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South West Scotland has been and is home to some world renowned creative talents. From Robert Burns, to J.M. Barrie, Charles Jencks to Thomas Carlyle, the region offers a feast for fans of art and culture! This seven day itinerary follows the South West Coastal 300 route and showcases the best of what our wonderful region has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous writer ever to live in Dumfries is Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns. Burns wrote the famous poem/song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ that is traditionally sung on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) as well as many famous poems, including ‘Tam o’Shanter’ and ‘A Red, Red Rose’.
Visit the house where Burns spent his final years in the heart of Dumfries. Then learn more about his life and work at the Robert Burns Centre which houses a museum dedicated to the bard. Just to the north of Dumfries, you can visit Ellisland Farm, where Burns also lived with Jean Armour and his family.
To round off your day, if you are a fan of live entertainment, make sure to check what is on at the Theatre Royal Dumfries, this charming theatre first opened in 1792 and they even offer backstage tours!
Did you know that J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, lived in Dumfries from 1873 to 1878? The gardens at Moat Brae, which he often visited, were his inspiration for Peter Pan’s fictional world. Today Moat Brae is the perfect place to rediscover the wonder of childhood stories.
Also in the heart of Dumfries, is Gracefield Arts Centre, home to a collection of over 600 paintings and drawings by Scottish artists. It has a packed programme of collection and contemporary exhibitions featuring regional, national and international artists and craft makers.
If you’d like to discover some of our talented local artists, visit Angela Lawrence’s Clience Studio in Castle Douglas. Angela is a gifted painter and specialises in land and seascapes from Galloway and the south west of Scotland. Or The Gallery at Laurieston, home to award-winning landscape and fine art photographer Phil McMenemy, the Gallery offers both fine art and crafts from local artists.
A must see for art lovers is the Kirkcudbright Galleries. Housed in the redeveloped 19th century Town Hall, this art gallery retains the Kirkcudbright Artists’ Collection, of recognised national significance, on permanent display. The collection includes works by artists such as John Faed, Robert Sivell, Edward Atkinson Hornel, Jessie Marion King and Samuel John Peploe.
Broughton House, home of Scottish painter E.A. Hornel and one of the famed Glasgow Boys, is also in Kirkcudbright and with its wonderful art collection and charming garden, it is well worth a visit.
Fans of ceramics should pop into Jake Irving Ceramics and Coffee Shop, Jake’s beautiful handmade ceramics are inspired by natural forms. And for pint sized art lovers, why not stop by The Wee Pottery where you can paint your own pottery masterpiece!
First stop of the day is The Mill on the Fleet. This exhibition centre is housed in a restored 18th century cotton mill. It is spread over three floors and includes exhibitions about the history and heritage of Gatehouse, a programme of temporary exhibitions, an inspiring pop-up shop run by twenty regional artists and a charming bookshop.
To discover even more of our talented local artists and crafters, head to Barholm Arts and Crafts in Creetown, or to Crafty Crafters in Newton Stewart.
Next stop Wigtown, Scotland’s national booktown and home to the famous Wigtown Book Festival. Visit Beltie Books, one of the charming second hand bookshops for which the town made its name.
And if you are a fan of the performing arts, make sure to check out what is on at Scotland’s smallest theatre, the Swallow Theatre near Whithorn.
Before you leave Whithorn, stop by Studio 17, which features a range of beautiful and unique arts and crafts designed and made in South West Scotland.
Next stop, has to be the Mull of Galloway, the inspiration for so many artists and photographers, both the lighthouse itself and the surrounding views are breathtaking.
Heading north along the Ayrshire Coast, stop off at Allan McNally Fine Art. Allan’s Scottish landscapes and coastal paintings are beautiful, he even offers art tutorials, if you would like to try your hand yourself.
Last stop of the day is to the spectacular Culzean Castle, where there is so much to see. But don’t miss Robert Adam’s Oval Staircase, the dramatic centre piece of the castle and a true work of art.
Day six begins at Dumfries House, this stunning Estate and 18th-century house with its unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture has something for everyone.
Next stop is something completely different, Crawick Multiverse near Sanquhar is an amazing land art installation and the creation of the renowned landscape architect Charles Jencks.
While you are in Sanquhar, pop into A’ The Airts, they stock work from local artists and crafters, many of which feature the Sanquhar pattern.
The last day of your itinerary begins at Drumlanrig Castle, leave yourself time to enjoy this wonderful place. The house itself has a magnificent art collection, including Rembrandt’s An Old Woman Reading which of course takes pride of place.
If your appetite for land art was inspired by your visit to Crawick Multiverse, you might want to visit some of The Striding Arches a series of massive stone sandstone arches built on the hilltops around Cairnhead, near Moniaive by renowned sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.
Next a stop at Cample Line an independent arts organisation based in a building which was once part of a row of millworkers cottages. They have developed a public programme that includes exhibitions, screenings, readings, workshops, events and outreach projects.
For the last stop of your trip, visit the home one of most prolific writers and social commentators of the 19th century. Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace is a wee house in Ecclefechan near Lockerbie. Carlyle lived there until the age of 13, when he left Ecclefechan and walked 84 miles to Edinburgh, to attend the university!
