Within a 30 mile radius of the Stables Guest House you will find a wide range of activities and attractions available with something to suit all interests be it sport and leisure, hill walking, history and archaeology or bird watching.

Bladnoch Distillery
www.bladnoch.co.uk
Only 7 miles drive from the guest house, is Scotland's most southerly single malt whisky distillery at Bladnoch. Bladnoch Distillery is now producing whisky again and offers guided tours, function hall (ideal for weddings, parties and events), visitors centre and popular gift shop.

Cinema
www.nscinema.co.uk
Recently refurbished, the Cinema in Newton Stewart is one of the towns' best, and most popular facilities. Films show throughout the week with theatre, live music, comedy and pantomime at various times throughout the year.

Cycling
With various routes marked through the town, Newton Stewart is the ideal base for cyclists of all abilities. Newton Stewart and the surrounding area, called 'The Machars', are areas of outstanding natural beauty and are often referred to by cyclists as a "cyclist's paradise". Many cyclists on the Sustrans trail, pass through Newton Stewart. We welcome cyclists and have lock-up facilities for bicycles/equipment. Bikes can be hired from www.hdi-online.biz.

Mountain Biking
Mountain bike trails are easily accessible in the Galloway forest at Glentrool and Kirroughtree. Both part of the 7stanes trails. Bikes can be hired from www.brakepad.com or www.trailbrakes.co.uk.

Fishing
Fishing is available throughout the year and includes sea, river and loch fishing. Permits are available from local bait/tackle and country sports shops.

Galloway Angling
www.gallowayangling.co.uk

Golf
There are over 32 golf courses in Dumfries and Galloway, with some of the best in the South West of the region. Newton Stewart has its own 18 hole golf course, just 10 minutes walk from the Stables Guest House.

Newton Stewart Golf Club
Wigtownshire County Golf Club
Stranraer Golf Club
Portpatrick Golf Club

Hillwalking and Climbing
North of Newton Stewart is the Galloway Forest Park, a beautiful scenic area covering 300 sq. miles of forest, lochs and hills overlooked by the majestic Merrick (2764ft) and Cairnsmore of Fleet (2330ft). Hillwalking and climbing is very popular in the area with a challenge to be faced from both hills. Of course, the Forest Park offers a wide range of less strenuous, marked walks ranging in distance for the novice or experienced walker.

An annual walking festival takes place each May details can be found on www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk. It is sponsored by the local outdoor wear centre www.srcunningham.co.uk.
We are not far from the route of the southern upland way.

Newton Stewart
Newton Stewart was founded in the 17th Century by William Stewart. Situated on the banks of the River Cree, the town has prospered and may be regarded as the gateway to the Galloway Hills.

Newton Stewart Museum
Stables Guest House is directly behind the popular Newton Stewart Museum. It contains a wealth of historical treasures, some pre-Victorian, and has exciting and interesting displays of the natural and social history of Galloway.

Shooting
Locally, you will find a range of businesses offering shooting and hunting breaks in the Galloway Hills and surrounding areas. Please ask for further information.

Shopping
Newton Stewart has all of the amenities you would expect of a market town. Supermarket, Chemists, Hardware and a wide range of local gift shops, local produce and general retail establishments.

Marrbury Smokehouse, Shop and Restaurant
Award-winning smoked foods shop, fine dining restaurant and visitor attraction near Newton Stewart.
www.visitmarrbury.co.uk

Creetown
Annually hosts a country and western festival in September with live music and entertainment.
Also worth visiting is the Gem Rock Museum.

Wigtown Book Festival
Wigtown Book Festival is an exciting, annual, literary festival held in Scotland's National Book Town, Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland.
www.wigtownbookfestival.com

Wigtown, Scotland's National
Book Town
www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk
Only 7 miles drive from Stables Guest House, Wigtown is the official book town for Scotland. Book festivals, readings, live events and over 18 book related businesses including book shops, publishers, dealers and binders...to name but a few!

Abbeys
Beaches
Bird-watching
Castles
Countryside & Wildlife
Ferries
Gardens
Gem Rock Museum
Sightseeing
Swimming
Towns & Villages
Pony trekking

Whithorn
Scotland's first christian community dating back to 5th century. Visitor centre for more information see www.whithorn.com.

Other places in the area for children or the young at heart to visit are the Cream of Galloway and the Cocoa Bean Factory.

The Dumfries and Galloway web site contains a host of information about Dumfries,
Dumfriesshire and Galloway and links to web sites throughout south west Scotland.

I am a member of ADGAP, Association of Dumfries and Galloway Accommodation Providers.
See www.visitsouthwestscotland.com.