GALLOWAY FOREST PARK (Newton Stewart) | Driving the SCOTTISH LOWLANDS | SWC300 E8
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- SOUTH WEST COASTAL 300 E8: Driving the Raiders Road Forest Drive from Newton Stewart to Clatteringshaws Loch through Galloway Forest Park in the Scottish Lowlands.
➡️ See all of my SWC300 Road Trip in Scotland here → bit.ly/mwt_swc300
On my drive around the South West Coastal 300 I decided to stop by the small town of Newton Stewart for breakfast and a quick tour before driving the Raiders Road Forest Drive through the incredible Galloway Forest Park - a humongous area of walking trails, lochs, glens, wildlife and stunning scenery situated in the Scottish Lowlands.
It was nice to enjoy a bacon roll and coffee by the river of Newton Stewart and then head into the High Street for a look around. I particularly liked the old church and historic bridge that I crossed heading for the forest. My main objective once I left Newton Stewart was to drive the 10 mile long Raiders Road Forest Drive which is perfect for people trying to see as much of the park as possible in the shortest amount of time.
I started off by stopping at the monument for Alexander Murray, a shepherd boy who went on to become Professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh University. The monument is at the top of a hill so a short walk is required to get there, however once at the top the views are tremendous. I decided to talk about Alexander Murray during my walk to the top so take a look at the video for more information.
Just a few miles up the road was a sign indicating the remains of Dunkitterick Cottage - the place where Alexander Murray was born. I walked another short trail (this one much flatter) across rivers and in total solitude to arrive at the ruins of a small stone cottage underneath the backdrop of rugged hills and small mountain tops. As I looked out the window of the cottage I thought about how hardly anything has changed from the view I would have had a few centuries ago.
Back on the road I passed a few lochs and waterfalls before diverting off course to find a place called Otter Pool. The road to get these was narrow and winding but it was well worth the effort. After another brief stop at Clatteringshaws Loch I decided to leave the Raiders Road Forest Drive and head onto Bruce’s Stone which overlooks Loch Trool.
📖 CHAPTERS:
📖 00:00 Newton Stewart
📖 02:46 What is the Galloway Forest Park?
📖 03:45 Murray’s Monument Walk
📖 06:03 Murray’s Birthplace & Cottage (Beautiful Galloway Hills)
📖 09:05 Raiders Road Forest Drive
📖 09:30 Otter Pool in Galloway Forest park
📖 10:33 Driving in Galloway Forest park
📖 11:12 Clatteringshaws Loch
📖 12:49 Bruce’s Stone & Loch Trool
🟡 Please consider SUBSCRIBING, it's free & really helps my channel grow → bit.ly/2RyPwto
🏴 See more of my videos from the SWC300 here → bit.ly/mwt_swc300
👍 Don’t Forget to LIKE & SHARE if you enjoyed the video, they really help!
🎙️ Feel free to ask any questions! All FEEDBACK and COMMENTS welcome!!
📷 Connect with me on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram
🚗 See my North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland here → bit.ly/mwt_NC500
🎵 The River’s Gonna Cry When You’re Gone by Loving Caliber
🎵 Air Conditioned by Easy Wheelers
🎵 Keep Walking by Grant Lamotte
🎵 All Time Low by Courses
🎵
🎵 Music by Epidemic Sound. Get a FREE month here → bit.ly/2LB53FZ
THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍
➡️ See more from the SOUTH WEST COASTAL 300 here → bit.ly/mwt_swc300 | Subscribe for free here → bit.ly/2RyPwto
Great video. LIKING & SUBSCRIBING were dome.
Wow, the scenery from Raiders Road Forest Drive to the Otter Pool and keeping on driving in the Forest Park was especially stunning. I like the idea of having a drive that allows you to see things without needing to hike as sometimes I just want a day of sightseeing as a rest day from hikes and these types of things are perfect. Also really good for people who are less mobile as they don't miss out. I was surprised to hear the road is open in the peak school holidays - wondering if snow may close it to cars then instead of it being too crowded perhaps? The Merrick hike looks cool, if it's the next video, I'm looking forward to it! 🤞
It was a wonderful drive for sure. Great to be able to see so much - like you say a great idea in that you drive about 10 miles but have plenty of opportunity to stop off for some mini adventures along the way. Merrick hike coming next week, it's a good one 😀
Definitely very rare to encounter historic land that is untouched. Happy you got some sunshine today. Looking forward to the next challenge!
Thanks very much, missing your videos by the way! Hope you're both well and enjoying the break.
@@MattWhitingsEurope Yes, can't wait to get back at it. We miss it!
We were there last week with the dog and got lucky with the weather - we loved these walks & Newton Stewart
Glad you had a nice week. Joanne. It's a wonderful area for sure - even better when the weather works out. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing, I live in England now but I grew up in Newton Stewart during the 80s and 90s, top place back in the day.
Glad you enjoyed it. Lovely area, I bet you miss it! Do you ever go back?
@@MattWhitingsEurope yeah I go back about 3 times a year
Thanks for the video, Matt. My wife, the dogs and me are hoping to get a lodge in Balminnoch, so we're looking for ideas of how to spend our time in the surrounding area - bearing in mind we have 2 dogs in tow. I'm ashamed to say that in over 60 years in Scotland I don't know this area at all, so your video will help. It was all going so well until you tried to say "loch"...but we won't hold that against you. 😂. Thanks matey👍
I’ll get some pronunciation practice in before my next trip! 😂 glad you enjoyed the video & hopefully it helps you with your planning. It s a wonderful part of the country so I’m sure you’ll love it! Have a great time 👍
Absolutely love it! I love to hike and the views are stunning. Going to share with my Meet-up Group
Thanks Kathy, glad you like it! It was a lovely day and good to see so much in such a short space of time. Thanks for 👍
Thanks for showing us around Matt. I have not yet been to the Lowlands but look forward to experiencing it one day.
Hi Del, thanks for the comment, glad I could show you around. I really enjoyed the whole SWC300 trip but it was nice on this day to get out of the towns and villages and find some untouched areas. Very relaxing and just what I needed after so much driving! Hopefully you'll make it there at some point, I'm sure you'll love it! Thanks for watching.
Wowww amazing..so beautiful place Matt...thanks for sharingand god bless
Thank you too
I liked the part about Murray's cottage, being in a location that has not changed. Just the way it used to be back then as well. I wish it would be possible to walk around in the past, virtually, on location.
Yes I have often thought of that - it's incredible how much the world has changed in a decade let alone a century. I bet it would be like a different world if we could somehow be teleported back.
Thank you for sharing these beauties. I am watching from Indonesia.
Thank you too! I hope al is well in Indonesia!
Stunning 🏴
Totally agree, a truly wonderful part of Scotland. Thanks for watching!
That was really good! I used to live in Galloway (near Stranraer) but had to move away for work fairly recently. I thought I knew the place. But lots there I haven't seen. The damn at Clateringshaws loch is a hydro-electric power station by the way.
Thanks Alex, glad you enjoyed the video. It's a wonderful area isn't it! I'm sure there's lots still to discover. Thanks for the info regarding the dam, very interesting. 👍
Amazing
Thanks 👍
*.... many thanks for the litle 💖 👈👌😎👋👋*
Many thanks!!
@@MattWhitingsEurope
*YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ☘️ 🤗👋👋*
Raiders Road
Thank you!
Tje largest forest in the UK apparently.
I didn't know that so thanks for the info!
*👍 121 👈 up for this nice Video ... realy well done as always 👌 ... Greetings with a sunny smile 🤗 from Germany 🇩🇪 EDDY ☘️ 👋👋 ☘️*
You can't beat a sunny smile. Thanks for the support, Eddy. All the best!
@@MattWhitingsEurope
*YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ☘️ 😎👋👋*
Prefer to see more vedios ....
Here's the rest of the trip if you're interesting in seeing more... czcams.com/play/PL-REWXd2_ciMXvOZ-6MiBg-QZUFAvuNY4.html
Thanks for watching!
Great video Matt, just one issue- the Grey Mare's Tail is not the waterfall in the video, its over by Moffat
Thanks Iain, glad you like it! Looks like there might be two... forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/talnotry
Well well, born and brought up in Galloway, never knew that, thank you
Haha you're welcome!
Burns not streams Matt.
I need to remember that. Thank you!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
😃😃😃
why are the mountains so bare of trees? is it naturally this way?
Good question, I'm not sure but maybe someone reading the comments will be able to help?
Over grazing, but the farmers won't see it that way.
Interesting. Thanks for that.
Such a shame.... I gave up on the series as I couldn't stand the shouting / F1 commentary. Google tried me again but same problem. A real pity as they look great guides.
Sorry about that. It didn't help that my mic was also on the wrong mode making everything sound a bit baseless. You could try my other big road trip in Scotland when I drove the North Coast 500 --> bit.ly/mwt_NC500
Raiders road not rangers road
Thanks 👍
Enjoying your videos but please learn to pronounce 'loch' property, it's not 'lock'
Sorry Neil, I'll work on it! Glad you're enjoying the videos, I have lots of fond memories from my time up in Scotland!
Wowww amazing..so beautiful place Matt...thanks for sharingand god bless
Thanks for watching 👍