Sheila, one more thought on something unusual - the Devil's Porridge Exhibition, near Gretna off the A75 - see www.devilsporridge.co.uk for details - we found it fascinating, especially as my mother worked in the WW2 version near Dalbeattie.

this yankee has heard the phrase all her life (but don't know if my children have)

Sheila,
Try and get hold of "The Galloway Hills - A Walker's Paradise" by George Brittain. Some of the lower hills (Bengairn, Screel Hill, Criffel) will be sensational on a good day in March. For historical interest "The Merrick and Neighbouring Hills" by James McBain is a must, if only to show how the landscape has changed since the book was written. I got a modern paperback edition shortly before my first student trip to the area in 19**!! and am now the proud owner of a first edition as well.
When you go to Glentrool (that's when, not if) don't forget that in the eyes of many historians this was the scene of the battle that made Bannockburn possible :-) so it would be high treason not to drink an appropriate toast to those patriotic heroes of long ago.

I'm so sorry I'm so late.... but in response to this breathtaking development.

My dear friend, you will love it there. So, here are the suggestions I compiled for you.

Right off the top of my head.
My faves?
1. Masonic Arms Pub, Kirkcudbright
2. Logan Royal Botanical Garden, Port Logan
3. Stewartry Museum Kirkcudbright
4. Sulwaith Brewery in Castle Douglas, the owner is a really lovely man and he makes lovely brew.
5. Threave Garden, Castle Douglas
6. Galloway Forest Park. I think I could spend years there. Drove through and really want to spend more time there.
7. Sweetheart Abbey on the coast. (actually haven't been there, drove by, plan to return.)
8. Need (love) books? Wigtown is rather fascinating. Got a replacement for one of our cookbooks there.

This fellow has amazing photos and focuses on wildlife and nature spots in Dumfries Galloway. The links are very good and his photos are even better.
www.dumfriesandgallowayna...ory.co.uk/

This site also has a good description of the birds and habitat that interesting to birders.
www.fatbirder.com/links_g...d_galloway

Now my favorite place is Kirkcudbright and I already mentioned the Masonic Arms and the Stewartry Museum. I have to add the Harbor Art Gallery, Tolgate museum and the Auld Alliance restaurant to the faves list.
www.kirkcudbright.co.uk/mainpage.htm

Then there is the chocolate
www.chocs-online.co.uk/

Don't forget to try Cream of Galloway's Oatmeal, Honey, Whisky Ice Cream. Sweet dreams are made of this!

The Galloway Forest Park is on my list of things to do. I have read about sculptures on the walking trails in the park. I think the first link has photos of these. Anyway, if you get a chance.
www.forestry.gov.uk/websi...ForestPark

This is a nice overall site
www.visitsouthwestscotlan...ctions.asp

Beyond this.... Hmmm
We bought some very fine cheese made by this cheesemaker.
www.camphill.org.uk/webup...arthur.htm
I know that you can get this cheese at the nature food store in Castle Douglas.
www.castledouglas.net/dbC...EntryID=47
Hint... don't buy their oak leaf wine.

I want to poke about Port Patrick and Port Logan. I think Port Patrick has a wonderful seafood restaurant.

There is a fun local museum in Newton Stewart.
There is a lovely Cairn the way to Newton Stewart.

That's what I can think of right now.

Nelson - puffins on Skye. I've only ever seen them in the water off Skye.

There are some good trips you can take in inflatable boats where you would stand a chance of either seeing them in the water or on inaccessible sea cliffs.

www.seafari.co.uk operate out of Armadale

www.aquaxplore.co.uk operate out of Elgol and one of their trips is called Puffin run to Canna and Sanday.

Other sites worth checking because they have listed wildife/bird sightings on Skye are

www.otter.org who are based in Broadford where they have a little shop and information centre

www.skye-birds.com

Have you read Adam Nicholson's book Sea Room about the Shiant Isles where there are large colonies of puffins?

Kippy,

Thanks very much for the links and information. I have bookmarked them for future reference. Will look into the Adam Nicholson book as well. I'm off to the library within a few days for the next round of Scotland books.

My wife usuually can't do a small boat trip - she has inner ear damage and vertigo, the result of being struck by lightning - and so usually has to confine her seabird watching to the shore. But we'll see what things are like. Thanks again.

Hi - You might find this website useful: http://mappic.org/map.php?mid=58

Just click on the red dots to see photos from that area :)

Shiela,

If you're still keeping an eye on this you may care to note somewhere I forgot to mention, and which not many people get to, which is the remains of the medieval church and dark ages chapel in the Machars at Barhobble (OS: NX 310494). Also on our recent trip to Galloway we found a couple of pleasant extensions to the walks in the Fleet Valley.

Despite snow elsewhere in Scotland our ten days there (back today) were quite superb with no snow, full sun all day every day, although very cold. We saw eagles, black grouse, stoat in ermine, many red squirrels (watched three feeding and playing within 20 feet of us for ages) and many roe deer. Glen Trool early, -7°, the sun low and refracting through ice crystals on the grass creating a rainbow effect so it was like walking through scattered gemstones, in the afternoon listened to the ice rustling on the loch; seven hours out and we only saw two other walkers. Wish we were still there, Scunthorpe just isn't the same :-(

Post back if you want details of anywhere I've mentioned in this thread.

Michael

Perfect timing, Michael. Today was set aside for collating everything. So I've done that now:)

How was the holiday, Sheila?

Trip report follows shortly:)