The Blog: See & Do

Loch Ken - Galloway Forest Park

Discover Galloway Forest Park – Scotland’s Hidden Gem

April 30, 2025 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

Nestled in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, Galloway Forest Park stands as the UK’s largest forest park, encompassing over 770 square kilometres of richly diverse landscapes. Often dubbed the ‘Highlands of the Lowlands’, this expansive park offers a rich tapestry of ancient woodlands, serene lochs, and rolling hills, making it a haven for nature

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Kitchen Coos & Ewes

Great Places to Visit Near Dumfries in South West Scotland

February 4, 2025 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

The town of Dumfries is an historic market town set along the banks of the River Nith and is the largest town in South West Scotland. Dumfries has been a Royal Burgh since 1186. Dumfries is perhaps most well known for Scotland’s favourite and national poet Robert Burns, who lived here in the 1790s. The Robert Burns Centre is

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Potterland Hill

‘A Little Bolt Hole of Comfort Within the Beauty’

November 26, 2024 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

Just over two years ago we opened the doors at Destination Balcary to welcome our first guests to stay in our renovated country farmhouse. In that time we have had over 42 reviews, all 5* and 100% of our guests would recommend staying at our holiday cottage. We wanted to get the bottom of why

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Threave Castle near Castle Douglas

Great Things to Do in & around Castle Douglas

August 13, 2024 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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

June 27, 2024 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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

May 7, 2024 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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

January 3, 2024 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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?

November 28, 2023 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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

September 19, 2023 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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

August 2, 2023 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

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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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 >