Loch Ken Shepherd's Huts

At Loch Ken Shepherd’s Huts, you can go wild swimming, fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking (bring your own equipment) in the loch, spot wildlife including herons, deer, hedgehogs, red squirrels, owls and otters (the latter two at dawn and dusk if you’re lucky) and bask under a million stars on clear nights. If you’re looking for more sporting action, Galloway Activity Centre (five minutes’ drive) hires out dinghies and you can clamber all over the inflatable climbing course or book in for archery sessions. Galloway Forest Park (10 minutes) has ample walking or cycling tracks and fishing in its lochans and streams. Throw a bit of heritage into the mix with a tour of the art collection at Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens (45 minutes), or check out the installations and earthworks at Crawick Multiverse (an hour), built over a former open-cast mine.