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Adventures in the Galloway Forest Park

The Best Time to Visit South West Scotland (And Why It’s Year-Round)

September 10, 2025 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

If you’ve ever wondered, “When’s the best time to visit South West Scotland?” the truth is simple: every season offers something special. Here at Ross Bay Retreat, our cosy coastal cottages welcome guests all year, and each visit feels unique depending on when you come. From golden sunsets in summer to peaceful winter walks, Dumfries

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Ross Bay Farm - Ross Bay Retreat

Biodiversity at Ross Bay Retreat: Why Conservation Grazing Matters

September 8, 2025 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

At Ross Bay Retreat, we’re passionate about farming in harmony with nature. One of the most effective ways we can do this is through conservation grazing —a natural land management technique that helps protect and enhance biodiversity. But why is grazing so important? And how does it help the many species that live in and

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Ross Bay Retreat Holiday Cottages Sea View

Top 10 Reasons to Stay at Ross Bay Retreat in South West Scotland

July 29, 2025 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

If you’re searching for a peaceful coastal escape in one of Scotland’s most beautiful hidden corners, Ross Bay Retreat near Kirkcudbright could be just the place. Located on a quiet peninsula overlooking the Solway Firth, our holiday cottages offer everything from stunning sea views to doorstep walks and abundant wildlife. Here are ’10 reasons why

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Red-Bass-locally-caught - Ship Inn Gatehouse

Popular Pubs & Restaurants near Kirkcudbright & When Out & About

June 27, 2024 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

There are a number of wonderful pubs and restaurants in and around the Kirkcudbright area and further afield. Here are a selection of Ross Bay Retreat’s recommendations and favourite destinations to eat and drink that our guests have mentioned. A number of these restaurants are a short drive away in Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse of Fleet.

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GSAB UNESCO Trail cliff walkers at Borgue

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere & Ross Bay Retreat

December 21, 2023 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

Ross Bay Retreat sits within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, a region that is internationally recognised as a world class environment for people and nature.  One of a global network of more than 700 UNESCO Biospheres, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire was the first to be designated in Scotland and celebrated its 10th anniversary

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Kirkcudbright Artists

8 Great Places to Visit & Experience in & around Ross Bay & Kirkcudbright

April 5, 2023 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

Looking to do something a little different on holiday? There are so many wonderful places to visit when you are staying on holiday at Ross Bay Retreat in and around Kirkcudbright. Explore some of our fascinating towns, pretty villages, local historic sights, cultural and fun activities. Below are eight great places to visit, explore, experience

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Fresh Local Produce

Fresh Local Produce, Farm Shops, Seafood, Distilleries & Craft Breweries around Kirkcudbright

January 4, 2022 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

A visit to our beautiful area is not complete without experiencing and tasting the local produce. You will soon realise that Scotland has so much more to offer than just superb our whiskies, haggis, tatties & neeps. We are blessed with a wonderful coastline, fertile land, experienced skilled farmers and producers of fine meat, wonderful

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Milky Way Forest

Stargazing at Ross Bay Retreat

September 15, 2021 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

The dark skies at Ross Bay Retreat and Dumfries & Galloway are some of the best in the UK. We have very little light pollution here making it a great place for stargazing. On a clear night outside our holiday cottages you can see thousands of stars, wonderful astronomical sights as well as spectacular views of

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great local walks

Ross Bay Retreat – Guest Favourites & Our Local Recommendations

August 9, 2021 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

Explore Ross Bay & Dumfries & Galloway We are so lucky to have so much to see and do right on our doorstep here at Ross Bay. Here are some of our guest’s favourite places to visit and our local recommendations. Fancy heading out for a bite to eat or drink, there are some of

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Visit Kirkcudbright

8 Great Reasons to Visit Kirkcudbright

July 21, 2021 By Tim Wells With Comments are off for this post

Kirkcudbright is pronounced as ‘ker-coo-bree’, it is only 6.5 miles away from Ross Bay Retreat and a great place to visit during your stay. Visit Kirkcudbright for a friendly and colourful town with pastel painted houses and shop fronts.  There is distinctly artistic vibe to it as it has attracted generations of creative artists, painters

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We also have a...

We also have a Country Escape
in Yorkshire

Overdale Cottage is a cosy pet friendly cottage in the charming village of Harome, 3 miles from the Helmsley on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

Visit the Helmsley Hideaway website >

Coast and Country Escape in one,
South West Scotland

Destination Balcary is a self catering holiday house in Dumfries and Galloway, with breathtaking scenery when you wish to stay in a place like no other...

Visit the Destination Balcary website >