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15 places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

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There are so many gorgeous places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway, from cute towns and villages to good old National Trust places to stunning beaches. I’ve put some into a list here to share my favourites with my readers: I know a lot of you love this area as much as I do. I may be biased, because all my childhood holidays were there so I know it really well, but Scotland’s most southerly area really is an underrated part of bonny Scotland. Dumfries and Galloway is often overlooked and I don’t know many people who have visited. Yeah, it might not have the dramatic landscape of the Highlands or the bustle of the big Scottish cities, but it has some of the prettiest towns and coastlines I’ve ever seen.

Obvs I’m only including places I know well and can definitely recommend personally in this list, but there are loads more if you want to do some research – try Visit Scotland  or Visit South West Scotland . In fact, writing about all my favourite Dumfries and Galloway places that I know so well has only made me realise how much other stuff there is in the area that I’ve never even been to. Plenty for next time I suppose.

Anyway, pour yourself a wee dram and read on for some fantastic places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway…

Please note that this post is from 2017 and needs deleting and rewriting as it’s from before I knew how to blog/write. I’m in the process of rewriting and republishing all my older posts for 2022. I’d really like to re-do this one to become 30 places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway …. Watch this space!

Lovely places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

1. kirkcudbright: for a longer visit to the artists’ town.

Kirkcudbright is my personal favourite place in Dumfries and Galloway. It’s got everything you could ask for in a town: a harbour, a ridiculous amount of art and art galleries, loads of amazing places to eat and drink, and most importantly, so many cute cottages and hidden alleyways bursting with flowers. Known as the artists’ town of Scotland, it’s the perfect place to stay in the area and also a brilliant base for day trips everywhere else. You can’t really do it all in a day, so if you don’t stay over in Kirkcudbright, make sure you plan plenty of time there or multiple days out there. You’ll need it, if only to fit in all the eating potentials.

Read more: Here’s my absolutely HUGE Kirkcudbright travel guide for more on this absolute gem. I’d like to say I’m a bit of a Kirkcudbright connoisseur so there are lots of restaurant/pub and shop tips in there…

Where to stay: For hotels ,  The Selkirk Arms or the Kirkcudbright Bay Hotel . For self-catering , it’s tricky to find something the right size just for two, but for a larger group there’s The Yellow Door  or  3 Mews Lane .

2. Kippford and Rockcliffe: for the best coastal walk in Scotland

The two lovely villages of Kippford and Rockcliffe are joined by what can only be described as the best coastal walk in Scotland . Since I first blogged about this, I’ve not had a single person disagree with that statement. So it must be true, right?! And even if you don’t like walking, you’ll like this walk because it has a whole stretch of road where you can spot little beasts made of driftwood and stones with eyes. And if that isn’t your idea of a good day out, we can’t be friends.

Read more: Intrigued? Read my post on a coastal walk from Rockcliffe to Kippford for more. I’m planning on updating it soon as I recently did the walk when all the autumnal foliage was out and my photos are glorious.

Where to stay: Rockcliffe and Kippford are very small, so might not be the best places to base yourself for a visit in the area. However, Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Gatehouse of Fleet are all within easy reach and have more eating/staying options.

3. Castle Douglas: for a day of eating and drinking in the foodie town of Dumfries and Galloway

The whole point of a holiday is to overeat, right? Right. Well, the food capital of Dumfries and Galloway is this little number, Castle Douglas . Not just local food either, but also local beer. You can have a freshly brewed pint at the local brewery after stuffing your face at one of the many eateries. Oh and spending all your holiday spends on beautiful homewares in all the local independent boutiques. Because shopping is the second most important thing after food.

Read more: Thirsty and/or hungry? Read my post on Castle Douglas for a full guide to the town.

Where to stay: For a hotel , have a look at The Market Inn Hotel. For a B&B , check out  Douglas House . And i f you’re travelling in a group/family and want a holiday home , I like the look of  The Coop .

4. Gatehouse of Fleet: for a relaxing day in a tranquil mill town

If you’re the kind of person who likes a nice sit down at a beautiful old mill with some cake and a cup of tea (aka anyone over 60, or me), a visit to the former mill town of Gatehouse of Fleet is going to be right up your street. It has an award-winning visitor centre (yes, that is a thing) that has a cafe looking out onto this view. And it serves amazing cakes.

Read more: If you like the sound of mills and cakes, read my post on Gatehouse of Fleet  for more.

Where to stay:  If you want a  hotel , there’s the Ship Inn . If you want  self-catering for a group, there’s  79 Laurel Bank , or a bit further out (only 10 mins by car), the Sea View Snugs at Laggan is great for couples.

5. Carrick Bay: for discovering a secret, deserted beach

There are so many good beaches around Dumfries and Galloway. My personal favourites are Rockcliffe and Kippford because they’re my childhood memories and I’m all about living in the past.

However, from an unbiased perspective, you’re not going to be able to beat Carrick Bay. Not only is it an absolute beaut, it’s also usually completely deserted so you can have the whole place to yourself.

What’s better than a beautiful beach? A beautiful beach with no other people on it. Other people are horrendous.

Read more: Fancy escaping people on this dream beach? Read my post on Carrick Bay: a hidden beach for more.

Where to stay: Gatehouse of Fleet is your best bet for a hotel/B&B near Carrick Shore.

6. Portpatrick: for clifftop walks

Portpatrick is a charming coastal village on the Rhins of Galloway peninsula in South West Scotland. It’s full of lovely pastel-coloured buildings and has a picture-perfect bay, set against a backdrop of rugged scenery and stunning views. It has its own lighthouse and it’s only a 40-minute drive from the big daddy of Scottish lighthouses, the Mull of Galloway. It’s also t’s right on the famous Southern Upland Way, meaning it’s great for clifftop walks before heading for a cosy pub meal in the harbour and a mooch around the town. Bliss. 

Read more: If this sounds up your street, read my full guide to Portpatrick .

Where to stay: For a hotel , the Mount Stewart Hotel  or the Harbour House Hotel . If you’re after self-catering accommodation , the Fairways Apartment .

7. Logan Botanic Gardens – a treat for anyone into plants and gardening

I tend to visit botanic gardens in every city I go to in Europe, and this is up there with the best. If you visit in summer, look out for all the newts in the ponds. Very cute. They also have the BEST scones in the café (and I am a seasoned pro at eating scones). Check their official site  for opening times; it’s £8 to get in.

8. Sweetheart Abbey, New Abbey: for some macabre romantic history

Have you heard the one about the 13th-century woman who carried her dead husband’s embalmed heart around with her in a small box and then took gothic romance to a whole new level by building an actual abbey in his memory?

If you go to Sweetheart Abbey, you’ll be able to say you’ve not only heard about that extreme behaviour, but you’ve witnessed the result of it. You can do this while eating a 10/10 scone and looking at the very beautiful red ruin set in a stunning landscape.

Read more: Fancy seeing the beautiful ruin? Read my post on Sweetheart Abbey for more.

9. Threave Gardens: for straddling a Belted Galloway cow, obviously

Did you read that title? You can straddle a local Belted Galloway cow model. There’s me doing it as proof. I mean, I’ll just leave it at that because what more could you possibly want to know? You’re probably already booking your trip as we speak. There are also lovely gardens for when you’ve finished with the cows.

Read more: I cover Threave more fully in my post on Castle Douglas .

Where to stay: Castle Douglas is a great base to get to Threave Gardens from. If you want a hotel , have a look at The Market Inn Hotel. For a B&B , check out  Douglas House . And i f you’re travelling in a group/family and want a holiday home , I like the look of  The Coop .

10. Mossyard beach: for more beautiful beach scenery

Another beach? Oh go on then. You can never have too many beaches, especially when they’re as good as the beaches in Dumfries and Galloway are. Mossyard is an absolute stunner and quite literally off the beaten track.

Read more: My post on Gatehouse of Fleet covers more about Mossyard.

Where to stay: Gatehouse of Fleet is handy for Mossyard. If you want a hotel , there’s the Ship Inn . If you want  self-catering for a group, there’s  79 Laurel Bank , or a bit further out (only 10 mins by car), the Sea View Snugs at Laggan is great for couples.

11. Wigtown: one for the book lovers

As book lovers will know, Wigtown is Scotland’s official National Book Town. Most visitors to Wigtown are (naturally!) book lovers, many of whom flock to its annual book festival. But Wigtown is also known for being the gateway to The Machars, a peninsula full of pretty villages and excellent coastal scenery, and is worth a visit even when the festival isn’t on. 

Read more: I have a full guide to wonderful wee Wigtown .

Where to stay: For a hotel/guesthouse ,  Hillcrest House . For a B&B , have a look at Craigmount. And if you’re after self-catering , the aptly named  Readers Retreat .

12. The Mull of Galloway and its famous lighthouse – the ultimate Scottish lighthouse!

The views are undeniably spectacular and you can spot lots of seabirds while you’re at it (there’s an RSPB Centre there). Make sure you leave room for a cake from Gallie Craig, Scotland`s most southerly café, right on the cliff’s edge. Apparently, the lighthouse now has the only working foghorn on mainland Scotland. Toot toot.

13. The Isle of Whithorn

The Isle of Whithorn is a little village with a pretty harbour where you can see some fantastic sunsets. The harbour in the village is surrounded by colourful Georgian houses. Just around the corner on the headland, you’ll find the small white chapel of St Ninian. This dates back to the 1300s and was built for all the pilgrims who used to land in the village on their way to St Ninian’s shrine at Whithorn. They were definitely also drawn in by the lovely local pub.. .

Read more: Intrigued? I cover the Isle of Whithorn and its gorgeous pub more fully in my guide to wonderful wee Wigtown .

Where to stay: Wigtown would be a good base nearby.

14. Castle Kennedy Gardens 

This is an old castle with a walled garden and lots of beautiful forests, lochs and land you can walk around. You can spend a good half a day here and there’s also a good tearoom. It’s £6.50 to get in; check the official website  for opening times. I visited in August and it was lovely but apparently spring is the time to go because they have a whopping display of rhododendrons. 

15. Garlieston: one for military history buffs

Garlieston is a tiny, planned village with a small but picturesque harbour, a pretty garden along its waterfront, and a cosy pub to hunker down in with a pint. The village is very small and will only take you 10 minutes to wander through, but it’s a nice place to stop off if you’re in the area. It’s also known for some interesting military history…

Read more: Intrigued? I cover Garlieston more fully in my guide to wonderful wee Wigtown .

Places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland: useful information

How to get there.

Sadly, I break my no-driving rule when it comes to a trip to Dumfries and Galloway. It can be done by train to Dumfries, but to get the most out of it, you’ll be best off with a car. Especially if you want to whiz around all these places with ease.

As I’ve said in my other posts in my little Dumfries and Galloway series, nowhere gets too heaving with tourists. You can have entire beaches to yourself sometimes. But if you want a bit more hustle and bustle, there are the towns of Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas where you can have food and drink with an acceptable number of other people around.

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31 comments.

Wonderful photos and I’m looking forward to visiting some of the places you’ve mentioned that I’ve yet to see.

Thanks very much. Hope you enjoy your stay!

I think you have covered the Solway pretty well but what about the Rhines of Galloway?

Castle Kennedy gardens; Port Logan gardens and fish pond; Port Patrick for food and shopping; Sandhead beach; the Mull of Galloway RSPB reserve and most southerly point in Scotland. Knockingham lodge. Port William. etc etc.

Just my thoughts on what I agree with you is an much over looked part of Scotland.

I think I did pretty well for 4 days there! But yes there’s loads of places I need to see – it’s too big to cover in one go. Especially want to go to the Mull of Galloway because you can see it from the Isle of Man which is somewhere else we know well and I like the connection!

Please come east in Dumfries and Galloway next time you are here. Experience the beautiful countryside, arty shops and galleries, Common Riding or Muckle Toon Adventure Festival in Langholm, have a spiritual visit to Samye Ling or wander round the lovely park and shops in Moffat. We have lots to offer too.

I know Moffat! Yes there’s loads to the east and west that you need to do multiple holidays for. Cheers for the tips!

Love this post! I went to Dumfries & Galloway for the first time in August to hike Grey Mare’s Tail (highly recommended) but definitely want to explore more! Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Kathi!

Wonderful photos! Once my hubby paases his driving test we are planning a Scotland road trip (all part of my dastardly plan to get him to agree to move there!) So I’m saving this for future reference!

Brilliant! I want to move there too.

Spotting little beasts made of driftwood and stones with eyes is totally my idea of a good day out! In fact I have numerous pet rocks at home that I’ve found on various beaches around the world 🙂

Do your pet rocks have eyes? I really want to make some!

I love Scotland so much <3

Hi Caroline,

Each spot looks so darn cool. I’d have to stop by each of these places to genuinely enjoy the region.

So awesome you vacationed there as a child. I vacationed at the less prestigious and charming NJ shore but made up for it over the past 6 years.

I still need to get to Scotland, or Europe for that matter. For the authentic feel of the place and for these brilliant sites.

Thanks for sharing.

Hello, thanks for the comment! I’m not sure anyone has ever described D&G as ‘darn cool’! Hope you get to visit Scotland one day.

You should call it Galloway not Dumfries and Galloway as once again the East of the region has been forgotten about. I live in Langholm and we feel so neglected as every guide that comes about on D & G stops at Dumfries. This area has its own attractions but we really should be in The Borders region as the A75 route from Gretna to Stranraer is promoted for tourism and Eskdale is of no interest.

This isn’t a ‘guide’. It’s a summary of four days I spent staying in Kirkcudbright. I didn’t have time to go anywhere else, East or West. It’s rather a large area.

I mention that these are the places I know well and visited this time and that there are loads of other places I’ve been before and haven’t mentioned and even more that I’ve not visited yet – but I’m sure you didn’t bother to read that before venting your bitchy comment eh? 😀

Funny isn’t it that those of us who live in the west of the region think that the east gets all the promotion and everything is Dumfries-centric, but that really is an issue to take up elsewhere isn’t it?! Great blog – thanks for highlighting the area – I have live in Wigtown for 15 years now and I love it here, so much to see and do and the region as a whole is so often overlooked in the mad rush north!

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

My wife and I loved dalbeattie (where we had a static) we actually packed up our suitcases and everything else and moved from Leyland Lancashire and are now living permanently in Ecclefechan which is another place to visit for your followers which is Carlyles birth place and famous for its “ECCLEFECHAN TARTS” I’ll leave that to your imagination.

Cinnamon and raisins are not for me. But I assume there’s more going on there than just the tarts!

it’s my dream tour and very soon it would be in reality. My husband planning for us to go Scotland together. the experiencing you mentioned that would be very helpful for us.

I’m quite impressed that Galloway is anyone’s dream tour haha! It is a lovely area though. Hope you have a good time!

We are planning to go to Dumfries & Galloway for the first time in September so it was great to stumble across your blog on the internet. Lovely photos and really helpful for putting together an itinerary – especially the tips about cafes, always my priority! Thank you

Oh brilliant, so glad it was helpful. Let me know how your trip goes and enjoy all the cafés – always a priority for me too! x

Just booked a weeks holiday in Port O’Warren after reading your blog. Hoping to visit all your recommendations. Great blog. x

Thank you Helen, that’s so exciting to hear. Hope you have a good time! x

Really helpful, thanks, but no mention of Stranraer as a base. What’s it like?

I wouldn’t recommend Stranraer – it’s not somewhere I’d want to stay. And it wouldn’t work well as a base for seeing many of the places listed here. Kirkcudbright is my usual choice to stay.

Oh beautiful blog! I came first on your circus lane post by searching for it and from there i am here now. Both the posts are very informative and helpful. I love Edinburgh! Please can you tell me the exact location of the first picture of this post on google map as you did for circus lane in that post? Kind regards, kasana.

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Must-see attractions in Dumfries & Galloway

Museum of Lead Mining

Dumfries & Galloway

‘Lead mining’: even the phrase has a sort of dulling effect on the brain, and you’d think it’d be a tough ask to make the subject interesting. But this…

Caerlaverock Castle

The ruins of Caerlaverock Castle, by Glencaple on a beautiful stretch of the Solway coast, are among the loveliest in Britain. Surrounded by a moat, lawns…

Whithorn Timescape

Ruined Whithorn Priory (Scotland's earliest recorded church) is part of this excellent complex, which introduces you to the history of the place with a…

Mull of Galloway

Scotland's southernmost point is a spectacular spot, with windswept green grass and views of Scotland, England, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. The…

Ruthwell Cross

Seven miles east of Caerlaverock Castle, in tiny Ruthwell, a church holds one of Europe’s most important early Christian monuments. The 6m-high 7th…

Burns House

This is a place of pilgrimage for Burns enthusiasts. It's here that the poet spent the last years of his life, and there are various possessions of his in…

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Three miles east of Stranraer, these magnificent gardens are among Scotland's most renowned. They cover 30 hectares and are set on an isthmus between two…

Stretching for 9 miles northwest of Castle Douglas between the A713 and A762, Loch Ken is a popular outdoor recreational area. The range of water sports…

Mabie Farm Park

If your kids are complaining about historic sights and Robert Burns, pack up the clan and get down to this spot, between Dumfries and New Abbey off the…

Broughton House

The 18th-century Broughton House displays paintings by EA Hornel, one of the Glasgow Boys (he lived and worked here). The library, with its wood panelling…

Logan Botanic Garden

The mild climate in this southwestern part of Scotland is demonstrated at Logan Botanic Garden, a mile north of Port Logan, where an array of subtropical…

Kagyu Samye Ling

Surrounded by wooded hills, Eskdalemuir is a remote settlement 13 miles northwest of Langholm. About 1.5 miles further north is this, the first Tibetan…

Threave Castle

Two miles west of Castle Douglas, this impressive tower sits on a small river island. Built in the late 14th century, it became a principal stronghold of…

Cream o' Galloway

Ideal for families, this offers a plethora of activities and events at the home of that delicious ice cream you’ll see around the region. There are 4…

Sweetheart Abbey

The shattered red-sandstone remnants of this 13th-century Cistercian abbey stand in stark contrast to the manicured lawns surrounding them. The abbey, the…

Famous Blacksmith's Shop

At the centre of the village of Gretna Green, the touristy Famous Blacksmith’s Shop complex has a number of mediocre shops and eateries, a maze, and a…

Tolbooth Art Centre

As well as catering for today's local artists and holding a cinema, this centre has an exhibition on the history of the town's artistic development. The…

Caerlaverock Wetland Centre

This protects 546 hectares of salt marsh and mudflats, the habitat for numerous birds, including barnacle geese. There are various activities, including…

Ellisland Farm

Six miles northwest of Dumfries, you can visit the farm that Robert Burns leased in 1788 by the River Nith. He had the house built for his family and…

Kirkcudbright Galleries

This new conversion of the town hall into a shiny new gallery opened just after we last passed by. There's a permanent exhibition on this town's artistic…

Robert Burns Centre

A worthwhile Burns exhibition in an old mill on the banks of the River Nith; it tells the story of the poet and Dumfries in the 1790s. The optional…

Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

You can climb the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway for views over four different political entities: Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and the Isle of…

MacLellan's Castle

Near the harbour, this is a large, atmospheric ruin built in 1577 by Thomas MacLellan, then provost of Kirkcudbright, as his town residence. Inside, look…

Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura

This museum covers local history and prehistory with a wide range of displays from fossils to farm implements. In the tower is a camera obscura, built in…

Devorgilla Bridge

The red sandstone bridges arching over the River Nith are the most attractive feature of the town. Devorgilla Bridge (1431) is one of the oldest bridges…

Robert Burns Mausoleum

Burns' mausoleum is in the graveyard at St Michael's Kirk. It's in the far corner (ie eastern corner) from the entrance. There’s a grisly account of his…

Cardoness Castle

One mile southwest of Gatehouse of Fleet just off the A75, this well-preserved stronghold was the home of the McCulloch clan. It’s a classic 15th-century…

Stranraer Museum

This museum houses exhibits on local history and you can learn about Stranraer's polar explorers. The highlight is the carved stone pipe from Madagascar…

New Abbey Corn Mill

This 18th-century watermill in the centre of the village is very well preserved. A video sets it in context, and cordial guides will show you the workings…

Sulwath Brewery

You can see traditional brewing processes at this main-street alemaker's. Tours, which include a pint, only run twice a week, at 1pm on Monday and Friday …

MacDiarmid Memorial

Amid stirring scenery a couple of miles from town on the Newcastleton road, this oxidised iron memorial to poet Hugh MacDiarmid looks like a portal to a…

Mill on the Fleet

In the centre of town, in a converted 18th-century cotton mill, this centre has an exhibition on the history of the local industry and environment. The…

Castle of St John

Worth a quick visit, the Castle of St John is a tower built in 1510 by the Adairs of Kihilt, a powerful local family. The old stone cells carry a…

St Ninian's Chapel

The roofless 13th-century St Ninian's Chapel, probably built for pilgrims who landed nearby on their way to the shrine at Whithorn, sits evocatively on…

St Ninian's Cave

Around Burrow Head, to the southwest but accessed off the A747 before you enter the Isle of Whithorn, is St Ninian's Cave, where the saint apparently went…

St Michael's Kirk

When visiting Robert Burns' mausoleum in the cemetery, it's worth ducking into the squarish 18th-century church, where he used to worship, to admire the…

Mull of Galloway Visitor Centre

This visitor centre has plenty of information on local species and camera feeds from nesting birds on the cliff-face. There are guided walks on Tuesdays…

Stewartry Museum

There's a certain charm to this higgledy-piggledy old-fashioned local history museum. There's everything from coronation teacups to lumps of local granite…

Lighthouse Exhibition

You can learn more about the Stevenson clan of lighthouse builders in the small exhibition at the lighthouse's base.

Torhouse Stone Circle

Four miles west of Wigtown, off the B733, this well-preserved ruin dates from the 2nd millennium BC.

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Welcome to Dumfries and Galloway - We've missed you!

Scotland starts in Dumfries and Galloway and our region is re-opening and welcoming you, we need our visitors and our communities to be safe, and when you visit us we are asking you to:

Respect - Protect - Enjoy

Love it like a local and please treat our area as you would wish your own community to be treated.

Discover Dumfries and Galloway

Everything you need to know about tourist attractions, camping and caravanning and other facilities in Dumfries and Galloway can be found at:

• www.scotlandstartshere.com

Free wifi and support to access these sites is available from our Customer Service Centres .

Caravan and camping sites

Alongside the many private and community operated caravan and camping sites across our region our Council operates two sites and details can be found here;

• https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15298/Caravan-and-camping-sites

Aires are motorhome/campervan stopover areas, for more info have a look at the following documents;

Visitor Attractions

We some great visitor attractions, leisure facilities, beautiful scenery, wonderful parks, excellent cycling routes and a number of museums and galleries which are ready to welcome you.

Plan ahead, check that attractions are open, and if you need to, please pre-book.

• https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/tourism
• https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15110/Leisure

Road Safety App

Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership (DGRSP) have officially launched the 'Travel Safe D&G' road safety mobile app for the region's road users.

To find the free app, search for 'Travel D and G' in your device's app store.

Protect yourself, others, and our environment

Follow Government COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms call the NHS on 111. Seek medical help and self-isolate.

Coronavirus testing is available for everyone in Dumfries and Galloway, visit www.nhsdg.co.uk

Please stick to the Country Code when out and about in our rural landscape.

• Download the Scottish Outdoor Access Code Leaflet on 'Enjoying Scotland's Outdoors'

 Locations and opening times of public toilets in the region - Public Conveniences (dumgal.gov.uk)

Recyling Points

 A list of public recyling points in the region - Recycling points in Dumfries and Galloway (dumgal.gov.uk)

Signage Video

We have produced a suite of posters, designed to promote our region and signpost visitors, for local businesses and community groups to download and print off. 

Poster Downloads >>

Useful links

• https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/dumfries-galloway/
• https://www.nature.scot/about-naturescot
• https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety.aspx
• https://www.facebook.com/DumfriesGallowayPoliceDivision/
• https://www.facebook.com/DGWGO/
• Download the Scottish Outdoor Access Code Leaflet on 'Responsible Dog Walking in Scotland'

Further information

For further information please contact [email protected]  

• Respect, Protect and Enjoy Poster Downloads
• Chapelcross (CX) Project - A vision for the future
• Borderlands Deal
• Stranraer Marina
• Dumfries Fountain Restoration Project
• Community Led Economic Regeneration Framework
• Advancing Innovative Manufacturing in the South of Scotland (AIMS) Project
• UK Government's Levelling Up Fund
• UK Shared Prosperity Fund
• Community Ownership Fund
• Active Annandale
• South of Scotland Responsible Tourism Strategy Consultation
• UKSPF Capital Grant fund and Revenue Support for Community Assets and Infrastructure Grant
• Business Infrastructure Programme
• Business Gateway
• UKSPF Communities and Place Capital Grant Fund and Community Led Visitor Attraction Capital Grant Fund 24/25
• Dumfries Long Term Town Plan

Dumfries and Galloway

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The southwest corner of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, has stately homes, deserted hills and ruined abbeys to compete with the best of the Borders. It also has the Solway coast, a long, indented coastline of sheltered sandy coves that’s been dubbed the “Scottish Riviera” – it’s certainly Scotland’s warmest, southernmost stretch of coastline.

Galloway Forest Park

Kirkcudbright.

• Caerlaverock Castle

Dumfries is the largest town in the region, and only really a must for those on the trail of Robert Burns. Further west is enticing Kirkcudbright, once a bustling port thronged with sailing ships, later an artists’ retreat, and now a tranquil, well-preserved little town. Contrasting with the essentially gentle landscape of the Solway coast is the brooding presence of the Galloway Hills to the north, their beautiful moors, mountains, lakes and rivers centred on the Galloway Forest Park, a hillwalking and mountain-biking paradise.

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Experience the magic of Christmas in the heart of the Scottish Highlands! Lovely Christmas Markets and winter festivals await visitors during the winter months, but this itinerary can also be turned into a summer festival hop!

Scotland's Wildest Natural Scenery

Want to lose yourself in Scotland's wildest natural scenery? This itinerary is a breath of fresh air and perfect to explore the most enchanting landscapes of the Highlands. It will allow you to get to know the wildest landscapes of Scotland, its fast-paced history and its amazing traditions.

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Calling all Outlander lovers…you are in luck! Who would like to follow in the footsteps of the nurse Claire Beauchamp on her trip to Scotland in 1743? We have designed the perfect itinerary to experience the most charming corners that feature in the series.

Magical 7-Day Family Adventure in Scotland and England : From Harry Potter to Loch Ness!

Searching for an unforgettable family adventure? Scotland is the perfect destination! With a perfect balance of nature, adventure, and Scottish culture. This 7-day trip offers a delightful mix of activities that everyone in the family will enjoy. Get ready to create life long lasting memories!

Highland Tour: Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and Edinburgh

Discover the beautiful region of Perthshire, the famous Loch Ness and Inverness – the capital of the Highlands. Get a chance to admire Europe’s oldest mountain, stroll along sandy beaches on the Scottish West Coast, and visit the mysterious Isle of Skye.

Galloway Forest Park is Britain’s largest forest park, with a spectacularly varied landscape of mountain peaks, lochs, coast and moorland, cut through by the Southern Uplands Way. It has visitor centres at Clatteringshaws Loch, Glentrool and Kirroughtree. Each has a tearoom, several waymarked walks and information on activities and events. The only tarmacked road to cross the park is the desolate twenty-mile stretch of the A712 between Newton Stewart and New Galloway, known as the Queen’s Way. There’s a Wild Goat Park on the Queen’s Way in the heart of the park and, a mile or so further up the road, a Red Deer Range.

Both Glentrool and Kirroughtree visitor centres have mountain bike trails, which form part of southern Scotland’s outstanding mountain-biking facilities, known as the 7 Stanes. Of the two, Kirroughtree, three miles east of the town of Newton Stewart, is by far the most varied and fun, with lots of exciting singletrack trails for all abilities and good bike-rental facilities.

About seven miles east of Newton Stewart, at the Grey Mare’s Tail Bridge, various hiking trails delve into the pine forests beside the tarmacked road, crossing gorges, waterfalls and burns. Clatteringshaws Loch, meanwhile, a reservoir surrounded by pine forest at the southeastern edge of the park, has a fourteen-mile footpath running right around it. Serious hikers should head for Glentrool, at the western edge of the park, about ten miles north of Newton Stewart, where a narrow lane twists the five miles over to Loch Trool. From here, you can follow the Gariland Burn to Loch Neldricken and Loch Enoch, with their silver granite sands, and then on to the Devil’s Bowling Green, strewn with hundreds of boulders left by the retreating glaciers. Alternatively, you can head for the Range of the Awful Hand, whose five peaks include the Merrick (2746ft).

KIRKCUDBRIGHT – pronounced “kir-coo-bree” – hugging the muddy banks of the River Dee ten miles southwest of Castle Douglas, is the only major town along the Solway coast to have retained a working harbour. In addition, it has a ruined castle and an attractive town centre, a charming medley of simple two-storey cottages and medieval pends, Georgian villas and Victorian townhouses, all brightly painted.

The picturesque Caerlaverock Castle is located just eleven kilometres south from Dumfries. Abandoned in the 17th century, is now a popular tourist attraction protected as a scheduled monument.

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updated 30.05.2021

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How to visit: Dumfries and Galloway

Posted on Published: 13 March 2023  - Last updated: 7 February 2024

Stretching from Scotland’s most southerly point to the Southern Uplands, Dumfries and Galloway has gorgeous beaches on the Solway Firth, its own famous Beltie coos, incredible moated castles, world-class mountain biking and a dark sky park – and maybe soon to be a National Park! 

Describing Dumfries and Galloway as one of ‘Scotland’s hidden gems’ might be a clumsy cliche, but the area has long been left off the list of places to visit in Scotland. Let’s change that! From the Mull of Galloway to the the Machar Peninsula, here’s how to visit Dumfries and Galloway.

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Top 10 things to do in Dumfries and Galloway

If you are short on time, here are my top recommendations of things to do in Dumfries and Galloway

• Drive the South West Coastal 300 –   The  South West Coastal 300  is one of Scotland’s best road trips ,  taking you along the stunning Solway Firth, down through the Machar Peninsula to the remote Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point, along the Ayrshire Coast, up through the Galloway Forest Park and to Wanlockhead, cSotland’s highest village!
• Cycle the The 7 stanes – the Lowlands of Scotland are home to 7 world-class mountain biking centres including   Kirroughtree  and   Glentrool  in Galloway and the   Forest of Ae ,   Mabie ,   Dalbeattie , near Dumfries. Grab your bike and head out onto the trails.
• Find Bruce’s Stone at Loch Trool – hidden in the Galloway Forest Park is one of my favourite spots – the hike around beautiful Loch Trool. Have a look for Bruce’s Stone, a memorial commemorating Robert the Bruce’s first victory in 1307 over an English army.
• Visit Caerlaverock Castle – Scotland’s only moated, triangular castle, Caerlaverock (Care-lav-er-rock) is nestled on the Solway Firth south of Dumfries in its own National Nature Reserve, WWT Caerlaverock .
• Explore Drumlanrig Castle –  on a 90,000 acre Estate sits one of Scotland’s grandest castles,  Drumlanrig Castle  has 120 rooms, old masters, and was used in the TV series Outlander as the Duke of Sandringham’s estate.
• Discover Threave Castl e – perched out on an island, Threave Castle is a tower house only accessible by boat and has a lovely setting on the river.
• Walk between Rockcliff and Kippford –  walk the Jubilee Path  between these two lovely coastal villages, or hike to Sandyford Beach, one of my favourite beaches on the Solway Firth.
• Explore the Wigtown book shops  – Scotland’s book town, Wigtown hosts Scotland’s National Book Festival and the town is full of second hand bookshops.
• Discover Logan Botanic Garden – explore this gorgeous botanic garden complete with palm trees, ferns, koi carp and even its own ruined castle. Logan Botanic Garden is part of RBG Edinburgh and was also the set of the famously creepy movie, the Wicker Man. Logan also has a lovely cafe for lunch. 
• Visit Scotland’s most southerly point – climb the 100 stairs to the top of the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse , and watch the sea birds and dolphins from the RSPB reserve’s cameras.

Where to stay in Dumfries and Galloway

• Gatehouse Luxury Lodges are dog and family friendly and are located near Gatehouse of Fleet
• Corsewall Lighthouse – indulge your inner coastal geek by staying a real live working lighthouse, complete with quirky decor and a warm welcome.
• Arden House Hotel – a lovely country house hotel near Kirkcudbright.
• The Roundhouse – unique glamping with sea views near Newton Stewart.
• The Powfoot Hotel is located on the coast near Annan
• Trigony House Hotel and Garden Spa is a country house near Closeburn
• Priory Walk is a five star holiday home in Whithorn.
• Drumlanrig Castle has three apartments – Stableyard Studio , Stableyard Apartment and Laundry Cottage

Map of things to do in Dumfries and Galloway

Download my  things to do in Dumfries and Galloway  map to your smartphone with all my recommended things to do in D&G.

Outdoor activities and the best walks in Dumfries and Galloway 

• Walk between Rockcliff and Kippford –  walk the Jubilee Path between these two lovely coastal villages.
• The 7 stanes – The Lowlands of Scotland offer up incredible days out on your bike – try the 7stanes, world-class mountain biking centres in Southern Scotland including   Kirroughtree  and   Glentrool  in Galloway and the   Forest of Ae ,   Mabie ,   Dalbeattie , near Dumfries.
• The Southern Upland Way – Love a long-distance walk? Britain’s first official coast to coast long distance footpath, the   Southern Upland Way  takes you 214 miles from Portpatrick on the west coast of Scotland to Cove on the east through the Galloway Forest.
• The Mull of Galloway – explore cliff tops of the most southerly tip of Scotland and its lighthouse with this 6.5 mile coastal walk.
• Isle of Whithorn – visit the pretty coastal village of Whithorn and walk to Burrowhead on this 5.5 mile stroll along the coast.
• Loch Trool Loop – one of my favourite spots for a stroll in the whole of Scotland, lovely Loch Trool has a 5.5 mile circular walk with views of the hills including The Merrick .
• Walk the Whithorn Way  – the 149-mile   Whithorn Way  takes you from Glasgow to the Isle of Whithorn. The last section takes you along the dramatic cliffs at Burrows Head.
• Hike to St Ninian’s Cave  – stroll down to the Solway Firth to find a beautiful pebble beach and the curious   St Ninian’s Cave  once used by monks as a retreat.
• Grey Mares Tail – Descending 200ft into the Moffat Valley, Grey Mare’s Tail is one of Scotland’s most spectacular waterfalls. For a real sense of its scale, take a walk up the hillside to find the hidden Loch Skeen at the top, the Dumfriesshire scenery is something rather special.

The Galloway Forest Park

Scotland’s largest forest park, the Galloway Forest covers 300 sq miles of Southern Scotland. Get a taste for the park by hiking around beautiful   Loch Trool to find Bruce’s Stone , a memorial commemorating Robert the Bruce’s first victory in 1307 over an English army. From Bruce’s Stone, you can climb The Merrick, the highest hill in southern Scotland. Not feeling quite so energetic? Take a stroll up the gorgeous   Ness Glen near Loch Doon .

Things to do in Dumfries 

D&G’s county town, Dumfries is a great base from which to explore the area. Here are my favourite things to do near Dumfries:

• Discover Robert Burns  – Scotland’s poet was born in Alloway near Ayr but lived in Dumfries – you can visit the Robert Burn’s House dedicated to his life, and Ellisland Farm which was built by Robert Burns in 1788 for his family. 
• Visit the Garden of Cosmic Speculation – a private 30 acre sculpture park designed by the late Charles Jencks. The Garden of Cosmic Speculation is only open one day of the year – usually the 1st May as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme. 
• Mabie Farm Park – a fantastic destination for families, Mabie farm Park has farm animals to feed and lots of adventure play areas – indoors and out. 
• Caerlaverock Castle – Scotland’s only moated, triangular castle, Caerlaverock (Care-lav-er-rock) is nestled on the Solway Firth south of Dumfries in its own National Nature Reserve, WWT Caerlaverock .
• New Abbey – a pretty village around a millpond, home to the famous Sweetheart Abbey and a pretty Cornmill both run by Historic Scotland. Sweetheart Abbey was built by Lady Dervorgilla, the widow of John de Balliol – who carried his embalmed heart around with her until she died. 
• Mabie Forest – active types will know Mabie better as one of South Scotland’s world-class mountain biking centres – the 7 Stanes . 
• Drumlanrig Castle –  on a 90,000 acre Estate sits one of Scotland’s grandest castles,  Drumlanrig Castle  has 120 rooms, old masters, and was used in the TV series Outlander as the Duke of Sandringham’s estate.

Castle Douglas and Dalbeatie

Heading west are the D&G town’s of Castle Douglas and Dalbeatie, here is how to explore:

• Visit RSPB Mersehead – view the thousands of barnacle and pink-footed geese arriving for the winter from Svalbard. Hike the coastal trail to hike the sandy shores of the Solway Firth on a 2.5-mile (4 km) circular walk, with views across to the Lake District before visiting Mersehead’s welcoming visitor centre to warm up with a coffee. RSPB Mersehead is £3/entry for adults or free for members of the RSPB.
• Visit Southerness Lighthouse – this unusual square lighthouse protects ships entering the River Nith and is the second oldest lighthouse in Scotland. 
• Head to Sandyhills Beach – one of the best beaches on the Solway Firth, Sandyhills Beach is a broad sweep of gorgeous sand. 
• Discover Threave Castl e – perched out on an island, Threave Castle is a tower house only accessible by boat.
• Dine at Mr Pooks  – don’t miss a visit to genteel Castle Douglas – South West Scotland’s foodie town. My pick?   Mr Pook’s Kitchen  where they serve up imaginative relaxed dining – and brilliant burgers. 

Kirkcubright and Gatehouse of Fleet

Arty and cute, the village of Kirkcudbright is home to Broughton House, the home of one of the famous Glasgow Boys and a hidden Japanese garden. With a thriving artist community along with beautiful cottages and a waterside location, Kirkcudbright (pronounced Kirkcoobree) is a great place to spend an afternoon wandering around. 

Artists have long been attracted to D&G due to the incredible light and a must-do in Kirkcudbright is a visit to the National Trust for Scotland’s Broughton House home of one of the Glasgow Boys and a stunning Japanese inspired garden – a lovely oasis in the middle of this bustling wee town. Make sure you tour the house – the gallery is quite something! Broughton House is free entry for members of the National Trust for Scotland or £8 for adults.

Nearby, Gatehouse of Fleet is an 18th village named after its tollbooth on the road between Dumfries to Stranraer. Once called the Glasgow of the South, Gatehouse of Fleet was a thriving industrial town with cotton mills and its own brewery. Today the town’s iconic clock tower is the star of many a photograph!

The Machar Peninsula – Wigtown, Whithorn & St Ninian 

The Machar Peninsula stretches from Newton Stewart to the Isle of Whithorn and has a long history – complete with standing stones and rings, and finding fame as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. Today the peninsula is also known for Wigtown – Scotland’s book town. 

• Explore the Wigtown book shops  – Scotland’s book town, Wigtown hosts Scotland’s National Book Festival. There are over a dozen book shops to explore – we love   Beltie Books and cafe  (named after the famous Galloway cows) and ReadingLasses for its books “by and about women” room. 
• Visit Whithorn Priory  – visit   Whithorn Priory , home of the Latinus stone – which dates from around 450AD -the first inscribed Christian monument. 
• Dine at the Steam Packet Inn  – a real local’s pub,  the Steam Packet Inn  in the Isle of Whithorn serves real ales and fresh seafood – try the locally caught dressed crab – a complete treat! 

The Rhinns of Galloway and Scotland’s most southerly point

A 25-mile peninsula, the rugged Rhinns of Galloway stretches from Corsewall Lighthouse in the north to the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point. Sparsely populated – the peninsula’s main towns are Stranraer on Loch Ryan, home to the ferries to Belfast and Larne, and the pretty harbour town of Portpatrick, in between the landscape is filled with hundreds of coos.

Thanks to the North Atlantic drift, the Rhinns of Galloway has its own special microclimate – the gulf stream gives the Rhinns the mildest climate in Scotland – even warming up the peninsula in winter allowing for tropical plants to grow with ease. Here is how to visit:

• Head to Portpatrick – the pretty town of Portpatrick with its small harbour is a great place for a stroll and a pint of real ale overlooking turquoise waters.

Getting to Dumfries and Galloway

D&G is made up of the country of Dumfriesshire, with Dumfries the county town, and Kirkcudbright and Wigtownshire, which makeup Galloway. Other towns include Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas, Gretna, Stranraer, Moffat and Lockerbie.

• Driving?  Dumfries and Galloway is best accessed from the A75 which takes travellers to the ferry to Northern Ireland or travel south from Glasgow through Girvan or Ayr. Have more time? Drive the A702 which winds its way through the Galloway Forest Ppark
• By ferry  – you can reachD&G by ferry from Belfast and Larne. The ferry from Belfast takes around 2 hours.
• By train  – the are train stations in Dumfries, Lockerbie and Stranraer. Book your train tickets with  trainline.com *.
• By Bus  –  local buses  run right across the region from the main hubs

Love, from Scotland x

Kate Hopper

Love from Scotland is your guide to how to travel Scotland like a local. My name is Kate and on my site you will find everything you need to plan your perfect trip to Scotland – from destination guides to the best places to stay.

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Discover South Scotland: a four day Dumfries & Galloway itinerary

Many visitors to Scotland arrive in Edinburgh or Glasgow and spend a few days in the Central Belt before travelling north to tourist destinations in the Highlands and Islands. Yet, if they took time to discover South Scotland they’d also find hills, lochs, glens, pretty towns and villages, unspoiled beaches, ancient ruins, delicious local food and drink, great places to stay and amazing dark skies. We recently spent four days in Dumfries & Galloway following an itinerary arranged by Scotland Starts Here . This blog features the highlights. So, if you’re one of those visitors described above, read on to find out what you’ve been missing.

Discover South Scotland: Day 1, Gatehouse of Fleet & Solway Coast

Mossyard beach.

The first stop on our Scotland Starts Here – discover South Scotland itinerary was Mossyard Beach on the Solway Coast.

Mossyard is a lovely beach with lots of rock pools to explore. As soon as we set foot on the sand the boy set off like a hare to run round in circles. 

Once he’d burned off some energy, he cooled his paws with a paddle then joined me by the rock pools where I was trying (and failing) to prise a limpet from a rock. Limpets are the super glue of the natural world. 

Gatehouse of Fleet

After leaving the beach we visited the nearby town of Gatehouse of Fleet for a wander. Gatehouse of fleet is a lovely town with white painted houses, independent shops and an old watermill. It’s also a UNESCO Biosphere Community, which means the locals are committed to conserving the town’s natural resources and promoting its cultural heritage.

Our accommodation: Laggan Seaview Snugs

Our home for the night was on a working farm with holiday accommodation located a stone’s throw away from Gatehouse of Fleet. Laggan  has a wedding venue (GG’s Yard), restaurant (Gather) and self-catering accommodation consisting of cottages and snugs. There are two types of snug – woodland and hillside. Both have sea views and all are individually styled. 

Ours was a hillside snug called Hillside Hideout. The Scandi-style interior was modern and comfortable. There was a vestibule and an en suite living/sleeping area with a bed, fridge, armchairs for gazing out to sea and an outside terrace with patio furniture. 

It was the perfect relaxation pad. 

Dinner: Masonic Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet

After resting for a while, we returned to Gatehouse of Fleet for dinner at the Masonic Arms . 

The 18th century inn looked cosy and inviting from the outside.

And it was. Our table was next to a roaring fire, much to the delight of the boy. After ordering soft drinks, we turned our attention to the menu. 

I started with a tofu, olive and quinoa salad and Mr G had soup. Both were tasty. 

For my main course, I had beef madras. The beef was tender and the sauce hot, but not burny. Mr G had fish and chips. Both dishes were lovely. 

We finished with Ecclefechan butter tart (for me) and blueberry and banana cake (for Mr G). Mr G won the battle of the puddings – his was really light. Mine was filling and left me feeling like I was going to burst. 

Snug in our snug at Laggan

Back at Hillside Hideout we slipped our PJs on, poured a wine and beer, settled in the armchairs and asked the smart speaker to play us some tunes. And there we sat chatting, watching lights twinkling on the Solway coastline and listening to music. 

Discover South Scotland: Day 2, Gatehouse of Fleet – Wigtown

Breakfast: gather at laggan.

We woke the next morning to sunshine. It was time to leave our snug, but we’d be lingering at Laggan a little longer to eat breakfast at Gather.

With its achingly cool interior, Gather is an Instagrammer’s dream.

However, the outside terrace (where dogs are allowed) was my kind of hangout. The seats are heated and the view gorgeous. By the time our breakfast order of hot filled rolls, coffee and orange juice arrived, I was wearing a tee-shirt and sunglasses. Breakfast was excellent, and being able to eat it outside in early March without freezing was an unexpected bonus. 

Cairn Holy Neolithic burial site

We reluctantly left the toasty seats and view behind to visit our first itinerary stop of the day. 

Cairn Holy chambered cairns  are a pair of Neolithic burial cairns located on a hill overlooking Wigtown Bay. There’s something really magical about the ancient monuments, which local legend says mark the grave of a mythical warrior king known as Galdus.

The cairns may well have held the remains of a brave warrior in real life, but we’ll never know – and that’s half the charm.

Gem Rock Museum, Creetown

I wasn’t sure what I’d make of our next itinerary stop, but it was an absolute gem (quite literally). Creetown Gem Rock Museum houses a vast collection of crystals, rocks, fossils and meteorites from around the world.

I was drawn to the pretty coloured stones like a magpie to shiny things. They were all the colours of the rainbow and natural too. We live on such an amazing planet. 

The thing I loved most though was the crystal cave – a walk through replica cave filled with huge crystals. Some even glowed in the dark.

The museum isn’t dog friendly, so Mr G and I took it in turns to visit – Mr G reluctantly. Like me, he ended up loving the museum, especially the crystal cave, which he described as having serious Superman vibes. 

We left Creetown with a pocket full of kryptonite (joking) and headed to Wigtown on the Machars Peninsula. 

Lunch: Cobwebs, Wigtown

Wigtown is Scotland’s National Book Town, and books would come, but first food.

Cobwebs is a family-run cafe that’s extremely dog friendly. The boy was presented with a plate of fresh chicken and biscuits during our visit. He devoured every last morsel in the blink of an eye. 

The human food at Cobwebs was equally well received. I had chicken strips in peppercorn sauce with chips and Mr G had a soup and sandwich combo. 

A tour of Scotland’s National Book Town

After lunch we met local resident Renita Boyle for a bookshop tour. Renita is Wigtown’s resident storyteller (what a job) and a published author too. From the minute we met, it felt like we’d known her for years. Renita introduced us to so many lovely, talented people who all shared a common passion – books. 

The boy loved  Foggie Toddle Books and took a real shine to owner Jayne. Foggie Toddle is Wigtown’s childrens’ bookshop. That didn’t stop me from buying a colourful book bag, featuring Wigtown bookshops and one of Renita’s childrens’ books.

The boy was also keen to visit  The Bookshop  which is Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop. It was a no go though as it’s guarded by Captain, the territorial bookshop cat. Captain features on the cover of owner Shaun’s best-selling books about his life as a bookseller.  

Luckily, there were no hostile cats in The Old Bank Bookshop . We spent ages there chatting to owner Joyce. I bought a couple of books too. Well a girl’s gotta fill a book bag when she buys one.  

After leaving The Old Bank Bookshop we popped into  ReadingLasses  for coffee and cake. The popular coffee shop also sells books by female writers. If you visit Wigtown, ReadingLasses is a MUST. Their cakes are amazing. 

Our accommodation: Hillcrest House, Wigtown

We said goodbye to Renita outside ReadingLasses and headed to our accommodation to check-in. Hillcrest House  is a large Victorian villa surrounded by a mature garden. Owners Andy and Nic made us feel welcome from the second we set foot over the threshold.

The B&B has six guest rooms, which are named after literary figures. We stayed in Barrie, a spacious sea view room with a cheery yellow colour scheme.

Before getting ready for dinner, I lay on the bed watching the warm orange hues of golden hour creeping across the landscape. 

Dinner: The Pheasant, Sorbie

After a busy day we were looking forward to sitting down to dinner at The Pheasant  in the neighbouring village of Sorbie. The award-winning restaurant serves authentic Italian food and it’s dog friendly too. We’ve spent many happy holidays in Italy and love Italian food.  

We received a warm welcome on arrival and were shown to our table and given menus. The restaurant had a nice mellow vibe. There were several starters, mains and desserts on the menu. It was quality over quantity, which made choosing easy.

We both started with tagliollni al salami (handmade pasta, with pan cooked Napoli salami, black olives and passata). It was delicious. 

For my main course I had pollo alla senape e salvia (pan cooked chicken breast in a mustard and sage sauce, served with diced roasted potatoes and salad). It was equally delicious. Mr G had tagliatelle al salmone (homemade pasta with smoked salmon, courgette and cherry tomatoes, pan cooked with a touch of cream). His empty plate stood testament to how much he enjoyed the dish. 

Having eaten our body weight in cake earlier, we skipped pudding.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Pheasant. It was great finding authentic Italian cooking in a wee Scottish village.

Discover South Scotland: Day 3 Wigtown – Isle of Whithorn

Our third day in D&G dawned with more sunshine. We’d slept like logs and now we were ready for breakfast. 

Breakfast was served in a nice sunny room overlooking the garden.

We both had porridge with a dollop of local honey to start, followed by a pot of coffee, fresh orange juice, a bacon butty (for me) and smoked salmon and scrambled eggs (for Mr G).

Now we were ready to spend another day exploring the Machars Peninsula. 

Sorbie Tower, the ancestral seat of clan Hannay

Our first stop was  Sorbie Tower  just outside the village of the same name. The 16th century fortified tower is the ancestral seat of Clan Hannay. You can’t visit the inside of the tower as restoration work is being carried out. The outside is fairly well-preserved, so it’s worth visiting for that alone. Next to Sorbie Tower is an odd grassy mound. It’s all that remains of the first castle to stand, which was a 12th century motte. The man-made earthen mound, would originally have had a wooded fort on top of it.

A coastal Hike: Galloway House to Cruggleton Castle 

Now it was time for our first hike of the trip. Our walk started at Galloway House, a large Georgian mansion surrounded by mature woodland and gardens.

We joined the waymarked trail from a car park which gives access to Galloway House’s grounds and the shore. The trail led us into woodland, past a walled garden and after a short while we reached a tree fringed bay. During WWII portable harbours were tested in the bay. They would later play an important role in the Normandy landings. You can still see the remains of one in the bay.

We skirted the bay, then followed the trail uphill through a twisted and gnarled wood that was teeming with crows.

We emerged from the wood on a clifftop path with a fabulous view. The last leg of the trail led us over farmland to our final destination – Cruggleton Castle. The 13th century castle stands on a site that was occupied from the Iron Age to the 17th century. 

All that remains of Cruggleton Castle are a defensive ditch, some grass-covered stonework and a solitary arch from a vaulted cellar. The ruins sit precariously on the edge of a cliff with an unprotected drop. The views of the surrounding countryside are dramatic if not a little and hair raising. 

We completed our hike by retracing our steps back to the car park. 

Lunch: The harbour Inn, Garlieston

After our morning ramble we were ready for lunch. We had a table booked at  The Harbour Inn  in Garlieston – a pretty village located round a sheltered bay.

The Harbour Inn was hooching inside, which is always a good sign. We were seated at a table with a sea view and given menus. The boy was offered biscuits, which he gratefully accepted.

Mr G and I ordered tattie and leek soup with bread to start. It was lovely and followed by an equally love cheese and haggis panini and chilli chips, which we shared.

After lunch it was time to head further south. 

St Ninian’s Chapel, Isle of Whithorn

Isle of Whithorn was our final itinerary stop on the Machars Peninsula. Despite the name, it’s not an island. It’s a Mainland village, but the location at the tip of the Machars Peninsula gives Isle of Whithorn a real island feel. 

The village is home to a tiny medieval chapel which stands by the edge of the sea. St Ninian’s Chapel was a stop on an ancient pilgrimage route which took in a number of religious sites in the region. It dates to the 1100s but the surviving remains are from the 13th century.

On a sunny day when the sky and sea are blue and the wind is calm, it’s an incredibly tranquil spot. On a stormy day, it’s wild and exposed and a whole different experience.

Our Accommodation: The Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn

A stone’s throw from the chapel is The Steam Packet Inn  – a favourite lunch spot of ours. We’d be spending the night there and having dinner too. The inn has been refurbished since our last visit, so we hardly recognised the place. It looked amazing. 

Besides a public bar and restaurant, inn has seven guest rooms, six of which boast a harbour view. We were delighted to find our room was one of them. It was fresh and modern with a large window overlooking the harbour and an outside seating area.

There were armchairs too – perfect for people watching with an afternoon refreshment. And that’s exactly what we did. With wine and beer in hand, we watched people come and go below until the sun set and darkness fell. 

Dinner: The Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn

It wasn’t just the decor that had gone upmarket, the menu had too. After ordering our starters and main courses we were brought canapes, followed by freshly baked rolls and butter. Both were delicious. 

My starter was a home baked  muffin, with smashed avocado, peppers, mushrooms and barigoulle sauce. I loved it. Mr G had seared local king scallops with celeriac puree, Stornoway black pudding, roast chorizo and parsnip crisp. He said it was superb.

For our main course we had butter poached halibut, wild cep risotto and smoked butter veloute. Only I had mine minus the halibut. The fish and non-fish versions of the dish were both full of flavour and incredibly tasty.

We finished with clootie dumpling served with custard and ice cream. The traditional Scottish pudding is always a big hit.

Full and content after a brilliant day, we toddled upstairs to bed and quickly fell asleep. 

Discover South Scotland: Day 4, Isle of Whithorn – Kirkcudbright

After a breakfast of porridge, sausage butties, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs we left Isle of Whithorn and headed north to the Artists’ Town aka Kirkcudbright.

A Kirkcudbright Art Tour

Kirkcudbright is a beautiful harbour town that became a Mecca for artists after the First World War.

To find out more about the town’s artistic links past and present, we met up with Fiona from Kirkcudbright Art Tours .

Five minutes into our tour we met local artist Stewart Morrison. He was working on a painting of a cottage bathed in dappled sunlight. It was fascinating hearing Stewart describe what his artist’s eye was translating onto canvas. 

Broughton House and Garden

After leaving Stewart, our attention turned to a well-known artist from the past – EA Hornel. Hornel was part of a group of artists known as the Glasgow Boys. He lived and worked in Kirkcudbright for many years. His elegant Georgian townhouse Broughton House  is now managed by the National Trust for Scotland.

Sarah from NTS very kindly gave Fiona and I a private tour of the house, while Mr G sat in the garden with the boy. What Sarah didn’t know about Hornel, wasn’t worth knowing. She was a mine of information. 

On display inside Broughton House are a fine collection of Hornel’s exquisitely coloured paintings.

There was also a fantastic collection of works by Robert Burns on display too, which was an added bonus.

Our house tour ended in the garden which was a lush, green paradise. Living in such a beautiful place, it must have been easy to find inspiration to paint. 

Back on the art trail

After leaving Broughton House our art tour continued. Fiona covered many more well-kent names including Peploe, Oppenheimer and Jessie M King. She pointed out the quaint houses they’d lived and worked in and the scenic spots they once painted. 

Our final stop was The Birch Tree Gallery, where artist Joshua Miles was busy working on linocut prints. He took time out to explain how his intricate prints were created. His work was stunning and incredibly detailed. 

Lunch: The Garrett, Kirkcudbright

After our enjoyable and informative art tour we visited  The Garret Hotel  with Fiona. The hotel was closed, but preparing to open under new management and we were given a sneak peek inside. The Garret has a bar, restaurant and large back garden, which looked like a great place to spend an hour or three on a sunny afternoon.

Although not open to the public yet, the chef had kindly made us lentil soup and cheese scones. OMG – they were deeeeeeeelicious. 

We could happily have spent several more days in sunny D&G, but it was time to head home. 

Our Scotland Starts Here – discover South Scotland itinerary had been fabulous from start to finish. We enjoyed every second of the trip. I hope you’ve also enjoyed this virtual tour. Maybe it’ll inspire you to discover South Scotland for yourself.

Our accommodation, food and experiences were provided by Scotland Starts Here, however all opinions are my own. 

Until next time …

Please share:

17 thoughts on “Discover South Scotland: a four day Dumfries & Galloway itinerary”

I so enjoy your virtual tours. Having the Wee White Dug along is a plus. As I write this, my Westie has her chin on my foot.

They’re great little travelling companions. ❤️

Totally marvelous – the photos and narrative. Your blog is a winner. Thank you. God bless.

Absolutely fantastic! It`s always such a great plesasure to follow you and Casper to all your fantastic journeys in Bonnie Scotland, to read your brilliant reports about your trips and to see all this beautiful pictures! And Casper often makes me smile and laugh so much! You bring Scotland deep in our hearts and I can`t wait to be back again later at year! Your reports are full of great informations to visit so many beautiful places in Scotland, where to stay and the good food and so much more and for me very important too to follow the great Scottish history and heritage. Scotland is my Love and I miss it every day. Thank you very much to you Samantha, Mr. G and of course Casper!! ( He is so cute)

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’m delighted you enjoy the blog and the virtual tours it takes you on. I bet you can’t wait for your next visit. 🙂

OMG00dness! You 3 pack more into 4 days than I would ever think possible. I want to visit every place you go, eat everything you eat, stay every place you stay and meet all the interesting folk you meet along the way. Your pictures capture the words that you write and I feel like I am right there. Thank you, thank you for this vicarious trip to South Scotland.

The people always make the trip. We meet so many lovely locals on our travels.

You have given your followers another amazing view of Scotland and I must admit, this was very new information for me! I loved every location you visited and the variety of food you were treated to. I am an avid book lover and would love to visit the bookshops. Independent book stores are my favorites. Here in the U.S., the big chains have caused many independents to close. I am looking forward to your next adventure with Mr. G and the boy!

The book shops are amazing and all different too which is great. It’s a beautiful part of the country.

I absolutely loved my time in Dumfries and Galloway when I visited in 2017. I wish I had been able to stay longer. Have you visited the martyr’s pole in Wigtown? Quite a disturbing tale, but fascinating. I adored Wigtown and had to control myself from buying a ridiculous number of books!

It’s wonderful isn’t it. It’s a favourite of ours. We’ve visited the Martyrs Stake a few times and the graves in the churchyard. I’ve written about them in an earlier blog, so decided to focus on books this time. 😃 📚

Beautiful photos

It’s on the list for next explorations! Thank you Sam for taking us off the beaten path and bringing Scotland to life for locals and tourists alike 😎

So glad you enjoyed it. There’s so much to see and do in this region. We love it.

Aloha Sam, this is a great posting. It has some of your best photography. Thank you. Dennis

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😃

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Things to do in Dumfries and Galloway

Camping, caravan and motorhome sites, museums and galleries, cycling, fishing and National Scenic Areas.

Camping, caravan and motorhome sites

Museums and galleries.

Museums and galleries in Dumfries and Galloway, including our recognised collections of national significance.

National Scenic Areas

Our 3 National Scenic Areas (NSAs) of outstanding scenic value, how they are managed and where to find them.

Leisure centres and sports facilities

South of scotland – scotland starts here.

VisitScotland

Scotland's road trips, south west coastal 300.

The South West Coastal 300 offers a true breath of fresh air, taking in miles of beautiful coastline along quiet country roads, with hidden gems and stunning scenery along every curve of the tarmac. Sheltered sandy bays, rocky stretches and charming coastal towns can all be found on this road trip. The circular route follows roads along the coast of Dumfries & Galloway and into southern Ayrshire, an area which takes in part of a UNESCO Biosphere - Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere - and one of Scotland’s forest parks – the Galloway Forest Park . It’s the perfect way to discover the unique character of the south west of Scotland, with many places to stop and uncover fascinating heritage, stunning natural beauty and unique experiences.

Sweetheart Abbey

Explore incredible, ancient history dating back to the late 13th century.

Kirkcudbright Galleries

Enjoy special artworks and displays in Kirkcudbright’s historic town hall.

The Whithorn Story

Learn all about the priory and the pilgrims who travelled here to honour St Ninian.

Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

Climb the 115 steps of Scotland’s most southerly lighthouse for incredible views out to sea.

Logan Botanic Garden

Uncover the marvellous collection of unusual, beautiful and exotic plants that the family will love.

Culzean Castle

One of the most majestic and beautiful castles in Scotland surrounded by beaches, woods and trails.

Crawick Multiverse

Explore this striking new land art that transformed a former coal mine into an incredible outdoor attraction.

Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve

One of the UK’s highest waterfalls, come along to see how this landmark got its unusual name.

Moat Brae – Birthplace of Peter Pan

Visit this restored Georgian house and garden and discover how it inspired one of the most treasured children’s stories.

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Dumfries and Galloway This page: updated 19th November 2023

Route Map Dumfries and Galloway

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Route and Road Maps for Dumfries and Galloway

Please find below a map showing main roads within dumfries and galloway in south west scotland ....

Road distance (miles) from Dumfries:

Annan - 16 Castle Douglas - 18 Dalbeattie - 14 Gatehouse - 32 Gretna - 25 Kirkcudbright - 28 Langholm - 32 Lockerbie - 14 Moffat - 21 New Galloway - 25 Newton Stewart - 50 Portpatrick - 76 Sanquhar - 26 Stranraer - 74 Thornhill - 14 Whithorn - 66

Main Roads of Dumfries & Galloway

Back Roads of Dumfries & Galloway