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The Agnew Monument, a square castellated stone tower, on the green top of the Tor of Craigoch under a deep blue sky, a walker climbing through the long summer grass towards it.
Dumfries and Galloway

Agnew Monument

A Victorian tower on an Iron Age hillfort above Leswalt, looking out over Loch Ryan.

Welcome

There's something lovely about a short climb with a big view at the top, and the Agnew Monument gives you just that.

Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, who had been MP for Wigtownshire, died in 1849, and a year later this castellated stone tower was raised to remember him. The hill under it is far older: an Iron Age fort, about 2,500 years old. The tower has no doors or windows, so it's one to admire from the grass. The view is the reason to climb, with the loch spread out below, Stranraer along its shore and the village rooftops at the foot of the hill. Take something to eat at the top, and wear good shoes for the way up.

A short drive awayFig and OliveA bright cafe on George Street in Stranraer, with brunch, hot dishes, fresh cakes and a welcome for dogs and children.10 min by roadSee itFig & Olive shopfront with turquoise trim on a quiet street corner
Before you go
Where
The Tor of Craigoch, DG9 0RH.
Parking
A small car park by the path, with room for about three cars.
The path
Grass, about 0.7 km and around 20 minutes. It is rough underfoot, and gets muddy and slippery after rain or in winter.

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Where it is

In the north of the Rhins of Galloway, about a kilometre from Leswalt.

Close byLeswalt, Stranraer and Portpatrick.
  1. The boardwalk at Aldouran Wetland Garden running out over the reedy pond towards the wooden bird hide among the trees.Aldouran Wetland Garden and GlenA community wetland garden and bird hide on the edge of Leswalt, joined to an ancient wood with a sculpture trail.Under a mile 3 min by road
  2. Stranraer MuseumStranraer MuseumThe museum of Wigtownshire in Stranraer's Old Town Hall of 1776, free to visit, with refurbished displays and children's trails.4 miles 9 min by road
  3. Castle of St JohnCastle of St JohnA tower house in the middle of Stranraer that has been nearly everything.5 miles 11 min by road
  4. The canal at Castle Kennedy Gardens in summer, lined with cordylines, with flowering trees in red on the bank and a path alongside.Castle Kennedy GardensEighteenth-century gardens round the ruin of Castle Kennedy, on the neck of land between two lochs east of Stranraer.8 miles 23 min by road
  5. Waves rolling onto a curved sandy beach beneath grassy cliffsKillantringan Lighthouse and BayA white lighthouse of 1900 on the cliffs north of Portpatrick, above a sandy bay.9 miles 20 min by road
  6. PortpatrickPortpatrickA painted harbour on the Rhins, and mile nought of the Southern Upland Way.10 miles 18 min by road
  7. Dunskey CastleDunskey CastleA roofless tower on the cliff edge, half an hour along the path from Portpatrick.11 miles 22 min by road
Directions
The boating lake at Agnew Park under a blue sky, a little island of palm trees on the right and green hills across the water beyond.AttractionsAgnew Park3.7 miles
Fig & Olive shopfront with turquoise trim on a quiet street cornerCafeFig and Olive4.4 miles
The restaurant at The Waterfront in Portpatrick, its tables laid under a pine-boarded ceiling with roof lights, and windows on the far wall.RestaurantsThe Waterfront, Portpatrick6.5 miles
The sandy beach at Lady Bay with small waves breaking, Loch Ryan beyond and the hills of its far shore under a deep blue sky, a wooded headland on the left.AttractionsLady Bay8.2 miles
Saltwater Chronicles Lodge, a grey lodge with an outbuilding beside it, seen across the lawn from a gravel path.PortpatrickSaltwater Chronicles LodgeSleeps 6 · 8.7 miles
Artemisia Lodge, a stone house with a stepped gable, glazed doors onto a terrace with a bench and a table.PortpatrickArtemisia LodgeSleeps 4 · 8.7 miles
Harriet's Lodestar Lodge in the sun, dark walls and a white gable, the outdoor bath and a table on its terrace.PortpatrickHarriet's Lodestar LodgeSleeps 4 · 8.7 miles
Fawn's Velvet Lodge in the sun, a stone cottage with a pale blue door, daisies on the lawn in front.PortpatrickFawn's Velvet LodgeSleeps 4 · 8.7 miles
Fern Forest House, a grey stone house with ivy on its gable and a pale blue door, under a blue sky.PortpatrickFern Forest HouseSleeps 6 · 8.7 miles

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The Daily for 23 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the monument, and when each is next free.

Rose Blair Lodge in the sun, a gabled cottage with a wooden door in a porch, trees behind and a table on the terrace.Rose Blair Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Portpatrick
  • 5 miles from the Agnew Monument
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovHeritage Coachman Lodge's pale blue door in the cobbled stable courtyard, a table and a wooden bench in the sun outside.Heritage Coachman Lodge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Portpatrick
  • 5 miles from the Agnew Monument
Free 30 Oct – 2 NovFern Forest House, a grey stone house with ivy on its gable and a pale blue door, under a blue sky.Fern Forest House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Portpatrick
  • 5 miles from the Agnew Monument
Check datesFawn's Velvet Lodge in the sun, a stone cottage with a pale blue door, daisies on the lawn in front.Fawn's Velvet Lodge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Portpatrick
  • 5 miles from the Agnew Monument
Free 29 Oct – 1 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in Dumfries and GallowayAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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