Newton Stewart
Newton Stewart is a town with a population of about 3500 in Dumfries and Galloway. The town's name comes from William Stewart who built several houses and obtained a burgh charter in 1677 from King Charles II.
Get in
You can drive to Newton Stewart in about 2 1/2 hours from Glasgow. It can also be accessed by bus.
National Express / Ulsterbus 920 runs overnight from London Victoria via Luton airport, Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester airport and city, Preston, Carlisle, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Stranraer, Cairnryan then by Stena ferry to Belfast.
Get around
Newton Stewart is small enough to get around on foot. However, since most of the nearby attractions are some distance away from the town in country areas, you might find it best to take a car rather than relying on public transport.
See
There's not much apart from the cinema in Newton Stewart itself.
- 🌍 Bruce's Stone, Glentrool Forest Park. A relatively short drive from the town to Glen Trool, Bruce's stone is situated at a point overlooking Loch Trool and commemorates one of King Robert the Bruce's earliest victories over the English. Bruce's Stone car park also serves as a starting point for several hikes in the area, including one of the routes up the Merrick, the highest hill in this part of Scotland.
Do
- Newton Stewart Cinema, 35 Victoria Street. Unusually for a town this size in Scotland, Newton Stewart has a small one screen cinema. It's run by the community and shows recent films.
Eat
There are quite a few places to eat in Newton Stewart. There is one Chinese and one Indian restaurant, both on Victoria Street near the cinema. Several pubs also do food.
- 🌍 The Riverbank Restaurant, Goods Lane, ☎ +44 1671 403330.
Drink
- 🌍 Galloway Arms Hotel, 54-58 Victoria St, ☎ +44 1671 402653. Restaurant, rooms and bars
Sleep
- 🌍 SYHA Minnigaff Hostel, Minnigaff, Newton Stewart, DG8 6P, ☎ +44 1671 402211. Great traditional wee hostel, but currently only available for rent-a-hostel (rent the whole building).
Go next
- West to Stranraer and Drummore
- East to Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Dumfries
- North to Girvan, Ayr, Prestwick and Troon