|
|
Weekend Breaks, Mountain Biking, Cycling, Golf, Sailing, Water Sports, Walking, Gardens, Castles, Abbeys, Birdwatching, Wildlife, GalleriesChipperkyle bed and breakfast is located in Kirkcudbrightshire close to Kirkcudbright, and this area of Scotland is varied, calm and stunning where the climate is warmed by the Gulf Stream and everywhere has the air of being relaxed and friendly. The natural beauties of the area, the high granite mountains of the Galloway Hills, the Galloway Forest Park - the UKs largest forest park, the Solway coast and the tranquil freshwater lochs are all easily accessible. Beaches are well worth searching out as many offer warm, safe bathing.Dumfries and Galloway can be enjoyed either on foot, by bicycle or by car, there are some lovely walks around the varied coastline and when the tide is out you can walk across the sandy dunes. If you drive you will enjoy the ambling by-ways and quiet back roads. You will be surprised at the lack of queues and traffic jams.
| |
"..we had a lovely time at Chipperkyle, the children played tennis on the front court and fed the goats and donkeys and we enjoyed the food and comfort ... " |
|
|
|
Cycling Offering some of the best cycling in the country set amidst spectacular scenery. The bicycle was invented here by Kirkpatrick MacMillan in 1840 - try the KM Trail.The Cycle Network has over 450 miles (724km) of sign-posted routes on quiet roads and around 40 miles (64km) of off-road paths to test even the most experienced.. |
 |
 |
Water Sports
Try sailing with the Solway Yacht Club at Kippford. Sailing regattas and cadet week in the summer. The Galloway Sailing School on Loch Ken has become increasingly popular as a fun but safe place to learn sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing etc. Especially good with children. Wet suits for hire. RYA Courses accredited. Weekly sailing courses available. Water Skiing is also available at a different location on Loch Ken. You can try out knee-boarding, banana-boating, ringos etc. Wet suits come as part of the deal. Ideal for all the family on a wet day. |
Mountain Biking
Ride the 7stanes - award winning mountain biking in a landscape varying from rolling hills to crag-sided valleys, deep forest tracks to stunning coastal views, from miles of sweeping and sinuous trails to the most demanding technical singletrack. Stay in style and comfort at Chipperkyle where we can provide secure bike lock-up, hose wash, overnight wash and dry facilities and a big breakfast. Packed lunches available with prior notice. We are only;8 miles from Dalbeattie - dare to try the Slab or the Terrible Twins16 miles from Mabie - classic woodland trail mountain biking.33 miles from Kirroughtree - single track twists and the largest rock trail feature in Britain. Fabulous Mountain Biking.24 miles from Ae 45 miles from Glentrool - Heartbreak Hill |
 |
 |
Gardens and Nurseries
Dumfries and Galloway benefits from a mild climate thanks to the warming influences of the Gulf Stream. The favourable growing conditions, free-draining, lime-free soils and lack of hard frosts make possible many fine Gardens such as Threave (National Trust), Logan Botanic Garden, Glenwhan, Galloway House, Castle Kennedy and Lochinch Gardens, Cally Garden and Nursery and the charm of Elizabeth Macgregors garden and Nursery of Violas and Cottage Garden plants at Kirkcudbright. Just 10 minutes away is Buckland Plants, another specialist nursery not to be missed. There is a good brochure on the gardens and nurseries in Dumfries and Galloway by Visit Scotland of which we can let you have a copy. There are also about 15 gardens open in Kirkcudbrightshire under Scotlands Garden Scheme and a further 9 in nearby Dumfriesshire. For dates see http://www.gardensofscotland.org but Catriona will be able to give you more local info. |
|
Where are the crowds ?
Is there a place as beautiful as the Cotswolds? as stunning as the Lake District? as remote as the Hebrides? as wild as the Cornish Coast? .... It's all here in Dumfries and Galloway except one thing - the crowds
Our Nearby Towns We are situated in a rural location in the heart of the countryside dedicated to beef and sheep production. Our shops are still mainly family owned and the people are friendly and helpful. Drive through nd stop off at Gatehouse of Fleet, New Galloway, Creetown and Portpatrick. To make the most of your trip, seriously consider travelling in style and hiring a Jaguar E-type or a 1938 Austin Seven Ruby or a Chrysler 1955 Dodge Coronet amongst others from Motorparty |
 |
 |
Castle Douglas
There have been settlements at Castle Douglas for hundreds of years. It prospered in the 1600s as it was on the road built by James I to support the migration to Ulster. It is a historic market town for the rich surrounding farmlands with cattle and sheep markets still held here weekly. It is famous for the quality of it's meat - 4 butchers are thriving here. Castle Douglas markets itself as a Food Town and there is a farmers market here on the last Sunday of the month. There are Scottish bakers and butchers, delis, a healthfood shop, a Whisky shop and even a traditional hardwear shop. You can shop for antiques, clothes, interior objects and have fun browsing numerous other shops too. Why not finish off with a visit to Sulwath Brewery! If art is your quest we have two galleries to visit. Designs Gallery offers contemporary art and design-led crafts. A select collection of art, books, jewellery and a definite bet for a present, including wonderful wrapping paper. If you want to commission a piece of eg. furniture or jewellery there is also a register where you can lookup craftspeople. After all that there is a cafe downstairs for lunch or coffee. The McGill-Duncan Gallery exhibits (and sells) works by National and International painters, printmakers, ceramicists, glass workers, sculptors and jewellers. This is a well-established gallery which has recently had a welcome overhall so do not miss out on this treat.
In the evenings you can go to a performance at Lochside Theatre a converted church that seats 200 just beside Carlingwark Loch.
Threave Gardens is part of the Botanic Gardens, now owned by The National Trust (see gardens above) and is spectacular in April and May. Nearby Threave Castle was built in the late 14th century probably by the third Earl of Douglas, Archibald the Grim, later becoming the stronghold of the Black Douglasses. Despite The Grim, it is in the most stunning and romantic setting. |
|
Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbrightis a self-styled Artists' Town and is reknown for it's soft light and coastal landscapes. In the 1880's a group of local artists started exhibiting their work here, amongst them was E.A. Hornel who became one of a group known as "The Glasgow boys". He set up home at Broughton House and Garden (National Trust) where you can visit his studio and delightful garden. Jessie.M. King, E.A. Taylor and William Robson also made their homes in the town. The tradition is still evident with the many galleries and exhibitions in the town. We especially like The Whitehouse Gallery which has exhibitions of affordable art and sculpture. Also worth visiting are Maclellan's Castle built in 1582, the Tolbooth and the harbour which still has fishing vessels coming and going. You can eat near the harbour at a fish and chip shop with a difference - take your own bottle. The town also hosts a series of Festivities including a Tattoo with bagpipes, over the summer. |
 |
 |
Art in Dumfries and Galloway
This region is renowned for its art and artists, and you may just come across magnificent works as you are out and about. The Spring Fling' opens on the May Bank holiday weekend when over 80 artist studios open to the public. But art is part of our culture and is never far away. Kirkcudbright is famous for the 'Scottish Colourists'. You can even find a Henry Moore or an Epstein bronze on a walk around the outdoor sculpture park at Glenkiln, just 15 minutes from Chipperkyle. We have another attraction in the Striding Arches beside Monaiive where Andy Goldsworthy has created a series of stone sculptures that are stunning to look at. It is this that really epitomises Dumfries and Galloway, beautiful scenery with lovely walks where you are likely to encounter great works of art, interesting wildlife that will challenge your body mind and spirit, and the children just love to run about and have a completely different perspective. |
Wigtown (Book Town)
We are just over an hour to Scotlands National Book Towna quirky and charismatic centre of an ever increasing number of shops to browse through with over million books many second hand. It has a Book festival every September with many famous names giving talks.
Enjoy a great day out, with meals and refreshments served in the towns cafes, inns and hotels. We also have our own distillery in nearby Bladnoch the regions only distillery with visitor centre and gift shop. Regular visitors turn their Wigtown shopping trip into a holiday, choosing from the wide range of local accommodation. |
 |
 |
Whithorn
The nations oldest town and the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. This Royal Burgh has an important history which is immediately obvious from the medieval street layout. The Whithorn Trust has revealed a detailed picture of the thriving community which lived around the church built by St. Ninian. This has established Whithorn as a site of international significance and unique archeological potential. |
Wet Weather?
If you want something indoors, it just might sometimes be a bit on the wet side, you could visit Creetown's Gem Rock Museum which has a fantastic display of gems, crystals, minerals and fossils. It is regarded as one of the finest private collections and is reknowned world wide.Another fascinating afternoon can be spent at the National Museum of Costume. You can experience life in Victorian times, attend a workshop, catch one of the temporary exhibitions or just enjoy yourself in the elegant surroundings of Shambellie House - a 19thC country home in wooded grounds. The perfect setting for a hundred years of costume from the 1850s to 1950s.
Going off on a different track you might like to visit the David Coulthard Museum. Twynholm boasts as being the hometown of this famouse formula one driver and hosts the world's most complete collection of F1 memorablia, including the original Red Bull RB2 Formula 1 car raced at Monaco. While in Twynholm why not also visit The Cocoa Bean Company which handcrafts chocolate using traditional methods and the finest Belgian chocolate. Children and adults can attend workshops where you can make your own chocolatey treat.
If you are young at heart you might like to visit Cream of Galloway homefarm of award-winning ice cream. It has a wonderful adventure playpark, much of which is under a tree canopy - flying fox, straw den and Nature Trail.
|
 | | |
