Bit niche but any mumsnetters know Dumfries and Galloway well?

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

Holidaying not far from Kircudbright
Any suggestions for nice pubs, cafes, places to visit?
Dc are mid teens
Weather not looking good but we are pretty hardy
Appreciate this may be a bit niche
Also, are there specific rules about kids in pubs? We are used to ambling into pubs just for a drink with them in tow but got booted from one yesterday and had to sit in the snug in the other
Licensing rules are clearly different but we want to eat and drink out a bit this week
It is utterly glorious here though

I don't know Kirkcudbright but I do know the Rhins of Galloway. It's a bit of a trek but if you fancy a road trip/looong day out you can drive about 1.5 hours to Drummore and take in the spectacular Mull of Galloway lighthouse, Botanic Gardens, the Port Logan Fishponds and then grab something to eat in Portpatrick harbour. Check the opening hours of all these places, it's getting to the end of season now so some things might be closed/on limited hours.

We were considering heading towards port Patrick and then meandering back
Stopping on the way so thanks for the tips there
Will have a look

I'd ask MNHQ to get this onto the Scotsnet board

Will do

Threave castle is beautiful and tranquil, but try and go in good weather if you can.

Wigtown if you love books
Whithorn is historical
I really loved kirkudbright

We had an awesome time in D&G in August but were really lucky with the weather and spent the entire time on the beach

There are a few smokehouses that are lovely

The Selkirk is a lovely pub and kid friendly, also a few good pubs in the beautiful Gatehouse of Fleet nearby. Recommend a walk to see an amazing Pictish stone carvings and to Anwoth kirkyard, famous for where parts of The Wickerman was filmed. You can drive through the hills for about an hour to St Johns of Dalry which also has a fab pub! There is an enormous zipwire near Kirkcudbright and Cream of Galloway ice cream has kid-friendly activities although not sure if all will be open during October. Lovely beaches in the area too.

If you like birds/wildlife Caerlaverock WWT is lovely. Caerlaverock Castle too.

Devils Porridge museum is interesting.

Walk from Garlieston to Whithorn (we usually do it one way and get the bus back but check the bus times.) The stones on the beach at Garlieston cry out to be painted (as in actually painting the stones, not doing paintings of the stones!)

Deer Park and wild goats in Galloway Forest Park.

Ice cream shop at Newton Stewart (check opening times as we went last weekend and they were closed because a staff member had tested positive for covid. DH was devastated )

Thanks
All noted

Is the Cocoabean chocolate factory still open? They have some great activities making stuff with kids and the chance to buy misshapen but delicious chocolates at reduced prices. 😋

DH is a complete book fiend so a trip to Wigtown sounds in order

Oh, and licencing laws can be a bit confusing - pubs used to have to have a children's certificate to admit children under 14, even if you were eating. Not sure now as all the kids in the family are much older.

We stayed in Dumfries and went to a lovely Tapas Restuarant near the river - sorry cant remember the name

Hi, OP. We'll move this thread over to Scotsnet for you - they might have some good intel over there.

The Clachan Inn in Dalry is very good (I’d book ahead to be on safe side). There’s also Designs in Castle Douglas and another restaurant I’ve never been to but I’ve heard is good Mr Pook’s. Might be a bit far but I really like Thornhill (Drumlanrig Castle is a good trip) and there is a good cafe there (amongst other places) called Thomas Tosh. Nice walk between Rockcliffe and Kippford where there’s the Anchor Inn.
If the Galloway Hourd exhibition is still on in Kirkcudbright, that is fascinating (was in the Scottish National Museum in Edinburgh in the summer). Walk up Screel hill is good - even in dreich weather it’ll still be nice and if you’re lucky and the weather dries up a bit the view will be amazing. Also the cliff walk (the Heughs) at Balcary point but I wouldn’t do that if windy or very wet. Lots of good mountain biking in the area at all the 7stanes courses (some of which I’m sure will have cafes). There’s the Raider’s Road through Galloway Forest Park but it’s not open all year round so check online first.

Around Moniaive is the Striding Arches by Andy Goldsworthy who lives locally and there is the Watersports centre at Loch Ken - if you can face getting wet at this time of year

There's a new observatory in Kirkcudbright which is meant to be worth a look. Kids are allowed in pubs until 8pm I believe but not sure if thats changed since covid?
Castle Douglas has nice wee independent shops on the high street, lots of nice bakers, butchers and a sweet shop too I think.
Hope the weather stays nice for you, the rain can be absolutely brutal there!

I think the zip wire at Laggan Outdoor is no longer open but there was a cafe with lovely view and there is now a restaurant upthere which I haven’t been to but looks great on the website. Hills & Harbour gin have their distillery in Newton Stewart which I think also has somewhere to eat. Threave Castle is also good but check online to make sure is still open for the season.

Fab
Actually did the Rockcliffe kipford walk yesterday
And spotted Screel hill

@Hobnobswantshernameback

DH is a complete book fiend so a trip to Wigtown sounds in order

Wigtown is fab - one of my favourite trips ever was when we went there, managed to get about 30 books for less than £50 😂

I think GGs/Laggan is only for private events now. The human slingshot thing they used to do with a Landrover looked terrifying!

Theres a couple of nice pubs with gardens in Kippford and a great ice cream shop further along the end of the main road, then after the ice cream shop keep walking, it's lovely and beaches made of shells. The next village along is rockcliffe, which has a gorgeous beach and a lovely tea room/antique shop you'll notice on the walk towards the beach. Check the opening times though

Both Kippford and Rockcliffe are on the solway forth so lots of kayaking and paddle boarding to watch.

Ahh sorry youve been there

Was going to suggest Dalscone Farm about 45 mins from you but then saw kids are older.
Although they do have mini golf, go karts, bumper boats and some other stuff?

I didn't realise Wigton had so many bookshops, dh will love this. We go to dumfries a lot and have never been !! So thank you for the thread @Hobnobswantshernameback