Sailing Misty: Kirkcudbright

9th to 12th May
Kirkcudbright - stuck!

If you have to be stuck anywhere then Kirkcudbright is a good place to do it. ‘Misty’ is the only visiting boat, and we’ve been on this pontoon so long that I feel like a local. And, everyone is very hospitable. Peter the harbour master and Keith, his assistant, are fantastic and we’ve looked at all the websites to check forecasts; and can’t find any that are too promising. (Incidentally, for sailors among you, the fishermen rate XC weather as being especially good for wind forecasts.) The fishing boats are all staying in harbour. So too is John, a local with a Warrior 38 moored next to me; and that’s a beast of a boat with fabulous teak decks, that he’s sailed round the world.

Fishing boats and 'Misty' stuck in Kirkcudbright

Between boat chores and reading and chatting, I’ve walked miles. And then spent a whole day buying a tin of boat varnish in a tiny pretty place called Kippford! That’s because it needed two buses to get there, with a stop to view Dalbeattie Museum on the way, and, as I’d bought a day’s Explorer Bus Ticket, a trip to Dumfries and then Castle Douglas on the way home.

At Kippford, it seems there lives an eccentric artist who has sculpted pieces of driftwood to resemble fish, people, birds etc Here’s a sample.

Sculpture at Kippford

Kippford, a peaceful spot for bilge keelers

Dalbeattie Museum is quite a grand name for what resembles a converted corner shop; and I didn’t see much, preferring instead to talk with the colourful lady who seemed to be in charge. (She reminded me of a very spunky version of those public-spirited ladies who watch over rooms in National Trust properties. I could well believe the Viking ancestry that she claimed.)

Dumfries is big. It has lots of Robert Burns history/memorabilia and a Marks & Spencer – a useful sort of place.

Dumfries - 'Burnsville'

So, all in all, I can recommend this little-visited patch of Scotland. Glad it’s nice because sometimes I wonder if the winds will ever let me leave! Given tidal patterns between here and the Clyde you probably need a couple of good days to move on.