Backfell near Ringford, Castle Douglas.
Situated in the heart of the Galloway countryside in South West Scotland, Backfell can be found about fifteen minutes west of Castle Douglas. There is beautiful scenery with rolling hills, moors, farmland and forests and there is plenty to see and do within the region whatever your interests - fishing, walking, bird-watching, golf, relaxing by the sea, horse-riding or simply taking it easy.
Backfell in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright is set back from the road about a quarter of a mile up a farm road so it is quiet and peaceful. It is about 6 miles from Kirkcudbright, the “Artists Town” and about 8 miles from Castle Douglas, the “Food Town” so well placed for exploring Kirkcudbrightshire and beyond to Wigtown, Whithorn and the Mull of Galloway. For those visitors wanting to use Backfell as a base to travel further, we are within about a hour and a half’s drive from Ayr to the north with its shopping centre and racecourse and the Clyde Coast. We are near to the Solway coast, with the Harbour at Kirkcudbright (on the Dee Estuary) and plenty of access to the beaches and shoreline along the Solway Firth.
Backfell is a small farm with a small flock of sheep (Black Welsh Mountain cross) and we also run a small business: Galloway Traditional Cookers. Our visitors to the Bothy are very welcome to explore and enjoy much of the forty six acres of grazing and mature and newly planted woodland in which Backfell is set (although certain areas, such as the wildlife pond, may be out of bounds at certain times of the year eg the nesting season). The woodland is a mixture of mature conifer and recently planted birch, oak, ash, mountain ash, alder and willow.
There is a rich selection of birds and other wildlife that can be seen at Backfell, including Roe Deer, Barn Owls, Red Kites, Brown Hares, Stoats, Goldcrests and Kestrels. Other bird and wildlife attractions in the area include a Red Kite feeding station about 4 miles up the road at Bellymack, Laurieston as well as RSPB reserves at the Mull of Galloway, Ken-Dee Marshes and at Mersehead and a Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Caerlaverock.
With the Galloway Forest Park not far away as well as local Forestry Commission Woodlands there is plenty of scope for walking. There is a Red Deer Range and a Wild Goat Park in the Galloway Forest Park and the Visitor Centres at Glentrool, Kirroughtree and Clatteringshaws provide a wealth of information about the Park as well as refreshments during the Season.
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