The local beach below the cottage can be accessed from the end of the lane. From here it is possible to walk at low tide to Sandyhills (east) check tide times or you can take the coastal footpath over the top past the fantastic challenging 18 hole course at Colvend golf club. The club offers a variety of food and drink where non members are most welcome.

The best sandy beach is located at Sandyhills less than one mile away, (there is a charge for parking)

Towns and Villages:

The village of Rockcliffe, 3 miles away is worth a visit for its quaintness and is good for launching boats. From here there is a lovely wooded track (Jubilee path) to Kipford and a more elevated one to the wonderful viewpoint at the Muckle through the forest both starting from the same point.

Kippford is a small port with a yacht club and a pub. The path along the harbour front is worth a stroll if for no other reason than for the children to see the home made 'sculpture park' on the way.

Dalbeattie park is a pretty park beside the river, here it is possible to hire a pedalo or play tennis.

Dalbeattie Town wood is a beautiful place to walk on a hot day beside the small loch. The forest is one of the '7 Stanes' a Mecca for mountain bikers if you have the energy and the bike to match.

Castle Douglas is a picturesque town with plenty of gift shops and eateries . The lakeside park is also worth a look where pedalos can be hired.

Kirkcudbright, is a beautiful town to visit with plenty to do and see, and is known as an artists town there are several galleries to visit and there are often national touring exhibitions in the main gallery. The nearby wildlife park is a place children will enjoy visiting.

Gatehouse of Fleet off the A75 is a pretty town with nice shops and pubs and a good tourist centre. The nearby Cream of Galloway Ice Cream Farm is an exciting place for families to visit, worth it just to sample the produce but has a great adventure park for the kids and the adults who are you at heart. 

Places to eat:

The Laurie Arms at Haugh of Urr has a good selection of home cooked food. 01556 660246

The Masonic Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet serves good quality food for which it might be wise to book. 01557 814335

Designs gift shop and restaurant on the main street in Castle Douglas serves wonderful whole food for a lunchtime visit.

The Mabie House Hotel in Mabie Forest near Dumfries is a nice hotel serving good food in an attractive setting. 01387 249696.

Balcary Bay Hotel near Auchencairn is a quality establishment in a superb location for a special occasion. 01556 640217

The Old School room on the A75 past Castle Douglas near Ringford is known for its good home baking.

Further away in Dumfries there are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from, with the Ship Inn at Kings loch a particular favourite and worth the trip.

Wildlife Watching:

The nearest place to look for birdlife is the Merse head nature reserve a few miles east from Treeling near Kirkbean.

Caerlaverock south of Dumfries, a Wildfowl and Wetland Trust centre is a great place to see masses of wildfowl and migrant waders in the autumn and winter including huge flocks of Barnacle geese.

There are many beautiful ancient oak woods to visit including thelargest ancient wood in southern Scotland, the RSPB reserve of Wood of Cree, 4 miles north of Newton Stewart situated along the river Cree is a good place to see summer migrants.

Around Loch Ken there is a trail known as the Galloway Kite Trail designed to provide opportunities to see Red Kites, and there are always plenty of buzzards to be heard or seen on the wing nearby.

The cliff top walks nearby at Balcary, Auchencairn and Kirkcudbright as well as between Rockcliffe and Portling are all good for bird-watching and even Peregrines have been seen here.

Supplies:

The local shop at Colvend has most things you may require.