Dumfries and Galloway - 173 places to stay
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Smuggled away on Scotland’s south-western frontier, Dumfries and Galloway is something of a rural Shangri-La where agriculture, forestry and immaculate coastlines, are all in on one of the country’s best kept secrets. The Western Isles , the Highlands , Loch Lomond and the Trossachs ; all enjoy a degree of fame. But Dumfries and Galloway – where the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point, can be found – is a more clandestine destination. And all the better for it. Mobile phone reception is patchy, at best. With dairy farms stretching out along both sides of almost every road, cows appear to outnumber humans. The Belted Galloways, with their characteristic white belt that divides their torso, chew the cud as the graze on impossibly green fields, hard at work in creating the area’s most cherished export. Dumfries and Galloway is famed for its dairy products; cheese, milk, cream, and (most graciously received by children of all ages) ice cream, are all transported out of the region and into fridges and freezers up and down the length of the UK. Naturally, the area’s biggest draw is the pacific fields, forestry and coastline, that can afford those sick of the concrete jungle some respite in the country. Yes, it rains a lot, but the midges are not as voracious as they are in Argyll – at least, they’ll leave some flesh on the bone. Rolling hills, carpeted in verdure, frame a picture of sylvan splendour. Birds of prey hunt in the warm air currents over fields home to plump little rabbits, mice and other rodents – all a tasty morsel for hawks and buzzards. Owls and bats take the nightshift. Deer secret themselves in dense woodland, foraging for food. And among all this, mankind treads gently. So lightly, that even the country’s imperiled amphibian community feel safe here – Natterjack toads and Great Crested newts have made the area’s nature reserves their home. Here, the RSPB maintains a strong presence, particularly at the Mull of Galloway, where it assumes the role of caretaker for the flora and fauna in the Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve. With this idyllic picture in mind, it is all the more understandable that Dumfries and Galloway should traditionally have a magnetic pull on writers and artists. Kirkcudbright , on the banks of the River Nith, is known as the Artists’ Town. It’s recent exhibition of the Face of Scotland was a magnificent collection of the nation’s finest portraits, including Alexander Nasmyth’s Robert Burns , and Hugh Douglas Hamilton’s painting of The Young Pretender, Prince Charles Edward Stewart. Kirkcudbright, along with Castle Douglas , Gatehouse Of Fleet, Newton Stewart, and Creetown have played their part in British cinema, all at one time locations for Robin Hardy’s 1973 film, ‘The Wicker Man’. Dundrennan now plays host to the Wicker Man Music Festival , gleefully independent, it has been steadily growing each year, with acts such as Gary Numan and the Red Hot Chili Peppers gracing the event. Visitors to Dumfries and Galloway’s towns can rest assured; any similarities between Dumfries and Galloway’s small towns and Summerisle are purely cosmetic. Human sacrifice is still very much frowned upon. There are, however, plenty of more wholesome activities to keep you and the family amused. Take it as read, that there is an abundance of walking opportunities, both coastal and woodland; and accommodation, too, is excellent throughout the area, with five-star rated camp and caravan sites, hotels and guest houses to meet all budgets. Dumfries and Galloway has something for everyone: Golfing, fishing, shooting, can keep the more gentrified adults happy. At Palnackie, take the shoes and socks off and take part in the Grand International Flounder Trampling – potentially someway off being an Olympic event. Petting zoos like the Mabie Animal Farm introduce the wee ones to goats, lamas, sheep, donkeys and horses, Make the kids work for their sweets and ice cream; take them to the Twynholm, where the Cocoabean Chocolate factory will set them to work in blue hair-nets and overalls as they make their own animal shaped chocolate. Oh, if the little horrors are not gracious enough to give you a bite in the car home you can of course buy some of the most divine chocolates imaginable. From crème brûlée to rum ‘n’ raisin, there is every temptation to pull into a lay-by and gorge yourself sick. Twynholm is also David Coulthard’s home town, and any fans of the generously jawed formula one star can visit the museum in his honour. Tongland with its art-deco water tower and Thomas Telford Bridge, packs a couple of architectural marvels into its small holding on the road from Dumfries to Kirkcudbright. Grander still, a number of castles stand guard in the area. Once upon a time Dumfries and Galloway was on the frontline when England’s excursions north would end in bloodshed. Caerlaverock Castle , now lovingly tended to by Historic Scotland, was once under seige from King Edward I , as the 14th Century’s first breath sounded the declaration of war. If you visit this Caerlaverock (it’s just eight miles south of Dumfries) and there’s a war a raging, fear not, it’s just the local history and drama group re-enacting the castle’s historic battles. No need to dodge the archers then. From Drummore’s sea view, with magnificent camping, the finest sea fishing in Scotland, and a rugged coastline that witnesses miles of craggy rocks eventually give way to sandy beaches; to picturesque wee towns like Dumfries, where Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns spent his final days, Dumfries and Galloway has more than enough to assuage the kids. There’s plenty for the adults to savour, too. The peace and quiet is just one of them.
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Destinations
Recommended Hotels See Map
- Friars Carse Country House Hotel Auldgirth *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Douglas Arms Hotel Castle Douglas *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Cavens Country House Dumfries *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Trigony Hotel Dumfries *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Cally Palace Hotel & Golf Course Gatehouse of Fleet *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Solway Lodge Hotel Gretna *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - The Mill Gretna *featured*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - Dryfesdale Country House Lockerbie *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Auchen Castle Moffat *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Creebridge House Hotel Newton Stewart *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Fernhill Hotel Portpatrick *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Portpatrick Hotel Portpatrick *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel Stranraer *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - North West Castle Hotel Stranraer *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities
Hotels bookable online See Map
- Powfoot Golf Hotel Annan *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Urr Valley Hotel Castle Douglas *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Clonyard House Hotel Colvend *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Aston Hotel Dumfries *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Manor Country House Hotel Dumfries *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Station Hotel Dumfries *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Hunters Lodge Hotel Gretna *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Smiths At Gretna Green Hotel Gretna *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - The Gables Gretna *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Selkirk Arms Kirkcudbright *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Whitecroft Hotel Langholm *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - Cressfield Country House Hotel Lockerbie *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Kirkconnel Hall Hotel Lockerbie *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Lockerbie Manor Country Hotel Lockerbie *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Queens Hotel Lockerbie *book online*
Licensed, Restaurant - Bonnington Moffat *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Moffat House Hotel Moffat *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Moffat Lodge Moffat *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Well View Hotel Moffat *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Nithsdale Hotel Sanquhar *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Torrs Warren Country House Hotel Stranraer *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant
Bed and Breakfast See Map
- Rowanbank Guesthouse Annan *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Ailsa Cottage B&B Cairnryan *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Cairnryan House Cairnryan *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Homestead Guest House Cairnryan *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Rhins of Galloway Cairnryan *featured*
TV in rooms - Craigadam B & B Castle Douglas *featured*
TV in rooms - Douglas House Castle Douglas *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Disabled - The Old Station House Castle Douglas *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Dalbeattie Guest House Dalbeattie *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Kerr Cottage Dalbeattie *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Dalston House Hotel Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Ferintosh Guest House Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Glenlossie Guest House Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Huntingdon House Hotel Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Inverallochy Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Manor Country House Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Moreig Hotel Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Rondo Guest House Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Southpark Country House Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Torbay Lodge Guest House Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Townhouse Hotel Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Wallamhill House B&B Dumfries *featured*
TV in rooms - Aldpallyards Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms - Anvil View Guest House Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Gables Hotel Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Hazeldene Hotel Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Kirkcroft Guest House Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Mapletree Guesthouse Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Rhone Villa Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms - Surrone House Gretna *featured*
TV in rooms - Nether Boreland Coach House Lockerbie *featured*
TV in rooms - Marchbankwood House Moffat *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Queensberry House Moffat *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Bruce Hotel Newton Stewart *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Blackaddie House Hotel Sanquhar *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Abonny Guest House Stranraer *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Balyett Bed and Breakfast Stranraer *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, Historic, Parking - Cross Haven Guest House Stranraer *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking, Disabled - Fernlea Guest House Stranraer *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Lakeview Guest House Stranraer *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Marine House Hotel Stranraer *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, Historic, Parking, Disabled - The Manor Country House Hotel Torthorwald *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking
Pubs & Inns
- Imperial Hotel Castle Douglas *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Market Inn Hotel Castle Douglas *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Murray Arms Hotel Castle Douglas *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Pheasant Hotel Dalbeattie *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Queensberry Dumfries *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Ship Inn Gatehouse of Fleet *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Gordon hotel Kirkcudbright *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Kings Arms Lockerbie *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Crown Hotel Lockerbie *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Hightae Inn Lockerbie *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Annandale Arms Hotel Moffat *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Balmoral Hotel Moffat *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Stag Hotel Moffat *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Tigh Na Mara Hotel Stranraer *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
Self-Catering See Map
- Whitecroft Mansion Carrutherstown *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Kirkconnell House Dumfries *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Mackays Holiday Cottages & Lodges Dumfries *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Ladyknowe Apartment Moffat *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Scotland Cottages Newton Stewart *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Minister's Pool Lodge Sanquhar *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
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