Discover the Best Things to do in Galloway Forest
Outdoor Adventures and Exploration
The Ship Inn Hotel and self catering is on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park with fantastic walking and cycling trails on our doorstep.
Gatehouse of Fleet and the surrounding Galloway Forest Park has beautiful walks, fantastic cycling for all, sandy beaches, castles & gardens. The UNESCO Biosphere is a special place for Biodiversity, wildlife and natural beauty and we work with many of their partners underpinning the approach of creating sustainable communities. We are lucky to live and work in the Fleet Valley, designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.
With sandy beaches and rugged coastlines this fantastically diverse landscape supports an array of wildlife from Golden Eagles to the ubiquitous Red Squirrel. While inland the Cairnsmore National Nature Reserve is based around the most southerly mountains in Scotland, a fantastic wilderness haven.
Galloway Adventure Centre
Choose from a vast range of awesome activities including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, wobbly water park, paddle boarding, mountain biking, climbing wall, high ropes & zip wire, giant swing, archery and outdoor laser quest!
Whether you’re a beginner looking to try out paddle boarding or a seasoned expert looking for some top quality windsurf coaching they have options for you!
Prior booking is essential for everything on offer, so if you’d like to plan a holiday or find out more then give them a call
Galloway Canyoning
Explore Scotland’s wild side with unforgettable canyoning, tubing, and gorge scrambling experiences.
From natural slides and splash pools to rugged waterfalls and rock jumps — every adventure is led by qualified guides, with safety and fun at the heart of it.
Whether you’re planning a weekend thrill or a group day out these are the guys to deliver .
Galloway Wild Swimming
Dumfries & Galloway is a hidden gem for outdoor swimming. Nestled between the Solway Coast and the Galloway Forest Park, this region offers an unbeatable mix of dramatic landscapes, quiet spots, and friendly swimming communities.
For beginners, the lochs here are ideal: accessible, scenic, and often less crowded than more famous swimming destinations further north.
But safety is key and for those starting out Sarah from “Swim the lochs” is the perfect guide to help you out.
Galloway Wildlife & Britain’s largest Forest Park
Galloway Forest Park is the UK’s largest and includes a red deer range, a wild goat park and red squirrel feeding stations. There are numerous walking and cycling trails in the park, as well as forest drives.
Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park is the only one in the UK with a fantastic new observatory close to the Ship. Light pollution is extremely low, which means that over 7000 stars are visible with the naked eye and the Milky Way is clearly visible. We thoroughly recommend an outing with Liz Tindall a freelance ranger who co-ordinates star gazing and outdoor learning activities Freelance Ranger.
Please click to see our local Wildlife-Guide and the Solway-Bird-Guide
