New Galloway

To the west of New Galloway lies Galloway Forest Park,(website) the largest forest park in Britain, covering 300 square miles of forested hills, wild and rugged moorland and numerous lochs. It's a vast and beautiful area criss-crossed by waymarked Forestry Commission trails and longer routes, such as the Southern Upland Way. It's also home to a rich variety of fauna, such as feral goats, red deer, falcons and even golden eagles. Those wishing to hike in the park should be properly equipped and buy the relevant Ordnance Survey maps. The OS Outdoor Leisure Map No 32 covers Galloway Forest Park. Also useful is The Galloway Hills: A Walker's Paradise, by George Brittain. See also under Newton Stewart below.

The A712 runs southwest from New Galloway, cutting through the southern section of the Galloway Forest Park, to Newton Stewart. This 19-mile stretch of scenic road is known as The Queen's Way. Seven miles southwest of New Galloway the road skirts Clatteringshaws Loch, hidden amongst the pine trees, with a 14-mile footpath running round it.

This path joins the Southern Upland Way which winds its way north towards the Rhinns of Kells, a range of hills around 2,600 ft that form the park's eastern boundary. On the shores of the loch is the Clatteringshaws Forest Wildlife Centre, which gives an introduction to the park's flora and fauna. Info: Easter-Oct daily 1000-1700. Free. Tel 420285. From the centre you can follow the lochside trail to Bruce's Stone, a huge boulder marking the spot where Robert the Bruce is said to have rested after yet another victory over those troublesome southern neighbours.

About a mile southwest of the Forest Wildlife Centre is the Raiders' Road, a 10-mile timber road and erstwhile cattle rustlers' route which runs from the A712 and follows the Water of Dee southeast to Stroan Loch and then turns north to meet the A762 just north of Mossdale. About halfway along the trail is the otter's pool, in a clearing in the forest, a great place for paddling or swimming. The Raider's Road is only open between April and October, and there's a toll charge. The A762 heads north along the western shore of Loch Ken back to New Galloway, making a circuit of about 20 miles, starting and ending in New Galloway. About three miles southwest of Clatteringshaws Loch along The Queen's Way is the Galloway Red Deer Range, where you can get close up to the deer, stroke them and take photos. Info: End of Jun to mid-Sep Tue and Thu 1100 and 1400, Sun 1430. £2.50, £1 child. Tel 01671 402420