The Blog: See & Do

Threave Castle near Castle Douglas

Great Things to Do in & around Castle Douglas

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

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Feast cafe Kirkcudbright

Popular Café’s and Tearooms Near Kirkcudbright & When Out & About

We are spoilt for choice for great café’s and tearooms around us at Destination Balcary and Ross Bay Retreat. Whether you want to head out for snack, lunch with friends or family, read a good book or the papers or sit and relax there is something for everyone. Here are a selection of our personal

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Views down Glen Trool

Heights, Sights & Great Views to Enjoy in Dumfries & Galloway

One of the best views in Southern Scotland is directly from the farmhouse at Destination Balcary looking across the Solway Firth and the Lake District. There are many other great views, sights and heights providing superb viewpoints throughout Dumfries & Galloway that can be enjoyed when out and about. The view across to Little Ross Island

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Caerlaverock Castle

The South West Coastal 300 Road Trip – For the Lovers of Nature, History, Adventure & Scotland

The South West Coastal 300 (SWC300 for short) is a spectacular and adventurous circular road trip that takes you round the wonderful south western corner of Scotland. The quiet and scenic country road trail traverses the dramatic coastline, rolling countryside, ancient forests, natural landscapes and history of Dumfries & Galloway and Southern Ayrshire. Stop and

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local birdlife

What Birds Can I See From Destination Balcary?

What are those birds we can see from the window? At Destination Balcary guests often look out of the conservatory window and see a huge variety of birds and gulls soaring above the fields or feeding on the farmland and wonder what they actually are? Many of us label all seabirds generically as seagulls (well

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Conservatory Views

What Guests Love about Destination Balcary

It has just been over a year has gone by since we opened the doors for the first time at Destination Balcary to welcome guests. A year on, we have now had a chance to take breath and look back at our first year and assess our guest’s reaction and their kind reviews of their

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red kite in flight

7 Great Places to see Nature & Wildlife in Dumfries and Galloway

Red squirrels, red deer, red kites are just some of the delights you can find in around the southern areas of Dumfries and Galloway. The local countryside and landscape of glens and hills and countryside is the ideal habitat for these cute, majestic and graceful creatures. Discover where you can spot these, other extraordinary animals,

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Google Interactive Map - Destination Balcary

Interactive Guest Map of the Local Area to Destination Balcary

We are delighted to share with you our new ‘Guest Guide & Interactive Map’. This informative map helps bring the local area to life. It highlights where everything is and help our guests make their plans for their holiday and stay at Destination Balcary. The local area guide Google map includes the following categories for

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Balcary Bay

Great Coastal Pub Walks in Scotland – ‘Balcary Bay and Rascarrel’

Scotland has some stunning coastline, many great walks and a wonderful selection of pubs. Why not combine and enjoy all three, get out and explore the coastline delights, fresh sea air followed by a well-earned refreshing reward at a lovely pub. This particular walk is listed as one of the ‘13 Beautiful Coastal Pub Walks

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Destination Balcary Farmhouse

Review of 2022 of Destination Balcary from our Lovely Guests

As 2022 draws to a close we have had a chance to reflect on an exciting year here at Destination Balcary. We only opened up the doors a few months ago and have been looking back at some of the wonderful feedback and reviews we’ve received from guests staying at our cottage. We pride ourselves

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Scottish Agritourism Scottish Tourist Board Self Catering

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Coastal Escape in
South West Scotland

Ross Bay Retreat self catering holiday cottages in Dumfries & Galloway, a cosy, coastal retreat with sea views from each balcony; when you need to get away from it all.

Visit the Ross Bay Retreat website >

Country Escape in
Yorkshire

Overdale Cottage is a cosy pet friendly cottage in the charming village of Harome, 3 miles from the Helmsley on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

Visit the Helmsley Hideaway website >