Menu
Menu
Explore Dumfries set along the banks of the winding Nith; steeped in the history of Scotland, Robert Burns and a delight for historians, shoppers and golfers. Read on for details of places to stay and things to do in Dumfries.
The historic town of Dumfries, the Queen of the South, is the largest town in South West Scotland and is firmly on the tourist map.Dumfries is the county town of Dumfries & Galloway, a Royal Burgh since 1186 and it is believed to have flourished as a market town and port since Roman times. Amongst its many visitors in past times were Bonnie Prince Charlie, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce!
At the heart of Dumfries is the River Nith, with fishermen often to be seen up to their chest in its waters. Dumfries has Scotland’s largest independent store in Barbours, a great shopping experience. This can be accompanied by a visit to CAMRA’s Stewartry pub of the year at the Cavens Arms, next door, which is famed for both food and drink.
Dumfries has many associations with Robert Burns who lived here in the 1790s. The Robert Burns Centre is situated in an 18th century watermill on the west bank of the river. It tells the story of Burns’ last years in the town, shows films, and has a bar and restaurant – the Hullabaloo. Above the mill there is an 18th century windmill tower which houses Dumfries Museum and the Camera Obscura Observatory. The Museum has exhibits about prehistoric times, the wildlife of the Solway saltmarshes, stone carvings of Scotland’s early Christians, and the Victorian farm. You can go and eat and drink at the Globe Inn in the town as Rabbie Burns did!
Dumfries was home to J M Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, from 1873 – 1878 when he was in his early teens. Moat Brae, the Georgian house at which he played with friends has been restored after a campaign by another local worthy, Joanna Lumley, who has a holiday home nearby
Moat Brae finally opened as a new visitor attraction for Scotland on 1st June 2019. This was a new beginning, the start of the National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling and the first chapter in the great adventure to create a world where storytelling is integral to growing up. https://www.peterpanmoatbrae.org/
For sport, as well as the Queen of the South Football club, Dumfries has an ice rink, which is a centre for enjoyment and also the host of international curling competitions featuring Dumfries & Galloway’s Olympic medal winners. Dumfries is host to three golf clubs, with more than twenty other courses within easy reach.
The Camera Obscura, originally an astronomical instrument installed in 1836, has a table top screen with panoramic views of Dumfries and the surrounding countryside. Across the 15th century Devorgilla Bridge there is Old Bridge House, Dumfries’ oldest house, dating from 1660 and built into the sandstone of the bridge itself. In Dumfries you can sense more of the history of Scotland by visiting the ruins of Lincluden Abbey, and within a few miles see Sweetheart Abbey and Caerlaverock Castle.
Photo Credits:- Main Image, John Dickson
The Eden Festival 2022
Langholm Common Riding 2021
Annan History Town Festival 2021
Dumfries Show 2021 Cancelled
Castle Douglas Bike and Food Festival 2021
Pop-up Opera (Scottish Opera) – The Crichton
Doonhame Festival 2021 CANCELLED
Castle Douglas Soap Box Derby 2022
Living History at Caerlaverock Castle
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival 2021
Much Ado About Nothing (Outdoor Theatre) – The Crichton
WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre 2021
Big Burns Supper 2021
Moniaive Michaelmass Bluegrass Festival 2022
D & G College- Complete Training Solutions
Solway Tours
South of Scotland Golf
WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
The Love Bug D&G
Arden Holiday Cottage Activity and Leisure Packages
Ae Forest
Southerness Golf Club
Criffel Coaches
Dumfries Museum
Theatre Royal Dumfries
John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum And Visitor Centre
The Globe Inn
Mabie Forest Park
Climb Criffel Hill
Gracefield Arts Centre
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre
Robert Burns House
Mostly Ghostly Tours
Burns Country Run
South West Coastal 300 #SWC300
Historic Scotland- Caerlaverock Castle
Historic Scotland- New Abbey Corn Mill
Historic Scotland- Sweetheart Abbey
NTS Rockcliffe Coastline
Robert Burns’ Ellisland Museum and Farm
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Savings Bank Museum
Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum
7Stanes Mountain Biking
A’ The Airts
Kilnford Farm Shop
Abbey Cottage Tearoom
Bladnoch Distillery
The Crichton Memorial Church
Ae Forest Bike Shop and Cafe
Cavens Country House
The Crichton, Dumfries
Rik’s Bike Shed
Moat Brae Birthplace of Peter Pan
The Gallery at Laurieston
Easterbrook Hall
Broom Fisheries
Easterbrook Bistro, Bar & Spa
Annandale Distillery and Visitor Centre
Sulwath Brewers Ltd
Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Cafe
