Chipperkyle Country House Scotland

Bed and Breakfast

Dumfries and Galloway

Tel: 01556 650223

Cycling

Offering some of the best cycling in the country set amidst spectacular scenery. The bicycle was invented here by Kirkpatrick MacMillan in 1840 – try the KM Trail. The Cycle Network has over 450 miles (724km) of sign-posted routes on quiet roads and around 40 miles (64km) of off-road paths to test even the most experienced.

Water Sports

Try sailing with the Solway Yacht Club at Kippford. Sailing regattas and cadet week in the summer. The Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken has become increasingly popular as a fun but safe place to learn sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing etc. Especially good with children. Wet suits for hire. RYA Courses accredited. Weekly sailing courses available. Water Skiing is also available at a different location on Loch Ken. You can try out knee-boarding, banana-boating, ringos etc. Wet suits come as part of the deal. Ideal for all the family on a wet day.

Mountain Biking

Ride the 7stanes – award winning mountain biking in a landscape varying from rolling hills to crag-sided valleys, deep forest tracks to stunning coastal views, from miles of sweeping and sinuous trails to the most demanding technical singletrack. Stay in style and comfort at Chipperkyle where we can provide secure bike lock-up, hose wash, overnight wash and dry facilities and a big breakfast. Packed lunches available with prior notice. We are only 8 miles from Dalbeattie – dare to try the Slab or the Terrible Twins, 16 miles from Mabie with its classic woodland trail mountain biking and 33 miles from Kirroughtree where a single track twists through the largest rock trail feature in Britain. Fabulous Mountain Biking can also be found at Ae and Glentrool.

Gardens and Nurseries

Dumfries and Galloway benefits from a mild climate thanks to the warming influences of the Gulf Stream. The favourable growing conditions, free-draining, lime-free soils and lack of hard frosts make possible many fine Gardens such as Threave (National Trust for Scotland), Logan Botanic Garden, Glenwhan, Galloway House, Castle Kennedy and Lochinch Gardens, Cally Garden and Nursery and the charm of Elizabeth Macgregor’s garden and Nursery of Violas and Cottage Garden plants at Kirkcudbright. Just 10 minutes away is Buckland Plants, another specialist nursery not to be missed. There are also about 15 gardens open in the summer in Kirkcudbrightshire under Scotland’s Gardens and a further 13 in neighbouring Dumfriesshire. For dates see scotlandsgardens.org.

Castle Douglas

There have been settlements at Castle Douglas for hundreds of years. It prospered in the 1600s as it was on the road built by James I to support the migration to Ulster. It is a historic market town for the rich surrounding farmlands with cattle and sheep markets still held here weekly. It is famous for the quality of its meat – 3 butchers are thriving here. Castle Douglas markets itself as a Food Town and there is a farmers market here on the last Sunday of the month. There are Scottish bakers and butchers, delis, a health food shop and even a traditional hardware shop. You can shop for antiques, clothes, interior objects and have fun browsing numerous other shops too. Why not finish off with a visit to Sulwath Brewery!

If art is your quest we have  galleries to visit too. Designs Gallery offers contemporary art and design-led crafts. A select collection of art, books, jewellery and a definite bet for a present, including wonderful wrapping paper. If you want to commission a piece of furniture or jewellery there is also a register where you can look up craftspeople. After all that there is a cafe downstairs for lunch or coffee. The McGill-Duncan Gallery exhibits (and sells) works by National and International painters, printmakers, ceramicists, glass workers, sculptors and jewellers. This is a well-established gallery which has recently had a welcome overhaul so do not miss out on this treat.

In the evenings you can go to a performance at Fullarton Theatre a converted church that seats 200 just beside Carlingwark Loch.

Threave Gardens is part of the Botanic Gardens, now owned by The National Trust for Scotland (see gardens above) and is spectacular in April and May. Nearby Threave Castle was built in the late 14th century probably by the third Earl of Douglas, Archibald the Grim, later becoming the stronghold of the Black Douglases. Despite The Grim, it is in the most stunning and romantic setting.

Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright is a self-styled Artists’ Town and is renowned for it’s soft light and coastal landscapes. In the 1880s a group of local artists started exhibiting their work here, amongst them was E.A. Hornel who became one of “The Glasgow Boys”. He set up home at Broughton House and Garden (National Trust for Scotland) where you can visit his studio and delightful garden. Jessie M. King, E.A. Taylor and William Robson also made their homes in the town. The tradition is still evident with the many galleries and exhibitions in the town.

Of particular note is The Whitehouse Gallery which has exhibitions of affordable art and sculpture. Also worth visiting are Maclellan’s Castle built in 1582, the Tolbooth and the harbour which still has fishing vessels coming and going. You can eat near the harbour at a fish and chip shop with a difference – take your own bottle. The town also hosts a series of Festivities including a Tattoo with bagpipes over the summer.

Art in Dumfries and Galloway

This region is renowned for its art and artists, and you may just come across magnificent works as you are out and about. The Spring Fling opens on the May Bank holiday weekend when over 80 artist studios open to the public. But art is part of our culture and is never far away. Kirkcudbright is famous for the ‘Scottish Colourists’.

Another attraction is the Striding Arches around Penpont where Andy Goldsworthy has created a series of stone sculptures that are stunning to look at and wonderful to find. A good adventure.  It is this that really epitomises Dumfries and Galloway, beautiful scenery with lovely walks where you are likely to encounter great works of art and interesting wildlife that will challenge your body, mind and spirit.

Wigtown (Book Town)

We are just about an hour to Scotland’s National Book Town established in 1997; a quirky and charismatic centre of an ever increasing number of shops to browse through and a mecca for secondhand books.  Try and come in September during Wigtown Book Festival when many famous writers, poets, explorers, scientists et al. celebrate literature. The Telegraph newspaper says it is “one of the best autumn festivals in the world”.

In 2012 Wigtown won a Creative Place Award. How can you miss it?

Whithorn

The nations oldest town and the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. The Visitor Centre run by the Whithorn Trust reveals a detailed picture of the thriving community which lived around the church built by St. Ninian, Scotland’s first saint. This has established Whithorn as a site of international significance and unique archeological potential.