Dunskey Glen Walk
This walk visits Dunskey Glen near Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway.
The pretty glen is located just north of Portpatrick and can be reached by following the opening section of the Southern Upland Way along the coast for about 1 mile. You can then follow trails east along the Dunskey Burn to the lovely Dunskey Gardens where you will find two scenic lakes. Please not the gardens are generally not open to the public though you can book a tour. Click here for more information.
Along the way there's peaceful woodland, a pretty waterfall and a series of picturesque wooden bridges over the burn. You can also look out for wildlife including a variety of wood land birds and flora including wild garlic, mushrooms and nettle. On the coastal section you may see seals, Lion’s Mane jellyfish and basking sharks in the waters below.
Please click here for more information
Dunskey Glen Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Dunskey Glen Walk Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Dunskey Glen Walk OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Dunskey Glen Walk Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south from Portpatrick and you can visit the cliff top ruins of Dunskey Castle.
To the east is Stranraer where you can pick up the Loch Ryan Coastal Path and enjoy another lovely waterside walk with great views. The trail is part of the longer Mull Of Galloway Trail which starts from the southernmost point of Scotland and heads north to the loch.
In nearby Glenluce you can pick up the Portpatrick Railway Walk along a section of the old Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway. The railway has an interesting history and there's also a visit to the impressive Luce Viaduct on the walk.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The Dunskey Burn in Dunskey Glen. The Dunskey estate includes a B-listed mansion that dates back to the early 20th century. It was constructed to replace a previous 18th-century house. The estate spans a significant area and includes not only the mansion but also expansive grounds. Since 2017, it has been used as a popular tourist attraction, as well as a venue for weddings and film productions.
Looking into Dunskey Glen
A path in Dunskey Glen
One of several little bridges over the Dunksey Burn in Dunskey Glen.
Dunskey Glen from the top of the Waterfall.
Dunskey Gardens, Lake View. Dunskey Gardens is accessible to residents and by special arrangement only. It features a combination of walled and woodland gardens, lochs, and Victorian glasshouses. The gardens offer seasonal variation, with displays such as snowdrops and bluebells in the spring, and a range of autumn colours. The woodland areas are particularly vibrant in late spring and early summer, when rhododendrons bloom alongside bluebells and other wild plants, while exotic species thrive in the glasshouses during autumn.
Visitors can explore the Walled Garden via wide gravel paths and lawns, where mature shrubs and various plants are on display. A highlight is the 19th-century glasshouses, showcasing fruits such as peaches, nectarines, and grapes, alongside other exotic plants. The estate also contains a hedge maze, noted for being the first of its kind planted in south-west Scotland. Additionally, there is a tearoom at the garden entrance offering food and drinks, and a shop selling plants.