Dumfries and Galloway

[Cookieboy68]

Have any of u funsters been around Dumfries and Galloway, were heading that way at the end of the month.
We are going around the coastal road to Oban then heading inland across to the A1 and back home .We only have a week so any advice on decent sites and places to visit would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[ORPP2]

All of your posts make me want to visit D&G, especially as children we spent several holidays at Loch Ken. However, our mh is 8.5m long and we tow a trailer with our motorbike so I am anxious that we are too big for the roads. What do Funsters think? Should we choose somewhere just over the border as a base and then explore on the bike?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences. It has given me the confidence to take the mh and trailer north.

 

[Pausim]

Just onto the New Galloway to Newton Stewart road A712 is a CL called Brough, it's so peaceful with very little noise & stunning scenery.

We have been at The Brough for the last few days. Hope to be back again next year, it is indeed a beautiful and peaceful CL.

 

[jopparocks]

We have just returned from a week in D&G, no motorhome yet for various reasons, but we drove past so many small, lovely sites and places where people were wild camping, we said if we get a MH, we'll be straight to D&G. Roads are lovely, traffic non existent. We walked in the forest from the Kirroughtree Visitor Centre a few times and there were a few vans that had been parked up overnight just getting up when we arrived. So many small coastal places as already mentioned. Mull of Galloway area was gorgeous - you just have to visit Port Logan - pull up in the one small free car park a few steps above the beach and walk down a few steps to heaven. The day we were there 2 MHs were pulled up for the day doing just that. So many small wonderful finds. Whole area down to Isle of Whithorn as well. You can tell we love it just a bit!

We took the MH away this weekend and on one of the recommendations on here went to Mull of Galloway and stayed in farmers field just a mile before the lighthouse as suggested. Lovely spot and only a fiver for the night. Quite busy though but spoke to the farmer when he came to collect the money and he said that during the week is much quieter. Lovely guy by the way. Lighthouse has plenty of parking and a great cafe. Well worth a visit.
On the Sunday after visiting Logan Botanic Gardens which are beautiful (they even have a dedicated MH parking area) we went to the same place as you on the beach in Port Logan - the small car park with an ice cream stall and lovely views. Stayed their and relaxed for a couple of hours enjoying the view and having a snooze with the intention of moving up to the farm just behind the village where there is a stopover for £8 a night. But at around 6 whilst we were having another cuppa and I was reading my book a woman on a horse rode up to the window and shouted at us "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING!" It's only six I said we're having a cup of tea admiring the view its too early for bed but she just shouted at us again - literaly shouted "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING!" - rude and obnoxious- and then rode off without waiting for any answer. This was unpleasant to say the least and we hastily packed up and headed to the farm.
We had another anti-MH moment earlier at a passing place so although its a beautiful place I think it will be a while before we go back again. Signs everywhere as well saying welcome D&G.

 

[Pausim]

They seem to welcome motorhomes in the Galloway Forest. Clatteringshaws allows overnight parking (small charge) and has toilet disposal point. At Loch Stroan on the Raiders Road they allow overnight parking and currently no charge.

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[ambulancekidd]

They seem to welcome motorhomes in the Galloway Forest. Clatteringshaws allows overnight parking (small charge) and has toilet disposal point. At Loch Stroan on the Raiders Road they allow overnight parking and currently no charge.

The only thing the rangers ask is that you don't overnight park in the picnic spots, they're a friendly bunch & are always happy to offer advice or help.
It's a beautiful area.

 

[Cookieboy68]

Hi everyone OP here .Firstly a big thankyou for all the advice given.
Well were back after a wonderful week in D and G. As suggested on here were hooked and going back. As a place to visit in a motorhome I was blown away how welcoming and well provided for motorhomers it is.Free stopovers with cdp,laybys with bins etc.
We started our journey by visiting Kirkcudbright for a couple of hours ,a lovely lunch and a walk around,then on to Gatehouse of fleet, to a beautiful site .Newton farm campsite, wow, 40 ft away from the beach only 3 of us there.We were so chilled out there we stayed there another night.
Next morning away to visit Logan botanical Gardens, amazing place to visit if plants are your thing,had a decent lunch there in the Sun. Then on to the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway.
We were going to stop in the Farmers feild but after the visit to the lighthouse we decided to stop there ,no charge.In hindsight should have stopped in the farmers feild.( note to self when there is a yellow weather warning for wind and rain dont stop near a lighthouse ) when we arrived very calm, sunny lovely sunset,but come 3.00 in the morning.OMG ,I will never complain about the wind again,it was a white knuckle ride until about 7.00 ,till it got light when we made our way carefully down to sea level to a free stopover ,where we holed up and wait for the weather to pass over,which it did about 1.00.
Then on to The Isle Of Whithorn. Pulled up on the feild behind The Steam Packet Inn ,only one other van there,water and an cdp and free.Booked in at the Steam Packet for that evening for a meal. Wow beautiful meal highly recommended.
Next day, bit of a pit stop.into Newton Stewart for supplies ( mainly alcohol )then onto a little site called Balloch o Dee ,kirkcowan ,in the hills.so we could have a proper shower and a bit of hook up.Great site , had a great outdoor kitchen, which we made use of and also great for stargazing,recommend this site.
Next day onto the Galloway forest and tother clatteringshaws visitor center,fabulous bacon and egg butty and a good coffee, decided to stay the night in the carpark,we were the only ones there with a great view of the Loch £8 for the night,and cdp.

And finally our last night in D and G
When we stopped at Newton Farm campsite, the other van that was there was occupied by a fellah called Jason ,we got chatting and he has his own campsite in Dalbeattie called Claycroft Farm, a beautiful campsite .Only 10 pitches, very well spaced apart and beautifully kept.For those that like fishing you have private access to the River and Dalbeattie is only a mile away with five pubs. It does not have showers and toilets but does have cdp ,grey water and fresh water.
Highly recommended .
Well that concludes our wonderful week in Dumfries and Galloway.
Thanks once again for all the great advice
Motorhome Fun Rocks
P.s I will post some pics when we have sorted through the hundreds we have taken.

 

[Rosemary1]

Hi everyone OP here .Firstly a big thankyou for all the advice given.
Well were back after a wonderful week in D and G. As suggested on here were hooked and going back. As a place to visit in a motorhome I was blown away how welcoming and well provided for motorhomers it is.Free stopovers with cdp,laybys with bins etc.
We started our journey by visiting Kirkcudbright for a couple of hours ,a lovely lunch and a walk around,then on to Gatehouse of fleet, to a beautiful site .Newton farm campsite, wow, 40 ft away from the beach only 3 of us there.We were so chilled out there we stayed there another night.
Next morning away to visit Logan botanical Gardens, amazing place to visit if plants are your thing,had a decent lunch there in the Sun. Then on to the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway.
We were going to stop in the Farmers feild but after the visit to the lighthouse we decided to stop there ,no charge.In hindsight should have stopped in the farmers feild.( note to self when there is a yellow weather warning for wind and rain dont stop near a lighthouse ) when we arrived very calm, sunny lovely sunset,but come 3.00 in the morning.OMG ,I will never complain about the wind again,it was a white knuckle ride until about 7.00 ,till it got light when we made our way carefully down to sea level to a free stopover ,where we holed up and wait for the weather to pass over,which it did about 1.00.
Then on to The Isle Of Whithorn. Pulled up on the feild behind The Steam Packet Inn ,only one other van there,water and an cdp and free.Booked in at the Steam Packet for that evening for a meal. Wow beautiful meal highly recommended.
Next day, bit of a pit stop.into Newton Stewart for supplies ( mainly alcohol )then onto a little site called Balloch o Dee ,kirkcowan ,in the hills.so we could have a proper shower and a bit of hook up.Great site , had a great outdoor kitchen, which we made use of and also great for stargazing,recommend this site.
Next day onto the Galloway forest and tother clatteringshaws visitor center,fabulous bacon and egg butty and a good coffee, decided to stay the night in the carpark,we were the only ones there with a great view of the Loch £8 for the night,and cdp.

And finally our last night in D and G
When we stopped at Newton Farm campsite, the other van that was there was occupied by a fellah called Jason ,we got chatting and he has his own campsite in Dalbeattie called Claycroft Farm, a beautiful campsite .Only 10 pitches, very well spaced apart and beautifully kept.For those that like fishing you have private access to the River and Dalbeattie is only a mile away with five pubs. It does not have showers and toilets but does have cdp ,grey water and fresh water.
Highly recommended .
Well that concludes our wonderful week in Dumfries and Galloway.
Thanks once again for all the great advice
Motorhome Fun Rocks
P.s I will post some pics when we have sorted through the hundreds we have taken.

We go to the Mull of Galloway now and again - last time we took friends and couldn’t get out of the car for ages because of the wind - finally did with 2 people pushing and then 2 people holding over each door. Took us ages to walk anyway and we could lean over almost at 45 decrees into the wind and didn’t dare go too close to the edge. Cafe was still open but difficult to get and out of. We apologised to the 2 “southerner” and they said it was the most fun they had had in ages and named it the highlight of the trip!

 

[Cookieboy68]

We go to the Mull of Galloway now and again - last time we took friends and couldn’t get out of the car for ages because of the wind - finally did with 2 people pushing and then 2 people holding over each door. Took us ages to walk anyway and we could lean over almost at 45 decrees into the wind and didn’t dare go too close to the edge. Cafe was still open but difficult to get and out of. We apologised to the 2 “southerner” and they said it was the most fun they had had in ages and named it the highlight of the trip!

Same for us,took 2 of us to close the door,we ended up turning the van into the wind,that helped some what .
I'll never moan about it being windy again, now I know what proper wind is
It all added to the fun

 

[poppycamper]

Same for us,took 2 of us to close the door,we ended up turning the van into the wind,that helped some what .
I'll never moan about it being windy again, now I know what proper wind is
It all added to the fun

Think Tan Hill Inn on a windy day would give Mull o Galloway wind a run for its money.. 🌪🌪🌪🌪

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[ambulancekidd]

Think Tan Hill Inn on a windy day would give Mull o Galloway wind a run for its money.. 🌪🌪🌪🌪

I doubt it, exposed to a south westerly wind on the Mull is properly scary. I camped in the lighthouse car park one evening, beautiful clear night, could see Ireland, England, Isle of Man, Scotland (obviously) & the kingdom of heaven, beautiful night, no clouds, no breeze.
Didn't put the pop top up as high winds had been forecast, woke up at 4am & genuinely thought I was going over, it was that close.

Still a stunning place though & if you catch the nice weather, there are few places to beat it.

 

[poppycamper]

I doubt it, exposed to a south westerly wind on the Mull is properly scary. I camped in the lighthouse car park one evening, beautiful clear night, could see Ireland, England, Isle of Man, Scotland (obviously) & the kingdom of heaven, beautiful night, no clouds, no breeze.
Didn't put the pop top up as high winds had been forecast, woke up at 4am & genuinely thought I was going over, it was that close.

Still a stunning place though & if you catch the nice weather, there are few places to beat it.

Yes I have done both... and both are a force to be recond with...
At least at Tan Hill the effect of the booze makes it "seem" less

 

[ambulancekidd]

Yes I have done both... and both are a force to be recond with...
At least at Tan Hill the effect of the booze makes it "seem" less

I have stayed over at Tan Hill, but it was years ago & the weather was actually quite nice (honest). I was up there for a Land Rover weekend, it was superb.

 

[poppycamper]

I have stayed over at Tan Hill, but it was years ago & the weather was actually quite nice (honest). I was up there for a Land Rover weekend, it was superb.

Indeed... when it's nice it nice.... when it ain't pray there is a bit at side of pub that is relatively (I use term loosely) protected.
New Year up there 5 yrs ago I have to admit I was getting VERY concerned about wind.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Just been looking at Port Logan Caravan Site and it says 7 night minimum stays and ......... NOT SUITABLE FOR MOTORHOMES and it's a CAMC CL site

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[Pausim]

Just been looking at Port Logan Caravan Site and it says 7 night minimum stays and ......... NOT SUITABLE FOR MOTORHOMES and it's a CAMC CL site

Rather surprising and in a lovely spot. As a privately owned and run CL they can presumably make up their own rules. They talk about needing levelling blocks to level up caravans so perhaps the site is so steep they have had problems with motorhomes. I know of one site (Norfolk) where caravans are not allowed.

 

[Grianan]

Rather surprising and in a lovely spot. As a privately owned and run CL they can presumably make up their own rules. They talk about needing levelling blocks to level up caravans so perhaps the site is so steep they have had problems with motorhomes. I know of one site (Norfolk) where caravans are not allowed.

It is a real shame. We were disappointed too.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Is it also possible that they don't want/need the hassle of having to juggle multiple one or two day bookings?

 

[Ingwe]

Claycroft Farm, a beautiful campsite .Only 10 pitches, very well spaced apart and beautifully kept.For those that like fishing you have private access to the River and

Do you whether swimming is permitted here? It sounds good. We had a very pleasant two nights at Newton Farm. Wished we’d booked more!

 

[j8snl]

Have any of u funsters been around Dumfries and Galloway, were heading that way at the end of the month.
We are going around the coastal road to Oban then heading inland across to the A1 and back home .We only have a week so any advice on decent sites and places to visit would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Two recommendations I would give you in that general area:

1. If you're adult only then the Greenacres Park at Carlisle is one of our favourites - https://www.greenacrescumbria.co.uk/ with the most modern and clean toilet / shower block we've encountered. Albeit on the M6/M74 route versus A1 route

2. From there, cutting along the Solway Firth coastline and stopping at MossYard - https://www.mossyard.co.uk/ top site is mostly statics and lodges the lower field has many pitches but several are right on the sea front. Only annoying thing here is you need 20p pieces for the shower facilities.

Also a number of great sites on the Solway Firth route.

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[jess12]

Thomaston farm opposite culzean castle small site about half the price of the ccc we were only there to visit castle for a couple of days sandy hills bay was a cracking site not cheap but right on the beach not bad for swimming but flipping cold really good for walking mossy yard as already said another nice site

 

[Ambilkate]

View attachment 657982

Where is this please anyone know

 

[lorger]

Where is this please anyone know

I’m guessing it’s the farmers field on the way to the lighthouse at Mull of Galloway

 

[lorger]

Have a look here

Details and reviews for Mull of Galloway spit

Details and reviews for Mull of Galloway spit a Overnight parking - no services United Kingdom plus motorhome stopovers and campsites in Europe

www.searchforsites.co.uk

 

[Ambilkate]

Have a look here

Details and reviews for Mull of Galloway spit

Details and reviews for Mull of Galloway spit a Overnight parking - no services United Kingdom plus motorhome stopovers and campsites in Europe

www.searchforsites.co.uk

I’m guessing it’s the farmers field on the way to the lighthouse at Mull of Galloway

Thankyou , heading to D &G tomorrow our first time there . So much to take in, Amanda wants the beaches we want the peace and quiet and the scenery lol

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[Cookieboy68]

I’m guessing it’s the farmers field on the way to the lighthouse at Mull of Galloway

It is

 

[Cookieboy68]

Were back to D and G on the 16th after a week on the Mull of Kintyre .
This will be 3 times within a year we've been.We love it there ,hope you do to

 

[lorger]

Thankyou , heading to D &G tomorrow our first time there . So much to take in, Amanda wants the beaches we want the peace and quiet and the scenery lol

What plans do you have if any, if you need any info or help just ask. We’re off to France on Wednesday but still available if you have any questions.
Sandyhills has a lovely beach and site borders it.
Port William campsite is right on the sea, rocky beach and very quiet little village with cafe/pub and shop, it’s one of our favourites.
New England bay has lovely beach, cmc have a site there but you can stay outside the gate for free and has wc emptying
Also recommend the Galloway forest, loads of wild camping spots if you like that. Again just ask.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

I'd recommend a visit to Dumfries. You can park your Moho at Brooms Road car park DG1 2JX plenty of free parking for motorhomes, lorries and coaches 8am - 6pm. An easy short walk to the main shopping area. We had no probs parking 2 weeks ago on a Thursday lunchtime. Nice little town

 

[angusboy]

Love dg

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[lorger]

Ambilkate does Amanda like Peter Pan, if so Moat Brae is worth a visit. This was JM Barrie’s friends house while living in Dumfries and inspired the story, it’s just been turned into a visitor centre and gets great reviews, park at Brooms rd as mentioned above and it’s 10 minute walk.
Also if in Dumfries the aviation museum is well worth a visit, it’s 3 miles outside Dumfries with easy parking. I held a rally there 4 years ago so probably not an issue staying in car park if you ask and mention MHF rally.