We'll be staying near Glenluce in the fall and are eager to find a good local butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, baker and such. I expect Castle Douglas will have all one could wish for but would like to find something a tad closer if possible. Danna,et al, can you help? Many thanks for any assistance.

Glenluce is nearer to Newton Stewart which has your old style butcher, baker, vegetable stores as well as your regular mini markets. No need to travel to Castle Douglas unless you want to enjoy the trip.<BR><BR>If you don't know the area be sure to make trips to the fishing village of Kirkcudbright which has the Hornel Gallery (art) and some interesting shops. The trip from Gatehouse of Fleet through the Galloway Forest Park to Loch Ken is well worth it. Also suggest Portpatrick on the Mull of Galloway - good cliff walks and bracing sea air.<BR><BR>The local butcher meat actaully tastes of something - much more so than the over processed stuff in the States. That is not meant to sound insulting - but you will taste the difference.

MK... I haven't yet visited Glenluce... but I think you should be able to find all that you need there, if not Castle Douglas is fine village, with a wicked organic shop with divine wines and cheeses! Galloway Forever!

MK... I think that Len has some pretty good advice, I may be asking him advice!

Thanks Len and Danna. Newton Stewart sounds like an easy run that can be undertaken on a daily basis. Yes, I absolutely agree with your assesment of local meat/produce.<BR><BR> Our plan for this part of our journey is to take day trips as the spirit moves us rather than adhering to a schedule. Kirkudbright and Portpatrick were already on our list and at your suggestion,Len, will add Galloway Forest Park. This will be our first visit to Galloway so I'm sure there will be much to explore. Any other thoughts are welcome.<BR>Danna, your enthusiasm is contagious!<BR>Thanks, MK

MK... if you have time, and like gardens, the Logan Royal Botanical Garden on the west coast is breathtaking, we were there in October and it was amazing!... Also, although I'm loath to give out secrets, the Masonic Arms pub in Kirkcudbright is the place to be... stay by the bar and be ready to chat. Tell the folks there hello from Mark and me. Have a grand time!

ttt

MK - You could also visit Threave Gardens and the castle if you have time - quite near to Castle Douglas. Len is right about the meat too - if you can buy it from a local butcher, it will have a very different (and in my opinion much better) taste than even the stuff from the local supermarket. Also, in Castle Douglas at least, much of it in the butchers is reasonably "fresh" as there is a large slaughterhouse just outside the town (don't worry, you don't know it's there unless you go looking for it.)<BR><BR>Danna - I know what you mean about the cheese shop, two of my sisters-in-law live in "CD" and I usually end up in there at some point!

MK... Keith's suggestion of Threave Garden is a good one. It has so many nooks and corners. It is well worth the visit. Nice tea room to wait in and big umbrellas if you encounter showers. You'll love it, can't wait to hear about your adventures.

Again,my thanks for the advice. We had hoped to visit Threave Castle and Gardens but I suspect it may be closed for the season by the time we arrive in mid-October. I don't particularly care about a tour per se but would like to wander the grounds if there is a way in which to achieve the water crossing. Will check with the tourist information folks when we arrive.<BR>Danna, thanks so much for the heads up re: Masonic Arms. That will certainly be a place to stop. And Keith, we'll absolutely take a trip to Castle Douglas. Let's see, we have books,history, gardens, food, whisky, conversation, art and the sea. Heaven!

MLL, Threave Castle and Threave Gardens are two different places, my guess is that the Castle is closed but the Garden is open. The Castle is north of A75 and the Garden is South, nearer to town. So glad you are excited about this overlooked area of wonder!

I meant MK, MLL.... on the previous post!

Danna, thanks for the correction on Threave Gardens.<BR>Given my original query re: butchers etc. I found the thread on Mad Cow Disease interesting. Can't say that I'm concerned. I would expect that one should simply use good judgement in selecting a purveyor. We seem to hear so many reports of tainted food here in the states as well. Being cautious without getting frantic about the matter just seems to make sense. I must say that we found the food in Scotland to be outstandingly good and we look forward to another round of fine dining!