Dumfries and Galloway?

[MsJaneAusten]

I’m looking at spending a week meandering the coast in Dumfries and Galloway in a campervan with two kids.

Anyone done it? Good idea? Terrible idea?

It appeals as I think it will be quieter than most English coastlines (Ds1 is autistic and hates crowds) and it’s not too much of a drive from us, but I’m a bit worried that it will just rain all week or that Scottish people won’t really want tourists yet.

Alternatives: Arran? Join the masses on the Yorkshire coastline?

(I already have a trip to Northumberland booked)

Hopeful morning bump

Yeah I like a wee trip down to D&G - great mountain biking, wonderful local food (D&G is mostly arable land after all) and pleasant rolling, peaceful countryside to relax in with an absence of crowds.

I’m taking my eldest for a weekend’s camping and mountain biking as soon as they open the campsites.

Some lovely beaches too. My favourites in the area have been Mossyard and Rockcliffe. Moss yard has a cracking campsite.

We’re in Scotland and have ruled out D&G As a destination this year as we think it will be heaving with English folk coming up, thinking/hoping it will be quieter than England. (I don’t mean this in an anti-English way, honest). Or, at least wait until 12 August when we all go back to school.

I don’t think anywhere is going to be quiet this year. ☹️

And also be aware, the guidance on camping is not entirely clear yet and lots of places won’t be opening their shared facilities but I presume if you’re in a campervan you might be self-sufficient in that respect.

Lots of campsites I’ve been looking have said they are not taking tent bookings or are just not opening. We’re starting to think we’re just going to stay at home!

Thank you.

I’ll be honest, anti-English feeling is worrying me. I live in Cumbria and the earlier vitriol to tourists seems to have died down. I was hoping it might be the same there.

I looked at waiting until Scottish holidays were over but D&G doesn’t seem to go back until 19th and my dc will be with their dad by then.

Beautiful / interesting enough though? Even if it rains?

Yes - we’ve been practicing self sufficiency! We have a toilet on board and can flannel wash if needed, though a shower book would be preferable

D&G isn’t populated densely enough to have an anti-English problem. If they are able to operate, the hospitality, tourism and catering businesses will be delighted to have you.

I don’t think anti- English will be a problem (again, my point was not anti-English, it was about location and proximity to a large population. I could have quite easily said I’m not going to North Berwick because all of Edinburgh will be there)

Anyway, yes, lots to do - mountain biking, beaches, walks, lochs. We went a couple of years ago and the kids are pestering to go again. We loved it.

D&G is beautiful - we were there for a long weekend just before lockdown - it was a haven of calm amongst the toilet roll wars and panic buying. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Caerlaverock if you like birds/wildlife. Caerlaverock Castle, Kirkcudbright if you're into art, although not sure what will be open. There are some amazing beaches - we like Port Logan (there's the botanic gardens there too. The Rhins are fantastic on a clear day. Portpatrick is very like a Cornish harbour town but can be busy. We've walked miles in Galloway Forest park and not seen a soul. Wigtown for bookshops. Ice cream at Newton Stuart

Scottish accommodation is set to reopen from 15 July including campsites although dates can be changed. There is a lovely campsite at Garlieston Bay, right on the water.

I'm not sure D&G will be THAT busy - one of the hidden gems of the UK. But don't tell anyone!

We are looking at renting a cottage for a week early September, after the schools go back (maybe go back). Dumfries and Galloway is top of our list. We had some great family holidays there. It's accessible from the north west where we live, it's beautiful and we hope, unlikely to be crowded.
Yes Ms Jane Austen, I suspect you'll love it. The beaches are glorious, the towns and cities interesting and we found bakers/butchers/grocers etc sold great produce.

Self-catering can reopen from 3rd July (it was expected to be 15th but bought forward).

It's a lovely part of the world.

We have been encouraged to stay in Scotland for holidays by Nicola Sturgeon.The schools holidays have started here. So you might find things busy.

Arran is lovely but I'm not sure about ferries - so it could be tricky if accommodation is open but you can't get there.

Thank you! This is all really helpful. I’m excited to start plotting.

(And sorry, @Ohdeariedear - I didn’t mean you were anti English. I just meant that was one of my concerns)

What area of D&G were you thinking of heading to?

Thank you for the encouragement. I’m all booked! Nine nights, five sites, going from Annan to Stranraer...

Hope you have the best time!

Fantastic! Enjoy.

The coastal walk from sandy hills to Rockcliffe is lovely - if you want a shorter walk rockcliffe to Kippford is great. Galloway Forrest is a dark skies area if you are interested in that kind of thing

It’s lovely OP, it will be perfect for you. It’s rarely crowded and lots of outdoor sports and spaces.

Keep an eye out for Red Kites. They are beautiful to watch.
Lovely part of the world!

Sorry to hijack - I really want to camp on the west coast of Scotland but the midges put me off! Please share your experiences and convince me it's not so bad. I grew up in Lancashire and used to get bitten so much!

I might be being naive, but I don’t think they’re actually worse than anywhere else?

I use Avon ‘so soft’ as a repellent after a tip on here a few years ago.

West coast Highland midges are brutal. Skin so soft oil or Smidge helps and a midge net for your head is essential.

If you can, I highly recommend visiting both Logan Botanic Garden and Glenwhan Gardens while you're there. They are both absolutely stunning!

ooh, I'm off to Dumfries and Galloway too OP!
Wigton, which is Scotlands book town is good for a potter round book shops
And I saw the Laggan outdoor activity centre, which has one of Europe's longest zip slides is opening up again from July 17 - did that last year with DD
parts of D&G are also a dark sky park, so good for star gazing (assuming it's not raining)