I Stayed In The UK's Largest Forest | Galloway Forest Park

I stayed in the UK's largest forest. Located in Southern Scotland, the Galloway Forest Park was named one of the world's first dark sky parks. It's home to lots of wildlife including wild goats and deer, as well as ancient woodlands and interesting history.

I spend the day exploring a small corner of the Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway and attempt to do some stargazing. Recently I have received some questions about Scottish food and in this video, I also cook a traditional Scottish dish for my dinner.

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WHO AM I?
If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!

P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from.

[Angie_]

Hi Ruth, I just want you to know that your video gives me strength. Thank you.

[Michael-smg]

Hi Ruth, I got addicted to your videos a few days ago, and cannot stop watching them, you were born to do this, I don't believe anyone could be as really good a making these videos then you are, you have a special talent for this. I was born is Nova Scotia Canada, which means 'New Scotland', I have a lot of ancestors from the Scottish highland, The MacPherson Clan. Scotland is a place I would love to visit someday, if I could get enough funds together. I hope very much that you would keep making these videos, you are great and very talented at it. Thank you. I am sorry to hear about the Dog bite, but it is very important to understand, Dogs react to your state of mind, if you are calm they are calm, if you are frightened and run, they see you as prey, and will chase you, and you could get bitten. So even if a Dog looks like he may attack you, look him in the eye, and stand your ground, speak calmly but assertive, and do not make sudden moves, and you will not get bitten, only trained attack Dogs might bite you, even most of them are only trained to keep you where you are, hope this helps you.

[itsmephil]

Why do I live in England when there's a paradise like Scotland not too far away
Awesome video Ruth

[lesliewatts]

Any one thinking of visiting Scotland must see your series of an absolute must.

[craigwilliams]

My mother and her family came from Moniaive. Jer grandfather was John Corrie known for writing a book, "The Annals of Glencairn". There is a garden set-up in memory of John. He was a fellow of the society of Antiquerians and known for his poetry.
I love that you are bringing the South West of Soctland to life. There is a rich history in the area. Cheers💖💖

[wendyhay]

I am from South Africa, and three of my grandparents were Scottish. My grandfather left to start Stewarts and Lloyds in South Africa. After the First World War, many people were facing destitution. Stewarts and Lloyds provided jobs and training for Scottish families who came over to start a new life. My DNA shows that I am mainly from the Dumfries/Galloway area. This has been fascinating for me, thank you.

[Crusty_Camper]

We live just 40 miles from Murray's Monument but it's 120 miles by road as we are on the other side of the Solway. We can see the hills from here, which always draw us whenever we can get there. We have a lot of stone walls here in Cumbria too, interestingly hedges are called Dykes here. It's obviously from the same root, meaning some kind of barrier or boundary. Many visitors race past this wonderful area, heading for the Highlands but they miss so much. The people are very welcoming, there is less traffic and fewer people but the same fantastic views, wildlife and enjoyable walks. For anyone visiting Scotland, I would encourage you to spend a few days here, you won't regret it.

[cindyleason]

My ancestors immigrated originally from Scotland to the USA, my last name is Eason, which is from Angus. I’m hoping to visit the UK one day, on my bucket list. Your videos are amazing, great ideas and travel tips you offer.

[michaelwakeford]

I live in this exact area where Ruth made this video. It is pure Heaven. I lived in several countries and after a somewhat successful life touring the American arenas in a rock band many years ago I changed my name by deed pole in a quest to put my public life behind me in a quest for privacy and peace. There are quite a few people who had similarly public lives who found sanctuary here.
I have literally travelled around the globe on my own without ever staying in an hotel as I wanted to simply experience circumventing the planet alone in order to experience the world’s energy. Even in the Australian Bush I was unable to find privacy with my former life always drawing the most superficial people into my life. Eventually providence delivered me to Galloway. I now live in an ancient castle in the middle of very deep countryside. I very occasionally leave the area briefly but in reality I never want to leave here and even visit another city again. I never played another concert after 1978, nor did I ever want to. All I ever want to do is live here amongst the most wonderful people in this unimaginably wonderful place.
The best thing about Galloway is that the vast majority of tourists only want to chase William Wallace’s ghost around the Highlands and being in the South West there are few tourists, leaving Galloway in pristine unexploited condition.

[davidjohnston]

I’m a first generation Australian.My father came to Australia with his parents and brother.They left Glasgow in 1949.My great grandparents all died during the war years.My dad said that Glasgow was bombed during World War Two, so after the war my grandparents decided to leave Scotland.My grandfather’s sister had already emigrated to Australia and she sponsored my grandparents and father to emigrate.Since doing my ancestry DNA test I have been contacted by 3 second cousins from Scotland who gave me access to the family tree.Im definitely going back to Scotland soon to see where my family came from.Some of my relatives also moved to New Zealand.Thanks for showing your videos with us all.I really love watching them.Cheers from down under.

[allisonbennett]

Hi Ruth, only recently discovered your channel and also only recently acquired a campervan. I live in Northumberland and have visited some of Southern Scotland including the beautiful Galloway forest but only briefly so far . Your videos are fabulous and inspiring giving me great ideas for 2024. Also can't wait to see how you make Ernie winter friendly . Stay safe, take care and thank you ! Xx

[GavinSteele-md]

Ruth is the ideal presenter, informed, intelligent and an engaging manner. ( also doesn’t mind the occasional wee dram.🇦🇺

[papermoontarot]

My great grandmother came over from the Glasgow area to Rhode Island in the US. She came as a maid to a family and ended up marrying one of the sons. She had 9 children, one of them my grandmother. I've also traced my family roots and a great many people came from the Shetland Islands, others from England. My DNA is about 60% Scottish, but sadly, I've only visited once. Your videos help me feel closer to Scotland!

[jenniferlevine]

Great fun! Wonderful video. My Scottish ancestors left the Scottish Highlands in the late 1700's and settled in Canada. I am pretty sure they were victims of the clearances, possibly somewhere around Inverness.

[paulmacready]

I think the bright dot next to the moon was Jupiter. I liked to look at it nightly, around the time of your upload. I live on the Isle of Bute so nice dark skies here too. Still loving your vids

[colleenwhite]

I’m from Canada and I found your channel researching my paternal great-grandparents’ village at Comrie in the highlands. My grandfather left his parents to come to Canada with the Hudson Bay Company. I have found a record of my ancestors at the white church and I want to spend time there to experience that part of me.

[marknewton]

Love your videos Ruth. My mothers parents emigrated from Scotland to Australia just after the WW1 My grandfather was an engineer on the railways and when he returned from the war all his apprentices were now “running the show “ so he emigrated. My wife’s family comes from Orkney and her ancestor ran off to sea at 15 years old in the 1800’s so we have traveled Scotland fairly extensively but you keep showing me places I have never seen. Keep up the great work!

[gigirose]

My ancestor, Geo Alexander (8th great grandfather), was exiled from Scotland along with his father back in the 18th century, they were Jacobite's. They were stripped of their lands, real estate, and titles and his father went to Germany and he immigrated to Tennessee USA. I have quite an interesting long family history from Scotland. I know many people don't understand why Americans are so interested in their ancestry but as someone who is adopted, it's been fascinating discovering where and who I come from because I had no idea. Your videos make me want to return to Scotland (I've been twice, before I started to dive into my ancestry, and I fell in love with the history and the people) and discover more of the natural beauty. Thank you for sharing your adventures!

[stephenl]

The trees are almost entirely sitka spruce, a west coast north American species ideally suited to the Scottish climate. I have been wild camping in this forest for over 50 years. It's worth the journey from Glasgow. As a fellow Scot you will understand what I mean when I say that pushing through these trees with a backpack is a somewhat "jaggy" experience.

[Highland]

My ancestors lived in Midlothian, place called Borthwick Castle. So apparently not a cottage. I've visited it, but it was a private residence. Now it's a hotel/wedding venue.