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 think Laggan markets towards the wedding market etc but I don’t think it’s private events only
www.lagganlife.co.uk/gather/

Ohhh, I am so jealous. Love, love, love D & G. We go every year.
There are some great walks in the Galloway Forest, differing lengths and all well sign posted.
Raiders Road is ok, but we were glad our car is 4 wheel drive.
Have a drive along the Red Kite trail. Brilliant for passengers to spot the kites, not so much for the driver, There were loads around when we went in May.
We tend to do a long walk in the forest in the morning, then plan a circular car drive in the afternoons, planning the route on a map WITHOUT driving on A roads stopping off in villages or towns for cake, coffee or ice cream.

Would recommend Loch Arthur Community Shop, it's lovely.

Polar Bites for fish and chips on the harbour is good.

Designs in Castle Douglas is great.

Segwaying at Gorsebank was very successful with my teens.

My sons Grandparents own The Crown in Portpatrick! Proper pub vibes with amazing fresh food

Not long back from a holiday there, we loved the Gallery at Lauriston - the owner was pure entertainment himself and has a little cafe selling the most amazing coffee and cakes. If you have a dry day, go to Kippford and do the circular walk to Rockcliffe and back, we had lunch in the pub at Kippford…… mussels were so tasty. Worth also going to see the Red Kites, i think they put food out for them at 2pm daily.
Lots of lovely galleries around and in Kirkcudbright if you like art.

You're all fab
Thank you
Gorgeous vist to Port Patrick yesterday
Ambling to Kirkcudbright for a bit today as weather not so good
DH and dd desperate to visit Wigtown

Let me know whst what you did in Kirkcudbright, we only stayed very briefly.

Pottered around the shops and galleries
Ate our own body weight in cake
Nice breezy walk along the river
Lovely few hours

Sounds like a nice day. Do you have any good cake shops to recommend,?
Its been wet and grey in Glasgow.

Well
We had breakfast at the Belfry cafe
And then cake at a little shop near the coop
Let me rack my brains and remember the name
We will no doubt head back so I'll try and remember
Apologies my memory is useless these days

There is a fab Greek place in Castle Douglas and The Earth's Crust bakery and cafe is ace. I'm meant to be there today but train chaos due to weather.

Yes, I am originally from Dumfries. I think Cocoabean had a fire last week and is closed unfortunately. Have a look at the Treasure Trail website and do a walk and trail. Mabie House is nice, the restaurant does nice food and the forest is good for a walk/cycle.

Galloway Lodge in Gatehouse is lovely for lunches.

Brighouse Bay holiday park has a golf including a range, and a pool, cafe and pony trekking.

Loch Ken has a sailing and activity centre with a cafe and lots of fun stuff for all of you if it’s still open

And Brighouse bay beach is lovely

Gather at Laggan is lovely for food, only be about 10-15 miles from you. Gorgeous part of the country.

The Galloway Hoard is awesome and is in Kirkcudbright until July 2022.

Last week we had a lovely lunch in Dumfries, in La Dolce Vita.
The Camera Obscura at Dumfries Museum can be interesting, if you've not been to one before.

@Hobnobswantshernameback

Well We had breakfast at the Belfry cafe And then cake at a little shop near the coop Let me rack my brains and remember the name We will no doubt head back so I'll try and remember Apologies my memory is useless these days

Solway Tide?

That's the one 😂
Lovely day in Wigtown today and then down to the sea at Garlieston bay for a bracing walk
The pub on the harbour had a roaring log fire
It's been bliss
Cannot believe this is my first visit to this part of the world

@changedforschoolpost

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.

The enormous zip wire was at Laggan Outdoor, but they have closed down.

If the weather improves have a look at dumfries and galloway core paths online. Great walks.

Might be a bit late: I love Brighouse Bay park in the car park and there's a board with a circular walk on it its very lovely and relatively easy and not difficult to find. Climb up Screel its better when there no mist go straight up the steepish bit across the top and then down the short very steep bit and then take the easy path its easier. Orchardton is lovely go past the castle turn right at the T junction and then park in the small car park and just walk on the road/ footpath. Balcary Bay to Racsarel park just after the Balcony Bay hotel and follow the signs for the walk again a circular walk or Red Haven and Torr Point park in Aucnecairn there's a great shop with a cafe and take way food and ask them the way its gloriously peaceful and you will hear see loads of curlews amongst other things. Finally there's a circular walk from Sandy Hill Bay you'll need the tide times, go when the tide is going out, walk along the beach to the next village and come back over the cliff takes about an hour and its a lovely walk.
Have fun in our lovely unspoilt region we are very lucky.

OP - I hope you’ve managed to keep your heads above water, given the weather in that area!

My absolute fave part of the world.
My kids (secondary now but have been going going years) absolutely love the gem Rock museum in Creetown. The Lairds Inn is also really nice and happily accommodates our children