Beachcomber

03/11/2022

Rough at the Isle this week! The Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway

02/11/2022

02/11/2022

Autumn tides fast and furious at Garlieston

22/10/2022

Here’s something for you to try if you’re staying with us mid November. The South Machars community Centre is based in Whithorn, the nearest town to Garlieston.
Community spirit is vibrant in Whithorn and the surrounding towns.
The Center has a community fridge (think self service food bank) an upcycling shop and a village hall. Volunteers are always adding events such as pop up kitchens to serve subsidised meals and other events to involve the community.
This hands on festival is another example and is well worth supporting. South Machars Community Centre - Whithorn

21/10/2022

Photos added to our Booking.com page by Maxine, one of our latest guests. Book now to enjoy views like these!

21/10/2022

A new event for Whithorn, the nearest town to Garlieston. It runs from the 12th to the 25th November and features local artisanal talents. Book Beachcomber for a few days to act as your base for the festival whilst you explore your creative talents.

Creativity festival Dumfries & Galloway. Workshops, talks, demonstrations, artists, sculptors, bladesmith, textiles ceramics potters Creative festival Scotland

20/10/2022

Local wildlife! Book Beachcomber and plan your own photo safari. Deer, badgers, hawks and hares are all abundant in this part of South west Scotland

23/08/2022

The Mull of Galloway is thought to be the largest Iron Age enclosure in Scotland - but the age of the monument has never been confirmed by scientific dating. Next week (22nd to 27th of August), AOC Archaeology Group will lead excavations to confirm the date of these enigmatic earthworks. A team from the University of St Andrews Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences will join us onsite to collect samples for a programme of Optically Stimulated Luminesence (OSL) dating.
If you would like to take part in the excavations, please get in touch via direct message or fill in the online registration form: https://forms.office.com/r/4TmU3xsFgT
Historic Environment Scotland
Aerial image: R McTaggart

20/07/2022

A bygone age!! A taste of Garlieston history

The village has always come to life in the sunshine even 150 years ago as this report from the Free Press of 18th July 1872 tells

"ISLE of WHITHORN. Pleasure Trip.— On Tuesday last the , “ Countess of Galloway" arrived here from Garliestown, having on board the teachers and children belonging to the various schools there, particularly those patronised by the Earl and Countess of Galloway. The steamer was gaily decorated with flags, and on coming alongside the pier preparations for effecting the disembarkation of the excursionists were at once commenced. This, owing to the height of the steamer above the level of the quay, was a work of some difficulty and even hazard; but notwithstanding the precipitous nature of the descent, all, without mishap of any kind, succeeded in reaching terra firma. The weather was magnificent, old Neptune assuming - doubtless for the occasion, and by way of atonement, it might be, for his rudeness and incivility on the day of our Isle regatta - his blatant mood, basking in the sunshine, and greeting rocks and sea-sand with the "kiss of peace", The pleasure seekers, juveniles and adults - for a large number of the latter took advantage the opportunity so kindly afforded by the directors the steamer - appeared to have enjoyed the sail amazingly, and seemed to be in most exuberant spirits. The steamer remained upwards of an hour, taking on board some cargo, and giving the pleasure seekers sufficient time to enable them to visit the venerable old church of St Ninian, the Life Boat house, with view the magnificent rock scenery the adjacent coast, which can be seen with great advantage from the Cairn Hill. Before the echoes the last bell bad died away, the stragglers, who were evidently under the best discipline, were again on hoard the steamer, which, like a “giant refreshed," started away the return voyage, her decks crowded with happy faces.

The Steamship “Lady Maxwell”. This large screw steamer, which measures over 300 tons, with corresponding carrying capacity, arrived here direct from Liverpool, having 450 tons of coal on board for Mr Duff, on the afternoon Wednesday last. She belongs Mr McGuffie of Liverpool, commission agent ,who owned the small screw-steamer “Dumfries” The name of the new steamer which was formerly the Clara, has been changed in honour of Lady Maxwell of Monreith. Her measurements are follows, length for tonnage, 164.7 feet; breadth. 22.4; depth, 12.5: with direct acting engines 60 nominal and 350 effective horse power. A vessel these dimensions is, of course, not adapted to any trade she is likely ever to acquire here, and when discharged will proceed to Workington and take board cargo sf iron ore for Swansea. The “Lady Maxwell." seemingly somewhat defective power, is most substantial vessel, and has been pronounced one thoroughly qualified give an opinion upon such matters having long occupied a prominent and responsible situation in one of the most extensive shipbuilding yards on the Clyde to be. as regards material and workmanship, one the best constructed iron ships that has come under his notice. On Monday the Lady Maxwell left on a pleasure trip to Douglas. Isle Man, calling at Portwilliam, Drummore in order to pick up passengers. Large numbers from the various ports availed themselves of the opportunity afforded to them of enjoying a days recreation. The Whithorn Band accompanied the expedition, and by their enlivening and spirit-stirring melodies contributed very much to diversify the monotony of the sea-voyage. Tuesday morning the “Lady Maxwell” returned . again to the harbour, and all were seemingly delighted with the pleasure trip. Captain Kirby and the local agent, Mr Kenyan, having earned golden opinions for their kindness and courtesy by the excursionists while on board.

Galloway Advertiser and Wigtownshire Free Press. Thursday 18 July 1872

19/07/2022

Something to consider if you are staying with us for the relevant week

ADDED… ⛳️⛳️⛳️

Scottish Week Open! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

09/07/2022

Follow this link to Dark Galloway for an interesting insight into the history and folklore of the Galloway area.
It really is a magical place.

https://darkgalloway.wordpress.com/

Adventures in a historic landscape

03/07/2022

We are thrilled to offer open-air theatre again this season at Castle Kennedy Gardens. Our first show is The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny on Wednesday 27 July. Tickets are on sale now, online or at the Gardens. Link to tickets in bio.

03/07/2022

Taken from “Stranraer and Wigtown free press” newspaper this article highlights one of the events available to you over the weekend of the 8th to the 10th of July. Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival

26/06/2022

23/06/2022

Great entertainment if your are staying at Beachcomber over the relevant weekend

Join us for what will be a fun-filled evening with a group of musicians from Drummore who go by the name of The Ship Inn Shanty Shingers. Free admission 😀.

13/06/2022

One to visit on your travels whilst staying at the house!

The lighthouse exhibition is open daily from 11am to 5pm.

Find out more: https://mull-of-galloway.co.uk/the-exhibition-and-engine-room/

Plan your visit: https://mull-of-galloway.co.uk/plan-your-visit/

12/06/2022

This is worth doing if you like local history. Call to arrange a different time if it suits you better

Interested in finding out a little more about our village and its people. Join us for a wander tomorrow for a short walk and a lot of chat. 10.30am - 11.45am tomorrow 7th June , if you'd prefer another date or time, give us a ring and we will sort it!!

09/06/2022

01/06/2022

26/05/2022

26/05/2022

Enjoy the high life at Beachcomber!