Cally Woods

Tranquil woodland on the edge of Gatehouse of Fleet

The oak, birch, sycamore and beech that make up the woodland of Cally are relatively young, but they already make a fine forest of peaceful beauty.

In early spring there are splendid drifts of snowdrops, which is why Cally is part of Scotland’s annual snowdrop festival. Later in the year you can find primroses and bluebells, and watch for red squirrels, buzzards and treecreepers.

The woods were once the grounds and open parkland of Cally House, now the Cally Palace Hotel. The grounds were laid out as a designed landscape in the mid 18th century by the local landowner, James Murray of Broughton. The old walled garden is now home to Cally Gardens, a nursery dedicated to interesting and unusual plants: you can pass it on the Coronation Trail.

Activities

Horse riding

If you'd like to explore Cally Woods on horseback, follow the waymarked Cally horse route. The 2 ½ mile route is lovely at all times of year and will take around an hour to ride. It has a mixture of firm, wide paths and narrow earth paths (some of which can get muddy after rain). Keep an eye out for local wildlife as you make your way around, from soaring buzzards to humble snowdrops.

Longer distance routes

If you'd like to explore further, you can follow the Cally Drive past Cally Palace Hotel, through Laundry Wood and Cally Mains Wood all the way to Sandgreen beach. Ordnance Survey maps Landranger 83: Newton Stewart & Kirkcudbright and Explorer 312: Kirkcudbright & Castle Douglas cover the forest and its surrounding area.

The National Cycle Route 7 passes through the forest.

Facilities and access

Walking

Parking

Horse riding

The nearest public toilets, shops and cafès are in Gatehouse of Fleet.

Getting here

The main entrance to Cally Woods is on the B727, a ¼ mile east of Gatehouse of Fleet. A car park can be found 100m beyond the gatehouse.

Using SatNav?

DG7 2DB is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

There is a bus stop at the main entrance to Cally, served by buses to Gatehouse of Fleet. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions