Cream o' Galloway visitor centre to close after decades of happy memories
Final visitors will pass through the doors on Sunday the 17th of September
Last updated 9th Nov 2023
After over 20 years in business, Cream o’ Galloway visitor centre near Gatehouse of Fleet is to close permanently on Sunday the 17th of September.
The associated ice-cream brand will however continue under new ownership.
Cream o' Galloway ice-cream, made from Finlay’s dairy farm milk, first launched over 30 years ago, with the visitor centre opening six years later.
On site facilities have evolved greatly over the years, with what began as just a farm expanding into a major attraction.
An extensive outdoor adventure playground, go-karting, indoor play areas, and a tree top trampoline park have been just some of the activities available.
The outdoor adventure area has however been closed since COVID.
Ice-Cream and cheese making workshops have also proven popular over the years.
End of an era
The full visitor centre closure was confirmed in an online statement from owners Wilma and David Finlay following a meeting with staff.
They say the decision to close has not been easy, and have been reflecting on many happy years:
“We have welcomed hundreds of thousands of people to the farm over that time and had the privilege of watching children who played in our original straw barn grow up and bring their own families to Cream o’ Galloway to make memories.
“One thing that has been constant over all those years is the warmth and the professionalism of our amazing team.
"Thank you to each and every person who has worked with us over the years; from students working for a single summer season to those friends who have been with us from the very beginning.
“We will be very sad to close the doors of Cream o’ Galloway, but time catches up with all of us. The visitor centre buildings will be made available to lease in due course, and we look forward to seeing new businesses in new formats thrive on the farm in the future.”
In addition to the Ice-Cream brand, sister company Finlay’s Farm Ltd, also known as The Ethical Dairy - which produces artisan cheese - will also continue.