Activities

Outdoor Heaven
Within a 30 mile radius of the Stables Guest House you will find a wide range of activities and attractions available with something to suit all interests be it sport and leisure, hill walking, history and archaeology or bird watching.

Cycling
With various routes marked through the town, Newton Stewart is the ideal base for cyclists of all abilities. Newton Stewart and the surrounding area, called ‘The Machars’, are areas of outstanding natural beauty and are often referred to by cyclists as a “cyclist’s paradise”. Many cyclists on the Sustrans trail, pass through Newton Stewart. We welcome cyclists and have lock-up facilities for bicycles/equipment. We also have a workshop – Dane is a Cytech 2 qualified cycle mechanic – and can help with any issues that need resolving quickly. Bikes can be hired from Kirkcowan Cycles just near the B&B or The Break Pad at Kirroughtree Visitors Centre

We also recommend a local cycle touring company – Galloway Cycling

Hillwalking and Climbing
North of Newton Stewart is the Galloway Forest Park, a beautiful scenic area covering 300 sq. miles of forest, lochs and hills overlooked by the majestic Merrick (2764ft) and Cairnsmore of Fleet (2330ft).

Hillwalking and climbing is very popular in the area with a challenge to be faced from both hills. Of course, the Forest Park offers a wide range of less strenuous, marked walks ranging in distance for the novice or experienced walker.

An annual walking festival takes place each May details can be found on WalkFest – Newton Stewart Walking Festival. It is sponsored by the local outdoor wear centre http://www.srcunningham.co.uk . We are not far from the route of the southern upland way.

Mountain Biking
Mountain bike trails are easily accessible in the Galloway forest at Glentrool and Kirroughtree. Both part of the 7stanes trails.

The 7stanes are a series of mountain bike centres in Forestry Commission Scotland forests in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway: Glentress & Innerleithen, Newcastleton, Glentrool, Mabie, Ae, Dalbeattie and Kirroughtree.

There are 400km of all-weather trail – more than enough for a week’s holiday in the South of Scotland! Add to that the Wild riding in the surrounding hills and singletrack at Drumlanrig and you’re sure to find a trail to suit you.

Fishing
Fishing is available throughout the year and includes sea, river and loch fishing. Permits are available from local bait/tackle and country sports shops. Galloway Angling – http://www.gallowayangling.co.uk

Golf
There are over 32 golf courses in Dumfries and Galloway, with some of the best in the South West of the region. Newton Stewart has its own 18 hole golf course, just 10 minutes walk from the Stables Guest House.

Newton Stewart Golf Club
Wigtownshire County Golf Club
Stranraer Golf Club
Portpatrick Golf Club

Our nearest mainline train station is Dumfries, and a bus then takes you into Newton Stewart. From the north, you can also get a train into Stranraer.