We offer you opportunities to experience some of the hidden wonders of Dumfries and Galloway with a friendly, knowledgable and experienced guide. 

 

The Corn Mill Studio is on the southern seaside perimeter of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, which spans an area of 5,268 square kilometres. This is Scotland's first area achieving such status, granted in recognition of its special natural qualities; it has been designated internationally as a world class environment for people and nature.

 

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Biosphere status was given "in recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers for communities, businesses and visitors to experience and celebrate in a sustainable way.

 

A Biosphere is a place of cooperation and collaboration that shows that a sustainable way of living is not only possible but already happening", and we invite you to join in.

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All Biospheres around the world share three main functions:

• Conservation:
  promoting the preservation of wildlife, habitats and landscape.

• Learning:
  supporting a better understanding of nature and global issues.

• Development:
  fostering a sustainable economy and society.

 

UNESCO Biospheres also share a commitment to address climate change: 

- supporting mitigation and adaptation in a changing global environment.

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The Corn Mill Studio is a proud supporter of the local UNESCO Biosphere and we uphold the same principles in all we do. Your host, Cate Ross, is a trained UNESCO Biosphere guide with 'Leave No Trace' certification which ensures you will feel safe, well fed and well informed while helping to protect the environment wherever you go in her company.

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We can help ensure that you have an exciting and interesting time in Dumfries and Galloway by offering a wide range of cultural and educational activities including:

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• Guided excursions into the landscape  Tailor made adventures into the marvellous environments of Dumfries and Galloway. 

 

Explore our local biospheres including areas of natural beauty like Auchencairn Bay, Torr Point and Sandyhills on the largest tidal salt marsh in Europe, a bird watcher's haven as well as the UK's first 'Dark Sky Park' and Observatory in the Galloway Forest, a stargazer's dream! Outdoor creative arts activities are our speciality.

 

You can choose excursions from wild crafting and foraging, drawing, painting, printing, collage, photography, gentle walks with narratives of local history or a quiet stroll soaking up the beauty spots. We provide experiences that can bring natural history to life through guided geology, flora and fauna focussed day and half day excursions. There are splendid opportunities throughout the seasons, from nesting Ospreys to huge flocks of migrating Geese in the fields, blooming Scottish Skullcap and Lesser Spotted Orchid spotting, Red Kite feeding to wild Blaeberry eating, all rare and memorable experiences to treasure forever.

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• Guided excursions to ancient and modern destinations

      Tailor made tours to the many unique cultural sites of the region.

 

You can walk in the footsteps of our ancestors or experience our contemporary culture first hand.

 

In Dumfries and Galloway we are fortunate to enjoy a wealth of wonders; Neolithic

remains like Cairn Holy (approx. 6000 years old), the timeless Twelve Sisters stone circle, you can visit mysterious Pictish stone carvings or a pirate cave, explore rare buildings like Orchardton Tower (the only ancient round tower remaining in Scotland), Dundrennan Abbey (built in approx. 1100AD). Witness Iron Age Hill Forts 

to modern earthworks by Charles Jencks and even the possibility of encountering ephemeral public art by Andy Goldsworthy, as well as his enduring sculptural works that are in various spots nearby or follow the trail of the Rosnes Benches by Glasgow's environmental artists Dalziel and Scullion with Wide Open into the heart of Galloway.

 

We also have many nationally recognised cultural destinations nearby like Kirkcudbright Galleries with it's much heralded- Viking 'Galloway Hoard' and impressive collection of creative works by The Glasgow Boys in Scotland's 'Artist's Town', also find The Tolbooth Arts Centre, the Stewartry Museum, and a vivid outdoor cultural calendar in the delightful harbour town. Kirkcudbright also provides the gateway to the Galloway Dark Sky Park with a new interactive educational visitor centre and the magnificent Galloway Glens outlet to the sea, lots of coastal walks and paths abound.

 

You can visit The National Trust for Scotland - Threave Gardens and Castle in Castle Douglas and it's Carlingwark Loch that used to have Crannogs, home to a multitude of bird life, or Robert Burns House museum in Dumfries, an historic working Art-Deco hydro power station at Tongland, and Tongland Abbey (ruins) also 11th AD.

 

For the kids spend a day at the brand new Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust- National Centre for Children's Literature, The Cocoa Bean Chocolate Factory or Cream O' Galloway Visitor Centre.

 

These are just some of the wonderful excursions within 1-20 miles of our doorstep.

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A bit further afield, within a 50 miles radius, you can visit Logan Botanical Gardens near Stranraer, The Whithorn Trail, Crawick Multiverse at Sanquahar, Samyeling Tibetan Monastery in Eskdalemuir, and Annandale Distillery among many other outings. 

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• Connect with other local activity providers: Galloway Cycling Holidays for bespoke outings and special itineraries by bicycle, Loch Ken Activity Centre for all sorts of water sports, mountain biking at 7 Stanes sites (Dalbeattie and Kirroughtree), family fun at Mabie Farm Park, Dalscone Farm Fun, Laggan Outdoor and The Cream O' Galloway visitor centre.

 

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We can arrange and guide your experiences or adventure day(s) to suit you, or if you wish to explore we can point you in the right direction or drop you off / collect you where you want to go for a competitive price.​ For more information about activities and excursions please enquire here.

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