Top Things to do in Dumfries and Galloway
Top Hotels in Dumfries and Galloway
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Discover the best top things to do in Dumfries and Galloway, United Kingdom including Lockerbie Garden of Remembrance, Dalbeattie Museum, Threave Castle, Robert Burns House, Cardoness Castle, Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop, The Raiders Road Forest Drive, Caerlaverock Castle, Drumlanrig Castle, Broughton House & Garden.
Restaurants in Dumfries and Galloway
1. Lockerbie Garden of Remembrance
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 299 reviews
Reviewed By BackPacker800547 - Bilston, United Kingdom
This is a peaceful and moving tribute to the victims of the Lockerbie crash and well worth visiting for some contemplation
2. Dalbeattie Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By Richie350 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
A really fascinating museum run by very enthusiastic volunteers who were only too keen to answer our questions. Brought to life the history of the Dalbeattie area (including displays on quarrying/mining, the wars, shipping)
3. Threave Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 374 reviews
This site is closed for now. We’re working hard to gradually reopen the places you love while making sure the experience is safe for everyone. Cross the River Dee by boat to visit this enchanting castle on its own island. Once the bustling base of its creator, Archibald the Grim, it is now an ideal spot for exploring, picnicking and perhaps, painting. The island is rich with wildflowers in summer; you might also see ospreys and otters hunting in the river. The castle was besieged by King James II for two months in 1455, and fell after the king bribed the garrison to surrender.
Reviewed By AndrewC1968 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Great visit A nice walk down to the castle from the car park very informative boards around explaining the history of the area and the boatman full of experience and knowledge
4. Robert Burns House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
The home in which national poet Robert Burns spent his last years.
Reviewed By leburgaud
Called in at Dumfries on the way back home from Edinburgh. Nice walk around the town and saw various attarctions linked with Robert Burns
5. Cardoness Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
This site is closed for now. We’re working hard to gradually reopen the places you love while making sure the experience is safe for everyone. A fine example of a Scottish tower-house castle, Cardoness Castle was built in the later 15th century as the fortified residence of the McCullochs. Cardoness Castle is a well-preserved ruin where you can admire the exquisite architectural detail of this still magnificent structure, including the splendid fireplace and wall-cupboard where the family's best silverware was displayed, touch the intricate stone carvings and soak up the superb views over the beautiful Fleet Bay to the Solway Firth beyond.
6. Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,515 reviews
Famous for runaway weddings since 1754 Gretna Green is a wonderful place to get married in and visit. The Famous Blacksmiths Shop is steeped in history and has been standing since 1713 making it the earliest venue in the area for weddings. The visitors attraction and shopping village is visited by over 1 million people per year and has a range of lovely shops on site which stock the best of Scottish menswear, ladieswear - including brands such as Joules, Barbour, Harris Tweed and Ness - Scottish gifts, Hampers and Homeware as well as a Foodhall selling local and traditional scottish produce.
Reviewed By Breaktaker - Maidstone, United Kingdom
There is a free car park, a maze, a children’s playground, the blacksmiths museum and wedding venue, plus a few shops and restaurant and bar. The museum is very interesting and explains the history of marriage and the laws associated with marriage in England and Scotland, thus explaining the reason why weddings were popular with underage couples. We pad £3 each to enter the museum. 14 weddings took place the day of our visit, so we saw many couples getting married. When they enter the wedding room a curtain is pulled for privacy but you can still hear the ceremony take place. A good range of goods in the shops from whisky, shortbread to clothes and jewellery. Glad we made the journey.
7. The Raiders Road Forest Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
This 10-mile road winds along the Black Water of Dee and through the forest.
Reviewed By 1945DJM - Montrose, United Kingdom
We would definitely recommend this road. as the scenery is breathtaking and the road is good. Plenty places to stop for picnics and to take photographs.
8. Caerlaverock Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 998 reviews
Caerlaverock Castle is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. With its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, this awe-inspiring castle is the epitome of the medieval stronghold and one of the finest castles in Scotland. Although ruined, Caerlaverock is still a substantial structure and you can explore many different features within its unique triangular ground plan. The castle's turbulent history owes much to its proximity to England which brought it into the brutal cross-border conflicts and you can enjoy a fascinating siege warfare exhibition complete with reconstructions of medieval siege engines.
Reviewed By Quirky-Bird-Gardener - Biggar, United Kingdom
We combined visiting the castle with Ruthwell Cross making it a great day out and worth the hour and half drive. The castle though fairly small is fascinating to explore with its triangular shape and interesting facades. Being in a moat adds to it's uniqueness. We walked around the castle to the site of the original castle and back to the cafe for lunch. This was the low point of the visit sadly. Its very unusual to have a disappointing lunch where ever we visit. We ordered soup and a sandwich, the soup was lovely but the sandwich was 2 slices of cheap white bread with a sliver of ham and a dollop of mustard, no salad, crisps or anything as is the case in most places these days. It was a very poor excuse for a sandwich. Service was very very slow despite it not being that busy. I wish we'd gone elsewhere for lunch or brought a picnic but as it's out only day off in the week we like to treat ourselves to lunch.
9. 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.
10. Broughton House & Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
Reviewed By H1531OIjohnt - Criccieth, United Kingdom
Visited here when in Kirkcudbright in our motorhome. Park up by the town car park and it’s a short walk up. Good Covid hygiene in operation at the garden and it’s a trust the visitor box at the unattended side gate entrance. It’s relatively small but packed with interest. There’s a one way system which guides you to all the features of the garden. It has a Japanese feel and lovely little vignette settings within it. We sat at the peaceful pool on a fern cast iron bench and admired the planting and the oriental brass heron. There are secret views of the Dee and its mariners as you walk around. Sumptuous!
