THINGS TO DO
If you feel like exploring there is plenty to see and do. If you like golf then the legendary Turnberry is less than half an hour away by car, if you like cycling or hiking or castles or stargazing, there's something nearby for everyone. Or just relax...
Walking & Hiking
Barr is a village community in rural South Ayrshire with access to some dramatic scenery and outdoor pursuits. Barr is also on the western edge of the Galloway Forest Park and there are over 400 miles of trails for walking and horse riding in the area. Walks at Barr range from 5km to 13km.
There are Woodland strolls, farms and fields, and hill top views. Click here for more information.
Points of Local Interest
There's plenty to see and do on our doorstep. Enjoy spectacular scenery at Glentrool in the Galloway Forest. Look for red squirrels, bird life and otters, then enjoy the moss laden magical oak woods at Wood of Cree. Visit Culzean Castle for great gardens, walks, coastal views of Arran and wonderful cafes for lunch. Glenapp Castle has beautiful woodland gardens and historic glasshouses, some areas designed by the legendary garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll. For garden lovers, slightly further south are Castle Kennedy, one of Scotland’s most important historical landscaped gardens that includes Napoleonic era earthworks and then RBG Logan Botanic Gardens, an outstation of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh specialising in southern hemisphere plants in it's own microclimate. Both are a must see. Last but certainly not least, Dumfries House with 2000 acres of walks, parkland and gardens, unrivalled Chippendale furniture collection and Adam designed mansion just has to be experienced.
Beaches
Girvan Beach is situated on the coast 34 km (21 mi) south of Ayr. It's a popular spot, not only because of its proximity to many good walking trails, but also for its harbour, which is often busy with boats arriving and departing. The beach at Girvan is child friendly - safe, sandy and long. Ballantrae or Maidens also have great beaches with panoramic views to the islands of either Ailsa Craig or Arran.
Stargazing
Scotland has some of the darkest skies in Europe and Galloway Forest Park is one of the darkest places in Scotland, which is why it became the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. So few people live within the Forest Park that the nights really are inky black, making it a brilliant place to enjoy the stars.
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory within the park is sadly closed due to a major fire this summer 2021. Plans are being developed to rebuild the facility as soon as is possible - Please click here for more information.
Fishing
The River Stinchar is one of the most productive of the Ayrshire salmon rivers and it has some excellent fly water. The Stinchar is a typical west coast spate river – fishing is at its best in a falling water immediately after a summer or autumn spate. More information can be found here.
Salmon & sea trout season: 25th February to 31st October
Brown trout season: 15th March to 6th October
Mountain Biking & Cycling
We are well placed for world class mountain biking suitable for all ages and abilities, in the Galloway Forest Park's
Kirroughtree and Glentrool sites (part of the internationally renowned 7stanes mountain biking trails). Here too in Barr, the Barr Village Forest Trails provide good mountain biking whilst our quiet local roads form part of Scotland's first Road Cycling Park, the Ayrshire Alps network, spanning South Carrick. Lockable storage facilities are available at the farm for your bikes.