An attractive town, Kirkcudbright, will provide you with everything you are looking for to have an enjoyable vacation. With a monastery established here as early as 1000 A.D., this town has a long history as an ecclesiastical centre of the region. By the year 1200, there was a Cistercian nunnery, an Augustinian priory, a Franciscan monastery and a castle in the town. During the 1400’s, Kirkcudbright was the centre of trade and saw over one quarter of the cloth exports of the country loaded on ships bound for faraway destinations, which included Spain. Pirates destroyed the town in 1507, but the resilient people quickly recovered and rebuilt the town within 20 years, They also constructed a wall around the town enabling them to fend off an English attack in 1560 and in the 1570’s McLellan Castle was built – more for show, though, than defence.
Visitors gaze in awe at the attractive buildings and a visit to High Street provides an unusual experience as it is wrapped around the two sides of the town, rather than the usual thoroughfare running through the centre. The Tolbooth Art Centre is the starting point for art lovers with its collections of paintings by well-known artists. A 15-minute video tells the story of the town and with various artists at work here during the year, you will get to see a work in progress. The Kirkcudbright Academy contains one of the most noted foundations in Scotland. It was fully operational as a school in 1560 and even though restoration work has been done, the continuity of the stonework is perfectly preserved. In the centre of town stands Castle McLellan and the L-shaped ruins are preserved although it is no longer the mansion it once was. Take a guided tour of the Tongland Power Station to see how the forces of nature have been harnessed to provide the modern conveniences.
Take a walk along the Senwick Shore, a coastal wooded path stretching about 3 miles giving you glorious views of the bay. Trace the steps of Amy Smith along the Bickland Bridge and Mute Trail and visit the little church at Cardoness Castle. Take a two-mile walk to the picturesque Kirkandrews Church, built by St, Andrew. Fishing is at its best, whether you enter the catch and release program at Barmagachan Trout Fishery or take a guided fishing tour with Gatehouse and Kirkcudbright Angling Association. A river trip will provide you with a spectacular view of the town and the countryside from the river. At the Wildlife Park you will not only see more than 200 animals, but you can also feed the goats and take a guided tour. There are many opportunities for cycling and golf in the area, all adding up to a most memorable vacation.
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