My first trip to Scotland of the year was a success! I spent four days in Dumfries and Galloway, the southwestern part of Scotland, and absolutely loved it. I can imagine that I’m not the only one who has neglected this region—I’ve driven through here so many times on the way north to the Scottish Highlands, but never stopped to explore. This has to be one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets, so don’t wait. Here’s my complete guide to Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland!

What to See in Dumfries And Galloway

There are so many places to see in this part of Scotland. I love scenery, being outdoors, hiking, history, and cute small towns, so my itinerary focuses a lot on that. I’ve already written about my favorite walks in Dumfries and Galloway. But to cover the entire region, here are the best stops on a trip to Dumfries and Galloway!

Gretna Green

Just across the border from England, Gretna Green is a small town in Scotland. The 1754 Marriage Act stopped couples who were under 21 from marrying in England and Wales without their parents’ consent. That didn’t apply to Scotland, so people started crossing the border to get married—and Gretna Green became the place for it. Unfortunately my only experience here was being stranded overnight at the Gretna Green service station with an undriveable car, but I think it would be really fun to visit here and see what it’s like!

Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall and Loch Skeen

This is one of the best hikes in Dumfries and Galloway—but even if you’re just making a quick stop, you can’t miss this on a trip to the area! Grey Mare’s Tail is a stunning waterfall with a 60-meter drop, which flows from Loch Skeen (the highest natural loch in the Scottish lowlands).

While you can make the steep trek up for a better view of the waterfall, I really recommend hiking out to Loch Skeen and back. The lake is beautiful and feels very remote, and thankfully after the initial steep section the path eventually becomes more flat. It’s about 3.5 miles altogether, and it took me about 2 hours (including photo stops). There are two car parks here, but they can fill up—when I was leaving at 11:30am on a Saturday, there were only one or two spaces nearby.

St. Mary’s Loch

Just a few miles northeast of Grey Mare’s Tail, St. Mary’s Loch is a beautiful lake and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Technically it is in the Scottish Borders, as opposed to Dumfries and Galloway, but it’s so close it makes sense to visit it on a trip here. There is a great walk around the lake (just over 9 miles, approximately 4-5.5 hours), and the Southern Upland Way passes through part of it.

Dumfries

As the main city in the region, Dumfries is worth spending a couple of hours. There are several museums in town, including the house where the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns was born. You can also walk along the river and see Devorgilla Bridge, which is one of the oldest standing bridges in Scotland. There are plenty of shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, and accommodation options here if you’re looking for a convenient base for the trip.

Caerlaverock Castle

This stunning castle, originally built in the 13^th-century, comes with its own moat! Formerly a medieval fortress and besieged many times, this is one place you can’t miss in Dumfries and Galloway. You enter the castle via a bridge over the moat, but make sure to walk around outside the moat to get a feel for just how impressive this stronghold was. It’s run by Historic Scotland today, so there is an admission fee.

Sweetheart Abbey

Located in New Abbey, Sweetheart Abbey is another beautiful, historic site to visit. After her husband’s death in 1268, Lady Dervorguilla of Galloway supposedly embalmed his heart and carried it around with her everywhere, in a casket. She founded the abbey here in her husband’s name, and was buried here when she died. It’s a beautiful ruin today—again, it’s run by Historic Scotland so an admission fee applies.

Screel Hill

Another of my favorite hikes in Dumfries and Galloway was the walk up Screel Hill. This gives unbelievable views out towards the Rough Firth and Auchencairn Bay. The walk is just under 3 miles, and took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to do. You can see the mountains of the Lake District in the distance, and I really think this hike showcases the beauty of this part of Scotland. Don’t miss it on a trip to Dumfries and Galloway!

Kippford and Rockcliffe

These two charming small coastal towns are perfect for enjoying the seaside. Better yet, there’s a short walk between the two that’s perfect for a stroll if the weather is nice! I loved exploring the beach at Rockcliffe, and was treated to a sea of purple bluebells in the woods between the two towns. There’s free parking at the village hall in Kippford (there’s also toilets there), and it took me just over 1 hour to walk there and back—but I’d recommend a bit longer to explore Rockcliffe more.

Dundrennan Abbey

Founded in 1142 by Cistercan monks from Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire, it’s meant the be some of the best early Gothic architecture in Scotland. The most famous guest at Dundrennan Abbey was Mary Queen of Scots—she visited here in 1568, as she was fleeing Scotland for England. This site is also run by Historic Scotland, so there is an admission charge.

Threave Castle

A castle so remote you can only visit by boat—that’s Threave Castle! You cross the River Dee by boat to get to this island fortress, which was built in 1369. The castle itself is run by Historic Scotland, so if you want to visit you’ll need to purchase your tickets at the ticket office before walking out to the boat launch. This is also an excellent place to see ospreys—check out the viewing platform or the bat reserve at Threave Garden and Estate, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland. Don’t use GoogleMaps to get here, follow the brown tourist road signs (I say this from experience!).

Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright (pronounced “kir-coo-bree”) is a self-professed Artists’ Town, and there are a handful of small museums and galleries around town to explore. You can also visit Broughton House and Garden or MacLellan’s Castle. The harbor is also nice for a wander, and I had a delicious full Scottish breakfast at the Belfry Café. I didn’t have the best lighting but the main street is cute and colorful too!

Wigtown

After visiting Hay-on-Wye in Wales last year, when I heard that Scotland had its own “town of books” as well, I knew I had to visit! Wigtown is a really charming small town in Dumfries and Galloway, known for its independent used bookstores. There are so many of them dotted around the town, the most famous of which is the Book Shop. Unfortunately I visited on a Sunday, when nearly all of them were closed, but I could easily have spent a few hours exploring here!

Make sure to visit the Martyr’s Monument, just outside of town. Two Scottish Covenanters were executed here in 1685 by Scottish Episcopalians, by being tied to a stake and drowned by the rising tide. Yikes.

Not far from Wigtown is Bladnoch Distillery, which is famous for their single Lowland Scotch whisky. They have a visitor center and also run tours of the distillery!

Torhouse Stone Circle

Just outside of Wigtown on the B733 road, Torhouse Stone Circle is worth a stop. There are 19 stones here, and it’s one of the best-preserved stone circles in Scotland. It was probably built around 4000 years ago.

Glenluce Abbey

Founded around 1192, Glenluce Abbey is another good stop on a road trip around Dumfries and Galloway. Unfortunately little is known about the history of the abbey following the Protestant Reformation, but today it’s run by Historic Scotland and it’s a peaceful place to visit.

Carrick Bay

This is meant to be one of the best beaches in Dumfries and Galloway! Unfortunately, the road to the beach itself is so terrible (literally just driving through potholes) that I gave up part-way through the drive and turned around. If your car can handle it, definitely head out to this sandy beach to enjoy the sea views!

Mull of Galloway

This is the most southerly point in Scotland! You can’t miss a visit here when in Dumfries and Galloway. There is a lighthouse and RSPB nature reserve here, and if the weather is good you can do a few different walks around the cliffs and the coast. The Mull of Galloway trail is 24 miles long, from the Mull of Galloway to the town of Stranraer, but there are shorter loops you can do that will take an hour or few hours.

Dunskey Castle and Portpatrick

Located right on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea, the ruins of Dunskey Castle are very atmospheric. You can do a short walk along the coast from Portpatrick, alternately you can drive through the caravan park and park at the end there. Portpatrick is a small village on the coast. There’s not loads there, but there’s a pretty harbor and a shop or two!

Kenmure Castle

If you didn’t know this castle ruin was here, you’d probably drive right past it! Although the castle is just ruins now, it used to be a large stronghold and was occupied from the Middle Ages. There is parking for a few cars off the A762 just north of where you access the castle ruins. It’s a 5-minute walk from the road through the woods to see the ruins.

Annandale Distillery

If you’re searching for distilleries in Dumfries and Galloway, you can’t miss Annandale Distillery. It’s not far from the M6/A74(M) motorways, so makes a good stop either at the beginning or end of a trip to this area. They run tours of the distillery, which was established in 1836 and brought back to life in 2014. Check out the Crafty Distillery just outside Newton Stewart, or Bladnoch Distillery (near Wigtown) if you’re looking for more whisky!

What to Do in Galloway Forest Park

While the Dumfries and Galloway region is wonderful, there are some truly spectacular places to see in Galloway Forest park in particular. There are great opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and outdoors adventures here! These are some of the spots you can’t miss in Galloway Forest Park.

Scottish Dark Sky Observatory

Galloway Forest Park is  the UK’s first dark sky park, designated in 2009. It’s one of the best places for stargazing. Experience it all at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, outside Dalmellington, which does evening sessions as well as special events.

Loch Trool

One of the most beautiful parts of Galloway Forest Park is Loch Trool. There is a 5.5 mile hike around the lake (unfortunately parts of the trail were closed when I was there!), which is nestled underneath the peaks of the Galloway hills. Don’t miss Bruce’s Stone, commemorating the Battle of Trool in 1307 and Robert the Bruce’s victory over the English. It’s close to the Glentrool Visitor Center.

The Merrick

One of my favorite hikes in Dumfries and Galloway! The Merrick is the highest mountain in southern Scotland, and gives unbelievable views over the surrounding area. You can check out my full blog post on hiking the Merrick here. It’s just over 8 miles and took me 4.5 hours altogether. The walk starts from the car park at Bruce’s Stone, and make sure you have all the appropriate outdoor gear to do this walk.

Loch Doon and Loch Doon Castle

Although technically in the region of South Ayrshire, Loch Doon is one place you can’t miss on a trip to Galloway Forest. The loch is beautiful, and the drive along the shores is a great one. Make sure to visit the remains of Loch Doon Castle. Built in the late 1200s, the castle was originally on an island in the middle of the lake. When the water levels rose due to hydroelectric in 1935, the entire castle was taken down and re-built at its present site.

The Craiglea trail is an excellent option for a short hike in the region. Following the route up and then through the woods, you get gorgeous views of the loch. It took me just under 1 hour to do the hike. It starts and finishes at Loch Doon Castle.

Dalcairney Falls

This is a beautiful waterfall, hidden away a few miles from the B741 near Dalmellington. You’ve been warned: the road to get here is terrible—1.5 miles of straight potholes. However, the waterfall is so peaceful and serene that it’s still worth a visit.

Murray’s Monument

This monument, located high on a hill, was built to honor Alexander Murray, a local shepherd boy who went on to become a professor at Edinburgh University. There is a free car park here, and a short hike you can do around the area. Make sure to pay attention to the stones in the sheepfold—a few are carved to look like faces! There’s also a pretty waterfall, Grey Mare’s Tail (not to be confused with the much larger Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall near Moffat!) to see. This walk took me about 45 minutes.

Clatteringshaws Loch

Close to Murray’s Monument, drive along the A172 to Clatteringshaws Loch (you may see wild goats close to the road!). This reservoir is another beautiful loch in Galloway Forest Park. While there is a charge for parking here, there is a visitor center and café. You can do the quick walk out to Bruce’s Stone (different from the Bruce’s Stone at Loch Trool!), but I found this a little underwhelming. If you want to explore more of the area, there’s an easy 3.5 mile hike you can do.

Planning Your Trip

As this post suggests, there’s a lot to see around Dumfries and Galloway! I wild camped for my trip (making sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and leave no trace), however there are lots of places to stay if you’re not wanting to camp. Where you stay will probably depend on whether you have a car or are relying on public transportation. While there are rail networks and buses around Dumfries and Galloway, I’d really recommend having your own vehicle to be able to see as much as possible. If you’re relying on public transport, staying somewhere like Dumfries, which has good rail and bus connections, would be ideal. If you’re traveling by rail, I always book my train tickets in advance through Trainline. The nearest airport to visit Dumfries and Galloway would be Glasgow or Edinburgh. I use Skyscanner to book my flights.

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. For accommodation, you can book hostels here, and hotels and B&Bs here. You can also sign up to and search accommodation on Airbnb here.

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Dumfries and Galloway is such an underrated and beautiful part of Scotland! The scenery is wonderful and you miss out on a lot of the crowds that head to the Scottish Highlands. I’m so glad I finally made the trip here, and I know I’ll be back in the region again. I hope this guide helps in planning a trip to Dumfries and Galloway!

Have you been to Dumfries and Galloway before? What was your favorite place?

You might also like my posts:

The Best Walks In Dumfries And Galloway, Scotland

Hiking The Merrick: The Highest Mountain In Southern Scotland

How To Spend 48 Hours In Glasgow

What To Do And See In And Around Inverness

A 7-Day Itinerary For Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip

Alternative Isle Of Skye: 4 Ways To Avoid The Crowds

All of my Scotland posts!

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