Local activities to enjoy in the surrounding area
Family Fun Ideas
Logan Fish Pond
A naturally formed blow hole from the last Ice Age was adapted by the Laird of Logan as a fish larder for storing live fish in 1800. Now visitors to the pond and shop can feed the stock of local sea fish and are educated with touch pools and a cave aquarium. Open daily 10am to 5pm from 1st of March until the 31st of October. Port Logan, DG9 9NF, 01776 860606. 13miles from Knockinaam
Golden Sands Trekking Centre, Sandhead
Hand lead Alpaca walking with breath-taking scenery along a beautiful beach. Pony trekking also available. Open daily 9am – 5pm. See Facebook page to book. 07789 216338 charlenehawkins20@outlook.com.
10.2 miles from Knockinaam. From April 1st – A Farm Park too
Senwick Alpaca Trekking
Enjoy a completely unique experience getting to know the super friendly and playful alpacas whilst taking in the splendid surroundings of Dumfries and Galloway. Open all year except 20th of December until 9th of January, booking essential. Upper Senwick Farm, Borgue, DG6 4TR, 01557 870199. 51.2 miles from Knockinaam
Cream O’Galloway
Fantastic all round visitor centre with an ice cream parlour, a tearoom and shop. Holds ice cream making and cheese making workshops, farm tours, please check with website for when they are held, and book in advance. Closed on Fridays and Mondays 10am until 4pm from March until November, booking essential. Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, DG7 2DR. 48.3 miles from Knockinaam
Excellent stop off from A75 enroute to Knockinaam for ice-cream
The Cocoa Bean Company
Provides luxury hand crafted chocolate treats and a fun day out for all the family. Fun chocolate making workshops are provided for children and adults alike with children taking priority at busy times. Coffee is available for you to enjoy while the kids are in the workshop and gifts can be purchased at the shop on site or afterwards via the website. Open every day from 9am until 5pm, workshops available from 10am until 4pm, booking essential. Ashland, Twynholm, DG6 4NP, 01557 860608. 50 miles from Knockinaam.
Excellent stop off from A75 enroute to Knockinaam if children are on board
Heads of Ayr Farm Park
Over 50 different breads of animal to meet, touch or even feed along with an adventure play barn, trampolines, super diggers, quad bikes, aerial slide and other activities. Open from Easter until October from 10am until 5pm every day, booking essential. Dunure Road, Ayr, KA7 4LD, 01292 441210. 55.4 miles from Knockinaam however excellent day activity or stop off enroute to Knockinaam on A77 from Glasgow
Dalscone Farm Fun
Inside is a huge soft play area with slides, ball pools and more, with a café selling tea, coffee, juice and cakes. Outside are trampolines, pedal karts, go karts, crazy golf, more play equipment and also some farm animals to say hello to. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4.30pm. Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1SE, 01387 254445. 77.1 miles from Knockinaam however excellent stop off from A75 (Gretna ) if children are on board
Mabie Farm Park
The park captures the essence and feel of an original working farm yet has a variety of both indoor and outdoor entertainment for all ages. Open Easter until November 10am until 5pm. Burnside Farm, Mabie, Dumfries, DG2 8EZ, 01387 259666. 77.5miles from Knockinaam
Kitchen Coos & Ewes
Guided experience of farm animals in their natural environment. Walking tours and tours from a purpose built trailer among a herd of Highland cows, finish of by enjoying traditional farmhouse baking with your hosts. Booking essential. High Airyolland, New Luce, DG8 0AU, 0794 485 0823. 16.1 miles from Knockinaam
Creetown Gem Rock Museum
A collection of many fine and rare examples of crystals found in Britain. Open daily 10am until 4pm, booking essential. Chain Road, Creetown, DG8 7HJ, 01671 820 357. 34.7 miles from Knockinaam. Excellent stop off from A75 enroute to Knockinaam
The Devil's Porridge History Museum
The story of the greatest Munitions factory on earth and extraordinary lives of munitions girls. Open daily 10am – 5pm. 01464 700021. Annan Road, Eastriggs DG12 6TF. 95 miles from Knockinaam. Excellent stop off via A75 enroute to Knockinaam
Kirkcudbright Gallery
Current exhibition until 10th July 2022. What is the Galloway Hoard?
‘One of the most important UK archaeological finds of the century, this incredible discovery comprises more than 100 objects, some of which are incredibly rare or unique.‘ Alongside over five kilograms of silver bullion, composed of arm-rings and ingots, the Hoard includes the largest and most varied collection of Viking-age gold objects known from Britain and Ireland and an unparalleled range of rare materials and unusual objects. These include: a silver pendant cross; a unique gold bird-shaped pin; a decorated silver-gilt lidded vessel; a large collection of Anglo-Saxon metalwork with two examples of an entirely new type of Anglo-Saxon cross-shaped brooch and unique multi-hinged straps; three golden jewels often referred to as ‘aestels’, in a silken-cord bundle; and a gold-mounted rock-crystal flask or jar contained in a silk-lined pouch. 49miles from Knockinaam
For Those Feeling Active
Westby’s Electric Bike Hire – Family run business run in Leswalt, Stranraer. Will deliver. 07508 521245. westbyselectricbikehire@gmail.com
Galloway Activity Centre
Situated on the shores of Loch Ken the Galloway Activity Centre provides Family Activity packages for groups of four or more people. Activities generally run from 10am until 5pm with a stop for lunch and can be taken as full or half day packages or a quarter day taster. Packages are tailored to suit the group and may involve Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Climbing wall, Leap of Faith, Zip wire, Archery, Off-road Buggies or Outdoor Laser Quest in the woods. All equipment and safety gear is included in the rate and you may expect to enjoy 4 or 5 activities in a full day session, booking essential. Loch Ken, Parton, Castle Douglas, DG7 3NQ, 01556 502011. 53.8 miles from Knockinaam. A full day’s activity
Kirroughtree 7 Stanes
Mountain bike trails for all abilities. The Break Pad bike shop offers bike hire and advice on the trails, open 10am until 5pm daily, 01671 401303. The visitor centre is open from 11am until 5pm daily, there is also a café where you can enjoy some refreshments after your bike ride. Car parking charges apply. DG8 7BE, 0300 067 6900 (option 2). 32.2 miles from Knockinaam
Stranraer Watersports Association
New enterprise on Loch Ryan – Stranraer. Let’s get Wet – spring project 2022. On facebook
Pitch & Putt at Portpatrick
Turn up and play. All ages. Can get busy
Green Vally Golf Range
Family owned and operated. Year round practice for your golf game. 20 covered and heated stations. Golf lessons available. 0630 2896600 greenvalleygolfrange@gmail.com
Horse Riding – Lessons
Calgow Equestrian Centre
Blackcraig, (Newton Stewert) DG8 7AN, 07850 815455. 29. 1 mile from Knockinaam
Barstobrick Riding Centre
Barstobrick, Ringford, DG7 2AT, 07864 092037. 53 miles from Knockinaam
Ryan Centre
Swimming pool, fitness and health suite and four court games hall. Fairhurst Road, Stranraer, DG9 7AP, 01776 703535
Gateway to Galloway
Stranraer’s Visitor & Community Hub. Tours - Lighthouses of the Rhins Explore the Rhins coast by boat tours or E-bike. Portpatrick to Killantringan Lighthouse & Corsewall Lighthouse and Portpatrick to Killantringan Lighthouse depart from Portpatrick Harbour. The boat is called the Optimist, also available for private charters by arrangement
By E-bike – booking includes everything you need to get started. Go to website to see availability / booking.
Stranraer -Corsewall, Corsewall to Killantringan, Killantringan to Portpatrick and then back. 01776 748778
Galloway Cycling Holidays
Bike Hire & Tours and Gravel Cycling, supported or Guided Based near Castle Douglas but travel the region. 07787 748008. 300 square miles of forest and open moorland & coast to explore.
Ester has been paramount in bringing the Raiders Gravel, 25 -28 August 2022, to the Galloway Forest Park. Four days, 3 routes around the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. This will be amazing to watch and teams can tackle Raiders Gravel as a team of two or solo entrant. See website for more details
South West Scotland Tours - Craig Murray
One to– three day high quality guided experiences within the Biosphere and beyond for groups of up to seven people. Whether it is wildlife spotting, industrial heritage, historical tours or just a general mooch around all our itineraries can be customised and flexible to suit all needs and abilities. Alternatively, tell them where your must see destinations are and they will do their absolute best to accommodate. Also dog friendly for up to 2 furry family members. 07378 768776 southwestscotlandtours@gmail.com
Distilleries
Bladnoch Distillery
Scotland’s most Southerly Distillery nestles on the banks of the River Bladnoch, the distillery has been producing the “Spirit of the Lowlands” since 1817. Distillery tours include a tasting of three of their products. There is also a shop and a café on site. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am until 5pm, booking essential. Bladnoch, DG8 9AB, 01988 402605. 31.5 miles from Knockinaam
Crafty Distillery
Produces the Hills and Harbour Gin along with Galloway Gin and Vodka and the Smokey and Citrus distilled cocktail. They offer tours of the distillery finished with a guided tasting of three of their spirits (booking only) and they also have a shop and a café. Open Wednesday to Saturday 11.30am-3pm. Wigtown Road, Newton Stewart, DG8 6AS, 01671 404040. 28 miles from Knockinaam. Excellent stop off enroute to Knockinaam as just off A75 or on way home
Annandale Distillery
Only recently reopened after being closed for almost 90 years, they produce 6 different brands and sub brands of Whisky. They offer tours and have a coffee shop and are open form Monday to Sunday 10am until 4pm (booking essential). Northfield, Annan, DG12 5LL, 01461 207817. 93 miles from Knockinaam, but excellent stop off from A75 enroute to Knockinaam or on the way home
A.D. Rattray
Whisky Shop & Whisky Experience. They offer tasting experiences by booking only. 32 Main Road, Kirkoswald, KA19 8HY, 01655 760308
Ninefold Distillery
Ninefold Distillery is the first and only rum distillery in the South of Scotland, making rum from scratch in our Scottish-made copper pot still. The distillery currently produces an unaged pure single rum (aka white rum). Owned by the Carruthers family, and run by youngest son Kit, the distillery marks the latest chapter in the 450-year history of Dormont Estate in the rolling hills of southwest Scotland. From dairy to distillery, renewed life is being breathed back into the home farm. Not open to the public except for specific tour dates (see website for available dates), booking essential. Dormont Home Farm, Dalton, Lockerbie, DG11 1DJ, 01387 840116. 86 miles from Knockinaam
