The Dumfries & Galloway Travel Guide takes you to the North West region of Scotland, a place that is perhaps less well known by tourists but has much to offer visitors. The region has historical links with Scotland’s famous poet Robert Burns and the birthplace of Scottish Christianity in addition to having the mildest climate in Scotland, wonderful sunsets and a magnificent coastline that runs for a couple of hundred miles. The region is a treat for visitors sightseeing, walkers and cyclists providing them with some inspiring scenery in its landscape with attractive towns and villages.

The region has some of Scotland’s best landscapes and vistas, through history the region has witnessed conflicts and has associations with some famous Scots such as for Robert the Bruce who had Lochmaben Castle as a base and became a famous guerrilla fighter after joining William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace’s war against the English. Thankfully the border is a lot more peaceful currently and a trip to include Dumfries & Galloway is possible for visitors based in or passing through Northern England.

Gretna is famous as a wedding venue for the young faced with resistance to their wish to get married. The well known tradition for eloping to Gretna started in 1754 when an English law was passed stating that any person wanting to marry under the age of 21, required parental consent to do so. This did not apply in Scotland where people could marry at sixteen and Gretna became the favoured destination based on its proximity to the English border. The Old Blacksmith Shop has transformed in to an award-winning museum that goes into Gretna’s unique and interesting history.

The port of Dumfries is dominated by the tower of Midsteeple, a place where many Scots left their homelands in search of a better life in the New World. The town is also referred to as Queen of the South and a football team plays under that name. The town is on the banks of the Nith and has five bridges the oldest of which is the Devorgilla Bridge dating back to 1426. Dumfries is famous for its association with famed Scottish poet Robert Burns who lived here and fans can take the Burn’s walk, along the banks of the Nith, it is a relaxing walk.

Moffat is of great strategic importance as it lies at the crossroads of key routes to the Devil’s Beeftub and on to Edinburgh. Back in the 19th century it became a famous spa town that attracted aristocrats and an important wool centre. The scenic town has the shortest street in Scotland, Chapel Street and the narrowest, Syme Street. A short distance away is Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve that has an inspiring waterfall at its centre and the White Coombe mountain that is 821 metres high.

For more information on Dumfries & Galloway please see:

Visit Dumfries& Galloway

The Robert Burns Centre is located in Dumfries and tells the story of Robert Burns’ last years spent in Dumfries in the late eighteenth century. The centre is situated in Dumfries eighteenth century watermill on the west bank of the River Nith. The most famous poet of Scotland spent a lot of time in and around Dumfries, the centre has a scale model of Dumfries in the 1790s, as well as many original manuscripts and belongings of the poet. There is an audio-visual presentation in addition to the museum trails and fun activities. The shop contains a wide selection of Scottish books, gifts local craft work and foods. There is an exhibition programme of work by local artists and a restaurant too. For more information please see:

Robert Burns Centre

The Castle of St. John is also referred to as the Chapel or Stranraer Castle, it is situated in the heart of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway. The castle has been restored and opened to the public since 1990. Originally built in 1510 by Ninian Adair of Kilhurst, the castle passed on to the Kennedy’s in 1591, and passed on to public ownership in 1815 when it was purchased by the Burgh of Stranraer. The castle is four storeys tall and has much history over the past 500 years. For more information please see:

Castle of St John

Caerlaverock Castle is located a few miles south of Dumfries, it is among the finest castles in Scotland with its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, Caerlaverock Castle, is a splendid site. The castle is the scene of some famous sieges, there is a turbulent history given its proximity to the England border. Visitors can come and see the siege warfare exhibition and learn more about the colourful history of this castle there is also an onsite cafe, children’s adventure park, and nature trail. The shop has a wide range of local products made in Dumfries and Galloway. For more information please see:

Caerlaverock Castle

Broughton House and Gardens are managed by the National Trust for Scotland. It is an 18th century townhouse, which belonged to the Murray’s of Broughton and Cally. It was the home of the artist E.A. Hormel from 1901, the house contains fine collections of antique furniture, a manuscript collection and a library. Many see the garden as the main highlight of visiting, it was designed by Hormel and contains Scottish features to it as well as Japanese and has been restored to former glorious state. Broughton House boasts a collection of ceramics, furniture and literature, and makes for a fascinating trip. For more information please see:

Broughton House and Garden

Glenwhan Gardens are located a few miles from Stranraer and have been referred to as among the finest newly created gardens in recent times. A few decades ago they did not exist and how the area has been transformed in to an outstanding 12 acre garden centre that has some magnificent views across Luce Bay and to the Mull of Galloway. The Gulf Stream creates a warming effect here and facilitates exotic and tender plants from around the southern hemisphere to flourish here. The garden is a great sight all year round from spring when you can see the rhododendrons and in the summer when a wide range of plants and flowers are on show. For more information please see:

Glenwhan Gardens

Galloway Conservation Park is located in 27 acres of mixed woodland. (It aims to promote an understanding and awareness of animals and their environments. They do this through conservation, exhibition and interpretation, there are over 50 species of threatened and native animals are housed here. There is a collection of close to 200 animals from around the world which can be viewed here. There is an on going programme of construction and improvement to facilities for the animal and birds here. The breeding programme plays an important role in conserving endangered species. For more information please:

Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park

Visitors can see theatre productions at the Lochside Theatre, it is located in the former St Andrew’s church which was converted in 1996 by members of the local drama and musical groups. There is an auditorium that is professionally equipped and provides facilities suitable for performance, cinema, conference, lecture or large meetings. The theatre also has a meeting room with catering facility available for hire. A licensed bar is open on performance evenings, for visitors to enjoy a drink. Lochside Theatre has a varied programme of arts events and aims to have a programme to suits the needs of the community. For more information please see:

Lochside Theatre

Drummuir Farm Ice Cream serves a delicious range of home-made ice creams, hand-made with milk from their own herd of dairy cows. There are wide selections of flavours on offer, these vary through the course of the year, and all the flavours are made from natural ingredients. The ice-cream parlour is a hit among visitors and provides a range of drinks, snacks in addition to the famous range of ice-creams and sundaes. There is an indoor and outdoor play area, parking and baby changing and disabled facilities. For more information please see:

Drummuir Farm

The Limetree Restaurant is a family run restaurant that welcomes diners to enjoy the quality food on offer here. The restaurant has been well received and has been given critical acclaim, there is a loyal following and it is wise to book to avoid disappointment. The restaurant is known for it’s the bold, full-flavoured approach to cooking. The Limetree is housed in one of Moffat’s oldest buildings in the High Street and takes its name from the row of lime trees on the main square. A cottage-style building, that boasts a contemporary feel. For more information please see:

Limetree Restaurant

The Dumfries & Galloway Travel Guide has found some interesting attractions for visitors to explore when in the North West of Scotland. The region is characterised by its mild climate with stunning coastal scenery and mountains that are associated by its illustrious Highlands neighbours. The region has history in its links to Scotland’s most famous port Robert Burns and some charming towns and villages. The location ensures it is assessable from the North of England meaning it is possible to combine a trip to the region with a visit to the North of England also. A scenic and underrated part of Scotland the region is well worth a look.

Dumfries & Galloway Travel Guide

Useful Links:

Essential Travel Guide Home Page
Travel Guides
City Travel Guides
UK Regional Travel Guides
UK County Travel Guides
Articles
Hot Offers
Current Top Destination
Hotels Portal
Holidays Portal
Accomodation
Travel Tools
Travel Resources
Advertise on EssentialTravelGuide.com
Contact Us