Auchenhill Lodge (Dalbeattie ) - Nestled in an idyllic private woodland setting, Auchenhill Lodge offers a lovely relaxing retreat close to Kippford, often described as Scotland's 'Riviera'. Locals refer to this area as 'The Golden Triangle' - Colvend, Rockcliffe and Kippford - and frequent visitors understand why. The climate is temperate as Galloway is touched by the Gulf Stream with many golden, sandy, and often empty beaches to explore. For excellent views of the Rough Firth estuary, the Jubilee Path is highly recommended. This was named to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and is the main path between Kippford and the equally charming village of Rockcliffe. There are wonderful views out to sea, and the path passes Mark of Mote, 1 100-foot high granite outcrop, with a Dark Age settlement on top. Rockcliffe and Sandyhills (with a beautiful sandy beach as its name implies!) are small Victorian bathing resorts close by. Kippford was once a smuggler's haunt with a wealth of stories and legends to discover and is now a pretty sailing resort with quaint fisherman's cottages. There is a low tide walk from the beach to Rough Island. Scotland's only round tower house, Orchardton Tower, is a must to visit with its spiral staircase hidden within double walls leading to a parapet. This area is steeped in history and has an outstanding natural beauty. But that's not all; the renowned 7Stanes for world class mountain biking is on the doorstep; the championship golf course at Southerness is just along the coast line and there are waters that cater for every type of fishing providing river fishing for salmon, sea trout and trout and still waters include pike, carp roach and bream. For romance and history Threave Castle at Castle Douglas is a great visit and very memorable; the only way to access the castle is to ring the bell for the custodian to row you across the moat! The town of Castle Douglas is known as the food town in this land of milk and honey - so leave the diet at home! Also highly recommended is a visit to the picturesque harbour town of Kirkcudbright renowned for its artistic connection due to the special quality of light in the area. It is said that Kirkcudbright was a condender as a setting for the acclaimed Balamory TV programme due to its historic high street lined with pretty, colourful houses. Galloway really is a land of plenty and although very accessible and wildly beautiful it is relatively undiscovered and very unspoilt. But come and discover it for yourself!
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