As above. Not exclusively for MTBing as the missus 'don't ride' and would like some 'nice' beaches/walking etc. I just want a quiet, pleasant area with access to MTBing, yes I know where to look, walking, beaches, country pubs and as much distance from the Great British Unwashed as possible.

Your views and advice would be most appreciated. Ta.

http://www.kippfordholidaypark.co.uk/

Stayed here last sept and had a great time-
http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/thistlelodge/frameset.html
5 miles from Dalbeatie 😀

D & G often overlooked, but worth a visit.

http://www.visitscotland.com/

Second Kippford lovely part of D&G, also have a look at Kirkcudbright.

I stayed here a couple times nice and quite http://www.craigshall-cottage.co.uk/

Rockcliffe
30 min walk to Kippford, but nicer beaches and no pub (unwashed bit!).
15 min pedal to Dalbeatties 'slab'

Stayed at Portpatrick a few times which isn`t that far from Kirroughtree

very overlooked area, pareents live in Girvan, so I driven through it lots of times.

Glentrool area, awesome, scenery, trails, Galloway Forest area

Kirkcudbright is an 'arts town', http://www.kirkcudbright.co.uk/

Gairliestone – see bit about Mulberry harbours, Harbour Inn was good, (mellow pub, beach, harbour)

http://www.whithorn.info/community/garlieston.htm

Solway firth coast is a nice drive.

http://forums.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandDumfriesandGallowayNoForestGallowayForestParkGlentroolVisitorCentre!OpenDocument&Click=

I agree Dumfries and Galloway is a very over looked area, we moved up here last year from the South of London, and there are so many great areas around here, and not all mountain bike related, towns worth a wonder around (all have touristy bits to do)Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas, Moffat, Gate House of Fleet, kippford to name a few .

Lovely part of the world, loads of stuff to do and see that isn't biking related, especially if you have kids.

We stay at a cottage on Barclosh Farm – should find it via google.

Hmm, pretty much as I thought (hoped!). Right, time to book me, the missus and the c*r*v*n into one of those pleasant looking sites.
Thanks people. 😀

Some of the people originating from D&G:

John Paul Jones became the first US naval hero of the American Revolution, and in many eyes the father of the US Navy. Later in his career he briefly became an Admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy, before ending his life in France. Yet he was born – with the name of John Paul – in 1747, the son of a gardener on the Solway coast south of Dumfries.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/kirkbean/johnpauljones/index.html

David Coulthard
http://www.dcmuseum.co.uk/News/index.htm

Kirkpatrick MacMillan born near Thornhill.
Invented the bike.

John Laurie born in Dumfries
"We're doomed" Dad's Army

J M Barrie was inspired to write Peter Pan by a garden in Dumfies.

William Patterson founder of the Bank of England, was born at Tynwald.

Robert the Bruce was born or died (or maybe did neither)in Lochmaben.

Nothing to see here move along

I've stayed at Southerness several times and love it there. Beautiful quiet part of the world with great scenery and beaches.

Had a week near Gatehouse of Fleet last year as well, very nice too. Auchenlarie campsite very nice (bar was a bit dead though).

We've holidayed at Castle Douglas for the last 6 years, mainly for the waterskiing at Loch Ken, but it's been useful to also have the biking trails nearby (Dalbeattie is 10mins drive). Beaches are excellent, plenty to do, the only negative is that I find some of the towns a bit underwhelming for interesting shops. If you want good pubs, you need to do a bit of research beforehand, otherwise you'll end up in grotty hotel bars that only serve heavy.

This thread's getting me looking forward to my long weekend up there in June.

Me too, got a week booked at Castle point start of June-the sunny season!

"a bit underwhelming for interesting shops"

….we did say it is overlooked, but otherwise a good place for a holiday.

MY SHOP IS INTERESTING http://www.livingstons-antiques.co.uk

Few years ago mates went up to D&G for Christmas I think. Ended up in a charming little village called Dalbeattie one night. One of those places where the locals all pointed and shouted "strangers".

I didn't go out one night as I was feeling a bit rubbish. Unbeknown to me the others decided to have a pull-a-pig night. Half asleep I just remember the door bursting open with an overweight drunken Scots lass piling into the digs saying "Hello, my name's Deedee". I still have nightmares.

And friendly natives

The Bladnoch distillery was worth a rainy afternoon visit. On Loch Ken there are a few marinas, there's a ski school were the kids can get rides on ringos/bananas etc, also an activity centre with sailing, rowing, kayaks, archery, climbing wall etc all for kids.

There was an old bloke on bikemagic asking about scotish holidays the other day,perhaps you could meet up and all walk around. 😆

locals quiz
(but fairly easy)
translate these truly ovehead 'Americanised' town names
Dumb Fries
Mow Fat

any recomendations for eating and drinking around lochanhead area

Oooh, just come back from there, stayed in Castle Douglas. We both ride so we had riding days and off days but there are some awesome things there and yes, it's very peaceful and quiet.
Things I loved – the B6160 and up round there, stunning drive.
Kircudbright was gorgeous, lovely little shops and some nice art. Chippy alright by the river edge.
Wigtown is a 'book town'. 2nd hand books mostly, but good.
Threave Castle – you have to call a boat to take you across to the castle, it's on an island. Pretty cool :O)
There are tonnes of gardens and nurseries if you're into gardening.
Galloway Forest is Britains first Dark Sky park. No light pollution = epic stars. We didn't get a clear night annoyingly.
Glentrool is beautiful for walking as well as biking, with fab cafe.
We're going again. For sure. Stayed at the Old Exchange but I'd not recommend it, it's apartments and the noise from the ppl above drove me nuts, and there's a public footpath literally past the front door which isn't terribly relaxing either.
I sound horrible middle class. Shoot me.