The Newton Stewart Cinema is a real small town treasure…read more The projection was crystal clear, the sound very good and at a reasonable level - no ringing in my ears after I left and no straining to hear the sound. The staff is friendly and I have never come across broken seating or sticky floors when visiting. Lots of space which is a big plus so you don't have to cram in next to another couple if you don't want to. Comfortable well maintained seats and the screen itself is in excellent shape. The concessions and the facilities have always been clean when I've gone in.

Gateway to the Galloway Hills Newton Stewart was founded in…read morethe 1650s by William Stewart, son of the 2nd Earl of Galloway. Originally named the 'new town' of Stewart, later compounded to Newton, this bustling and friendly town had royal charter from King Charles 11, giving permission for a market and an annual fair. A later incarnation as Newton Douglas, after a successful local industrialist, was short-lived. The town sits on the banks of the River Cree, famed for its salmon and other wildlife. The River Cree runs into Wigtown Bay, a spectacular nature reserve, known for its wildfowl; the vistas to the north are dominated by the Galloway Hills rolling up towards Ayrshire and the Galloway Forest Park (http://www.qype.com/place/209510-Galloway-Forest-Park-Newton-Stewart) (now designated a Dark Sky Park, one of only four in the world). There, you will find walks and rugged hikes to suit all abilities. Within the confines of the town, there is a wealth of living history, from the historic shop fronts to the 1930s Cinema (http://www.qype.com/place/198137-Newton-Stewart-Cinema-Newton-Stewart) , now a community-owned organisation, showing the latest films and live theatre, and the Newton Stewart Museum housed in the former St John's Church on York Road. The town has always been the market centre for the surrounding area, and its octagonal auction house (http://www.qype.com/place/2069812-Galloway-Dumfrie-Public-Auction-Newton-Stewart) still remains important for ram and cattle sales.

Scotland's National Booktown The mediaeval town of Wigtown…read moresits on top of a hill at the head of Wigtown Bay, the UK's largest nature reserve and home to a variety of wildlife, including a pair of nesting ospreys. Once the seat of power for the west of Galloway, Wigtown has a rich history, and architecture going back to the 13th Century. The town's place in one of the darker episodes in Scottish history is marked by the execution of two women, the Wigtown Martyrs, who were drowned at the stake during the Covenanting times. But not all of Wigtown's history is so grim, and it was once home to actor James Robertson Justice, who famously kept his house warm by feeding enormous logs into a mobile brazier, which he moved from room to room. Nearby is the pretty riverside village of Bladnoch, home to Scotland's most southerly whisky distillery (http://www.qype.com/place/2169622-Bladnoch-Distillery-Newton-Stewart) . In 1998 Wigtown re-invented itself as Scotland's National Book Town, and is home to over a dozen thriving bookshops and a successful literary festival every Autumn. If books aren't your thing there's plenty more around Wigtown to keep you entertained, from stone circles to the stunning views from the County Buildings, beautiful walks, cafes and parks, and much more.

Maxwell Country Sir William Maxwell of Monreith, an…read moreImproving landowner of the late 18th Century, built Port William an the site of an earlier fishing village and developed the harbour to allow shipment of fertiliser to local farms. Another illustrious member of the family was Sir Herbert Maxwell, who was a painter, historian and plantsman; thanks to him also, many local monuments were among the first to be taken into State care, such as the steep Motte of Druchtag, just outside Mochrum. More famously, Gavin Maxwell wrote the classic Ring of Bright Water and grew up near Elrig, just inland. The raised beaches to the north of Port William, alter you pass the sandy picnicking beaches at the end of the village, are impressive geological features marking sea levels at the end of the Ice Age, but they were also home to the brandy holes of the local smugglers, who were particularly active in the area. Harbour fishing is popular at the Port, and there is a footpath, Garnets Way, starting near the old Corn Mill. The village has a dynamic community life, with a Carnival Week in summer; browsers will enjoy the community-run charity shop and craft shop an The Square.

Home of the Mulberry Harbour That Garlieston is a planned…read morevillage is immediately obvious from the elegance of the North and South Crescents on the seafront; the 7th Earl of Galloway, following on from his father's building of Galloway House in 1745, developed the village in the 1760's. The harbour was once home to a large fishing fleet, and connected with the railway, introduced in 1876. At the north end of the magnificent sands was a rope-walk; beyond that, there is now a footpath around Eggerness point. The village played a dramatic role in the Second World War, as the commemorative boulder on the Square tells, when it was the testing ground for the prototypes which eventually became the Mulberry Harbours, installed off Normandy to supply the advancing Allied troops in the Battle of France. Beyond the harbour, southwards, a coastal path leads into the policies of Galloway House, where successive Earls of Galloway spent lavishly on trees and improvements to the estate. A walk through the Gardens leads to the remains of Cruggleton Castle, whose history is intertwined with the Scottish Wars of Independence, and the restored mediaeval Cruggleton Church. Watch for waders, cliff-nesting birds and falcons along the way.

Castle Douglas Food Town is on Saturday 23rd May, The main streets are closed and there are stalls…read moreon down the street, and many shops have free tasters for everyone to try. There is entertainment all day for all the family, including pipe bands and highland dancing, not to be missed. This event promotes all the lovely food shops in Castle Douglas and happens every year. Well worth a visit with all the family x

We have some video of the event at…read more http://www.castle-douglas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5 If you were there, visit and add a comment (or see if you are on the video)

A gorgeous tourist information centre and shop (on the inside at least) and a lovely helpful lady…read morebehind the counter. I loved browsing all the free leaflets and the gifts for sale. There's something for every pocket from cheap key rings and fridge magnets to books, fine china and linen. A great range of confectionery too. Very easy to find right beside the harbour with a free car park on two sides with plenty of spaces.

Situated at the top of the pier I found the centre to be well stocked with maps , guides and…read moresouveniers for tourists. The centre is open all year with full opening in the tourist season. Staff are extremely helpful, as you would expect them to be, but nonetheless they are probably sick being asked where Paul McCartney lives.It also sells tickets to various events in the area check with the centre what is available for sale at any given time . Young pipers from the school pipe bands play outside the front door in the summer on certain days of the week. A treat if thats what you like, a nightmare if you don't

A small but excellent tourist information centre. I went there twice yesterday, once to buy…read morepostcards and once, before we left the town, to pick up various leaflets about places to visit, and ferry timetables. There are lots of glossy postcards for sale at two prices (for small or large). This is probably the best place to buy cards because I didn't see any for sale anywhere else. There are also lots of beautiful Scottish gifts, from china mugs and other kitchenware to shortbread and fudge. The two ladies working in there yesterday were really helpful. Found near to the large car parks near the water, on the main road. Definitely well worth a visit on your way to, or from, the town centre on foot.