Eating Out
Please find below some suggestions for eating out locally in Castle Douglas:
The Kings Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas – 01556 502626
The Imperial Hotel, Castle Douglas – 01556 502086
Carlo’s Italian Restaurant, Castle Douglas – 01556 503977
The Jade Palace, Castle Douglas – 01556 503730
Jewel in the Crown, Castle Douglas – 01556 505999
Nikkos Mezze Greek Restaurant – 01556 504345
The Scottish Pantry – 01556 502232
Simply Delicious, Castle Douglas – 01556 504733
The Mad Hatter – 01556 509023 (dog friendly)
Street Lights Coffee House, Castle Douglas – 01556 504222
Designs Gallery & Cafe, Castle Douglas – 01556 504552
Restaurant information provided by Castle Douglas Food Town
Galloway Forest Park
Situated in the heart of Galloway, southern Scotland, the Galloway Forest Park managed by Forestry Commission Scotland offers spectacular views and a diversity of dramatic scenery. Three hundred square miles of wild beauty are waiting to be explored, here, in Britain’s largest forest park.
Established in 1947; the park boasts tranquil valleys encompassed by heather-clad hills, rugged rock faces, burns cascading down magestic slopes and the forest, moorland and lochs rising up to the grandeur of the mountains. The Merrick, Mulwharcher and the Rhinns of Kells stand proudly above the home to much of the unspoilt, ancient woodland which attracts some 800,000 visitors every year.
Stretching from seashore to mountaintops, The Galloway Forest Park has an outstanding variety of wildlife. Red and Roe Deer thrive in this woodland park while mighty birds of prey patrol the skies.
This natural sanctuary is however, easily accessible as a result of three Forestry Commission visitor centres at Glentrool, Kirroughtree and Clatteringshaws, which receive around 150,000 visitors annually.
Known affectionately as the “highlands of the lowlands”, the Galloway Forest Park offers an endless assortment of things to see and do, to suit everyone, in some of the most breathtaking scenery Scotland has to offer.
7stanes Mountain Biking – Dumfries and Galloway
Lochside Apartments are an ideal base for mountain bikers and cyclists wishing to experience the world-renowned 7 Stanes trails. 5 of the 7 Stanes trails are within 40 minutes drive. The Apartments have off-street parking with secure bike stores and a bike wash down area and within easy walking distance to restaurants and pubs, making them the perfect base for everyone, no matter how experienced.
7Stanes Dalbeattie: 5 miles from Castle Douglas.
Dalbeattie has a coastal setting with a relaxed feel but the riding is full of interest, with a broad range of trails on offer. The Ironhash (green) route (11.5km, 1.5-2hr) offering easy biking, mostly on forest roads. The Moyle Hill trail (blue) route (14km, 2-3hr) gives the rider a fun ride with narrow trails, crossing short sections of rough rock. The Hardrock trail (red) route (25km, 1.5-3hr) a rougher and rockier trail which will really get the blood pumping, including sections such as The Terrible Twins, Volunteer Ridge, The Slab and The Log Rides (black routes). There is also a skills area at the trail head, with a variety of graded loops for those visiting for the first time.
7Stanes Ae: 22 miles from Castle Douglas.
Ae has a good mix of family trails and rough & tough for the more experienced. The Ae Valley (green) route (9km, 1-1.5hr) and the Larch View (blue) route (13.5km, 1-2hr) ideal routes for beginners and families, where your wheels are kept firmly on the ground, along the water of Ae. Ae line (red) route (24km, 1.5-3hr) a long trail with steep climbs and decants with intimidating features and ideal for aggressive freeride style. The route highlight is the descent of Megaman, with it’s variety of jumps. Ae downhill (1.6km) and The Shredder (1km) (orange) routes for the most insane riders, these routes give bigger challenges with slippery sections, seriously rocky sections and huge drops. Cafe and bike hire available.
7Stanes Glentrool: 28 miles from Castle Douglas.
Glentrool is known as The Wild West with long forest road-based rides, fun routes for families/beginners and a great blue grade trail, all with stunning scenery. The Big Country (purple) route (58km, 3.5-7hr) unlike the other 7 Stanes trails, this route is all on quiet public and forest roads with no single track. There are some big descents and testing climbs on this course but with fabulous views of lochs and hills it is a challenging but rewarding day out. The Green Torr (blue) route (9km, 1-2hr) is a contrast to the first route. This is nearly all on purpose built, single track with gradual climbs through the forest to a ridge which overlooks Loch Trool, before descending a fun section which brings you back to the visitor centre. The two blue routes, Palgowan (14km, 2hr) and The Glen (6km, 1 hr) offer a more relaxing ride. Cafe situated at the visitor centre.
7Stanes Mabie: 18 miles from Castle Douglas.
Mabie is an ideal starting point for beginners to experience mountain biking, with trails mostly on forest roads but with plenty of ups and downs. Lochbank loop (purple) route (23km, 2-4hr) a lengthy ride which takes in the stunning surroundings of the forest. Big Views loop (green) route (8km, 1-2hr) and the Woodhead loop (blue) route (10km, 1-2hr) are both ideal introductions to mountain biking, with easy single tracks and mostly on forest roads. Phoenix Trail (red) route (17km, 1-2hr) a mix of hard uphill sections, fast downhill’s, water runs, some jumps and loads of sweeping corners but a great ride through the woodland scenery. The Dark Side (orange) route (3.8km) for skilled riders only, insane, narrow, elevated, wooden “North Shore” sections with outcrops of granite. Cafe, bike hire and shop are also on site.
7Stanes Kirroughtree: 22 miles from Castle Douglas.
Kirroughtree is home to some of the best single-track in the country and including the famous McMoab. The Bargaly Wood (green) trail (6km, 0.5-1hr) has a mix of quiet public roads, wide tracks and easy single tracks which take you around the scenic Bargaly Glen. The Larg Hill (blue) route (10km, 1-2hr) is a more challenging route with large sections of narrow single track, which ends in a plunge through magnificent woodland. The Twister (red) trail (17km, 1-2hr) is more demanding with drops, beams and rock step-ups, being all on a tight and twisting trail which is typical of Kirroughtree, The Black Craig’s (black) route (31km, 2.5-4hr) adds 14km of challenging riding. The highlight being the “McMoab”, which is huge slabs and ridges of granite, linked by boulder causeways. Lots of skill and nerve are required for this route. Cafe, bike hire and children’s play park on site.
