Dumfries & Galloway

Head to the south of Scotland and get to know a region that dazzles by day and night. Follow scenic trails covered in rustling leaves through Galloway Forest Park and see tree-covered hills reflected in the mirror-like surface of a tranquil loch. Venture out to the southernmost point of Scotland on a wild peninsula, catch a glimpse of porpoises playing in the sea below or experience one of the lively festivals hosted in towns throughout the region. After dark, wrap up warm and be mesmerised by the stars and constellations twinkling in the night sky in one of the best stargazing locations in all of Europe.

It’s an incredible part of the country, with so much to offer. It has some of the most incredible coastlines. It has a great history, including standing stones and old castles. 

Sam Heughan, Outlander star and owner of Galloway Distillery

Dumfries & Galloway is a region that offers stories that will inspire you and adventures late into the night. Here are our recommendations for top things to do in the region.

History & heritage

Dumfries & Galloway is a region full of unforgettable stories. Let inspiration strike on the Burns Town Trail in Dumfries and visit Robert Burns House in the town where he spent the last years of his life. Take the kids across the drawbridge over the moat of Caerlaverock Castle and listen for the sounds of historic battles echoing between the thick fortress walls or travel even further back in time at the ancient Torhouse Stone Circle. Near Castle Douglas, take a trip to the forbidding Threave Castle, spectacularly located on an island in the River Dee.

Discover history and heritage in the south of Scotland

Nature & night skies

A warm jacket, a flask of tea or hot chocolate, a pair of binoculars and clear skies make up the recipe for a nighttime adventure unlike any other. Galloway Forest Park is a designated gold tier Dark Sky Park. Let the exceptionally dark night skies take you on a journey through the stories painted across the sky by planets and constellations. By day, the 16 forests that make up Britain’s largest forest park can be explored on foot, by bike or on a scenic drive. Take deep breaths of fresh forest air and spot the wild goats who call this area home.

Visit Galloway Forest Park

Cycling & mountain biking

The varied landscapes of Dumfries & Galloway offer fantastic opportunities for a cycling holiday. For an adventurous day on two wheels, take your mountain bike to one of the five 7stanes mountain bike centres in the region. Feel your breath quickening and your pulse racing as you tackle steep climbs with sweeping views across hills, lochs and forest before an exhilarating descent over gnarly tree roots and large rocks. A more leisurely option awaits along the Solway Coast, where you can enjoy the refreshing sea breeze on quiet trails that are a great choice for families and groups.

Plan your cycling holiday

Listen to the gently flowing river as you follow the Dee Walk through a picturesque town that has been inspiring artists for centuries or enjoy the taste of a good Scottish whisky at a pub that was a favourite of Robert Burns.

Dumfries

Dumfries, the largest town in the region, is where the spirit of Robert Burns comes alive today. Hear the wooden floorboards creak underfoot during a visit to Robert Burns House, where the poet spent the final years of his life, and try a dram of local whisky alongside award-winning food at The Globe Inn. Treat yourself to a day of total relaxation at The Cairndale Spa or walk through the remaining pillars of Sweetheart Abbey and see the sunlight stream through the delicately carved windows.

More about Dumfries

Kirkcudbright

Retreat to this wee Scottish town with its arty vibes and colourful houses for a break away from the everyday. Smell the delicate scent of the blooming roses as you walk past charming white cottages or book a gin tasting tour and savour the hint of citrus at Dark Art Distillery. Take the kids to Cocoabean Company for interactive chocolate workshops and create unique sweet souvenirs or spend a day building sandcastles at one of the secluded beaches nearby.

Find out about Kirkcudbright

Stranraer

Head south to the Mull of Galloway, where you can have a clifftop picnic with panoramic views out to sea while seabirds elegantly soar overhead, and pop into Logan Botanic Gardens to feel the calming effects of time spent in nature among towering palm trees and exotic ferns. Get a real taste of the region at the annual oyster festival held in this small Galloway town and enjoy succulent seafood fresh from the largest remaining native wild oyster bed in the UK.

Visit Stranraer

Gretna

The town of Gretna lies right on the border between Scotland and England. It is thought to have been one of the first Scottish villages, conveniently located along the historic coach route connecting London and Edinburgh. The neighbouring village Gretna Green has its own claim to fame as a famous destination visited by couples looking to get married – some without their parents’ consent – since the middle of the 18th century. Feel the special atmosphere at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop and enjoy a day of romance at a place shaped by thousands of love stories.

Visit Gretna