The cottage is located in the Machars of Galloway, the promontory between Luce Bay and Wigtown Bay - an area criss-crossed by single track roads ideal for leisurely cycling trips.
The Galloway Forest Park area around Glentrool and Clatteringshaws Loch has many cycle routes of a range of difficulties.
The Whithorn Pilgrim Way cycle route passes the Cottage.
https://scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/pilgrim-journeys/glenluce-to-whithorn/
For mountain bikers, the renowned 7 Stanes Kirroughtree centre is just over half an hour away. 7 Stanes Mabie , 7 Stanes Ae and 7 Stanes Dalbeattie are all accessible for full day outings.
A lockable store behind the cottage contains garden furniture but can be used as a bike store during your visit. An outside tap and hosepipe provide bike cleaning facilities.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/activities/mountain-biking/7stanes
Galloway Activity Centre in the Ken Valley near Castle Douglas provides another choice of outdoor acctivities and even a venue for weddings!
There are endless opportunities for the keen walker in this area, from wheelchair friendly routes at the Kirroughtree Visitor Centre to the long distance Southern Upland Way which starts in Portpatrick.
Southern Upland Way - Scotland's Great Trails (scotlandsgreattrails.com)
Opened in 2012, for the longer distance walker, there is now a coastal walk around the Mull of Galloway.
https://www.mullofgallowaytrail.co.uk/
For very local walking, a path leads up the Gillespie Burn valley from Craignarget Farm just across the field from the cottage, to the moors above the cottage. Start at the cattle grid where the new forest logging track joins the road. Turning left at the gate at the top of this path takes the walker to Knock Fell, the highest point in the area. Turning right follows a track across the moors above Castle Loch, one of the very few inland Cormorant breeding sites.
Slightly further afield, a coastal path leads from the Cock Inn (about 1 mile along the road from the cottage), around the point to the old port of Stairhaven near the head of Luce Bay. Seals can usually be seen basking on the rocks when following this path.
Whilst the area doesn't boast any Munros, there are a number of Corbetts and interesting hills to climb. The highest and most strenuous is The Merrick . Located above the enigmatic Loch Trool, the climb up Benyellary and on to The Merrick offers the walker a panoramic view over the Galloway Hills. On a clear day, the view extends to Ailsa Craig and Ireland to the West and the Mull of Galloway, the Isle of Man and the Cumbria coast to the South.
Cairnsmore of Fleet above Creetown with its less challenging terrain when dry, is no less rewarding in terms of its views.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/galloway/newton-stewart.shtml
Beaches:
The two large sandy beaches opposite the Cottage provide safe bathing and endless fun exploring the rock pools. Other sandy beaches are found throughout the area, notably at Monreith, Sandhead and other places on the East side of the Mull of Galloway, and at Killantrigan North of Portpatrick.
Golf:
Locally there are courses at Monreith, Glenluce and Portpatrick.
https://www.yell.com/s/golf+courses-wigtownshire.html
Horse Riding:
One of the nearest Horse Riding Centres can be found at the Three Lochs Caravan Park above Glenluce.
Fishing:
Sea angling trips can be arranged from the harbour at Portpatrick. Fishing permits for Kirroughtree, Glentrool and Clatteringshaws can be purchased from the Forestry Commission. Enquire at any of the local visitor centres.
It is common to see people fishing from the beach opposite the Cottage, but not so common to see them being successful although we often catch Mackerel very close inshore particularly in the evenings.
Star gazing:
Stand outside the door of the Cottage on a clear night and be amazed at the number of stars you can see. Use a pair of binoculars and the wonder increases tenfold! Organised Star Gazing activities are held at the Kirroughtree Visitor Centre - ask locally for details and programs of events.
Always have your binoculars at the ready! Luce Bay is a Marine Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation for a range of features including four marine habitats: Reefs, Mudflats and sandbanks, Subtidal sandbanks, Large shallow inlets and bays - see marine.gov.scot?sma/assessment-theme/scotlands-marine-protected-area-mpa-network.
One of the best places is the Mull of Galloway lighthouse where birds abound and you'll probably see Porpoises as well, perhaps even Basking Shark. But daily, you'll hear Ravens on Craignarget Hill and see Buzzards and Hen Harriers soaring over the hill face. Deer are occasional visitors to the field beside the Cottage and to the rock pools on the beach in the early morning when the tide is out. Otters are increasingly being seen on the beach and Otter spraint can almost always be found on the Craignarget Burn. A seal is a frequent visitor to the area in front of the cottage when the tide is in over the rock pools.
Further afield, Red Kites are found in the Ken Valley and at Kirroughtree and Eagles can often be seen when exploring the Galloway Forest Park.
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