sublime-scotland

May 9, 2022

Sauntering through the South West

The south-west corner of Scotland is waiting to be discovered. We are planning a new tour for 2023 to include the amazing coastal villages, cultural havens and also Scotland's national Booktown of Wigtown. Enjoy a few days in this quiet region, or add it to another tour to create a fabulous journey around Scotland.

Stroll to the estuary of the River Bladnoch and the nature reserve of Wigtown Bay. Hear the forgotten story of the Wigtown Martyrs, two local Covenanter women who were tied to stakes in the local mudflats on 11th May 1685. They refused to accept the monarch as the head of the church and for this belief they were allowed to drown as the tide came in. A sad story from the "Fifty Years Struggle" which ended in 1688. Still today the monarch is not the head of the Church in Scotland.

Scotland's Booktown

Include a stay in Wigtown, known as Scotland's National Booktown thanks to the many and varied bookshops spread all over the village. Browse the shelves for a favourite topic, ask the bookseller for advice or enjoy a coffee or lunch in one of the tasty cafe bookshops.

In late September the town is alive with authors, readers and visitors from far and wide who come together every year for the Wigtown Book Festival. Hear famous writers read from their latest novel or discuss fascinating aspects of their writing.

Ancient history of Whithorn

Explore the ancient village of Whithorn, and the stunning ruins of the 12th century St Ninian Chapel erected for the benefit of local worshipers and pilgrims. Marvel at the life of the monks who created the Whithorn Priory, known as Scotland's "Cradle of Christianity". The Latinus Stone, only discovered in the 1880's, dates to the 5th century. Whithorn became one the most important places of pilgrimage in Scotland, as people visited to seek the saint's healing powers. Many of the stunning carved crosses can be seen in the nearby museum.

Bruce's Stone

Travel inland and enjoy a scenic drive through the vast Forest Park of Galloway to a viewpoint above Loch Trool. Take a short walk to the massive granite boulder commemorating the battle between Robert the Bruce's men and the English army, during the Scottish Wars of Independence. The ancient oak woodlands stretch for miles below and offer many options for trail walking or summit bagging.

The Artists Town

Kirkcudbright (pronounced kir-coo-bree) is a fascinating town lying on the Solway Firth. It lies at the mouth of the River Dee and only four miles from the Irish Sea. Visit this very vibrant town with events held all summer. Behind the harbour the streets have housed generations of artists, a tradition which is ongoing today with many painters and craftspeople now calling the town their home.

The wonderful Art Gallery in town is a perfect spot to enjoy some time browsing the paintings or the many special exhibitions which are on display every year.

A wee dram in Dumfries and Galloway

Enjoy a dram at the end of the busy sight-seeing day in Dumfries and Galloway. Visit the fantastic Bladnoch Distillety to enjoy a tour or a tasting or even a tasty lunch in the bright, airy cafe. The distillery is now owned by David Prior, from Australia and he said "Whilst we are celebrating our 200th anniversary, the renaissance chapter of Bladnoch Distillery is only just beginning". We certainly say cheers to that!

Ask about many more places we visit on our new 2023 tours of Dumfries and Galloway.

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