20 Attractions to Explore Near Doon Valley Railway

This picturesque waterfall lies off of a minor road near Doon Bridge, around a mile west of Dalmellington. It is a popular spot for both walkers and photographers; during cold weather it can freeze over completely, resulting in a breathtaking scene. Parking is available in Cathcartston where signs for the trail that lead to the waterfall are located.

The Galloway Forest Park is Britain’s largest forest park, which was established in 1947. It is often referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’ and attracts around 800,000 thousand visitors each year. Home to dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of local wildlife, the park is perfect for the whole family.

The Ness Glen has a history of being a renowned beauty spot, set off by a spectacular path that runs through it right down alongside the river. From the bottom of the gorge another path returns to the start through the woods at a higher level. The gorge path is meticulously maintained by volunteers. Small bridges, seating areas and resting spots have been have added over the years, which tempers the occasional steepness of the climb.

Belston Loch, also recorded as Dromsmodda Loch is a small freshwater loch in the East Ayrshire Council Area, near Sinclairston, 2 miles south-east of Drongan, lying in a glacial Kettle Hole. Parish of Ochiltree, Scotland. The area has seen extensive coal mining activity with an open cast mine and collieries at Drumsmodden, Polquhairn, Old Polquhairn, Auchlin, etc.

Auchincloigh Castle is a ruined fortification near the Burnton Burn, lying within the feudal lands of the Craufurd Clan, situated in the Parish of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The monument consists of the remains of a medieval tower house situated 100m E of Auchencloigh Farm.The fragmentary remains consist of several massive sections of lime- bonded whinstone rubble walling. The building appears to have been rectangular and of considerable strength

A beautiful freshwater loch situated in a low-lying area close to the B742 road next to Clocaird Farm in the Parish of Coylton, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch lies to the north of Martnaham Loch, 5 miles east of Ayr. The loch was fed by springs situated near the lane at Cloncaird Farm. The early OS maps show an arm of the loch running almost as far as the lane to old Glencaird. The loch is a popular angling loch and is a bird watching site. It is stocked with rainbow trout and also contains p

The Cassillis Estate, based in Maybole, is nestled amongst 310 acres of land in the sprawling countryside. The castle, which has 112 rooms, is set in a 285-acre estate, and the tower is harled and washed in yellow. It was now one of the iconic attractions in this area and it attracts a lot of tourists to here.

Loch Fergus is a freshwater post-glacial 'Kettle Hole' sometimes recorded as Fergus Loch. It is quite visible and is situated in a low lying area close to the B742 road between the farms and dwellings of Trees, Lochfergus and Bowmanston in the Parish of Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch lies to the north of Martnaham Loch, four miles east-southeast of Ayr. It drains to the southwest into the Snipe Loch.

A beautiful fresh water loch in Carrick, Scotland. The River Doon issues from its northern end, while the loch itself receives waters from Gala Lane and Loch Enoch via Eglin Lane. The loch was dammed in the 1930s, raising the water some 27 feet to provide seasonal storage for the Galloway hydro-electric power scheme. As a reservoir, Loch Doon has an effective capacity of over 82 million cubic metres. It offers so many leisre activates and also you can spend some nice time with your family too.

The Lugar Water, or River Lugar, is created by the confluence of the Bellow Water and the Glenmuir Water, just north of Lugar, both of which flow from the hills of the Southern Uplands in Ayrshire. The river flows through the small mining village of Lugar, where at Bellow Mill, William Murdoch, the inventor of gas lighting was born in 1784. A cave where he carried out a lot of his experiments can still be seen on the riverbank.

The Stinchar Bridge, and large Car Park, just in to the left here, are situated 7 miles south of the scenic village of Straiton, next to the B741 road, as seen below. That is the start of the Cornish Hill trail leading into the forest at the T sign.

Stinchar Falls is a waterfall of Scotland. It is located on the Stinchar Burn, east of Barr in Ayrshire. A quiet beautiful location where you can spend some beautiful time and also you can have some adventures too.

Loch Doon Castle was probably built in the late 1200s by an earl of Carrick – either Robert the Bruce or his father, also called Robert. This was constructed from fine ashlar and was polygonal with eleven uneven sides, its shape being dictated by the terrain of the island. Entrance into the castle was via an arched gateway protected by two heavy timber doors and a portcullis. There was also a small postern gate. The castle was dismantled and rebuilt on the side of the loch after the loch water l

Maybole Castle, a former seat of the Earls of Cassillis, dates to 1560 and still remains, although aspects of the castle are viewed as "of concern". The Castle is the oldest inhabited house in the town having been built about the middle of the sixteenth century. It was built in the style of a typical Scottish castle, with square tower and round turrets, and strong enough to protect its occupants from unfriendly neighbours, of whom there were many at that time.

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland’s favourite son. Robert Burns is Scotland’s National Bard, and his poetry and songs are known and loved the world over. It is arranged around a 500 sqm exhibition gallery displaying many of the 5,000 artefacts in the Museum’s collection, each one telling in a lively and informative manner about Robert Burns’ life, inspiration, fame and identity.

This is a late medeival high single arched bridge crossing the River Doon at the south end of Alloway. It is believed to have been built in the 1400s: until then it had been necessary to cross the river using a ford. As a result a new bridge was built a couple of hundred yards downstream. This opened to traffic in 1816, and today still carries the main road through Alloway south towards Maybole and beyond.

The Burns Monument and Memorial Gardens stand on a sloping site on the north bank of the River Doon overlooking the Brig o' Doon. The Monument and Gardens come under the umbrella of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Operated by the National Trust for Scotland, this magnificent museum is well worth a visit in its own right, and it also brings together all the places associated with Robert Burns in Alloway. These include Brig o' Doon, Auld Kirk Alloway, and Burns Cottage.

The historical Burns Monument stand on a sloping site on the north bank of the River Doon overlooking the Brig o' Doon. The Monument and Gardens come under the umbrella of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. IT was the first memorial built to the memory of the Poet Robert Burns in Ayrshire, and is close to the bank of the River Doon in Alloway. It is situated only half a mile South of the thatched cottage where he was born on 25th January 1759.

Alloway Auld Kirk is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Category A listed ruined church, the associated graveyard is Category B listed. The Kirk and graveyard are best known as the setting for Robert Burns’ poem Tam O’Shanter.

The Water of Girvan is a beautiful river in South Ayrshire, which has its source at Loch Girvan Eye in the Carrick Forest section of Galloway Forest Park. This 28-mile river passes through the villages of Straiton, Kirkmichael and Dailly en route to the Firth of Clyde at Girvan Harbour.