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GALLOWAY DARK SKIES PARK Galloway Forest was awarded Dark Skies Park status in November 2009 and we are delighted as this news has drawn people's attention to the fabulous dark skies we get here in this unspoilt corner of Scotland. On clear nights the stars are more visible with the naked eye here than anywhere else in the UK. There are only a handful of dark sky parks in the world, so if you are thinking of visiting low season you are in for a real treat. We have witnessed Aurora Borealis twice in the last decade and shooting stars and lunar eclipses from the Galloway House Estate. Bring your telescope for a spot of planet watching.
LOW DEPOSIT OFFER Book your holiday more than 6 months in advance and pay only 25% deposit instead of the normal deposit of 50% of your holiday rate. And remember we accept all major debit and credit cards. CALL NOW 01988 600600
SPECIAL OFFERS Last minute offers at Pavilion Cottage and Carsebuie available within 28 days of your visit. CALL NOW 01988 600600
Click here to go to the activities and events page
NEWS Many of our visitors like to keep up to date with our livestock on the smallholding and other developments here in Garlieston.
Garlieston Harbour Garlieston Village has seen the demolition of the old red brick mill building on the harbour. Having ceased trading as The Trading Post about 15 years ago.
A new development is being built in its stead, and the building work on the first phase is now complete. We are relying on the developer to do a good job, especially as Garlieston is such a charming village, with a good deal of local history. The fishing boats will still be using the harbour and the lobster catch should continue to come in there. The public slip way remains in use, so the familiar sight of boats in the harbour will remain, though parking may be a bit limited for a while.
Swimming Pool The ambient temperature must stay consistently above 7 degrees C for the pool to be heated. We hope the pool will be in use from the end of April until mid September.
Lambing Castlemilk Moorit sheep were on the endangered list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust records, having fewer than 300 breeding ewes. We have been breeding them here in Garlieston for 10 years and have contributed significantly to their number and they are no longer in the high risk category having exceeded 300 breeding ewes. They are a parkland flock bred from native primitive stock to look like small deer. They have a dark brown fleece that fades to a milky coffee colour as the fleece grows, this returning to dark brown after shearing. The fleece is very soft and we have some seen some beautiful Arran type wool produced Hatching The guinea fowl are too secretive for us to find their eggs. We would be lucky to hatch any guinea keets this year. The hens will start to sit as soon as the weather stays warm enough. For now we are collecting all eggs for sale and for our visitors welcome packs. Galloway House Gardens The temporary sculptures left by the team of British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) in the neighbouring Galloway House Gardens have long disappeared, but we hope they will be back for another sculpture workshop this summer. They have done some wonderful work clearing and improving the environment here for visitors to enjoy. Their work makes a real difference, and they are a great help to the gardener here at Galloway House Gardens. Galloway House Gardens Trust is a charity and help and donations are required to prevent the loss of a wonderful woodland and walled garden. Anyone wishing to help either by making a contribution towards repair of the old walled garden, glasshouses or planting schemes, or through physical involvement, say in clearing, or if you have expert skills that could be put to good use in preserving the gardens for the future, please contact us and we put you in touch with the head gardener and trustees.
Seal Spotting Grey seals are often spotted off the point in Rigg Bay. Thanks to BTCV, there is now a lookout point where you may stand and lean with your binoculars so that you can watch the seals without disturbing them.
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