Great Things to Do in & around Castle Douglas


August 13, 2024

Is Castle Douglas worth visiting?

Castle Douglas is an 18th century market town in Dumfries & Galloway and is the ideal place to visit for food lovers, nature lovers and history lovers. It can also raise a glass to real ale lovers too. Castle Douglas is known Scotland’s ‘food town’ with lots of historical interest and the perfect gateway to the Galloway hills and adventures beyond.

There are some excellent café’s, restaurants, a wide-range of independent shops, arts and crafts, fashion, clothing, shoes and more. The town is a thriving centre for prosperous local farming and the The Stewartry Agricultural Show is an annual event that takes place nearby in August.

The Pooks Kitchen - Locally Sourced & Seasonal Produce

The Pooks Kitchen – Locally Sourced & Seasonal Produce

Why is Castle Douglas called the food town?

It is a designated ‘Food Town’ and well known for seeking locally sourced produce and good quality food and drink. There are around fifty local businesses in and around Castle Douglas that sell a variety of Scottish specialities. These include being home to high quality butchers, organic bakers and artisan ice cream producers. They all make the most of the town and region’s, agricultural strengths. ‘Food Town Day’ is held every June in Castle Douglas.

  • Designs Gallery and Cafe – A popular and lively place in town, with beautiful jewellery, ceramics, books, gifts and a bright and busy cafe.
  • Earth’s Crust Bakery  – An artisan bakery producing slowly fermented breads for outstanding flavour and texture with no artificial additives and promoting locally produced real bread. We produce a range of hand crafted traditional, sourdough and other speciality bread.
  • Mr Pook’s Kitchen – Fine dining is your gateway to Scotland’s larder at Mr Pook’s Kitchen. The restaurant showcases some of the best produce from Dumfries & Galloway using ancient, classic & modern cooking techniques.
  • Sulwath Brewery – The real ales are hand crafted with the local palate in mind, and to exacting standards. From Galloway Gold lager, Criffel IPA to Solway Mist wheat beer. They take great pride in the production of their beers, all of which are brewed traditionally, with an accent on the taste of yesteryear.
  • Dark Art Distillery – Apparently they do amazing gin. Intriguing brands such as Sky Garden Gin, Understory Gin and Scotland’s first 100% agave spirit, Véspero Blanco.
  • Ferry Fish – Selling local fish and seafood, they come to Castle Douglas every Tuesday and Friday, “No bones about it the fish is first class”!
  • Castle Douglas Producers’ Market – every third Sunday of the month
Threave Castle

Threave Castle

Does Castle Douglas have a castle?

Castle Douglas itself no longer has a castle as mining caused dangerous subsidence to the castle and it had to be demolished back in 1938. However, the impressive tower house called Threave Castle, was built in the late 14th century by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway. It became the stronghold of the Black Douglases and is located just outside Castle Douglas. However, as it is situated on an island in the middle of the River Dee, this formidable old castle it is only reachable by boat.

Try also Buittle Castle Castle Tours. The castle and baronial home has seen many of the landmarks of Scottish history. It was the seat of the Baron of Buittle & Scotland’s ancient capitol under the Balliol Dynasty.

 

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Can you walk around Carlingwark Loch at Castle Douglas?

Carlingwark Loch is a large inland freshwater loch right on the edge of the town of Castle Douglas. There is a 3.5 mile circular footpath that circumnavigates the loch. It includes a few diversions through the marshland via a boardwalk and quiet roads. The walk includes a wildlife viewing hide on the path known as Lover’s Walk on the east shore and the strangely shaped Douglas Mausoleum. The main habitats are made up of wet woodland willow carr, reed beds, marshland, woodland and farmland. The loch is a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’.

Crannog Campus – A family activity centre in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. Located beside the beautiful Carlingwark loch. It offers a range of opportunities for outdoor and water sports, a playpark for all as well as hosting events and workshops.

Threave Nature Reserve

Threave Nature Reserve

Where can you see nature & wildlife near Castle Douglas?

Castle Douglas is a gateway to the Galloway Hills, the Glenkens, the Galloway Dark Sky Park and the Solway Coast. All of these beautiful locations are ideal to see nature and wildlife in a natural surroundings. There are a number of forest and coastal walks within easy distance of Castle Douglas. These walks include Dalmun (Dalmoney Hill), Screel, Dalbeattie Forest or Town Wood, Auchencairn, Turners Monument, Waterloo Monument and Glentrool.

Nearby is Threave Garden & Nature Reserve, an important place for wintering wildfowl, where visitors can watch the birds from hides. Explore one of Scotland’s most biodiverse nature reserves, with a remarkable collection of wildlife, flora and fauna. Join a guided walk around Scotland’s only Bat Reserve!

A short drive north of Castle Douglas is Bellymack Farm and Kite Feeding Station and the start of the 24 mile Galloway Kite Trail. An exciting opportunity to view spectacular red kites in lovely scenery and is a great attraction for walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers and birdwatchers. Situated around beautiful Loch Ken.

Does Castle Douglas have a beach?

Castle Douglas does not have a beach, however a short drive will take you to some wonderful beaches. Either side of Big Water of Fleet, not far from Castle Douglas, you will find Mossyard Beach and Carrick Beach, amongst many others. Rugged bays with glorious stretches of golden sand, there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out. Outside the summer months, you may well have the place to yourselves and many of them are dog friendly beaches throughout the year.

 

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What are the other local highlights in & near Castle Douglas

  • Ernespie Farm – Fun for all the family in the heart of the country with indoor and outdoor activities for children. It includes pedal karts, a Cresta slide, and a zip wire if you’re feeling brave, animals, garden centre, gift shop, farmhouse kitchen.
  • Castle Douglas Treasure Hunt Trail – The Castle Douglas Treasure Trail is a fun and imaginative way to explore. A 2 mile walking route which should take around 2 hours to complete. Treasure hunters will be set some sneaky clues on interesting & quirky permanent features for you to try and solve. Follow the trail and solve the mystery?
  • Threave Gardens – A garden for all seasons and a haven for wildlife, with an osprey platform and bat reserve
  • RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve – With stunning views across the River Dee and Loch Ken, this reserve has both wetland and woodland.
  • Kenmure Castle – A ruined and abandoned castle and fortified house near New Galloway. Kenmure Castle features a 16th-century tower house as well as an attic, extra wing and courtyard
  • Doach Woods – The trail climbs steeply up through the cathedral of tree trunks to a viewpoint, where you can catch your breath and gaze at the dramatic rocky coast and hills.
  • Dalbeattie Museum Trust Museum – This is an absolute gem of a little local museum. It’s packed full of interesting items collected from the local community, showing the history of the local people.
  • Timeless Galloway Crafts – Adorable picnic tables for garden birds, as well as other things, but the bird picnic tables
Red Kite Feeding Station at Bellymack Feeding Station

Red Kite Feeding Station at Bellymack Feeding Station

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