Cycling around Dumfries & Caerlaverock

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Cycling magazine Bike Radar recently published three cycling routes around Dumfries, including one that goes right past the front door of the Flat at Glencaple. Quiet roads, flat stretches, some long climbs and super scenery make the area a haven … Continued

Come and Meet the Bore

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The River Nith which flows through Glencaple is famous for its bore which can reach a height of nearly a meter. The bore travels at speeds of up to six miles an hour between its mouth on the north side … Continued

A Real Treat for Garden Lovers

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Garden Lovers will delight in the glorious Crichton Gardens all year round but particularly in late Autumn. Situated on the outskirts of Dumfries, the gardens cover 85 acres of parkland with many specimen trees and plants, a rock garden, arboretum … Continued

“Sooper Whoopers” at Caerlaverock

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Last year we featured the barnacle geese at WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) Caerlaverock, ten minutes from the Flat. But there’s so much more to see at our local wild and wonderful nature reserve including the elegant Whooper swans who … Continued

A Surprising Shopping Experience

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A holiday in Glencaple needn’t be all bird-watching and country rambles. If you fancy a bit of retail-therapy we’ve got that too – with a difference!   Gretna Green (a 30 minute drive along the A75) is probably best known … Continued

Who Do You think You Are?

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Tracking down your ancestors is fun and if you think they might have come from South-West Scotland then there is plenty here to help you find them.   I first moved to Dumfries from Glasgow when I was 14 and … Continued

Come Foraging on the Wild Side

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Just the other week we went on a wonderful walk out on the merse from Castle Corner (just a couple of miles from the Flat) organised by Galloway Wild Foods and supported by SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage). A friendly group … Continued

Hill Walking in South West Scotland

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The South West is home to some of Scotland’s best hills. Criffel, our ‘local’ hill, offers the very best views across Galloway, Dumfriesshire, the Solway Firth and the Lake District. It’s the hill that you can see right outside the … Continued

Hooray – Another Spring Fling is on its Way

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Spring is about to Fling again with painters, printmakers, potters, glassmakers, ceramicists, jewellery-makers, textile designers opening their studios to you and me between 25-27 May this year. This fabulous and completely free event (some studios might even offer you a … Continued