Nature & Outdoors
Walk the Southern Upland Way, visit the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall, and discover local wildlife including treecreepers and nuthatches, hares and pheasants, red kites and golden eagles. Run or cycle from the Bothy doorstep through amazing landscapes and fresh air. Explore the three* Auchen Castles from 13th century to 1840, and Garpol Water (in the photo) in short walks from The Bothy.
*Just like your host, the Kirkpatrick / Johnstone clan were constantly making upgrades to their properties!
Local Culture
Explore Moffat’s independent shops, artisan cafes and historic charm. Check the Bothy Diary for the Farmers’ Markets, Classic Car Rally, Gala Week, Duck Race Fun Day and Christmas / Hogmanay events. North of Moffat is Wanlockhead, with the UK’s highest pub and a lead mining museum. South of Moffat is The Caledonia Park Designer Outlet, the famous runaway-marriage destination of Gretna Green, moated, triangular Caerlaverock Castle and the nearby Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre and the fabulous Dalscone Farm Fun – allegedly for children but those animals love to be fed by people of all ages!
Exploring Further Afield
The Bothy is surrounded by beautiful countryside, but is just 4 minutes from the motorway, 7 minutes from the express bus stop in Moffat and 20 minutes from the West Coast main line train station at Lockerbie – all with free parking. The Royal Concert Hall, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and Buchanan Galleries shopping centre are an hour away by car (or 90 minutes by bus) in Glasgow. Edinburgh Castle, Murrayfield Rugby Stadium, the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, and so much more are 90 minutes away by car or train. Keswick in the Lake District is 80 minute’s drive down the M6.It is the gateway to beautiful mountains, lakes and delicious sticky toffee pudding!