Lady’s 27 Places to Visit in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Today I want to share my guide to the best places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway with you. This part of the South of Scotland flies under the radar for many visitors, but there’s enough to do here to merit a special trip. This advertising feature in partnership with Scotland Starts Here will show you the top attractions and things to do.

Places to Visit in Dumfries and Galloway

First things first: where is Dumfries and Galloway? It’s in the western Southern Uplands just across the border from England.

South of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire and west of the Scottish Borders, it juts way out into the Irish Sea. That means it has loads of coastline and stunning scenery.

Add to that lots of connections to 14th-century king Robert the Bruce and 18th-century Scottish national poet Robert Burns, and this part of Scotland is ripe for discovery.

I’m here in Dumfries and Galloway on a press trip, and my 3-day itinerary is packed with everything from historic landmarks to a literary festival and delicious food.

I’ve traveled by train from London, and I can’t wait to discover all there is to see and do here. I’ve spent a lot of time in the Borders in the past, but I’ve only been to Dumfries and Galloway to visit Kirkcudbright. I’m excited to explore more.

1. Gretna Green

When my train arrives at Carlisle station, I’m picked up and driven to the first stop on my itinerary: Gretna Green. This spot is one of the best places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway because it’s famous for weddings.

Gretna Green has been popular for elopements for centuries. Historic marriage laws in Scotland were more lax than those in England, and young couples used to cross the border to tie the knot.

They still do. Grenta Green has been referenced in everything from Jane Austen novels to Downton Abbey and The Crown.

Historically many couples eloped at a local blacksmith’s shop because it was the first building across the border. The famous shop has been a wedding venue since 1754 and still hosts ceremonies for lovers of all ages today.

I’m staying at the Gretna Hall Hotel, a historic marriage house near the shop that dates back to 1710. My room has been beautifully renovated and I enjoy a dinner of prawn cocktail, cullen skink, and sticky toffee pudding in the restaurant.

There are wedding parties all around, and love is certainly in the air.

The next morning I get a tour of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna Green. There’s an impressive amount going on around it, from souvenir shops to cafes and a hedgerow maze.

But the real treat is touring the shop and seeing the rooms where the Anvil Priests performed their ceremonies.

I also get to enjoy the Gretna Green Experience, a museum dedicated to the history of the Original Home of Romance. With interactive exhibits and a timeline telling the story of this unique place, it’s a fun way to learn about the world’s greatest love story.

2. Sweetheart Abbey

Back at the Gretna Hall Hotel, I’m picked up by Mark from Dumfries Tours. He’s my guide for the next three days, and he’s promised to show me as much of Dumfries and Galloway as our time will allow. I can’t wait.

Our first stop is in New Abbey to see Sweetheart Abbey, the last Cistercian abbey to be founded in Scotland. Dating back to 1273, it was established by Lady Devorguilla in memory of her beloved late husband, John Balliol.

3. Kippford

Next we make a quick stop in Kippford for a walk along the Urr Water river, which flows through southwest Scotland on its way to the Rough Firth. There are sailboats dotted around, and it’s a peaceful place to walk.

4. Gatehouse of Fleet

Back in the car, we drive to Gatehouse of Fleet, a historic mill town on the Water of Fleet that dates back to the mid-18th century.

It’s near Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright in the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area. Right on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, it’s a recognized UNESCO Biosphere community.

We stop for lunch at The Ship Inn, a local family-run hotel and restaurant with a spacious dining room and a focus on local producers and ingredients. We tuck into everything from West Coast scallops to homemade fish cakes, and it’s delicious.

After lunch we walk over to the Mill On The Fleet. Gatehouse of Fleet and its surroundings celebrate local natural and cultural heritage, and this is a great place to experience it.

Set in a restored 18th-century cotton mill, the Mill On The Fleet has exhibits on the history and heritage of Gatehouse and the Fleet Valley. It also hosts live music events, talks, and festivals.

5. Cardoness Castle

Leaving Gatehouse of Fleet, we make a quick photo stop at Cardoness Castle. Located just outside of town, this eye-catching 15th-century tower house was originally owned by the MacCullochs of Myreton.

As I admire it, Mark tells me about the history of the MacCullochs and their trouble-making in the region. His stories are great ways to bring the place to life.

6. Gather

The next stop on our Dumfries and Galloway itinerary is Gather, a restaurant on a hill above Fleet Bay and the Solway Firth. Its glass-fronted bistro offers sea views, and it looks like a great place to eat.

As we gaze out over the water, Mark tells me that one of his favorite beaches in the area sits right below us. It’s called Mossyard Beach and it’s a stretch of sand with one side facing Fleet Bay and the other facing Wigtown Bay.

7. Rhins Of Galloway

Our next stop is the Rhins Of Galloway (also called the Rhins of Wigtownshire). This scenic peninsula quickly becomes one of my favorite places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway.

Shaped like a hammer head, it’s 25 miles (40 kilometers) long and it’s known for its dramatic coastal scenery.

The Mull of Galloway lies at its southern tip, and it’s the southernmost point in Scotland. You can see Nortnern Ireland, Cumbria, and the Isle of Man from here.

8. Logan Botanic Garden

Our first stop in the Rhins Of Galloway is the Logan Botanic Garden near Port Logan. This exotic green space is packed with plants from around the world.

The garden is warmed by the Gulf Stream, giving it a subtropical climate that enables plants from Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America, and Southern Africa to thrive here.

We get a tour with a guide, and he shows us everything from rare species to beautiful flowers and greenhouses. It’s a real treat.

9. Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

From the garden we drive down to the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. Located in Drummore, it sits at Scotland’s most southerly point.

Interestingly, it was designed and built in 1830 by writer Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather, Robert Stevenson. Childhood visits to lighthouses like this are thought to have inspired works such as Treasure Island.

We walk along the circular trail to get to the lighthouse, taking in the rugged coastal scenery and looking out for the rare cliff-top plants and seabirds that call this place home (not to mention the sheep that add cuteness).

As with many places we visit, we’re the only ones here. It’s amazing to have all these inspiring spots to ourselves, and the peace and tranquility are great antidotes to city life.

10. Knockinaam Lodge

After a big day of sightseeing, we arrive at Knockinaam Lodge near Portpatrick just as the sun is setting. The only luxury boutique hotel in Dumfries and Galloway, it’s set in a 19th-century country house on a private cove overlooking the Irish Sea.

It has great history, too. Knockinaam Lodge was used as a secret meeting place by Churchill and Eisenhower for planning the D-Day landings in World War II.

My spacious room is one of only 10 in the hotel. It features a canopy bed and a large bathroom with beautiful wallpaper. I feel like I’m the heroine of my own fairy tale here.

I watch the sunset from my bedroom window, then head down to dinner at the hotel’s 3-AA rosette restaurant. The dining room features a series of round tables with white cloths and high-back chairs, and there are sea views from every table.

My 5-course tasting menu features everything from tomato salad to cauliflower soup and wild halibut. It’s a decadent way to end the day.

11. Dunskey Castle

The next morning we’re off early to go to more of the best places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway.

Our first stop is Dunskey Castle, a picturesque ruin perched on a rocky outcrop on the Irish Sea. Built in the mid-16th century for the Adairs of Kinhilt, it’s beautiful to behold.

The castle is on the coastal path from Portpatrick, and it’s a great place to get outdoors for a walk.

12. Portpatrick

We’d love to do the walk, but time is of the essence. We hop in the car and drive to Portpatrick, which is one of the most popular holiday villages on the southwest coast of Scotland.

Right on the waterfront, Portpatrick is home to a picturesque harbor and more places to eat than any other village in this part of Scotland.

It’s also the starting point for the Southern Upland Way, a long-distance walking path that goes from coast to coast in southern Scotland. The 212-mile (340-kilometer) trail is an exciting way to see the region on foot.

13. The Machars

Leaving Portpatrick, we drive to The Machars, another of the best places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway. This peninsula is rife with history, villages, harbors, beaches, and sea views. It’s a fun place to get into nature in the South of Scotland.

14. Port William

Our first stop in The Machars is Port William. This planned 18th-century fishing village sits on the eastern shore of Luce Bay.

There’s a sculpture of a man looking out to sea here. We can’t decide whether he’s scouring the horizon for Ireland or the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. Either way, he looks like he’s enjoying the view.

15. Monreith Bay

From Port William we drive to Monreith Bay, which has a beautiful beach. We make a photo stop above the shore, then get back in the car for the short trip to a bronze otter memorial.

The monument is dedicated to naturalist and author Gavin Maxwell. He wrote Ring of Bright Water, a book about his life in a house in coastal Scotland where he kept several wild otters as pets.

Maxwell was born in this part of Dumfries and Galloway, and he often walked his tame pet otters along the beach here.

16. Isle of Whithorn

The next stop on our itinerary is the Isle of Whithorn. We’re here to see St Ninian’s Chapel. It’s dedicated to the saint who’s credited with bringing Christianity to the region and mainland Scotland.

The first structure was built here in the 1100s as a stop for medieval pilgrims en route to the Shrine of St Ninian at Whithorn Priory.

The current chapel and a surviving part of the enclosure wall are believed to date back to the 1300s.

These ruins are set on picturesque land right by the waterfront, and there’s a Witness Cairn outside that modern-day pilgrims add stones to on their journeys.

17. Whithorn Priory

Following in their footsteps, we drive over to Whithorn Priory. Founded by St Ninian, this medieval Scottish monastery is one of Scotland’s earliest Christian sites. It later served as a cathedral.

We walk through the medieval Priory Gatehouse and take a quick look around. There’s a museum here, and we learn that Robert the Bruce made his final journey and pilgrimage to Whithorn in 1329 to pray at the Shrine of St Ninian.

18. Sorbie Tower

The next stop on our itinerary is Sorbie Tower, a fortified tower house and the ancient seat of Clan Hannay. Built in the late 16th century for Alexander Hannay of Sorbie, it was at the center of local life until the last resident died in 1748.

18. Wigtown

From the tower we drive to Wigtown, which quickly becomes one of my favorite places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway. Why? Because the annual Wigtown Book Festival is on, and I’m a sucker for all things literary.

The 10-day festival is held every year. It’s the second largest book festival in Scotland, and it has over 200 events and activities ranging from music to theater, food, and visual arts.

I’ve wanted to come here for ages, and I’m excited that my trip has coincided with it.

After a quick lunch at Harrison’s Coffee House and Beltie Books, we explore the town and festival. Called Scotland’s National Book Town, Wigtown is a traditional market town with an impressive number of bookshops.

We duck into as many as we can, including The Book Shop, which claims to be the largest in Scotland.

Afterwards we take in the activities in the square and check out the shop and information desk in the town hall.

But Wigtown is known for more than just books. It’s also famous for martyrs. Two women, Margaret McLachlan and Margaret Wilson, were tied to stakes and drowned here in 1685.

They were Covenanters, people who believed Jesus Christ alone was the head of the church. Their beliefs ran contrary to the government’s stance, and many such Christians were killed around this time.

Wigtown has a number of sites dedicated to its martyrs, including gravestones and monuments.

We visit the churchyard to see their graves, then head down to Martyr’s Stake and up to Martyrs Memorial to learn more about the women’s fate and pay our respects.

19. Crafty Distillery

From Wigtown we make our way to Crafty Distillery in Newton Stewart. Set in a contemporary building, this place is has a grain-to-glass production facility and a passion for innovation and quality.

We’re lucky enough to get a tour from the owner, Graham Taylor, who takes us through the vodka and gin distilling process and pours me a gin and tonic at the end. It’s a great way to experience the local drinks scene in Dumfries and Galloway.

20. Galloway Forest Park

Back outside, we drive through Galloway Forest Park. Often referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’, this place looks and feels a lot like the Scottish Highlands.

With big hills and rushing streams, it’s a great place to get outdoors in the South of Scotland.

While we’re here we stop at Murray’s Monument, a towering stone obelisk dedicated to the memory of a local shepherd’s boy who grew up to become a Professor of Oriental Languages at the University of Edinburgh.

We also go for a short walk to get a feel for the peaceful atmosphere of the park and see some of the dramatic woodland landscapes that make this area so special.

21. Nithbank Country Estate

After a quick stop in the village of Moniaive, we arrive at Nithbank Country Estate. This luxurious B&B in Dumfries and Galloway is set in a house surrounded by five acres of woodland and gardens overlooking the River Nith.

Featuring two elegant suites, it offers a chance to truly get away from it all. My suite has beautiful furnishings and stunning views over the river. The bathroom features a shower and a big tub, and I could stay here forever.

But I give into the temptation to explore the grounds, from the formal gardens to the ancient woodland glen, cascading ponds, and walled garden. I love taking in the tranquility of the surroundings as I go.

22. The Auldgirth Inn

Soon dinner calls. I head to The Auldgirth Inn with Melanie, one of the owners of Nithbank Country Estate. This award-winning restored roadside pub has over 500 years of history, and it’s said that Robert Burns was once a regular here.

We dine on everything from salted beetroot to West Coast monkfish with king scallops. The apple crumble souffle is a work of art, too. It’s all delicious, and it’s the perfect way to end a big day of sightseeing in Dumfries and Galloway.

23. Thornhill

The next morning I enjoy the award-winning breakfast at Nithbank Country Estate. It features everything from cranachan to smoked salmon and eggs. I don’t want to leave.

But today’s itinerary is an exciting one, and soon Mark whisks me off to Thornhill to see the impressive tomb of James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry, at Durisdeer Parish Church.

Tucked away through a side entrance at the back, it’s an impressive hidden spot.

24. Drumlanrig Castle Estate

Our next stop is Drumlanrig Castle Estate, home of the present-day Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. It’s known as the ‘Pink Palace’ due to its red sandstone facade.

One of the finest examples of 17th-century Renaissance architecture in Scotland, it was built by the first Duke of Queensberry. With 120 rooms, 17 turrets, and four towers, it’s an impressive building. The grounds are expansive, too.

25. Ellisland

After quick stops to see a sculpture by renowned local artist Andy Goldsworthy and explore the grounds of Dalswinton Estate, we arrive at Ellisland Farm in Auldgirth.

Poet Robert Burns lived here from 1788 to 1791, and today the complex is a museum dedicated to his life and work on the farm.

We watch a video covering the poet’s time at Ellisland, including the fact he that wrote some of his most famous works here. These include “Tam O’Shanter” and “Auld Lang Syne”.

Afterwards we tour the museum and the house where Burns lived and wrote. My Glaswegian grandmother was a huge fan of his poetry, and it was special for me to visit a place with so many connections to his life.

26. Dumfries

From Ellisland we drive into Dumfries, the largest town in the region. After stopping for lunch at a restaurant called Casa Mia, we set off to explore on foot.

We see everything from Dumfries Academy, where Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie went to school, to Moat Brae, the place he was inspired to write it after playing in the “magical” garden behind it.

The house is now the National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling. We take a tour to see the interactive exhibits and explore the garden.

From there we head to Greyfriars Kirk, a church famous for being the site where Robert the Bruce murdered John Comyn in 1306. It led to Bruce taking the throne, and it’s still considered the most important political murder in Scottish history.

We admire the statue of Robert Burns outside the church, head down the high street, pass The Globe Inn, which has Burns connections, and take in two of Burns’ houses before making our way to the graveyard of St Michael’s Church, where he’s buried.

The Burns Mausoleum is an impressive sight. His original grave was deemed an insufficient memorial to such an important figure, so the domed monument was built in the early 19th century to reflect his importance.

From there we drive to Castledykes Park, which has more connections to Robert the Bruce, as well as beautiful gardens and grounds.

27. Caerlaverock Castle

The final stop on our Dumfries and Galloway itinerary is Caerlaverock Castle. This moated triangular fortress was built in the 13th century by Clan Maxwell, and its ruined form still rises out of the water.

With a twin-towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, it’s easy to imagine the border conflicts that once took place here.

Best Places to Visit in Dumfries and Galloway

From the castle Mark takes me to Lockerbie train station, where I hop on a service to London. It’s hard to believe how much I saw in such a short trip, but I still leave wanting to return someday and discover more of this part of Scotland.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway and that it’s inspired you to visit the South of Scotland, too. It’s a great place to get away, soak up the coastline, and dive into history and heritage. Happy travels!

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