Another instalment from our northernmost “Rover” correspondent, Poppy…
Being visitors staying locally at the community-owned campsite, Poppy and her people (Fiona & David) got a generous discount to play this quirky scenic 18-hole Kirkcudbright course – £30 not £40. It began as 9 holes in 1893 and was extended seamlessly by the members themselves in the 1970s. There’s no PGA shop, but the chaps in the office were welcoming, and it cost nothing for David to borrow a trolley “because it’s old”. The entrance board reminded people that there is no ‘right to roam’ under Scottish legislation, so dog walkers can’t go onto the course, but doggolfers can.
Fiona, being too poor a golfer for this hilly course, was on dog lead duty, with the long lead around her waist. This was helpful going up the fairway – think “paw-a-kaddy” – but alarming going down banks at cocker spaniel speed. It’s a very varied course as it zig zags around undulating terrain planted with trees, up to the top plateau surrounded by rough grazing. Poppy’s people stopped regularly to get their breath back and enjoy the fabulous views down to the handsome town, the sailing boats on the Dee Estuary and the beautiful old graveyard. Meanwhile, Poppy was happy to roll in the long dew-damp grass beside the fairways, or lie in the shade of a tree; if there were ticks, the collar kept them at bay. She also went foraging into the thick rough between fairways – checking out the tunnels into the gorse and whins, and snorting down vole holes.
Surprisingly, there were no litter bins on the course (gulls will raid them), but thankfully no poo bags were needed. The water bottle and dish were essential though – there are several ponds cupped in the upper hollows, but signs warn of ‘sinking mud’ and rightly there is ‘absolutely no entry’, even for a hot dog on a sunny day. The few bunkers were very strategically placed, and were criss-crossed with interesting paw and claw prints – a fox tracking a bird, maybe? – and deer hoof prints; there are red squirrels in the local woods too. There’s a bench at the top of the course, a suitable stop to appreciate the panoramic views, with a biscuit snack for all. The course was a tough test for older human knees and ankles, Poppy being a youngster of not-yet 3 still had a spring in her step on the way back to the Motorhome – all three enjoyed this hidden gem of a course.
There’s a bar and evening catering at the course’s Thai Kitchen (does takeaways too), with a wide variety of places to eat in Kirkcudbright, from fish and chips to Cream O’Galloway ice cream by the harbour to the top-class Selkirk Arms – but check if dogs are allowed indoors. This is “the Artists Town” and all the art galleries allow dogs inside, except the main Town Hall Galleries; dogs are also allowed into the pretty gardens of Broughton House (National Trust for Scotland), former home of the artist EA Hornell.
