Local Attractions

Dalton Pottery and Art Café is just outside Dalton, on the Carrutherstown road, and well worth a visit, especially for families as children can make their own plates. Mabie Farm Park is very popular with go karts, soft play area, donkey rides and cute animals to pet. Cream of Galloway Ice Cream near Gatehouse is a sure fire family hit, sample the delicious ice cream while the kids explore the massive adventure play area.

Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura exhibits local history of the land and people; the Camera Obscura is a dramatic screen showing panoramic views of the surrounding area; the Robert Burns Centre tells the story of Scotland’s national Bard and his final years in the 1790’s; and Burns House was one the houses in which he lived.

Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Musuem is situated in the restored former RAF control tower at the WWII airfield in Dumfries. It houses a fascinating collection of aircraft, aero-engines and memorabilia.

Broughton House in Kirkcudbright was the home, and contains works, of the artist EA Hornel.  At New Abbey, Shambellie House has a museum of costume.  Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill has works by Rembrandt, Leonardi da Vinci, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Kneller and Van Neer.  In Ecclefechan, the birthplace of writer Thomas Carlyle is open to the public (National Trust).

There is a world famous archaeological dig at Whithorn uncovering a 1,500 year old settlement.  Caerlaverock Castle is a triangular shaped ruin dating from the 13th Century and Comlongon Castle Hotel at Clarencefield is a 15th Century tower.

Cinemas are located in Annan and Dumfries, which also has a theatre, and ice rinks are at Dumfries (open all year) and Lockerbie (winter only), which offer skating and curling

© VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway Reproduced with permission