Something for Everyone
Dumfries and Galloway offers a diverse range of attractions for adults and children alike.
Some capitalise on the superb scenery and coastline of the area, some draw on the rich cultural heritage of the area, and some are there just to provide adventure for adults or fun for children.
Here is a selection of our favourites – click on the links to learn more. See also the pages on this site devoted to 7-Stanes mountain biking and activities at Barend and Sandyhills.
Amazing History
Choose your castle style – stately grandeur or magical moated. Learn about explosive production at greatest munitions factory on earth, or about the life and times of the great Robert Burns.
Childrens Fun
Fantastic fun for younger members of the family is catered for at several nearby venues. Rides and slides galore, indoor play, chocolate making and some rather frightening extinct mega-beasts!
Nature Lovers
Our location on the Solway Firth guarantees unparalleled bird watching opportunities nearby. Inland you’ll find bats and ospreys as well as deer – or stargaze at the UK’s first dark skies park.
Unique Days Out
An eclectic range of other attractions are ready to welcome you – including a stunning cosmic land art installation and a splendid country home saved by the Prince’s Foundation.
Activity Challenges
Land and water based excitement of all types is waiting for you on the shores of nearby Loch Ken, try more traditional country pursuits including clay pigeon shooting or horseriding, or play at of the Solway Firth’s wonderful golf courses.
Cream O' Galloway
Indoor and outdoor action adventure park for kids, with a working dairy and magnificent ice cream.
Drumlanrig Castle
Tour this imposing, vast and still lived-in castle with old master paintings, mountain biking and adventure playground.
RSPB Mersehead
Wetlands, saltmarsh and Solway coast at RSPB Mereshead, seasonal home to numerous waders and waterfowl.
Galloway Activity Centre
Water based activity centre on the shores of Loch Ken, offering sailing, windsurfing, kayaking etc and blo-karting on local beaches.
Dumfries Ice Bowl
Full ice rink and curling hall, for public use and to watch ice hockey matches.
The Devil's Porridge
Remarkable exhibition on the site of the greatest munitions factory ever built, employing 30000 men and women during World War 1.
Gem Rock
Gemstones, crystals, minerals and fossils - a unique collection set in an interactive museum with shop.
Mabie Farm Park
Lots of different fun activities for kids, from animal feeding to Astroslide and quad bikes.
Galloway Dark Skies Park
View over 7000 stars, including the clearly visible Milky Way, at the UK's first Dark Sky Park.
WWT Caerlaverock
Mudflat and saltmarsh reserve at Caerlaverock, part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (Slimbridge), host to many visiting wildfowl.
Robert Burns Trail
Burns lived at Ellisland Farm during his early Dumfries years, this website covers both visiting the farm itself and the fascinating Burns Dumfries Trail.
Sulwath Brewery
Visit the local craft brewery (tours Monday pm and Friday pm) and look out for the beers when out and about.
Colvend Golf Course
Sitting above Sandyhills Bay, our local 18 hole mature parkland course welcomes individual or group visitors.
Caerlaverock Castle
The impressive ruins of this unique triangular medieval stronghold are still surrounded by a moat - learn about it's turbulent history in the border conflicts
Dino Park
Family fun park that takes you back 150 million years to meet the giant dinosoars that roamed the earth
The Cocoa Bean Company
Indoor and outdoor play areas together with chocolate making workshops and craft chocolates for sale
Lochhill Stud Farm
Equestrian centre offering individual and group lessons, trekking and hacking for all levels of ability
John Paul Jones Cottage
Musuem of the life of the locally born 'Father of the American Navy' at his birthplace
Dalscone Farm Fun
Adventure farm park, indoor soft play and Scotland's largest independent toy shop,on the Dumfries by-pass
Crawick Multiverse
A spectacular artland and visitor attraction showcasing exciting theories of the universe, created on the site of an open-cast mine
Forest Estate
A wide variety of shooting and fishing experiences on a country estate, including 'Have a Go' lessons for beginners