Midweek Bowling Breaks
2008 Midweek Bowling Breaks
With our proprietor being a keen bowler, it seems natural that Galloway Holidays are now branching into arranging bowling breaks.
Excellent green
The breaks will be based at Castle Douglas bowling green, - probably the best green in Dumfries and Galloway - and used for county matches.
Bowling Times
Depending on numbers, bowling will normally be one game during the day, either morning or afternoon, but would also be available again during the day for the dedicated if desired and possibly in the evening in rinks are available. We have the flexibility to arrange bowling times to avoid poor weather or suggest other activities or places to visit instead.
Coaching
Our local qualified bowls coach who has Commonwealth Games and many other 'world' and national experiences playing for Scotland has agreed to be on hand for a coaching session if required.
Booking Flexibility
In view of this being a new venture and 'take up' unknown, if it is looking that minimal numbers are likely for a specific week, (we would notify those who have provisionally booked by a date you require) you will have the option to cancel (no deposit at this time) or come and enjoy the break by joining in with the available club games as well as the other attractions of the area mentioned below. We can also advise on local open tournaments taking place while you are here.
Galloway Holidays - Great Scenery and other Attractions
We have been arranging cycling holidays and now walking breaks using our local knowledge of the best places to stay, eat, drink and visit for several years. This includes three National Scenic Areas, three theme towns - Castle Douglas 'food town', Kirkcudbright 'artists town' and Wigtown 'book town', several National Trust properties and not to mention our local brewery and nearby whisky distillery visitor centre.
You have the flexibility to visit local attractions 'by your own steam' - with information about routes and advice of the best places provided by us. We do have a Mercedes 8 seater minibus which we use for tours. This may be available for group tours - at extra cost.
Hotels
Two local hotels, The 3 star The Douglas Arms, and the 2 star (but still recommended) The Kings Arms are a short distance from the bowling green - and nearby Carlingwark loch and the popular Lochside Park.
We use both hotels to house other Galloway Holidays guests.
We provide accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis - to allow you to have flexibility for lunches and evening meals either at your hotel or elsewhere depending on where you are each day.
If you are looking for something different, maybe by the coast, we can also arrange other top quality hotel or guest house accommodation. The Solway coast with several picturesque villages is only 8 miles away and the Glenkens communities at the edge of the Galloway Forest Park is a similar distance to the north.
What is Included
Bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels mentioned. (Four star hotels / Five star guest house available - price on application)
Bowling facilitation on at least 3 occasions - likely to be more and be flexible to suit the needs of the group. You are also welcome to be included in other bowling club activities / games which would be open to non-members during your stay.
Welcome meeting - to go over the break, provide an Itinerary Pack and explain the options for places to visit, inlcuding pubs / tea rooms and restaurnats for evening meals.
Friendly back-up service with mobile phone contact during your stay.
Not Included - Lunches and Evening Meals.
Cost - £245 per person.
Note :- Extra days for sight-seeing and to possibly join any bowling activity / tournaments at Castle Douglas or in neighbouring towns are available. Please contact us for the cost to extend your sight-seeing for a full week's break.
Breaks for 2008 - 7 bowling weeks
June - Weeks beginning 2nd, 16th and 30th June.
July - Weeks beginning 14th and 28th July.
August - Weeks beginning 11th and 18th August.
MIDWEEK BOWLING BREAK ITINERARY - with suggested daily activities / places to visit.
Monday - Arrival - Depending on arrival time in Castle Douglas, we suggest a visit to nearby Threave Castle or the National Trust for Scotland's Threave Garden, or just have a stroll around 'the food town' to check out the bowling green or Lochside Park at Carlingwark loch.
We meet you at your accommodation and go over the week's itineray.
Evening meal at your accommodation.
Tuesday - Day 2 - Bowling today. 10.30 am start at Castle Douglas bowling club (to give the green keeper time to finish cutting the green!). Depending on numbers, we will arrange teams for a game amongst the group. Finish around 12.30pm. Lunch.
Afternoon - Loch Ken tour with a visit to Ken Dee Marshes nature reserve and the popular red kite feeding station to see spectacular red kite birds of prey flying and swooping for their food. Scotland's only clog making workshop and Catstrand, a new arts venue in the smallest Royal Burgh in Scotland, New Galloway are on the route which passes beside the shores of the beautiful Loch Ken. We provide information on local walks if desired. We recommend a good tea room in New Galloway!
Evening meal in Castle Douglas.
Wednesday - Day 3 - Afternoon bowling today. (If the group agree, morning bowling can be substitued if desired).
Morning - Visit the 'The Scottish Riviera'.The National Trust's coastal stretch between the picturesque villages of Rockliffe and Kippford - a National Scenic Area - is a popular place for visitors to the area.
A stroll along the coast to take in the views of the Urr estuary from the Moat of Mark is a peaceful way to pass the morning. The yachting village of Kippford has two excellent hotels available for a bar meal. Another river estuary village at Palnackie, Scotland's Orchardton Tower, the only round tower in Scotland and the Balcary Bay beauty spot provide plenty of places to see this morning.
Afternoon - Bowling at 2.30pm again at Castle Douglas Bowling Club.
Evening meal options in and around Castle Douglas.
Thursday - Day 4 - Bowling this morning. 10.30 am start at Castle Douglas bowling club. Depending on numbers, we will arrange teams for a game amongst the group. Finish around 12.30pm. Lunch.
Afternoon - Visit Kirkcudbright artists' town, Options to walk around the town with harbour and riverside walks to Tongland - see the Galloway Hydros visitor centre. The Galloway Wildlife Conservation Centre and David Coulthard museum is also nearby. Museum and several art galleries.
Move along the coast to visit Cream o' Galloway ice cream farm and visitor Centre. Options to visit a popular coastal spot before calling in at Gatehouse of Fleet, again with various atractions includinga kilt making Centre. A scenic moorland /woodland route takes you back to Castle Douglas.
We have Scottish Highlands-like scenery further west in the region which we can advise on for a visit today or even tomorrow - if you wish to stay extra days.
Evening meal options in and around Castle Douglas.
Friday - Day 5 - Departure after breakfast - or - you are welcome to join in the usual Club Friday morning sweep at 10 a.m. - spaces normally available.
We offer our local knowledge to advise on gardens, visitor centres, scenic areas and other places in our region which are worth a drive to see today or during the weekend if you decide to stay for a full week.
To book or to make enquiries about our bowling breaks, please contact us
Telephone - 01556502979
E - mail - mail@gallowayholidays.co.uk