Dumfries & Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is a county of outstanding natural beauty, from the sandy shorelines of the Solway Firth to the lush woodland of Galloway Forest Park to the grassy hills of the Lowthers. The county is a sanctuary for all manner of wildlife and a playground for adventure and eco-tourists. In amongst this natural beauty are quaint towns and villages, each with their own unique charm. This gives Dumfries and Galloway an eclectic feel which may go some way to explaining the number of inventors, artists and writers to come out of the county.
Places to go in Dumfries and Galloway
The Dumfries and Galloway landscape provides a breathtaking setting for wildlife-spotting and a whole range of outdoor activities. The saltmarshes and mudflats of Wigtown Bay are a haven for geese, swans, kestrel and buzzards, while the woodlands of Galloway Forest Park provide shelter to red squirrels, red deer and otters. Foot and cycle paths are a great way for you to see the wildlife, but there are more extreme modes of transportation available. Adventure pursuits such as quad biking, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain boarding are also popular, and there are plenty of centres in the Forest Park where you can rent equipment. The towns and villages dotted around the county provide an ideal base from which to explore the landscape. It’s definitely worth taking a break from the outdoor activities to tour some of the more interesting of them. Dumfries, known as the ‘Queen of the South’ is a good place to start.
Our Top Picks in Dumfries and Galloway
We want you to enjoy the best that Dumfries and Galloway has to offer and so here's a selection of our favourite things to see and do;
Caerlaverock Castle
The iconic 13th Century Caerlaverock Castle is well worth a visit. The triangular castle is surrounded on all sides by a moat and features a twin-towered gatehouse and high battlements. Inside you can explore the ruins and learn more about the history of the castle through the exhibitions hosted within its walls. The castle is set within the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve area at the Solway Firth.
Cream o' Galloway
Forget the diet for one day and head on down to Cream o' Galloway for its ice-cream experience, a daily event where you can sample a selection of delicious ice creams produced locally by Cream o’ Galloway. There are around 30 flavours to choose from. During the tasting you will hear how the company produce their luxury ice-cream, how they decide what flavours to make and how they decide on the name.
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Take a trip down to the southernmost point of Scotland and marvel at the 26-metre lighthouse, which dates all the way back to 1830. The lighthouse, which is now automatic, includes a visitor centre that explains about the history of the lighthouse and the Mull of Galloway.
Read More [+]
This Week's Featured Properties
Jane Welsh Cottage
Dumfries
Sleeps 5, Enjoy the tranquil beauty here at TEMPLAND COTTAGES More details
Coach House
Dumfries
Sleeps 7, Renovated Coach House, comfortable accommodation- Sleep7 www.mochrumpark.co.uk More details
Lighthouse Cottage
Dumfries
Sleeps 8, LIGHTHOUSE COTTAGE SOUTHERNESS DUMFRIES SCOTLAND More details
Gilhooly Wattle
Dumfries
Sleeps 4, Holiday Cottage in Galloway More details