How to visit: Dumfries and Galloway

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

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Discover Threave Castle – perched out on an island, Threave Castle is a tower house only accessible by boat and has a lovely setting on the river.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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. 
10. 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 Castle – 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. 

1. 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. 
2. Visit Whithorn Priory – visit Whithorn Priory, home of the Latinus stone – which dates from around 450AD -the first inscribed Christian monument. 
3. 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:

• 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.
• 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