DUMFRIES - where can we go from here for a couple of days?

[GloomyWaters]

So we will be in Dunfries beginning of July for a meeting. We would like to venture somewhere for abit of a break

We were thinking of going over to Edingburgh but done that. Perhaps coastline with a beach or somerging different open to suggestions.

Be myself DH and DS age 16

ayrshire coast isnt too ar away, edinburgh is about 2 hour drive

If you want a city then drive to Lockerbie and get on the train to glasgow.

Lovely coast area around Rockcliffe etc

Dont mind driving. Never done Ayr

I would also suggest Ayr. And obviously depending what you are after, but Robert Burns House/Museum /Gardens is quite nice for a day out.

Just been to Dumfries the other day after 30 years, Avoid the town. I could have cried at how grim it was. The Crichton campus is gorgeous. If you’ve got time, veer towards Kippford and Kirkudbightbright. New Abbey and Sweetheart Abbey are lovely too.
And Kilnford Farm Shop if you’re in need of a Macaroni & Haggis pie

the Solway coastline is lovely. and there's a good museum called the devil's porridge at Eastriggs. apart from that i don't know the Dumfries area very well, I'm more familiar with the Stranraer area, lovely coast and countryside around there, Stranraer itself, not so much

If the weather's nice, the Raiders Road forest drive is gorgeous (I may be biased as I spent a lot of time in New Galloway as a kid!). There's also Drumlanrig Castle about half an hour north, the gardens are open now and are a treat to walk around. I think the Galloway forest park is also a dark sky reserve if any of you are interested in stargazing.

If you're driving as far as Ayr there's Culzean Castle which is lovely for a day out. Theres Robert Burns house and a newish visitors centre near Ayr but I don't think it's massively interesting, and it's also quite interactive with lots to touch so not sure what it will be like right now when we can't touch things. Other than that I'm not sure there's much to see in Ayr.
Drumlanrig Castle, closer and also good. We used to go there on school trips every summer.
The Dark Sky park is great in winter but might not be dark enough in summer? Sometimes you can get a tour of the observatory which is interesting even if you can't see the stars.
The Devil's Porridge museum is interesting, my 14 yr old really enjoyed visiting there.

Kirkcudbright and nearby coastal beaches.

Kirkcudbright and castle Douglas.

I would second Culzean Castle. Take a picnic and spend the day exploring the grounds and go down to the beach

Hop over the border to Carlisle

@NorthernDramaLlama

Do you mean as far South as humanly possible?

[Smile]

Moffat for the toffee?

Jidsubright, Ayr?

I'm giving yo tonight my phone isn't working dds

Thanks some great ideas here...I think we want somewhere with a lovely beach, good pubs restaurants etc. somewhere different with a castle or two thrown in!

@GloomyWaters

Thanks some great ideas here...I think we want somewhere with a lovely beach, good pubs restaurants etc. somewhere different with a castle or two thrown in!

Kirkcudbright, award winning Art Gallery, newly opened Planetarium, several restaurants ( The Selkirk Arms is great), boutique shops, ruined castle in the centre of town right next to the Harbour, coast on the doorstep and great walks into the woods. Look it up, visitors films on YouTube. A bit of a secret gem.

Ayr has a lovely beach OP

What about Wigtown? www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk/

Ayrshire coast has a lot to offer you. Castles to visit: Dunoon, Greenan, Culzean, Dundonald. Some are just ruins but still lovely.
Beaches: Ayr, Prestwick, Troon.
There are lots of great pubs and restaurants in and around the area too!
Also lots of good hotels etc. too!

Sorry! I meant Dunure Castle. Not Dunoon that is further along!