Carve out the perfect treat for Halloween
WITH more than 200 miles of stunning coastline featuring fabulous sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and home to Britain’s largest forest park, Dumfries and Galloway will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated this autumn.
Come and explore the magnificent autumnal colours – and while you are here, take in some of the fabulous local events taking place. As the days grow shorter, enjoy a star-gazing experience in the UK’s first Dark Sky Park.
Join Dark Sky rangers tomorrow and on October 29 at Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre near Castle Douglas to explore the galaxy above us. More than 7,000 stars and planets are visible with the naked eye and you can even see the Milky Way as experienced rangers talk you through the night sky above. See forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway.
Let your taste buds lead you round Kirkcudbright tomorrow during the food festival and experience the sights, smells and flavours our region has to offer. As well as the opportunity to buy and taste the amazing foods, there will be more than 20 demonstrations, talks and discussions about food and cooking innovation. The line-up includes talks from Incredible Edible, Monica Wilde, Roan’s Dairy, Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Café and celebrity chef Nick Nairn.
And with Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the region to take part in ghoulish events.
Threave Garden & Estate, Castle Douglas, will hold a spooky night of entertainment on October 28 including fancy dress and pumpkin competitions, a scary walk treasure hunt, games, fun fair and fireworks to finish off the evening. See nts.org.uk.
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre near Newton Stewart will hold a Friday Fright Night on October 28. Suitable for those 14 years and above. There are also events for younger children on the Saturday. forestrygovuk/gallowayforestpark.
Castle Kennedy Gardens, near Stranraer, will throw open its gates after dark on October 29-31 offering children and adults Ghostly Halloween Tours.
They will run for children from 6pm and adults from 7pm and 8pm, bringing the 16th-century ruins of Castle Kennedy to life with costumed storytellers from Stranraer Drama Club reliving several dramatic tales of dastardly deeds and ghoulish goings-on. See castlekennedygardens.com. Or get into the spooky spirit at WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre on Saturday, October 29, where you can create your own carved pumpkin and join in other Halloween craft activities. Head for the viewing observatory and watch the migrating birds arrive to winter on the Solway Coast. wwt.orguk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock.
Also on Saturday, October 29 take advantage of free entry and the open day at the Red Kite Feeding Station, Bellymack Hill Farm, Laurieston.
This RSPB Scotland event promises aerial acrobatics from our feathered friends of a kind you will never have seen before.
See gallowaykitetrail.com.