Barnharrow Holiday Pods

Portpatrick Beach

Approximately 25 minutes' drive from Barnharrow Holiday Pods is the lovely harbour town of Portpatrick, located on a hammerhead peninsula. It’s the most westerly point in Southern Scotland and looks out towards Ireland. The sandy beach only appears when the tide is out, so do check tide times before you go! It’s a lovely spot for paddling, watching the hustle and bustle of boats entering and leaving the harbour and looking for crabs and other marine creatures in the many rockpools. Walk along the promenade and you’ll find a few cafés and pubs for a meal out. There is also a lifeboat museum and, if you have time, do stop off to see North Witch Rock – you’ll quickly understand why it’s been named that!

Sandhead Beach

 Also known as Luce Sands, Sandhead offers a six-mile sheltered stretch of stunning sandy beach. The bay is a Special Area for Conservation and boasts a wealth of marine wildlife and natural habitats. Sandhead is a popular destination for surfers and windsurfers and the beach itself is dog friendly. If you’re a keen walker, you might like to explore some of the Mull of Galloway Trail, a coastal route that extends all the way down to the tip of the Mull of Galloway peninsula. Sandhead is 18 miles away, approximately 30 minutes by car.

Monreith and St Medans Beach

 On the east side of Luce Bay, the little clifftop village of Monreith overlooks a lovely sandy beach, perfect for walking, swimming and fishing alike. Access from the car park is via a long flight of steps, but the legwork is well worth it! You may well spot a wide variety of birds that frequent the area. Go for a wander amongst the rocky outcrops and see what you can find in the many rockpools. There are plenty of caves to explore, including Butcher’s Cave, so named because of the red algae that stains the walls. Travelling to Monreith will take 30-40 minutes.

Mossyard Beach

Follow the A75 that hugs the eastern shores of Wigtown Bay and you’ll find Mossyard Beach nestled at the mouth of Fleet Bay. The beach is small but sandy and a good spot for boating. Dogs are not allowed on the beach. If you fancy a walk away from the shore, there is a great route from the main car park in Gatehouse of Fleet, which takes in a Pictish fort and, once you summit the hill, you will be wowed by incredible views of Fleet Bay. Mossyard is a 35-minute drive from us.

Garlieston Beach and Rigg Bay

 Travel down the west side of Wigtown Bay and you can enjoy not one but two beaches, both sandy with pebbles. The beach at Garlieston takes you round the peninsula to the more secluded Rigg Bay. Both are dog friendly. Take a walk along the coastal path and you’ll be able to see the remains of Cruggleton Castle at Cruggleton Point. Garlieston is 25 miles away, a 40-minute drive.