10 Cool things to do in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere

Autumn and winter in the biosphere bring the promise of stargazing under crystal clear skies. Galloway Forest Park is recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association for its ‘exceptional’ starry nights. If this sounds like your kind of thing, why not book your own Dark Sky Ranger? Biosphere-certified rangers like Elizabeth Tindal can provide guided storytelling experiences – with hot chocolate and marshmallows as an added bonus!  

While you’re in the area stop off at Kirkcudbright Dark Sky Planetarium – a family-friendly attraction with state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, which also hosts movie screenings and special events throughout the year.  

Looking for a place to stay? You could make Glentrool your base. This Biosphere Community is the only village in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. Glentrool Hive and Glentrool Holiday Cottages both offer sustainable self-catering accommodation. 

Recharge your batteries this winter with a breath of fresh air. Discover the 'Home of the Bike' along the Kirkpatrick C2C. This on-road route offers 250 miles of uninterrupted views from Stranraer on the west coast to Eyemouth in the east. Galloway Cycling Holidays can help you explore – complete with a home-baked cake and nip of whisky included. 

The Southern Upland Way is another great route to discover. The 344 km trail takes around 12 – 16 days to complete and you’ll come across an interesting mix of wild nature and human history. Or try walking in the footsteps of a saint on the Whithorn Way.  

When it starts to get chilly, warm up by the fire with Way of the Wild. These ‘Forage & Fire’ experiences take place with a trained Biosphere Guide, with the option of bushcraft training and twilight willowcraft sessions. 

Have you considered a glamping experience in the biosphere? Find a biosphere certified business and get ready for warming winter vibes. Stay at Little Peru near Maybole in South Ayrshire where you can try glamping with alpaca walks! Or what about Craigengillan Estate, a traditional Scottish estate with miles of off-road walking. 

Fancy a wigwam holiday on a working farm? Try Solway View on Dumfries & Galloway’s Borgue coast which has some lovely nature trails.  

All this adventure is bound to make you hungry – luckily, you’ll find some very hearty fare in the biosphere. Stop in at The Ship Inn in Gatehouse of Fleet for a taste of history – it has been a hostelry since 1794.  

Or take your own cooking to the next level at Home Cook School – where bespoke cookery classes make for a great winter holiday activity. You’ll find the school in Kirkoswald, available to book for small and large groups.  

The autumn and winter months are great for nature lovers, with the chance to witness migration events at some of Scotland’s most important wildlife havens and nature reserves.  

At Crook of Baldoon (an RSPB Reserve on the Solway coast), thousands of Pink-footed and Barnacle geese visit the saltmarsh (or ‘merse’) between December and March, flying here from their summer roosts in Iceland, Greenland, and the Norwegian Svalbard Archipelago.  

Take a winter wander through a young woodland at Hannahston Community Woodland – managed by The Woodland Trust and local volunteers. Or visit Knockshinnoch Lagoons – situated in the Nith Valley in East Ayrshire, this reserve shows the natural recovery of a former coalmining landscape in real time.   

The forests are filled with fantastic fungi at this time of year. The Biosphere’s ‘Adventures in Nature’ series (including video guides on YouTube) has some ideal locations for mushroom hunting, including Stenhouse Wood and Wood of Cree.  

Finally, it would be a shame to miss the Galloway Red Kite Trail near Castle Douglas – open year round. 

Ready to write that novel or fill a sketchbook with drawings? Winter is a great time for a creative holiday in the biosphere. 

Write SW Scotland offers luxury self-catering accommodation in a traditional Galloway cottage. Guests are hosted by bestselling author and trained Biosphere Guide, Anstey Harris, for bespoke writing retreats.  

You might also like Wild Goose Festival – a ten-day festival held annually in October with a programme that explores nature, creativity and place through workshops, storytelling and performance art. Events for all ages are held at indoor and outdoor locations across Dumfries & Galloway, including this year the Dumfries premiere of The Heart of the Biosphere short film.  

Local arts organisations Upland, Cample Line, and The Old Mill Palnackie are Biosphere Proud Supporters, each running a rolling programme of exhibitions, films and creative workshops in the area.   

This part of Scotland is famous for its connections with Robert Burns. Here are a few things you could do to discover our national poet. 

Book a stay in ‘the artists’ town’ of Kirkcudbright at the Selkirk Arms Hotel. This is the place where Burns is said to have written ‘The Selkirk Grace’ with its immortal line, ‘We hae meat and we can eat’.  

Visit Alloway and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Scotland’s National Bard was born in Alloway and you can visit the cottage where he spent his early years on the family farm. The museum - which has a family-friendly café, garden trails and outdoor play area for kids - is open throughout winter with special events to mark Burns Night on 25 January.   

Rejuvenate in the Galloway and Ayrshire Biosphere with a specialist wellness holiday. Why not try Yoga Venture Scotland? If you love yoga this is the perfect way to deepen your practice amidst breathtaking scenery. One-on-one or small group experiences will allow you to connect with nature whilst finding inner balance.  

Gillian's Walks is another mindful biosphere business, where you can discover the therapeutic power of movement. Try Nordic walking for a full-body workout or learn digital navigation skills to boost your confidence in the outdoors. With routes tailored to all fitness levels, you'll find the perfect path to clarity and wellbeing along the Ayrshire Coastal Path.  

This part of Scotland is home to some tried and tested holiday destinations, check out these fab towns if you are researching your next trip! 

Wigtown – Scotland’s National Book Town since 1998 with bookshops and cafés galore to sit and read in over lunch. The annual Wigtown Book Festival takes place each autumn (satellite events are held year-round). Wigtown Bay is the largest Local Nature Reserve in Britain, a great place for watching winter birds.  

Castle Douglas – a traditional market town loved by foodies for its independent shops. Just outside Castle Douglas is Threave Garden and Estate, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. The nature reserve here has a pioneering 100-year restoration underway; it also contains Scotland’s only Bat Reserve!  

Girvan – invigorate the senses with a walk along Girvan’s mile-long sandy beach which looks towards Ailsa Craig. Formed by volcanic activity more than 24 million years ago, Ailsa Craig is the traditional site for quarrying the granite used in curling stones. Go Girvan can help with trip planning ideas. 

This is your royal invitation to discover Scotland’s majestic castles and notable monarchs from the past. Pay a visit to a stately home or uncover the country’s romantic side as you explore castle ruins.  

Loch Doon Castle – often referred to as the ‘castle that moved’ because it was taken down stone by stone in 1935 and moved to its current spot to make way for hydroelectric works. During your visit, you’ll be immersed in its beautiful natural surroundings. You could also explore atmospheric ruined castles such as Dunskey Castle. 

There are also stately homes fit for Scottish royalty here. Visit Culzean Castle and Drumlanrig Castle which have formal gardens, walking trails and much more. 

Visit attractions and monuments which shine a light on the industries, methods and technologies that have helped shape the modern world. Here are a few suggestions: 

Barony A Frame – from 1907 to 1989, the Barony Colliery extracted coal from a pit at the Ayrshire village of Auchinleck. Today, all that stands is a huge headgear known as the Barony A Frame. Built in 1954, it was designed to raise coal and to transport miners up and down the shaft and plays a huge part in commemorating the mining heritage and communities. 

Wanlockhead – visit the highest village in Scotland. Wanlockhead is best known as the home of the Museum of Lead Mining - celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. During your visit, book the Lochnell Mine Tour. The mine was active between 1710 and 1860 and gives a fascinating insight into the process of lead mining and the lives of the miners and their families. Make sure to also visit the nearby watering hole, Wanlockhead Inn – Scotland’s highest pub.