I love coming across scenic walks in Scotland that are hardly known outside their local area and its even better when they are steeped in history and legend.  Crichope Linn near the hamlet of Gatelawbridge in Dumfries and Galloway certainly ticks all those boxes.  I only came across the details of the trail thanks to local literature provided for guests during my stay at the nearby Trigony House Hotel and I was immediately intrigued.  A search on Google provided some spectacular images of the waterfall and gorge, along with a few tales of the famous visitors that had once frequented this now almost forgotten about part of southern Scotland.  It was time to explore this hidden gem for myself...

The entrance to the walk is easy to miss with just a rustic sign pointing the way from the quiet, minor road.  A small parking area nearby is enough to accommodate a few cars and the start of the route was concealed by greenery when I visited.  At the bottom of this blog I've pinned the location on a Google map to make it easier for you to find.

The first section of the trail runs through a wooded area before meeting up with a stream that flows down from the waterfall ahead.  Occasional remnants of an old footpath are the only survivor of a network of tracks, bridges and viewing points that existed when Crichope Linn was a popular destination for Victorian tourists.  Today it is a bit more hazardous to get around with muddy narrow paths, slippery rocks and fallen trees.  The current atmosphere of overgrown abandonment makes it hard to imagine that this was once a famous and well frequented Scottish beauty spot.

After a short jaunt through the trees, the path opens up to reveal mossy covered red sandstone walls that tower upwards either side of the gorge.  Countless visitors over the centuries have left their mark on the soft rock faces and it is even said that the initials of Robert Burns can be found among the stone carvings.  I didn't spot them but he did live at nearby Ellisland Farm so there is every possibility that he visited here.
Other famous literary figures that definitely were inspired by the unique scenery were Thomas Carlyle and Sir Walter Scott who featured Crichope Linn in his novel 'Old Mortality'.

As you might have guessed from the amount of time I spend there, I have quite a soft spot for Dumfries and Galloway in the south west of Scotland.  Despite having covered much of the region there are still a few pockets that have eluded me and the stretch of the A76 from Sanquhar to Dumfries is one of those spots that I've yet to fully explore.  Recently I was invited to experience a stay at Trigony House Hotel which is handily located just off the main road, in the heart of this very area.  With a reputation as being genuinely dog friendly, National Pet Day seemed the perfect excuse to take our lurcher Willow away for a night at this multi-award winning country hotel.

ABOUT

Trigony House Hotel was the former shooting lodge for nearby Closeburn Castle which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited tower houses in Scotland.  Today it is run as a country house hotel set in over 4 acres of woodland and  gardens.
As we drove up the front drive, I couldn't help but think how romantic it looked with it's ivy exterior and characterful lanterns.  The interior is a mix of period features and rustic country homeliness.  I definitely felt more like I had arrived at a friend's home than a hotel as there is a really relaxed vibe, with guests chatting away to each other like long lost acquaintances and dogs lounging around the public rooms.
Dogs are great conversation ice-breakers and I'm sure their presence helps the conversation flow between fellow owners.  During our stay there were 5 other furry companions being treated to a night away, with the resident Retriever Roxy also making a regular appearance to welcome canine guests.  Having a dog is not compulsory to stay at Trigony House but I would think you would have to at least like them to stay here as they are permitted in all public rooms other than the dining room.

ACCOMMODATION

There are only 10 bedrooms at Trigony House and it's small size adds to the intimate atmosphere.  On arrival we were warmly welcomed and shown to our bedroom which was in keeping with the homely country feel.  It was light and spacious with a big comfy bed, sofa and plenty of storage space.  Willow was pretty excited to find a welcome bowl on the bed with doggy biscuits, the canines definitely get looked after at this hotel.  There was also a little map of the grounds showing the enclosed dog exercise areas which were perfect for letting Willow have a good run around.
Our room had a lovely view over the gardens to the hills beyond and we could hear plenty of bird song from the surrounding trees which I found very therapeutic.  After a long day travelling, our room was a nice calming space to sit with a cup of tea and muse over the different leaflets and local walking suggestions.

Wigtown was once the chief town of Galloway with considerable strategic and commercial importance.  Today most visitors are drawn by its many book shops and annual book festival.
It is a great example of a historic Scottish town that has reinvented and regenerated itself in the face of an economic downturn.  Wigtown harbour once thrived with coastal trade until new road and railway networks were built which bypassed the town and inevitably contributed towards a decline in prosperity and population.  
In 1998 Wigtown was designated Scotland's National Book Town and this has led to a general revival, with many buildings refurbished and new businesses opening and below I've listed my pick of the best Wigtown book shops.

As someone who has always rejected electronic reading devices in favour of paper and print, I was pretty excited to spend a day in this paradise for book lovers.  I visited all but one of the main book shops in the town as it was closed at the time and thought I would share a round up of my top picks.  Each book shop has its own charm and unique speciality so it really is worth setting a full day aside so you have plenty of time to browse around each one. 
Some of the bookshops in Wigtown have cafes and most of the town's cafes have books so there are plenty opportunities to grab a refreshment, with or without some reading material.
I was also delighted to see that several of the shops had signs saying that they welcomed dogs which is a bonus for owners like me that sometimes struggle to find dog friendly indoor activities on holiday.  I must say that so far, I have found Dumfries and Galloway to be the most dog friendly region in Scotland and this is one of the reasons I keep going back.  On a side note if your business welcomes dogs, a sign on the door is really helpful as dog owners aren't mind readers!  I can guarantee that if I can take Willow somewhere with me, I will visit and spend money - other dog owners will do the same which can only be good for your profits.
​Anyway I digress, as promised, here is my pick of  the best book shops in Wigtown...

This is Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop and the oldest in Wigtown, with approximately 100,000 books spread over a mile of shelving!  I could easily have spent days browsing the row upon row of books on every subject.  Had the fire been lit to combat the chill, I might even have been tempted to move in permanently.  
While the books take centre stage, their theatrical setting wouldn't be out of place in Diagon Alley.  Wandering through the tardis of rooms is like stepping into a magical book filled world with a flying violin playing skeleton to welcome you and lots of quirky nooks and crannies to discover or hide away in!  Needless to say I couldn't resist the temptation of so many wonderful reads and left with my bag a good bit heavier and my purse a good bit lighter.

I regularly sing the praises of Dumfries and Galloway in southern Scotland and today I want to delve a little deeper into this underrated region by sharing one of my favourite parts; the Rhins of Galloway.  This south western peninsula is home to the most southerly point in Scotland at Mull of Galloway, with coastal scenery dramatic enough to rival anywhere on the north coast. Not many tourists venture this far south which is a shame as they are missing out on rich history, beautiful scenery and some quirky character.  
I have visited the Rhins of Galloway several times over the past few years and have sampled the best the area has to offer,  In this blog post I wanted to share with you my recommended list of things to do in this scenic part of Scotland and I hope it inspires you to explore this Scottish hidden gem for yourself.  All but one of the places I've mentioned are also dog friendly which makes a refreshing change.  There is nothing worse than feeling restricted in what you can do when you take your furry friend away with you.  This is not the case in the Rhins of Galloway as there are plenty of places that make you and your dog feel genuinely welcome.

Visiting the Mull of Galloway is an absolute highlight for me and I'd go as far as to say it is one of my favourite places in Scotland (as a Scottish travel blogger I don't make that statement lightly!).
The road south through the Rhins of Galloway takes you past Scotland's most southerly store and post office in Drummore before ending at the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse and Gallie Craig Coffee House with its turfed roof and breathtaking views. On a dry day I can't think of a more dramatic spot in Scotland to sit outside and enjoy a pot of tea with a freshly baked scone.
I love lighthouses and it is a real treat to be able to explore inside one. The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse has an exhibition on the ground floor which is also dog friendly, however you will have to leave your pooch below if you also want to climb the 115 steps to the top of the lighthouse. I was lucky to visit on a clear day and was rewarded with views of Scotland, England, Ireland and the Isle of Man!
The surrounding area is an RSPB nature reserve and a walk along the clifftops is a must to really appreciate the spectacularly wild landscape. Did I mention that this is one of my favourite places in Scotland?!

Portpatrick is a pretty harbour village with some nice places to eat and is the perfect spot to potter away for a couple of hours, enjoying the scenery and seafood.  I usually stop by The Crown Hotel or The Harbour House Hotel as they are both dog friendly. 
On a sunny day there is nothing better than picking up some local ice-cream and watching the boats come and go from the harbour.  Portpatrick is also home to Dunskey Castle, one of my favourite castles in Scotland.  The atmospheric ruins are dramatically perched on a cliff top and a walk down to the shore below reveals a big spooky cave which is apparently haunted!
The Southern Upland Way is a long distance walk that starts in Portpatrick and even if you only follow the start of the route you will be rewarded with some great viewpoints over the village.