Holiday cottages in Newton Stewart

Newton Stewart sits on the River Cree where the coast road meets the hills, and it is the obvious base for anyone heading into the Galloway Forest Park. The park covers three hundred square miles of forest, loch and hill, and was the first place in Britain to be designated a Dark Sky Park — on a clear night you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.

Glen Trool, Loch Trool and the Merrick, the highest hill in southern Scotland, are all reached from here. The Cree is a well-known salmon and sea trout river. Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town, with its shops and its autumn book festival, is fifteen minutes south, and the Machars peninsula runs down from there to Whithorn and the sea.

Things to do in Newton Stewart

This is the base for the Galloway Forest Park — three hundred square miles of forest, loch and hill, and the first Dark Sky Park in Britain. Glen Trool and Loch Trool are half an hour up the road, with Bruce’s Stone above the loch marking a battle in 1307 and a view that justifies the walk on its own. The Merrick, the highest hill in southern Scotland, is climbed from the same car park.

On a clear night from anywhere in the park you can see the Milky Way without equipment. Best from autumn to early spring when the nights are long.

Kirroughtree is another of the 7stanes mountain biking centres, a few minutes east. The River Cree runs through the town for salmon and sea trout, and Wigtown and the Machars are fifteen minutes south.

Getting to Newton Stewart

• Newton Stewart is 50 miles west of Dumfries on the A75. From Gretna it is about an hour and a half, from Carlisle a little under two hours. Glasgow is around two hours, mostly on the A77 and A714.
• There is no railway station. The nearest are Stranraer, about forty minutes west, and Barrhill on the Glasgow–Stranraer line. Buses run along the A75.
• A car is essential here — the forest park, the lochs and the Machars are all drives rather than walks.

Common questions about staying in Newton Stewart

Is Newton Stewart the best base for the Galloway Forest Park?

Yes. Glen Trool and Loch Trool are within half an hour, and the Merrick — the highest hill in southern Scotland — is climbed from there.

Can you really see the stars?

The Galloway Forest Park was the first Dark Sky Park in Britain. On a clear moonless night the Milky Way is visible without any equipment. Best from autumn through to early spring, when the nights are long enough.

Are there dog friendly cottages in Newton Stewart?

Yes — look for the paw symbol on a listing. The forest trails are as good a dog walk as anywhere in Scotland.

How far is Wigtown, the book town?

About fifteen minutes south. The book festival runs each autumn.

Is there good fishing?

The Cree is a well-known salmon and sea trout river, and there are lochs nearby. Permits are arranged locally.