbey.
There are many more places of interest all over Dumfries and Galloway - this is just a small selection of things to do within up to an hours drive from the cottage.