Miles

60

Kms

96

Days

4

The South West of Scotland is the perfect place for golfers who like to escape the crowds and discover something new.

This 4-day itinerary takes in some of our favourite courses and suggests lots of other things for you to see and do along the way.

Day 1

Wigtown & Bladnoch

Offering magnificent views of Wigtown Bay as you play, Wigtown & Bladnoch Golf Club is a relaxing and friendly 9-hole course set in rolling parkland on the edge of Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town. A visit to the town itself is an absolute must. Browse the many delightful bookshops or indulge in a post-round bite to eat at one of the many lovely local cafes! After that, head over to Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve, the largest LNR in Britain, a perfect place to walk, to fish or to birdwatch.

Miles

1

Kms

1

Stops

3

Travel Time

2min

Stop 1 - Wigtown & Bladnoch Golf Club

Wigtown & Bladnoch Golf Club is a very pleasant 9-hole golf course set in lush parkland just half a mile from Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town.

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Stop 2 - Wigtown Scotland's National Book Town

Wigtown is Scotland’s National Book Town, where the books outnumber people 250 to 1! Home to 17 bookshops and book-related businesses, including Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop, Wigtown hosts the world’s only bookshop AirBnB and the annual Wigtown Book Festival.

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Stop 3 - Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve

Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve is the largest LNR in Britain. The estuary, with large areas of salt marsh and mudflats is vitally important for many of the species that live there, especially for salt-tolerant plants and wintering wildfowl. The reserve is a popular venue for a range of recreational activities including angling and bird watching.

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The Whithorn Trust
location_on Newton Stewart

Whithorn is where the earliest evidence of Christianity has been found in Scotland c.450AD. See 2000 years of history at our exhibition, Roundhouse and Museum.

Isle of Whithorn
location_on Isle of Whithorn

Isle of Whithorn is one of the most southerly villages and seaports in Scotland.

Day 2

Wigtownshire

Wigtownshire Golf Course is a true links 18-hole course on the shores of Luce Bay. A test for those with high and low handicaps, it is a very popular course.

A short drive from the golf course, sits one of Scotland’s best-preserved monasteries, Glen Luce Abbey which was founded in 1192. One of the loveliest beaches in the region is also nearby, at Sandhead. This broad expanse of beach is a lovely spot to take in the sea air and relax.

Or if you enjoy gardens, why not visit Glenwhan Gardens? Hewn from rough moorland 40 years ago, this lovely garden is home to many tender plants from around the Southern Hemisphere, together with large collections of rare trees and shrubs, plus it has a lovely tearoom!

Miles

19

Kms

31

Stops

4

Travel Time

46min

Stop 1 - Wigtownshire County Golf Club

Wigtownshire County Golf Club – The ‘County’ is one of the most popular holiday golf courses in South West Scotland, an 18-hole, true links course situated on the shores of Luce Bay.

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Stop 2 - Glenluce Abbey

Tucked in a tranquil valley is one of Scotland’s best-preserved monasteries. A highlight is the magnificent chapter house, with its ornate windows and grotesque carvings. There is also a remarkable plumbing system that supplied the Cistercian monks with running water.

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Stop 3 - Sandhead Beach

This beautiful sandy beach in Sandhead village near Stranraer stretches for more than a mile and boasts unlimited sand when the tide is out. Luce bay is designated a Special Area for Conservation for its dune, seashore and seabed habitats and the fantastic marine wildlife it supports. With ample car parking and picnic tables by the beach, the area is a great place for a picnic before walking on the beach.

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Stop 4 - Glenwhan Gardens, Arboretum & Tea Room

Glenwhan Gardens are a labour of love, hewn from rough moorland 40 years ago. With the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, Glenwhan grows many tender plants from around the Southern Hemisphere, together with large collections of rare trees and shrubs.

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Kitchen Coos & Ewes
location_on Newton Stewart

Highland cows, farmer guided tours and farmhouse baking are just some of the ingredients that go into making an experience you'll never forget.

Galloway Forest Park
location_on Newton Stewart

Anytime is a great time to visit! The Galloway Forest Park has everything you need for a great day out, whatever the time of year.

Day 3

Portpatrick

You’ll be spoiled for choice at Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club, which has two courses, an 18-hole and a 9-hole which are a mixture of rolling moorland and seaside heath.

Just a couple of miles away, south of the charming seaside town of Portpatrick, are the dramatic clifftop ruins of Dunskey castle, well worth a look. Another of our favourite places to spend time and enjoy a spot of lunch is Logan Botanic Gardens, you may be surprised to see so many exotic plants in a Scottish garden.

Or why not visit Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway? From here on a clear day you can see England, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. If you have the energy, you can climb the 115 steps to the top of the lighthouse for an even better view!

Miles

19

Kms

31

Stops

4

Travel Time

53min

Stop 1 - Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club

Situated on the coast in south west Scotland, Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club is just a short stroll from the picturesque village of Portpatrick and boasts two superbly maintained courses. Overlooking the North Channel to Ireland, Portpatrick Dunskey enjoys a temperate climate due to the Gulf Stream and is playable all year round.

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Stop 2 - Portpatrick

Portpatrick is a picturesque seaside village on the west coast of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula. It was once a busy port, and is now a popular seaside resort.

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Stop 3 - Dunskey Castle

Dunskey Castle dates back to the 13th or 14th Century and has a gruesome history. It was plundered and burned in 1489 and was rebuilt in 1510 and extended in 1648. The entire building became derelict by 1700 and hasn’t changed much since. The castle has featured in several film and TV sets.

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Stop 4 - Logan Botanic Gardens

The Five-Star Logan Botanic Garden is Scotland’s most exotic garden as it is warmed by the gulf stream. Discover plant treasures rarely seen in the United Kingdom.

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RSPB Mull of Galloway
location_on Stranraer

Discover Scotland's most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway.

Killantringan Lighthouse
location_on Stranraer

Served as a waypoint in the North Channel of the Irish Sea, it became operational in 1900, and is a listed building.

Day 4

Stranraer

The last course on your trip, is the outstanding Championship Golf Course at Stranraer. It is well worth making time to play, it is beautifully designed with a prevailing wind from the sea and some challenging holes.

Then if you are heading in to explore the town of Stranraer, make sure not to miss the Castle of St John, a fine example of a tower house built in the sixteenth century.

For angling enthusiasts, Stranraer and District Angling Association offers five different venues for brown and rainbow trout and roach.

Or if you fancy taking in some more of the dramatic coastal beauty of the region, the Mull of Galloway Walking Trail is the perfect choice!

Miles

20

Kms

33

Stops

4

Travel Time

41min

Stop 1 - Stranraer Golf Club

The course was designed in 1950 by the distinguished golf course architect, the late James Braid who was also involved in designing such great courses as Gleneagles, Rosemount, Carnoustie and Dalmahoy. His spirit lives on in this classic championship course at Stranraer.

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Stop 2 - Castle of St John

The Castle of St John is a fine example of the tower houses built and used by Scottish Lairds in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

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Stop 3 - Stranraer and District Angling Association

Founded in 1947 Stranraer and District Angling Association offers visiting anglers a diverse choice, from remote wild brown trout fishing, to a well-stocked user-friendly loch especially suited to the younger and disadvantaged anglers as well as those wishing to enjoy some fishing whilst visiting the area.

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Stop 4 - Mull of Galloway Trail

This is one of the most scenic trails in South West Scotland. After the initial section from Stranraer to Luce Bay, the trail follows the coastline of the Southern Rhins of Galloway to end at the Mull of Galloway where there is a visitor centre with an excellent cafe with stunning views.

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The sculpture of Kirkpatrick MacMillan's Velocipede marks the start point of the Kirkpatrick C2C, South of Scotland's 250-mile coast to coast cycle route.

Stranraer Museum
location_on Stranraer

Stranraer's historic Old Town Hall, built in 1776, is the home of Stranraer Museum. Step inside and discover Wigtownshire's fascinating past

Where to Stay

Craigmount Bed and Breakfast
location_on Wigtown

Craigmount Bed & Breakfast. Beautiful Georgian former manse in Scotlands National Book Town.

Tigh Na Mara Hotel
location_on Stranraer

Picturesque traditional Inn, central location with amazing views of Luce Bay. New outdoor heated pods , free wifi and the best local produce available.

Knockinaam Lodge
location_on Stranraer

Award winning Restaurant with rooms, set in its own cove with views of Ireland with a restaurant focusing on modern Scottish cuisine.

Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel
location_on Kirkholm, Stranraer

The Restaurant and Hotel are based in the Historic Lighthouse Keepers accomodation build in 1815 by the famous Sevenson Family.