Sports and activities abound in Dumfries and Galloway

In addition to the many opportunities for fishing, golfing, sailing, horse riding, hill walking and ornithology in Dumfries and Galloway, the region has an array of places to visit and enjoy including:

Dumfries Aviation Museum

Dumfries Aviation Museum at the former RAF Dumfries airfield in Heathhall. Exhibits include a number of military and civilian aircraft and a WWII control tower.

Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle, near Dumfries, is a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century. Caerlaverock also harbours a National Nature Reserve.

Threave Gardens and Castle

Threave Gardens and Castle are a popular visitor attraction near Castle Douglas. The estate also harbours an osprey hide.

Drumlanrig Castle

Drumlanrig Castle - Category A listed Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfriesshire and is home to the annual Galloway Country Fair, weddings and a Christmas Fair.

The Old Blacksmith's Shop

The Old Blacksmith's Shop (Gretna Green) where marriages for eloping couples from England were performed. Weddings are still popular here today in this beautifully romantic setting.

Logan Royal Botanic Garden

Logan Royal Botanic Garden has many sub-tropical plants warmed by the Gulf Stream.

Other places to visit include:

Annandale Distillery, Dumfries and Galloway’s newest (revived) distillery featuring tours and tastings.
Broughton House & Garden, Kirkcudbright, home and studio of 'Glasgow Boy' Hornel and a fabulous time capsule of the Edwardian art scene.
Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Temple. Open to the public and offering various courses, this was the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre established in the West.
Wigtown Book Town - Scotland’s National Booktown with a plethora of old book shops.

For those with visiting grandchildren, there are several family attractions including the Cocoabean Company in Twynholm with chocolate making and indoor and outdoor children’s activity play areas; Dino Park at Hetland Hall, just to the south of Dumfries, featuring an array of life-sized model dinosaurs; Mabie Farm Park near Dumfries; and, of course, many beautiful beaches for building sandcastles and beachcombing.