Things to do and places to see around Straiton
Walking and Cycling:
If you recognise the village perhaps your saw the 1999 film The Match (or The Beautiful Game) which was filmed in Straiton. The village was the fictional Highland village called Inverdoune. It starred Richard E. Grant, Neil Morrissey, and Pierce Brosnan among others. For some snapshots taken during filming click here. Before you set off, or on your return, you can visit the Black Bull Inn or the Buck across the road for some lunch or coffee. Straiton Stores is also nearby.
Follow the Bennan
walk to its southernmost point on the map where it crosses the Water of
Girvan. Continue following the river a further 2 miles to Tairlaw Bridge.
Here you will find waterfalls, stunning scenery and the start of the Galloway
Forest Park. A local poet William Davidson (1885) wrote of Tairlaw Linn:
There is a spot, a calm retreat Where earth and heaven seem to meet,
Where pleasures are for ever sweet, 'Tis Tairlaw.
If you continue south from Tairlaw Bridge for about 2 miles you will come
to a path which leads to Stinchar Falls. For any of these paths leading
into the Galloway Forest take a good map such as the Ordnance Survey Outdoor
Leisure Map 32. A good map for coverage of the Straiton area which
also includes as far north as Troon and west to Girvan is the Ordnance
Survey Explorer map 326 which at 2.5 inches to the mile is a practical
guide for walking.
Fishing:
Birdwatching:
Six miles east of Straiton is Bogton Loch near Dalmellington. Here you can see swans, geese and other water fowl as well as the odd otter if you are lucky. The area is also favoured by Hen Harriers and other birds of prey. Click here for details.
Blairquhan:
Kirkmichael:
One of Scotland's foremost sculptors is Alan Lees who is based in Kirkmichael. You may come across his work when you visit the village. To find out more visit Alan's website.
From Kirkmichael take the road west towards Patna for around 3 miles. On the left is the Dalvennan Country Sports facility. Here you will find a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, falconry, 4x4 driving, quad bikes, and clay pigeon shooting.
Dalmellington:
Also in Dalmellington you can learn about the area's weaving heritage at the Cathcartston Visitor Centre. You can see a reconstruction of a weaver's room and enjoy an audio-visual presentation on life in the Doon Valley in the 18th century. You can find more about the attractions of Dalmellington by visiting their website.
There are sites of Special Scientific Interest at Dunaskin Glen and Benbeoch where there are examples of carboniferous and igneous geology. Between the B741 and the A713 routes where they meet is Dalmellington Moss or Sillyhole Moss. Here are fine examples of a raised bog area and rare bog plant species such as the white beak-sedge, great sundew and bog rosemary. The site is also home to a rare species of water beetle. Other areas of special scientific interest include Loch Doon, Bogton Loch and Ness Glen on the River Doon south of Dalmellington.
Two miles north-west of Dalmellington on the A713 is Dunaskin Heritage Centre. Originally an ironworks, Dunaskin tells the story of the iron, coal and brickworks in the area through the eyes of the people who lived and worked there. There are audio-visual presentations, guided tours, and a restaurant. For more information go to the Dunaskin website.
The Scottish Industrial Railway Centre is just 1/2 a mile north-west of Dalmellington. Here you will see a collection of rolling stock, 9 steam locomotives and 15 diesel locomotives. There is a museum, shop and buffet. They also have steam open days and visitors will be able to travel on the line to Waterside station at Dunaskin 2 miles away. Check out the website for more details of opening times and events.
For exploring the Dalmellington area use the Ordnance Survey Explorer map 327.