Activities in Dumfries and Galloway

In Stranraer, Stranraer Water Sports Association runs sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding, RYA Powerboat Level 2, kids' and youth multi-activity sessions, curling tasters and nature craft workshops. In Newton Stewart, Way of the Wild runs willow workshops, navigation courses and bespoke outdoor days. Elsewhere in Galloway, DC Outdoors runs a three-day introduction to canoeing and bushcraft. For more nearby, see Newton Stewart and the Scottish Borders.

With Stranraer Water Sports Association, nature craft workshops cost £12.50 per person, curling £15, a sailing taster £25, windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding tasters £35, and RYA Powerboat Level 2 £275. A group activity for 4 to 8 people costs £100. Way of the Wild charges £60 for Navigation Fundamentals and £150 or £200 per person for a bespoke half or full day, and DC Outdoors' three-day canoeing and bushcraft course costs £400 per person.

Yes. In Stranraer, RYA Powerboat Level 2, curling and the nature craft workshops have winter dates, while the watersports tasters show no dates yet. Way of the Wild's bespoke days and Navigation Fundamentals have winter dates, and DC Outdoors' canoeing and bushcraft course runs from April.

Most of Stranraer Water Sports Association's sessions are for ages 8 and over, with kids' sessions for ages 8 to 14 and youth sessions for 12 to 17. Curling is for ages 10 and over, the windsurfing taster for 13 and over, Powerboat Level 2 for 16 and over, and the kayaking and paddleboarding introductions for adults aged 18 and over. Way of the Wild's bespoke days are for ages 10 and over, with under-18s accompanied by a paying legal guardian; DC Outdoors doesn't state a minimum age.

Stranraer Water Sports Association provides the watersports equipment; bring swimwear for under the wetsuit, old trainers or water shoes, which are a must, a towel and a drink and snack. For curling, bring clean soft-rubber-soled shoes and warm layers, and for the craft workshops wear warm, waterproof clothing and footwear for the beach. For Way of the Wild, bring comfortable walking clothing with base layers, trousers that aren't jeans and a waterproof jacket.