Location: Dumfries
Top Things to do in Dumfries
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10 Museums in Dumfries That You Shouldn't Miss
Dumfries (/dʌmˈfriːs/ ( listen) dum-FREESS; possibly from Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phris) is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland, United Kingdom. It is located near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries is the traditional county town of the historic county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South. People from Dumfries are known colloquially as Doonhamers.
Restaurants in Dumfries
1. Savings Banks Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Fyfebbq - Manchester, United Kingdom
Saw the brown signs on side of the road and decided to look up winter opening hours and visit, we only had few hours spare before meeting friend so times fit perfect the place was brilliant being a bit of a money geek made it even better. However my husband who never got my geek money thing did not want to do but loved it, Kay was so knowledgable explained everything to us and made talk / tour as inclusive as she could get my son who has additional need to touch the money and involving him in conversation and the exhibit, Kay even shown me some anne wrote ledges they were really interesting the place was fab we loved it well worth visit. We also visited the church where the cross rest but to find out about the cross you need to visit the museum. We will be back to visit again thanks for taking the time to show us your passion Kay, sorry that should be doing your job lol which you clearly enjoy ????
2. Cloud 9 Studio Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Cloud 9 Studio Gallery is an artist led gallery in Dumfries town centre. Owned by artist Julie Hollis the gallery displays her work in 2D and 3D as well as the work of carefully selected local artists and craftspeople. A calm and reflective space, Cloud 9 is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year, and on most Tuesdays Wednesdays and with additional opening hours at Christmas.
3. Dunscore Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Hear the inspirational story of Dunscore's Jane Haining who worked in Hungary in WWII and refused to leave her charges and died in Auschwitz. Learn the story of Dunscore Church stretching back to the 12th century and follow the church trail or Dunscore Detective trail. Stroll round the village on the Memory Trail and see the Hearse House and the location of the library created by Robert Burns.
Reviewed By EAW57 - Bradford, United Kingdom
Many thanks to the dedication of volunteer Pam for opening up the Heritage Centre especially for us and guiding us through the moving story of Jane Haining. This is a tiny museum about Dunscore village and church but primarily full of information about Jane Haining's life and death, incuding a wealth of audio-visual material in the form of documentaries, memories, songs and poems celebrating this ordinary but amazing woman. A reminder of the important things in life. Very inspiring.
4. Ellisland Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Ellisland Farm, the rural home of Scottish National Bard Robert Burns, which he built for himself and his family in 1788. The place which inspired him to write some of his most famous poems including Auld Lang Syne and Tam O' Shanter. Visit the room in which he wrote these works and discover more about farm life in rural Dumfriesshire in the late 18th century. Along with the historic house and displays you can also explore the farmyard, farm buildings and take a walk along the river Nith with fabulous displays of flora and wildlife.
5. Drumlanrig Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 662 reviews
Set on the spectacular 80,000 acre Queensberry Estate complete with Country Park and Victorian Gardens, Drumlanrig Castle presents one of the finest examples of late 17th century Renaissance architecture in Scotland and an internationally renowned art collection. Beyond the castle are over 40 acres of enchanting gardens and a wide range of activities including walking, mountain biking, adventure playground, wildlife watching, Scottish Cycle Museum, Landrover tours, Ranger-led walks, events programme as well as shopping and catering.
Reviewed By 919tracyj - Fakenham, United Kingdom
Lovely visit to this amazing castle, although castle is closed at the moment because of Covid, the gardens are well worth a visit, also can highly recommend the walks around the castle great place to explore.
6. Robert Burns Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
7. Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By Craigmil1ar - Glasgow, United Kingdom
I could happily have come back several times to get around to seeing everything in this fantastic, free, museum! We had a very warm welcome, and spent a delightful few hours exploring. Everything from prehistoric to Romans, to Vikings, to victorian mill works. Wondrous artifacts and a fantastic array of historical everyday items. Don't forget to try on the dinosaur costumes or take a crayon rubbing of a fossil!
8. Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
The board of the museum have decided, as a precaution, to close our museum to visitors with immediate effect, due to the coronavirus. All planned events will be rescheduled once the crisis is over. This action is in line with many other organisations with the aim of helping to delay the spread of the virus and most importantly to help protect our visitors and volunteers. The current closure is for an indefinite period as it is unclear as to the timescale over which the current pandemic will run.
Reviewed By T8442FRwilliamp - Dumfries, United Kingdom
We visit often with our young family and feel at home in this museum with a great team of people. Well worth the visit and highly recommended
9. Robert Burns Mausoleum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By bdon257 - Morpeth, United Kingdom
This churchyard is only a short walk from Burns House and is worth a visit. It is full of huge and elaborate headstones some dating back around 300 years including a communal grave of the 420 victims of the 1832 Cholera epidemic. The large and recently restored Mausoleum is the principle attraction and has an information board for visitors.
