Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfrieshire, Scotland.

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Dumfries & Galloway

Some of southern Scotland's finest attractions lie in the gentle hills and lush valleys of Dumfries and Galloway. It's an ideal destination for families, as there's plenty on offer for the kids. Galloway Forest – with its sublime views, mountain-biking and walking trails, red deer, kites and other wildlife – is a highlight, as are the dream-like ruins of Caerlaverock Castle. Adding to the appeal of this enticing region is a string of southern Scotland's most idyllic towns, which are charming when the sun shines. And shine it does. This is the mildest region in Scotland and is warmed by the Gulf Stream, a phenomenon that has allowed the development of some famous gardens.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Museum of Lead Mining

    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

    Caerlaverock Castle

    Dumfries & Galloway

    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

    Whithorn Timescape

    Dumfries & Galloway

    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

    Mull of Galloway

    Dumfries & 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

    Ruthwell Cross

    Dumfries & Galloway

    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

    Burns House

    Dumfries & Galloway

    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…

  • Tolbooth Art Centre

    Tolbooth Art Centre

    Dumfries & Galloway

    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…

  • Kagyu Samye Ling

    Kagyu Samye Ling

    Dumfries & Galloway

    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…

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Articles

Latest stories from Dumfries & Galloway

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Dumfries and Galloway off-season: all the beauty of Scotland without the crowds

Jan 31, 2024 • 5 min read

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