Kirkcudbright - Dee Walk & Town Centre

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Kirkcudbright's Dee Walk and town centre, with Agents helping Kirkcudbright's KID agents stop eccentric artist Minnie Van Gogh from launching a balloon full of pink paint over the town centre and use the clues scattered around town to find the deactivation code.

The mission covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll begin at the car park next to the Visitor Information Centre just off St. Cuthbert Street, then investigate the town centre, harbourside, High Street and the areas around the bridge, garden grounds, Greyfriars Church and the cannons before returning to the start.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route uses pavements and clear paths, with roads to cross carefully several times, including at the bridge and the main road. Take sensible care along the harbourside and beside the garden grounds, and keep Mini Agents close during road crossings.

There is also a chance to nip into the gardens to create an arrow as part of the operation. To return to the car park at the end, go back under the same archway, turn left and continue a short way down the pavement on the left hand side to the car park entrance.

Getting There

By car: Start the mission at the car park next to the Visitor Information Centre just off St. Cuthbert Street in Kirkcudbright (DG6 4HZ).

By public transport: Make your way to the car park next to the Visitor Information Centre just off St. Cuthbert Street in Kirkcudbright to begin the operation. The circular route brings you back to the same area once Minnie's pink-paint plot has been foiled.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets can be found in the car park at the start of the mission, so make a tactical comfort stop before your Agents set off through town.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome on this dog friendly trail. 🐾

The route follows pavements and clear paths, with several road crossings, including at the bridge and the main road. Keep canine recruits close around traffic, along the harbourside and beside the garden grounds.

Food & Drink Stops

Paint-plot prevention is hungry work. The main shops are near the start and end of the mission, so Agents can stock up with provisions there before heading out or once the deactivation code has been tracked down.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Kirkcudbright Harbour and Town Centre

Kirkcudbright is the only town on the Solway coast with a working harbour, making the harbourside a brilliant place to slow the pace once the mission is complete. The town centre is packed with colourful medieval, Georgian and Victorian buildings, and Kirkcudbright became a magnet for artists in the late 1800s, earning it the name The Artists' Town.

Stewartry Museum

The Stewartry Museum is well worth a visit if your Agents have time. This purpose-built museum took over the collection when the space in the Town Hall became too small, and its varied contents include the Siller Gun, Britain's earliest surviving sporting trophy.

MacLellan's Castle

MacLellan's Castle adds a proper historic stronghold to the day. It was built in the 1570s by Sir Thomas MacLellan of Bombie, the chief magistrate, who dismantled a church to use its stone for his 'castle'. Look out for the coat of arms of Sir Thomas and his wives over the entrance to this very fine mansion.

Tolbooth Art Centre

The route passes the Tolbooth Art Centre in High Street, giving art-loving Agents another town-centre stop to investigate. Minnie Van Gogh may not have chosen to exhibit her art here, but it is a notable part of the route through The Artists' Town.

Greyfriars Church and the Cannons

Near the end of the route, the mission turns left at Greyfriars Church and passes through the archway to reach the final clue by two cannons. It is a memorable last stretch for Agents before heading back to the car park.