Argrennan's Guide to Dumfries and Galloway
Food Scene
Always great food and a good atmosphere. you can book the restaurant or just drop by and head into the bar/bisto. Situated in Kirkcudbright's old town, so a lovely walk on a nice evening.
18 locals recommend
The Selkirk Arms
High StreetAlways great food and a good atmosphere. you can book the restaurant or just drop by and head into the bar/bisto. Situated in Kirkcudbright's old town, so a lovely walk on a nice evening.
If you're a bonafide 'foodie' then you must head to Beeswing and visit the Loch Arthur farm shop for a spot of food shopping. They bake fresh bread, they butcher organic meat reared locally, they supply organic fruit and vegetables and milk from their creamery, which also goes into making award winning artisan cheeses and butter. And if all that wasn't wholesome and lovely enough, they are also a working community project which includes men and women with learning disabilities. There is also a great cafe in which to sit, eat, and just take it all in.
18 locals recommend
Loch Arthur Farm Shop
If you're a bonafide 'foodie' then you must head to Beeswing and visit the Loch Arthur farm shop for a spot of food shopping. They bake fresh bread, they butcher organic meat reared locally, they supply organic fruit and vegetables and milk from their creamery, which also goes into making award winning artisan cheeses and butter. And if all that wasn't wholesome and lovely enough, they are also a working community project which includes men and women with learning disabilities. There is also a great cafe in which to sit, eat, and just take it all in.
The Earth's Crust Bakery
36-38 St Andrew StGreat little Bakery in the Food Town
Great place to eat set in the picturesque village of Thornhill. A little out of the way, but worth the journey.
13 locals recommend
The Buccleuch & Queensberry Arms Hotel
112 Drumlanrig StGreat place to eat set in the picturesque village of Thornhill. A little out of the way, but worth the journey.
Mr Pook's Kitchen
38 King StFine dining in Dumfries and Galloway's food town.
Kilnford Farm Shop and Farmhouse Kitchen Cafe
Bruno's Italian Restaurant
3 Balmoral RdGreat Italian in the local area. Pre-booking is recommended.
Don't fancy cooking? This is the best takeaway in the area in my opinion. They don't deliver and don't take card payments but well worth the trip into Castle Douglas to collect.
Great Wall Takeaway
26B King StDon't fancy cooking? This is the best takeaway in the area in my opinion. They don't deliver and don't take card payments but well worth the trip into Castle Douglas to collect.
Sightseeing
Fortification situated on an island in the River Dee that kept James II's forces at bay. Take a boat ride over and visit the Castle. There are also Osprey nest's in the area that can be viewed at certain times of the year.
30 locals recommend
Threave Castle
Fortification situated on an island in the River Dee that kept James II's forces at bay. Take a boat ride over and visit the Castle. There are also Osprey nest's in the area that can be viewed at certain times of the year.
The well preserved ruin of Caerlaverock Castle is unusual in its design having a 3 sided curtain wall that forms a triangle. Built in the 13th century it's awe inspiring battlements reflect the turbulent period in which it was built, and its proximity to the English border. A walk around the castles substantial moat and through the woodland at its rear will bring you upon the remains of an earlier roman fort.
48 locals recommend
Caerlaverock Castle
The well preserved ruin of Caerlaverock Castle is unusual in its design having a 3 sided curtain wall that forms a triangle. Built in the 13th century it's awe inspiring battlements reflect the turbulent period in which it was built, and its proximity to the English border. A walk around the castles substantial moat and through the woodland at its rear will bring you upon the remains of an earlier roman fort.
Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn
Prehistoric burial Cairn with a view toward Wigtown Bay
Threave Garden
Beautiful Gardens to visit in Spring/Summer
Beautiful Gardens to Visit and part of the Galloway Garden Route.
15 locals recommend
Castle Kennedy Gardens
Beautiful Gardens to Visit and part of the Galloway Garden Route.
Nice little harbor town nearby with the remains of MacLellan Castle at its centre and Georgian streets to explore.
51 locals recommend
Kirkcudbright
Nice little harbor town nearby with the remains of MacLellan Castle at its centre and Georgian streets to explore.
A monument to human and divine love, Sweetheart Abbey was named for its founder, Lady Dervorgilla, who was buried here with the embalmed heart of her beloved husband. The abbey church, with a stone effigy of the founder, survives almost intact.
19 locals recommend
Sweetheart Abbey
Main StreetA monument to human and divine love, Sweetheart Abbey was named for its founder, Lady Dervorgilla, who was buried here with the embalmed heart of her beloved husband. The abbey church, with a stone effigy of the founder, survives almost intact.
Parks & Nature
There are so many beautiful bays along the Solway, but Carrick is one of my personal favourites. This sand and shingle shoreline is off the beaten track with unspoiled natural beauty with several small isles sitting just offshore. At low tide you can walk out to Ardwall isle with its ruined chapel and cemetery dating from around 700. Murray's isles sit further offshore to the right and are home to Herring and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, as well as Cormorants. Further around to the left of the bay is Barlocco Isle, again this can be walked to at low tide for views of the bay.
12 locals recommend
Carrick Beach
There are so many beautiful bays along the Solway, but Carrick is one of my personal favourites. This sand and shingle shoreline is off the beaten track with unspoiled natural beauty with several small isles sitting just offshore. At low tide you can walk out to Ardwall isle with its ruined chapel and cemetery dating from around 700. Murray's isles sit further offshore to the right and are home to Herring and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, as well as Cormorants. Further around to the left of the bay is Barlocco Isle, again this can be walked to at low tide for views of the bay.
Get up close and personal with Red Kite, a reintroduction success story in this area. Kites are fed daily at 2pm. Station is open from 1pm to 4pm (3pm in winter).
16 locals recommend
Red Kite Feeding Station
Get up close and personal with Red Kite, a reintroduction success story in this area. Kites are fed daily at 2pm. Station is open from 1pm to 4pm (3pm in winter).
Galloway Forest is a national 'Dark Skies' park. Enjoy stunning views throughout the day, or spend an evening stargazing over Clatteringshaws Loch for a unique experience (weather permitting), one of the best places in Europe to see the nights sky.
Take a drive along the A75 following the Solway Coastline heading toward Newton Stewart, then take the A712 route through the forest park making sure to stop at some of the following points of note:
Glen of the Bar
Red Deer sancuary
Wild Goat park
Grey Mares Tail
Black Loch
Murrays Monument
Clatteringshaws visitors centre
65 locals recommend
Galloway Forest Park
Galloway ForestGalloway Forest is a national 'Dark Skies' park. Enjoy stunning views throughout the day, or spend an evening stargazing over Clatteringshaws Loch for a unique experience (weather permitting), one of the best places in Europe to see the nights sky.
Take a drive along the A75 following the Solway Coastline heading toward Newton Stewart, then take the A712 route through the forest park making sure to stop at some of the following points of note:
Glen of the Bar
Red Deer sancuary
Wild Goat park
Grey Mares Tail
Black Loch
Murrays Monument
Clatteringshaws visitors centre
7stanes - Dalbeattie
A710Mountain Bike Trail with stunning views
Logan Botanic Garden is a Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The area has a mild climate due to the influence of the North Atlantic drift, so the combination of this and the sheltered aspect of the gardens enables plants to be cultivated which would not normally survive outdoors in Scotland, with species from as far away as Chile, Vietnam and New Zealand.
39 locals recommend
Logan Botanic Garden
Logan Botanic Garden is a Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The area has a mild climate due to the influence of the North Atlantic drift, so the combination of this and the sheltered aspect of the gardens enables plants to be cultivated which would not normally survive outdoors in Scotland, with species from as far away as Chile, Vietnam and New Zealand.
Loch Trool is a narrow, freshwater loch in the Galloway Forest Park approximately 8 miles north of the town of Newton Stewart. The loch is the source of the Water of Trool which flows to the Water of Minnoch then on to the River Cree.
There are walking trails and footpaths around the loch's perimeter and on its north side stands Bruce's Stone which commemorates Robert the Bruce's victory at the battle of Glen Trool, fought on the shores of the loch in April 1307. Loch Trool is also reported to be the darkest place in the UK at night, so ideal for star gazers.
Loch Trool
Loch Trool is a narrow, freshwater loch in the Galloway Forest Park approximately 8 miles north of the town of Newton Stewart. The loch is the source of the Water of Trool which flows to the Water of Minnoch then on to the River Cree.
There are walking trails and footpaths around the loch's perimeter and on its north side stands Bruce's Stone which commemorates Robert the Bruce's victory at the battle of Glen Trool, fought on the shores of the loch in April 1307. Loch Trool is also reported to be the darkest place in the UK at night, so ideal for star gazers.
Arts & Culture
An 18th century House and former home of Scottish Painter E. A. Hornel, One of the Glasgow Boys. Broughton House is a living museum of Hornel’s life and work and that of his contemporaries. There is also his library which includes one of the worlds biggest collections of work by Robert Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire who has very strong ties to the area, and the beautiful garden to the rear of the property inspired by Japan.
12 locals recommend
Broughton House & Garden
12 High StAn 18th century House and former home of Scottish Painter E. A. Hornel, One of the Glasgow Boys. Broughton House is a living museum of Hornel’s life and work and that of his contemporaries. There is also his library which includes one of the worlds biggest collections of work by Robert Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire who has very strong ties to the area, and the beautiful garden to the rear of the property inspired by Japan.
Kirkcudbright Galleries
3B St Mary StNew Art Gallery in the Artists' Town
Entertainment & Activities
If you are into Bee's, thinking about starting a hive, or have one already, then this is the activity for you! Spend a day learning about natures great pollinators with the one day beginners introduction course. They even offer free spaces on certain dates they love teaching about Bee's so much!
The Beeman
If you are into Bee's, thinking about starting a hive, or have one already, then this is the activity for you! Spend a day learning about natures great pollinators with the one day beginners introduction course. They even offer free spaces on certain dates they love teaching about Bee's so much!
The Cocoabean Company is great family day out, with adult and children chocolate making classes, a cafe, and an indoor and outdoor play area for kids.
44 locals recommend
The Cocoabean Company
AshlandThe Cocoabean Company is great family day out, with adult and children chocolate making classes, a cafe, and an indoor and outdoor play area for kids.
Mabie Farm Park
Mabie CourtAnimals and activities to keep kids entertained.
Creamery specialising in Cheese and Ice-Cream with fun activities in an 'adventure area' for kids of all sizes.
55 locals recommend
Cream O' Galloway
RaintonCreamery specialising in Cheese and Ice-Cream with fun activities in an 'adventure area' for kids of all sizes.
Essentials
Tesco Superstore
Ernespie RoadSunrise Wholefoods
49 King St