20 Attractions to Explore Near Galloway Forest Park

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 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.

Conquer the unique and historically significant industrial steam and diesel locomotives are restored and can be seen working in an authentic setting. The centre owns a number of standard gauge steam locomotives and diesel locomotives as well as some narrow gauge items and an extensive collection of photographs.

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 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.

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

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 Macaterick is a loch in East Ayrshire, Scotland within Galloway Forest Park and Merrick Kells SSSI. The loch is situated to the north of Macaterick, to the west of Craigfionn and to the southeast of Loch Riecawr. Loch Macaterick from Craigfionn A boardwalk through a forested area used to lead to the loch from a nearby track but it was removed during forestry works. The loch area has suffered limited heather beetle impacts.

Shalloch-on-Minnoch is the highest mountain in Ayrshire at 2,520 ft, situated about 26 miles southeast of Ayr next to Loch Riecawr and close to Loch Doon. There are two ways to this mountain, from the Straiton road or Dalmellington road via Loch Doon. a good trekking destination and also you can spend some good time here by enjoying its beauty.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Dalquharran Castle is a category A listed building in South Ayrshire, Scotland, designed by Robert Adam and completed around 1790. The first recorded lord of the property which already included a castle, was Gilbert Kennedy, as stated in a 1474 Charter for the nearby Crossraguel Abbey; the estate was later owned by the Kennedy family for centuries.

Baltersan Castle is a ruined L-plan tower house located near Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It was originally graded as a Category B listed building in 1971, but this was upgraded to Category A in 1995. It is currently for sale and is listed as at moderate risk by the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.

Mullwharchar is a hill in the Dungeon Hills, a sub-range of the Galloway Hills range, part of the Southern Uplands of Scotland. There are 3 cliffs on the mountain named The Slock, The Tauchers and The Organ Pipes and some routes on these are occasionally climbed. Mullwharchar's summit is fairly flat and dotted with erratics. Quiet risky trekking location and also it offers nice views from the top.

Dalquharran Castle consists of a ruined 15th-century tower, with a round tower at one corner. It was extended to form an L-plan, and rises to three storeys and a garret within the corbelled-out crenellated parapet. The castle was extended and altered in the late 17th century, and was surrounded by gardens and landscaped grounds. The basement is vaulted.