Garlieston was in fact a place we lived at the start of the 1990’s, also where the children went to school for a short while. It was a great pleasure to revisit for a few days which gave us a chance to rediscover the area and visit friends in Whithorn. The camp site is excellent with clean and warm facilities and was not very busy at this time of year, but i do know the its a very popular site during the season, so best to book.
A seaside village on Whithorn Bay, Garlieston was created in 1746 by Lord Garlies, eldest son of the Earl of Galloway. History tells us that his ancestral home near Whithorn was destroyed by fire and a new house was built at Rig Bay close to Carswell. For his own privacy he removed the villagers of Carswell to Garlieston. The same man is credited with creating Galloway House Gardens. Which is still open to the public. For a while Garlieston was a centre for boat building, sail and rope making, it now seems to be a centre for second and holiday homes like many villages in Scotland.
A fairly regular bus service takes you to nearby Wigtown where in 1998 it was launched as the Wigtown Book Town. Around the last weekend in September each year there are 10-days of literary events which make up the Wigtown Book Festival which attracts visitors from all over the country and abroad.
The village it self is very interesting and typical of the Shire. At its centre a beautiful market cross and at one end of the well kept park is the fine French Gothic style County Buildings. It you would to stop and have either a meal or just coffee and cake i would recommend the Cafe Rendezvous, but best to book. (01988 402074)
A highly recommended walk direct from the camp site is past the Harbour and along the coastal path to Rig Bay. Keeping the sea on your left, continue up through the forest until the recently renovated Cruggleton Cottage, after this you can see the what’s left of the castle up on a hill. Its from here you walk across open farm land and on a good day enjoy the magnificent views along the coast line and out to sea.
The 13th century Cruggleton Castle stands high on the cliffs with sheer drops on either side so beware. This castle was once the main home of the Lords of Galloway. Previously thought to be impregnable, it was captured by Robert the Bruce on his grand mission to free Scotland from evil English rule in 1308. As you will see all that remains today is a solitary arch and several intriguing walled hollows. You can make this a circular walk by going back to the cottage and turn left following the “driveway” down to the road where you turn right and head back to Garlieston. We were lucky enough to see a small heard of Roe deer on our way down the driveway.
A grand wee break but our drive home was through some heavy snow falls, where even the A75 was tricky until Glengap.
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