Kippford
Kippford is attractively positioned on the eastern bank of the River Urr, near where it runs into the Solway Firth, and has extensive views across the river towards the farmland and hills beyond. The village nestles under a high crag, with its houses strung out along the river’s edge, separated from the tidal waters only by the public road which stretches the length of the village before coming to an end at a turning place.
A mobile bank provided by Royal Bank of Scotland visits Kippford every Wednesday 09:55 – 10:00 at the Village Hall car park, DG5 4PB. Tel: 03457 24242
The Kippford Association exists to promote local cultural and social events and also manages the Village Hall.
In days gone by, Kippford, or ‘The Scaur’ as it was once known, was an important part of the infrastructure of the illustrious fleet of sailing ships transporting goods to and from the Urr ports. Many of the sailing families lived there, and a busy shipbuilding and repair yard was at the centre of the village in every sense. For an account of shipping on the Urr from a series of articles published in the Gallovidian Annual, and available on the Dalbeattie Museum website, click here. Within the village, there is a gift shop and an adjoining cafe – the Ark, which is well worth a visit, and if you want a meal or a drink overlooking the estuary, there is also the Anchor and the Mariner. The schooners, sloops, brigs and coastal smacks have now all gone, but Kippford still maintains its links with the sea.
The estuary waters now form a popular yachting and sailing centre, The Solway Yacht Club which holds regattas during the summer months.
Rough Island is in the middle of the Rough firth, the estuary of the Urr Water leading out to the sea from Kippford. The island is now a bird sanctuary and is worth a visit when the tide is out. Visitors must observe the signs protecting the birds’ habitat. And before you go, make sure you have consulted an up-to-date tide timetable.
In and around Kippford there is hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation, plus caravan sites. There are many attractive walks, which give good views of the river, the open Solway waters and the hills of Screel and Bengairn. One of the most popular walks is the Jubilee Path which connects Kippford to the neighbouring village of Rockcliffe.