DG One is the new leisure complex in Dumfries. They invested millions in this project and it shows…read more Whilst not quite up to the standard of a private leisure complex, it is far better than any other council facility i've visited. There are 3 pools - including a competition sized pool, a pool where the floor lowers for different classes and a kiddie fun pool. There are also flumes and I think some fancy wave machines. I haven't used the pool so can't give you much more than that, but it looks good and has a great viewing area. The complex also has a gym, dance studio, conference rooms, games halls, cafe, bar and steam room/sauna/jacuzzi area. The gym is fantastic and extremely well equipped. There are all the usual cardio machines and plenty of each to limit having to wait. There are also a huge amount of weight machines which look top spec to me. There is a free weights area too. The gym is clean, well laid out and impressive. There are flat screen tvs dotted about but each cardio machine also has it's on screen where you can watch tv, listen to radio or pull up different stats. Plus, there is a system in place where you can log in to the machines and they will record your workout. There is also little touchscreens on the wall where you can log in and book classes or send messages to a trainer. I think this is awesome for a council gym - especially when you consider the all singing all dancing membership is only £35 a month! DG One also runs a number of classes, of which I have been to Step and Aerobics. The studios are in great condition and are well equipped with an excellent air conditioning system to keep you cool. The instructors are a mixed bunch - i've had good and bad. But, I think this is typical of the council (sorry to say). I have not used the games halls but they look great. These rooms also have retractable seating and are used for concerts and events. Again, I have not visited these but have heard good reports. I have used the meeting rooms at DG One and they are really professional. They have smart boards, good quality seating and can offer catering of tea, coffee biscuits etc. This makes for a good facility but again, the staff can let it down. The guys that set up the rooms and those that book them are great. However, I was disappointed with the catering which was late and disrupted the meeting. The sauna/steam room/Jacuzzi area is also impressive for a council building. Bizarrely this is situated on a different floor to the pool so you can't go from one to the other. This suits me as I don't swim but must be really annoying for those that want to use both. I have been told this is to stop kids getting in and I can see the point. However, it must be so frustrating to go for a swim and have to get dressed to go upstairs only to get undressed again for a sauna etc! I haven't visited the cafe or bar. I have heard good reports on the cafe but have never seen anyone in the bar. Overall, DG One is a fantastic looking complex with great facilities and all reasonably priced. So why a low rating, well. DG One was severely delayed in opening and when it did there were mega problems. So many parts of the complex have been broken, closed, had accidents reported that it has become a bit embarrassing. Only recently, a sign fell on a child's head! Now, I understand any new building will have teething problems but these have been badly dealt with, terribly communicated and often avoidable. As a member, I have never been told of the problems and received no apology. Only when I arrive do I see out of order signs. In addition, the levels of cleanliness at times can be atrocious. I have stopped using the sauna/steam room area after visiting 4 nights in a row and seeing the same mucky marks on the floor. It clearly wasn't even getting a basic clean down! The staff are also a mixed bunch. While those in the gym have always been great to me. Some of the receptionists have no customer service skills and by what i've seen, the cleaners can't be very good. This is typical of a council facility and it is really frustrating. DG One could be fantastic if the staff and the organisation just took a bit of pride in the building and showed it some respect. Unfortunately, I don't think this will happen and I hate to be cynical but I bet it will be in tatters in no time through sheer neglect.

Dumfries has needed something like this for a long time. The swimming pool is sooo much better than…read morewhat we used to have, but could've been better. The competion pool (main pool) could really have done with being much larger, at least 50%. On Saturday mornings the place is crammed. On weekday mornings there is, at the moment, a large area set aside for schools, which is great for them but not for those of us wishing to swim in a straight line without bumping into other swimmers. There have been many teething problems, part of the changing areas have been cordoned off for whatever reason but on the whole its great, especially after what we'd been used to

Ok, for those who don't know. Go Ape is like an obstacle course, except you're 60ft up in the air…read morein the trees attached by a pair of ropes. You have the cross various increasingly tricky bridges between trees, and get to descend on a number of tarzan swings and zip lines. AND IT IS TOTALLY AWESOME!!! ahem. I'm definitely a thrill seeker kinda guy, and while this is long way from base jumping insanity, it's an awful lot of fun. thanks to the careful instruction of our trainer at the start of the course, and the fairly tight strapping in of the harness you're given, you never feel in *real* danger, but jaysus some of it is *rather* hairy! the highlight of the whole course is the finishing zipline. You get to wheeeeeee across a big valley! They views are a little breathtaking, it does feel a little like flying. Go Ape Glentress is a great day out from Edinburgh, it's not a million miles away, but it feels like a great day out. I'd definitely recommend it, and I'm desperate to go back!

It wasn't on our itinerary but on our first day in Scotland driving around in circles on the wrong…read moreside of the road (sorry to all the old folk, children who had to run for their lives along the way) we noticed these huge wind turbines on the far horizon, first one, then two, then eight until we saw the whole farm - all 42 turbines! We had to see them up close so we zigged & zagged through the countryside until we got up close to them along Dura Road near Forth, some maps say South Cobbinshaw, either way it is in South Lanarkshire and you really can't miss 'em! Some sources say you can access them by Climpy Road too, we noticed going up Dura Road that there were a couple of spots to park with trails managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. One trail leads to the Darmead - Linn Covenanters Monument part of Scottish religious history / struggles, the trail takes you though some moors and you can hear the faint sound of "American Werewolf in London" if you get out of the car & listen carefully. Beware the moors! We chosed to just travel up the road by car until we hit the end of it right by the entrance of a small farm, along the way we saw tons of sheep & coos (Scots for cow), I couldn't believe how close we got to the turbines and how peaceful it was up on the law (Scots for hill) though breezy. Well worth a drive to see a reclaimed coal mine now serving a dual role as a wind farm & bird sanctuary with hiking trails. I should point out that the farm generates 97 MW of electricity or roughly enough power to provide for 70,000 homes from a clean renewable source.

I am in awe. This is one of the loveliest and most beautiful national parks that I've ever had the…read moreprivilege to visit. I immediately, upon arrival, fell in love with the picturesque landscape and the calm rain that was persistent in our week stay in Coniston. We were told it has been an unusually rainy season this year, but nonetheless, it still made for a beautiful week. There are lots of wonderful places to get lost in, the Lake District is a wonderful place to explore. With better weather, there are options for canoeing, a steamboat ride, horseback riding, bicycling, simply walking, and hiking the mountains. The shops in town have delicious coffee as well as food, fun vintage items, and dogs... literally EVERYWHERE! The people here are sweet and everyone seems to know everyone, as they do in small towns. I definitely recommend coming here on holiday for the beautiful views to relax!

The Lake District in Cumbria, England is a national treasure. There is so much to see and do here…read morethat there is never enough time to do it all. The numerous lakes, the fabulous walks, all the water activities, to name just a few, will keep you enthralled for weeks. And then there is the amazing history, including sites of Viking villages, old churches, standing stones, museums, and much more. And of course there is the home of William Wordsworth, as well. This is definitely a place I will return to spend time in the future.

Taking on a trial with Scottish Military Fitness and so far am impressed. A good workout as hard…read moreas you make it, pushed but made to achieve not to suffer. A good welcoming environment with varied workouts week to week. Noticing a change in fitness levels after a few short weeks. With the free trial class what is there to lose? Enhanced by the perpetual sunshine Glasgow has to offer. Bring gloves and hat preferably waterproof.

OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG!!!! I don't know how much squeeee I can put into a review. This was…read morejust so much fun. I'm not a city girl by any means, but I'm also not a country girl. Yeah, I've been around animals a lot, but not those of the barnyard variety, so I am oh so terribly fond of Sheep, Goats, Ponies, Donkeys and the like. My Scotsman knows this and so he took me to the Mabie Farm Park. Think Petting zoo, but to the extreme. When you pay your small entry fee under $10, you walk the path, past a trio or was it a quad of adorable animals begging for food, so you feed them. The buck toothed alpaca is just adorable, you don't want to give them everything, so you meander inward, over the cobblestone bridge and into the interactive play area. There are bunnies, ferrets and other wee fuzzy bits that are elligible to be petted and talked about. There's a sign that tells you what times the demos are. Next are the big piggies, who snore loudly and are just as you think of pigs.. They're not in any hurry to move about for you. It was a hot Scottish summer day when I visited, so I don't blame them. From there, its into the Goat and sheep pen with a few calves peppered in for extra cuteness. There was so much squee in the barns I really had a hard time processing it. There were go-karts, a swing pit with hay to land into. Some various quarter style rides. Then the back fields held larger animals who either were bullies in their pens (That one white mule) or just insanely full of adorbe. The mule rides were very popular. Besides the animals, there are a bouncy house, jump pads (the floor of a bouncy house), two different ground slides, one which you ride a little wooden scooter down, swing sets, big wheels to ride, paddle boats, though the pond is a bit low. I KNOW I'm missing something, I just know it. Lets just say, take your kids there, take anyone there who's young at heart. it's totally worth the spend.

More of a childrens playground than a farm. There were certainly farm animals there, goats, sheep,…read morehorses and donkeys. But most of the entertainment came from the bouncy castles, the huge slides where the children sat on little plastic trays to slide down the hill. There were also donkeys separate from the others doing donkey rides. It rained the day we went so we avoided the dirt buggies, but other people were using them and they certainly lived up to the dirt name. A good day out for everyone, and definitely worth the money.

Indoor Adventure Playground for children aged 1-10 years old, juniper jungle is excellent for…read moreyounger kids. It can get very busy at weekends due to parties, but staff operate a maximum child limit so it is never dangerously overcrowded. The food is delicious and the premises are very clean and tidy. Juniper Jungle is the first softplay in Scotland to be awarded the healthy living award by the Scottish Executive There is free car parking and C.C.T.V. monitor key areas within Juniper Jungle. Visitors are booked in and out at reception via a security gate system to stop little ones wandering outside. Baby changing facilities are fitted in all the toilets. Complete party packages are available for any occasion.

This place is absolutely first class for younger kids. Very clean, the staff are very friendly and…read morehelpful and the food is excellent too. I have heard they are supposed to be opening another one in Kilmarnock which would be great if its anywhere near as good as this one!