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.

 

[Ambilkate]

Thankyou really appreciate your offer of your help and info .

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.

AHH Thankyou really appreciate your offer of your help and info . I daresay We will be in touch as we travel round ,we have been reading a lot of old threads on here so . We have tow car with us . Heading towards Sandyhills beach tomorrow from Maryport . Hopefully open road for two to three weeks if my mom behaves herself at home ( she been quite poorly but on mend now ) thanks again x Kate x

 

[Ambilkate]

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.

Yes she loves Peter Pan thankyou

 

[lorger]

Thankyou really appreciate your offer of your help and info .

AHH Thankyou really appreciate your offer of your help and info . I daresay We will be in touch as we travel round ,we have been reading a lot of old threads on here so . We have tow car with us . Heading towards Sandyhills beach tomorrow from Maryport . Hopefully open road for two to three weeks if my mom behaves herself at home ( she been quite poorly but on mend now ) thanks again x Kate x

If you have a tow car I’d advise you go in from Dalbeattie side as the other way from Dumfries is a bit tighter. While there a visit to Kippford for lunch is recommended

Moat Brae | Dumfries | National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling

Moat Brae opened on 1st June 2019 as an international visitor attraction and Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling.

www.moatbrae.org

 

[HugoBNB]

View attachment 657982

Where is this please?

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[namwaldog]

Curiously enough we were talking about the 'Aire' at Kirkudbright a couple of days ago as it was reported as closed at the start of this year yet there appears to be recent reviews on S4S this summer.
I couldn't get confirmation at the time as....
a. Kept getting an answer machine at the swimming pool
b. Tourist office by the harbour didn't have a tel no.
c. Silvercraigs campsite(Community run) who used to look after the Aire, only seem to have someone to answer the phone (01557 332050) between 1400 & 1600 and I keep forgetting to ring them!
The price seems to have risen from £10 to £15 ( still good value) and there is now a Campra logo on the SFS listing.

 

[lorger]

Curiously enough we were talking about the 'Aire' at Kirkudbright a couple of days ago as it was reported as closed at the start of this year yet there appears to be recent reviews on S4S this summer.
I couldn't get confirmation at the time as....
a. Kept getting an answer machine at the swimming pool
b. Tourist office by the harbour didn't have a tel no.
c. Silvercraigs campsite(Community run) who used to look after the Aire, only seem to have someone to answer the phone (01557 332050) between 1400 & 1600 and I keep forgetting to ring them!
The price seems to have risen from £10 to £15 ( still good value) and there is now a Campra logo on the SFS listing.

As far as I’m aware it’s reopened and is run by the campsite, they are terrible to get hold of and hardly ever answer the phone.

 

[HugoBNB]

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.

A fantastic post, thank you. We are planning a trip to D&G and this roughly sounds like the itinerary we are looking for. We look forward to seeing the pics.
Safe travels
BnB

 

[Cookieboy68]

My better half has just told me that the cafe at clatteringshaws has closed down permanently today.Sad news we had a lovely bite to eat there last year .Apparently its due to the massive hike in electricity.

 

[Pausim]

As far as I’m aware it’s reopened and is run by the campsite, they are terrible to get hold of and hardly ever answer the phone.

The campsite and the aire are community run and they do not have any dedicated office staff. This is clearly stated on their website. The aire is not bookable and the campsite has a good online booking service. If you need to get hold of them they suggest email. All shown on their contact page.

Contact us - Silvercraigs Caravan Park

www.silvercraigscaravanpark.co.uk

I think the community should be praised for providing these facilities not criticised for not providing a phone service.

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[Gellyneck]

New England bay has lovely beach, cmc have a site there but you can stay outside the gate for free and has wc emptying

Don't know if you've heard, Gerry, but a very strong rumour going about that some of the farm land next to NEB has been sold, the Council won't be renewing C&MC lease and will be selling for development of a huge static caravan site!

 

[lorger]

The campsite and the aire are community run and they do not have any dedicated office staff. This is clearly stated on their website. The aire is not bookable and the campsite has a good online booking service. If you need to get hold of them they suggest email. All shown on their contact page.

Contact us - Silvercraigs Caravan Park

www.silvercraigscaravanpark.co.uk

I think the community should be praised for providing these facilities not criticised for not providing a phone service.

Yes they should be praised where its due but they also deserve criticism when it's due, about a month ago we decided to go away for the weekend and fancied kirkcudbright and at the time the Aire was temporary closed. We emailed them on the Wednesday and try phoning as when we went on to the online booking the only pitch available was a disabled one, we didn't want to book this without their permission but thought surely they don't leave it empty in the off chance a disabled person turns up. By Friday lunch time we still had no reply and their website says they are contactable between a certain time which they advertise on their website, we decided to drive to the site and ask there if we could have this pitch. We sat there for an hour and left several messages and to this day we are still waiting for a reply, to make matters worse while sitting at the gate waiting for someone to turn up the last pitch got booked.

You mention the community offer this service I think you'll find the folk working there aren't doing it for nothing and if they advertise that you can call between a certain time then should be available, or the should at least answer their emails.

 

[lorger]

My better half has just told me that the cafe at clatteringshaws has closed down permanently today.Sad news we had a lovely bite to eat there last year .Apparently its due to the massive hike in electricity.

It should open again next year, the forestry would only offer the current lease holder a 1 year extension and they wanted at least 3 years so they could plan for the future, the forestry refused so the lease will be up for grabs, probably to one of their family members for at least 5 years or is that just me being cynical

 

[lorger]

Don't know if you've heard, Gerry, but a very strong rumour going about that some of the farm land next to NEB has been sold, the Council won't be renewing C&MC lease and will be selling for development of a huge static caravan site!

Hadn't heard that, that will be a shame as though its not a site we use it's really busy and great for families.

 

[MichaelT]

We stayed on this CL last year.

Moss-side Farm

Details for Moss-side Farm a Caravan & Motorhome Club certificated location Cummertrees, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, United Kingdom, DG12 5PU

www.searchforsites.co.uk

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[JnJ]

From 15th -25th September there is a new CCC Temporary Holiday Site running at Wig Bay.
First weekend is Stranraer Oyster Festival.

Joy

 

[Mixyblob]

View attachment 657982

Is that here?

 

[jockaneezer]

Where is this please?

Looks like it's just down from the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, on the Luce bay side ?
Edit, great minds and all that Mixyblob ?

 

[namwaldog]

I can confirm that the Aire at Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool is open!!
We're there now!
£15 inc EHU, Elsan, water. payable at the swimming pool.
There is now a lock on the Elsan, the combination of which is given to you when you pay.

Dont forget there are 5 pitches...
The 3 obvious ones and 2 more behind the boiler room.

 

[Suenliam]

We were at the Kirkcudbright site a few weeks ago. There has been a change of manager who was trying to sort out a problem with the website booking . Double bookings etc. He did his best but was floundering as it was only his second day! Normally runs like clockwork and one of our preferred sites. Community managed but they do have paid staff.
Sue

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[WillH]

Don't know if you've heard, Gerry, but a very strong rumour going about that some of the farm land next to NEB has been sold, the Council won't be renewing C&MC lease and will be selling for development of a huge static caravan site!

We get that rumour every couple of years, the site that is developing is Sands of Luce at sandhead. Planning for a new static caravan site would face huge opposition locally. A friend of mine had a Temporary Holiday Site through the C&CC and every year he had many objections, all from site owners.

 

[Mike/Denise]

Kirkcudbright swimming pool is a good stopover but try and get there during opening hrs as we found the mobile number didn’t work. If it’s full there were motorhomes parked at the bottom of the field opposite in the parking area.The locals are very friendly it was the Kirkcudbright tattoo last weekend and so was packed by the time we got there but one of the event organisers told us to head towards Borgue there is a grass car park which overlooks the estuary and has a toilet, he said it says no camping but everyone does and never gets moved on so we did. There were 3 tents and 2 motorhomes there when we arrived six motorhomes by the morning. Lovely quiet stopover right on the beach, think it was called nun mill bay

 

[big bertha]

Going to New England Bay at the weekend after a stopover in Moffat

 

[Ambilkate]

I can confirm that the Aire at Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool is open!!
We're there now!
£15 inc EHU, Elsan, water. payable at the swimming pool.
There is now a lock on the Elsan, the combination of which is given to you when you pay.

View attachment 804163

View attachment 804162

Dont forget there are 5 pitches...
The 3 obvious ones and 2 more behind the boiler room.

Is the swimming pool open as well ?
Kind regards Kate x

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We stayed at Silvercraigs campsite at Kirkcudbright, five minutes walk into town, it's community run and guests there can use the swimming pool free till end of September

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[Mike/Denise]

The pool in Kirkcudbright is open and you can use their toilet and shower when they’re open

 

[namwaldog]

Is the swimming pool open as well ?

It was open when we arrived at about 1300 but was closing at 1400 for the day.
I've just walked round to the entrance and taken this image of the timetable on the inside of the glass.(not easy in the dark using flash through a glass door! )
It looks like it is last weeks timetable - maybe a new one in the morning but it gives you some idea.

 

[Mixyblob]

Looks like it's just down from the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, on the Luce bay side ?
Edit, great minds and all that Mixyblob ?

Several travelers had set up camp on the beach when we were there

 

[Ambilkate]

It was open when we arrived at about 1300 but was closing at 1400 for the day.
I've just walked round to the entrance and taken this image of the timetable on the inside of the glass.(not easy in the dark using flash through a glass door! )
It looks like it is last weeks timetable - maybe a new one in the morning but it gives you some idea.
View attachment 804374

Thankyou so much appreciate you taking the time to take pic .
Kate x

 

[Gellyneck]

We get that rumour every couple of years, the site that is developing is Sands of Luce at sandhead. Planning for a new static caravan site would face huge opposition locally. A friend of mine had a Temporary Holiday Site through the C&CC and every year he had many objections, all from site owners.

Yip, it goes around frequently but the first time I've heard the farmland has been sold (but without confirmation it may not be!)
We've seen the Sandhead site developing additional touring pitches next to the main road but never seen anybody on them!
It would be a travesty if the NEB site were to be developed into a static park but guess money talks in these times!

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[WillH]

The Sands of Luce site has now purchased the house and paddock across the road from the site and extended toward the village. The touring sites are now down by the beach at the north end of the site, the hard stand at the roadside is for display statics. Perhaps this is the purchase you've heard of. I shall put feelers out.