Newton Stewart, Wigtown & Stranraer

The town of Newton Stewart is probably the most popular centre for visitors to the western half Galloway. To the northeast is Glen Trool and its beautiful loch, one of the main gateways to the Galloway hills and forests. South of the town is Wigtown - seemingly a sleepy place but home to a great literary festival and Scotland's capital when it comes to second hand books. Wigtown is the gateway to the Machars, a largely low lying peninsula with a special atmosphere, a fascinating history and an interesting coastline.

The Rhins peninsula makes up the furthest reaches of the southwest. Whilst Stranraer is well known as the main ferry port for Northern Ireland, the rest of this remote corner of Scotland well repays exploration. The ultima thule here is the Mull of Galloway, the southernmost point in Scotland, a spectacular headland with fine cliffs and masses of seabirds.