Top 10 things to do in Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is the south-west corner of Scotland, with forests, dark skies, castles, gardens and the Solway coast. It is quiet and mild, and very good for outdoor days.
- 1
Galloway Forest Park
📍 Newton Stewart and GlentroolForest, starsA huge forest with lochs, trails and one of Britain’s darkest skies.
- 2
Caerlaverock Castle
📍 Near DumfriesHistory, castleA triangular moated castle on the Solway coast.
- 3
Robert Burns Centre and Burns House
📍 DumfriesLiterary, historyWhere the poet spent his last years, in Dumfries.
- 4
Threave Garden and Castle
📍 Castle DouglasGardens, historyA garden and an island castle on the River Dee.
- 5
Drumlanrig Castle
📍 Near ThornhillCastle, gardensA pink sandstone castle with gardens, cycling trails and a country park.
- 6
Kirkcudbright
📍 KirkcudbrightArt, harbourAn artists’ town of pastel houses and a harbour.
- 7
Logan Botanic Garden
📍 Port LoganGardensA garden of exotic plants, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream.
- 8
Sweetheart Abbey
📍 New AbbeyHistory, ruinsA graceful ruined abbey in a village near Dumfries.
- 9
Mull of Galloway
📍 DrummoreCoast, viewsScotland’s southernmost point, with a lighthouse and cliffs.
- 10
Wigtown
📍 WigtownBooks, townA small town full of bookshops and a book festival.
Where to base yourself
Last checked: October 2026.