Outdoor activities

Walking (OS Explorer #312 recommended)

There are numerous walks from the cottage itself - climbing Cairnharrow is recommended for fabulous views of the Water of Fleet. Also see the Galloway Forest Park website http://www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark) for walking routes, wildlife viewing etc

The local coastline offers walks for all fitness levels with Auchencairn and the Kircudbright Lifeboat Station walks particularly recommended.

Mountain biking

There are numerous cycle rides possible from the cottage (old Gatehouse Station/ viaduct etc).

Kirroughtree and Glentrool mountain biking centres are both very close by and form part of the "Seven Stanes" network (www.7stanes.gov.uk)

Bike and equipment hire is available at Kirroughtree: www.thebreakpad.com

There are cycle routes for all levels, from family trails to downhill single-track.

Golf

There are numerous courses within easy reach.

Gatehouse of Fleet (9 holes) is particularly recommended (www.gatehousegolfclub.com) with other options at New Galloway (9 holes), Dalbeattie (9 holes) and Southerness (18 holes).

Beaches

The nearest are Cardoness and Mossyard. Sandgreen is off the road towards Castle Douglas.

Eating out

Gatehouse of Fleet:

The Ship Inn

The Mill on the Fleet (excellent lunch spot)

The Masonic Arms

Cally Palace - more sophisticated hotel food

Kircudbright:

Polar Bites (excellent fish and chips near harbour)

Selkirk Arms Hotel

Castle Restaurant

Newton Stewart:

House on the Hill (highly recommended pub grub - near Glentrool)

Crown Hotel (recent recommendation for lunch)

Also don't miss the excellent Galloway Smokehouse on the right hand side of the A75 as you head towards Newton Stewart from Gatehouse

Children's activities

Gemrock museum in Creetown: http://www.gemrock.net/

Cream O Galloway (adventure park and ice-cream centre): http://www.creamogalloway.co.uk

amongst many others! 

Useful links:

http://www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk

http://www.kirkcudbright.co.uk/

And not forgetting the awesome annual Music Festival: http://www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk