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Sailing is a way of life around the Galloway coastline and along the banks of the Solway. Whether one uses sail power alone, or something a little more powerful, getting out onto the water - be it Loch or Sea - is a great way to travel, have fun, and enjoy all that our coast has to offer. There are quite a few clubs across the region offering sailing lessons, competitions and more, to visitor and local alike.

However, it is not just sailing that is available, diving is gaining popularity across the country, and with masses of wrecks in the Solway and Irish Sea, it is easy to see why. (Some of the wrecks are truly ancient, others date from the steam age, both World Wars and later.)

Out in the North Channel we have a large number of German WW2 U-Boats, sunk as part of 'Operation Deadlight' after the last war. PLEASE NOTE. NOT ALL OF THE WRECKED BOATS AND SHIPS ON THE BOTTOM HEREABOUTS ARE THERE AS A RESULT OF SCUTTLING. SOME OF THESE WRECKS ARE WAR GRAVES AND, AS SUCH, SHOULD BE RESPECTED. LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH.

For a good introduction to the wrecks in and around the Solway, check out Peter 'Dusty' Miller's book: Galloway Shipwrecks. Informative, accurate information, written by a guy with thousands of hours of diving experience. ISDN: 095911503. Published by Sunquest (1992) price around £10.00. Look for it in local bookshops if you're up here!

Water Skiing and Jet Skiing are popular hereabouts, and there is no shortage of Loch and ocean to practice/play on. Windsurfing is VERY good in Luce Bay, the town-end of Loch Ryan and elsewhere (and if you know of a good surfing spot, let us know!) NB! If sailing into or out of Loch Ryan beware of the wash from the fast ferries using the Loch, they can swamp a small boat.

Also, keep your eyes open for local charter skippers (they usually have adverts in hotels, bars, information centres etc) who will take you out to see all the wildlife and sealife in and around our waters - seals, dolphins, sea birds, flora and fauna of the cliffs and coast.

The Solway Yacht Club, Kippford