At our garden gate, turn right along Heugh Road and follow the Southern Upland Way which runs between Irish Sea and Portpatrick (Dunskey) Golf Course.

The Southern Upland Way from Portpatrick to the East Coast is 212 miles long but we turn  inland at the far end of the second bay just past the former cable hut/ coastal interpretation centre.

Before this however, from the first bay, Sandeel Bay or Port Mora, you may notice three small monuments on the cliff top above you. These can be viewed by detouring up the grassy path which heads inland at the far end of Sandeel Bay while the main path heads towards the sea and round the headland to the second bay known as Port Kale. Go through the double gates to view the monuments. The headland is known as Islay Knoll.

 The monuments mark the site of a burial ground of the Orr-Ewing family and legend has it that the bodies are buried upright to afford them a sea view! Return to the land rover track and descend to the 2nd bay- Port Kale.

                                   Orr-Ewing Monuments above Sandeel Bay Portpatrick

From the cable hut, head back inland up the land rover track and after about 60 paces fork left on a small grassy footpath which winds its way through the trees towards an area known as Fairy Glen.Cross a wooden bride and continue, looking out for a hairpin bend in the path at a further bridge. A faint path leads ahead at this point but take the sharp righthand turn at this point and head upwards towards an attractive stone bridge from which there is a view of a waterfall which is really spectacular (and loud) after heavy rain! Some of the trees here are as old as 200 years. 

  Bridge & Waterfall, Dunskey Glen Walk

Soon after the bridge, go straight ahead and where path joins land-rover track,go left and head towards the home farm which has an interesting bell tower. There is an information hut near the farm buidings. The paths are for the main part marked by poles with white marks.

From the farm, the route to the gardens and tea room via the woodland walk is signposted. 

The return walk can be varied by retracing the woodland walk to the land rover track then left then right to join the A77 near the junction of Heugh Road.

 

Information about Dunskey Gardens &  Estate

The glen walks are open from early February until mid October

Admission charges as at March 2010 are £4 for adults and £1 for children under 14

No charge for walking in the glen

The gardener holds a tour every Wednesday at 11.30 am

Tea Room is open 10am - 5pm

The restored 19th century glasshouses contain a selection of exotic plants, shrubs and fruit

The walled garden houses a wide variety of plants both familiar and unusual

Dunskey is renowned for its snowdrops and holds a Snowdrop Festival each February

The maze is a relatively new feature and is believed to be the first hedge maze planted in South West Scotland.

 

 

Rickwood - No 1 B&B in Portpatrick (TripAdvisor)