Kirkcudbright: Things to Do

This information only applies to my own courses. For this information as it relates to classes organised by other venues, please look on the web sites of those venues.

There are plenty of entertaining things to do in the town and surrounding area for partners at a loose end, or for you if you are staying on for a break. The Visit Kirkcudbright website is a good place to start.

Some of these attractions may be seasonal or have limited access so please check before making commitments.

In Kirkcudbright

Along with the town’s other artists, I am part of the Kirkcudbright Art Map, pick up a leaflet in my gallery and enjoy a tour of the local artists. In town you will find the impressive Kirkcudbright Galleries with a changing programme of exhibits alongside a permanent collection. There is Broughton House, a National Trust for Scotland property, the Stewartry Museum, Tolbooth Arts Centre and the Dark Space Planetarium.

For a real insight into Kirkcudbright’s art scene, historic and contemporary, book a place on one of Fiona’s Kirkcudbright Art Tours – we hope she will be offering these in 2025 Her walks around the town are highly entertaining with plenty of gossip and details on everyone from the Glasgow Boys to Gerald Scarfe. In August you can go on Maggie’s Tour which costs £2 or thereabouts. You’ll find details on the Visit Kirkcudbright website – no need to book, pay on arrival. A dramatic history of the town performed by locals with plenty of intervention and heckling from the crowd along the way.

Outdoors and Sport

There is a swimming pool in town and the local golf club welcomes visiting golfers. Local bike experts and guides Esther and Craig offer bike hire at Discover Galloway along with help and advice for exploring the area. A little further afield you can try fly fishing with Sue Macniven. If you like to swim, there are local beaches and for cold water swimmers, Swim the Lochs are our local experts.

The Biosphere

Here in Kirkcudbright, we are a part of the UNESCO Galloway and Southern Ayshire Biosphere, an area designated as a world class environment for people and nature. There are outstanding local walks and beautiful scenery, great inspiration for landscape printmakers! and a Dark Sky Park nearby in Galloway Forest to explore. The Biosphere website is a great source of information for local events and businesses working to support our environment. Find out how I’m involved as a Biosphere Certified Business here.

Houses and Castles

Hard to list them all, but locally you might visit Dundrennan Abbey, Cardoness Castle, Threave Gardens and Estate, Threave Castle and the Mill on the Fleet historic cotton mill, now a heritage and exhibition centre. It’s a bit of a drive, but Logan Botanic Garden on the Mull of Galloway is a delight and you could visit the lighthouse, Scotland’s most southerly point, at the same time. You’ll also see our own castle in Kirkcudbright, hard to miss at the end of the High Street.

Worn out with sightseeing?

Drop in at the Dark Art Distillery for a tour and a gin tasting, or if whiskey is more your thing, you can take a tour and tasting at Bladnoch Distillery. We have several pubs in town, but the local brewery, Sulwarth Brewers, also welcomes visitors.