Sightseeing
Drumlanrig Estate is on the doorstep and offers excellent walks, gardens, tearoom, fishing and cycling - including bike hire
72 locals recommend
Drumlanrig Castle
Drumlanrig Estate is on the doorstep and offers excellent walks, gardens, tearoom, fishing and cycling - including bike hire
Scaur Glen is a beautiful hidden gem. Walk along the lane by the river from the yurt, or drive right the way up to Polskeoch Bothy and the Southern Upland Way.
The glen is a favourite spot of artist Andy Goldsworthy and you’ll find some sculptures near by. Mature oaks, ash and birches are a feature, and the lane is edged with wild flowers including spectacular bluebells in spring.
Glenmarlin Falls are a local beauty spot, and sometimes you can watch fish leaping.
We have miles of remote hill walking from the door.
Scaur Water
Scaur Glen is a beautiful hidden gem. Walk along the lane by the river from the yurt, or drive right the way up to Polskeoch Bothy and the Southern Upland Way.
The glen is a favourite spot of artist Andy Goldsworthy and you’ll find some sculptures near by. Mature oaks, ash and birches are a feature, and the lane is edged with wild flowers including spectacular bluebells in spring.
Glenmarlin Falls are a local beauty spot, and sometimes you can watch fish leaping.
We have miles of remote hill walking from the door.
Climb this Iron Age hill fort from the door - a steep walk with rewarding views and great opportunities for wildlife. Make a longer circuit over Craignee Hill and Auchengibbert.
Tynron Doon
Climb this Iron Age hill fort from the door - a steep walk with rewarding views and great opportunities for wildlife. Make a longer circuit over Craignee Hill and Auchengibbert.
Morton Castle
Crichope Linn
For the more adventurous this is a spectacular walk through a dramatic sandstone gorge
Explore this amazing land art installation designed by Charles Jencks, on the site of old open cast mines. Now with a new tearoom
13 locals recommend
Crawick Multiverse
Explore this amazing land art installation designed by Charles Jencks, on the site of old open cast mines. Now with a new tearoom
Wanlockhead is Scotland's highest village. Take a trip on a steam train and visit the Lead mining Museum - where you can even try panning for gold
Wanlockhead
Wanlockhead is Scotland's highest village. Take a trip on a steam train and visit the Lead mining Museum - where you can even try panning for gold
Great for forest walks and mountain biking - one of the Seven Stanes biking trails
13 locals recommend
FOREST OF AE
Great for forest walks and mountain biking - one of the Seven Stanes biking trails
An easy day trip to visit the famous Dumfries House
41 locals recommend
Dumfries House: part of The Prince's Foundation
An easy day trip to visit the famous Dumfries House
Robert Burns Ellisland Farm
Holywood RoadCaerlaverock Castle
WWT Caerlaverock
Loch Ken
A beautiful drive and a great place to get out on the water.
Galloway Forest Park
Galloway ForestAndy Goldsworthy’s Striding Arches are a challenge to visit, but a spectacular sight
10 locals recommend
The Byre
Southern Upland WayAndy Goldsworthy’s Striding Arches are a challenge to visit, but a spectacular sight
This 10 mile Forest Drive winds along the Black Water of Dee , past the Otters Pool and through the forest. A popular spot for swimming.
Raiders Road Otter Pools
This 10 mile Forest Drive winds along the Black Water of Dee , past the Otters Pool and through the forest. A popular spot for swimming.
New Lanark
New Lanark RoadVisitors are welcome for walks around this old estate near New Galloway. The Walled Garden is being restored by volunteers. https://newgallowaytownhall.com/walks-at-garroch-glen/
Garroch
Visitors are welcome for walks around this old estate near New Galloway. The Walled Garden is being restored by volunteers. https://newgallowaytownhall.com/walks-at-garroch-glen/
A lovely little modern art gallery tucked away in the countryside near Thornhill. A great circular cycle route from the yurt
CAMPLE LINE
A lovely little modern art gallery tucked away in the countryside near Thornhill. A great circular cycle route from the yurt
A lovely wee village close to the Solway Coast. Visit Sweetheart Abbey in the centre of the Village, The Corn Mill, New Abbey Tea Room and Climb the Waterloo Monument for one if D&Gs best views - if you’re feeling energetic.
New Abbey
A lovely wee village close to the Solway Coast. Visit Sweetheart Abbey in the centre of the Village, The Corn Mill, New Abbey Tea Room and Climb the Waterloo Monument for one if D&Gs best views - if you’re feeling energetic.
The ‘Nearly lost Gardens of Arbigland’ near Southerness on the Solway Coast - visit and see the restorations. https://arbiglandhouseandgardens.co.uk/
Arbigland House
The ‘Nearly lost Gardens of Arbigland’ near Southerness on the Solway Coast - visit and see the restorations. https://arbiglandhouseandgardens.co.uk/
Beautiful beaches, cliffs, views to Cumbria, villages -including Kippford and Rockliffe, wildlife reserves and Southernness lighthouse are just a few of the highlights.
11 locals recommend
Solway Firth
Beautiful beaches, cliffs, views to Cumbria, villages -including Kippford and Rockliffe, wildlife reserves and Southernness lighthouse are just a few of the highlights.
The Old Mill is home to an exhibition space, a bookshop and art studios. It is situated in the beautiful port village of Palnackie, on the Solway coastline in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. The aim of its founders, Edward and Lucy, is to create a space for enquiry into the connection between creativity, spirit and our natural environment. And they serve tea and cakes at the weekend too.
The Old Mill
6 Port RoadThe Old Mill is home to an exhibition space, a bookshop and art studios. It is situated in the beautiful port village of Palnackie, on the Solway coastline in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. The aim of its founders, Edward and Lucy, is to create a space for enquiry into the connection between creativity, spirit and our natural environment. And they serve tea and cakes at the weekend too.
Food scene
Our new Community cafe, The Three Villages, is right in the centre of Penpont - an easy walk or cycle. You’ll get a friendly welcome and great lunch or home baking. Check out their FB page too for regular Bistro Nights.
Penpont Tea Room
Main StreetOur new Community cafe, The Three Villages, is right in the centre of Penpont - an easy walk or cycle. You’ll get a friendly welcome and great lunch or home baking. Check out their FB page too for regular Bistro Nights.
Lovely woodfired pizzas and Italian cuisine just a 10 minute drive away. You can also order to take away.
9 locals recommend
Piccola Italia
Three Glens High StreetLovely woodfired pizzas and Italian cuisine just a 10 minute drive away. You can also order to take away.
Our favourite for a meal out, and well worth the slightly longer drive. The restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide and has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes
14 locals recommend
The Auldgirth Inn
A76Our favourite for a meal out, and well worth the slightly longer drive. The restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide and has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes
Thomas Tosh
19 E Morton StGreat for a relaxed pizza or fish and chips. Eat in until 6pm and takeaway also available.
Drumlanrig Cafe
53-54 Drumlanrig StGreat for a relaxed pizza or fish and chips. Eat in until 6pm and takeaway also available.
Jade Garden
123 Drumlanrig StCollect a Chinese from Thornhill for an easy night in - only 8 minutes drive away.
Lean Bean
114 Drumlanrig StreetGreat wee refill shop with fantastic coffee and healthy bakes and lunches
A small country house hotel near Closeburn that welcomes non residents for dinner. Recommend by previous guests.
Hotels Scotland - Trigony Country House Hotel and Garden Spa
A76A small country house hotel near Closeburn that welcomes non residents for dinner. Recommend by previous guests.
Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre
Clachan Inn
8-10 Main StreetAnother favourite restaurant that’s worth the scenic half hour drive
Newly reopened pub in Moniaive, currently serving lunches and drinks and cakes during the day and evening pub meals.
The George
High StreetNewly reopened pub in Moniaive, currently serving lunches and drinks and cakes during the day and evening pub meals.
Hotel in Thornhill serving bar and restaurant meals including Mon-Thurs £6 specials before 6.30.
13 locals recommend
The Buccleuch & Queensberry Arms Hotel
112 Drumlanrig StHotel in Thornhill serving bar and restaurant meals including Mon-Thurs £6 specials before 6.30.
Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Cafe has become a much treasured and appreciated destination in Dumfries & Galloway for those who appreciate quality food both sourced and produced with care and integrity.
18 locals recommend
Loch Arthur Farm Shop
Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Cafe has become a much treasured and appreciated destination in Dumfries & Galloway for those who appreciate quality food both sourced and produced with care and integrity.
A great tearoom if you’re out for a drive through the hills - with lovely outdoor seating by the burn.
The Smithy
High StreetA great tearoom if you’re out for a drive through the hills - with lovely outdoor seating by the burn.
Sushi City
33 English StreetIf you’re passing through Dumfries pick up some fresh, handmade sushi to takeaway.
Buittle Castle is open at weekends through the summer - garden, tearoom and shop https://www.buittlecastle.co.uk/
Buittle House
Buittle Castle is open at weekends through the summer - garden, tearoom and shop https://www.buittlecastle.co.uk/
Activities
Nith Valley Alpacas
Book a Trek with Alpacas - just up the road!
Galloway Activity Centre
Shirmers BridgeTempland Leisure Pool is just 4 miles away. You can book a slot to use the indoor heated pool, sauna and outdoor hot tub. https://m.facebook.com/102301488248601/
Templand Cottages
Templand Leisure Pool is just 4 miles away. You can book a slot to use the indoor heated pool, sauna and outdoor hot tub. https://m.facebook.com/102301488248601/
Thornhill Golf Club
E NewlandsA scenic 18 hole golf course nearby - https://www.thornhillgolfclub.co.uk/
Drum Fishery is a “Catch & release” 8 acre trout loch stocked with rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Blues on the Dalswinton Estate near Auldgirth. The estate also offer fishing on the River Nith.
Dalswinton House
Drum Fishery is a “Catch & release” 8 acre trout loch stocked with rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Blues on the Dalswinton Estate near Auldgirth. The estate also offer fishing on the River Nith.
Camplebridge Riding School
Organise a hack or pony ride through the local countryside
Loch Ettrick
A popular local spot for swimming and paddle boarding. Beautiful, tranquil loch
A great mountain with views down across the Solway Estuary and out to The Lake District hills. Newly laid path to eases the boggy sections and a tearoom at the bottom in the lovely village of New Abbey
13 locals recommend
Criffel
A great mountain with views down across the Solway Estuary and out to The Lake District hills. Newly laid path to eases the boggy sections and a tearoom at the bottom in the lovely village of New Abbey
In the lovely Grounds of the Crichton in Dumfries, this is a great place for a quiet swim, sauna and steam (only £6.50), with the bistro for a lunch, afternoon tea or post-swim drink.
If you want a full spa experience you can also book treatments with KAM at the Crichton
Easterbrook Bistro, Bar & Spa
Bankend RoadIn the lovely Grounds of the Crichton in Dumfries, this is a great place for a quiet swim, sauna and steam (only £6.50), with the bistro for a lunch, afternoon tea or post-swim drink.
If you want a full spa experience you can also book treatments with KAM at the Crichton
Just up the road at Drumlanrig Castle - hire bikes to explore or have an adventure on one of the Drumlanrig Mountain Bike routes.
Rik's Bike Shed
Just up the road at Drumlanrig Castle - hire bikes to explore or have an adventure on one of the Drumlanrig Mountain Bike routes.
New Scottish Assault Course for a bit of extra adventure during your stay - including assault course, painball, air soft, gun range and water activities. Only a few miles away from the yurt. scottishassaultcoursesdumfries on fb
72 locals recommend
Drumlanrig Castle
New Scottish Assault Course for a bit of extra adventure during your stay - including assault course, painball, air soft, gun range and water activities. Only a few miles away from the yurt. scottishassaultcoursesdumfries on fb
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Alouette Nature Tours
Arrange a local walk with a difference - with a trained Biosphere Guide. Alouette Nature Tours offers walking tours with a difference. Experienced nature watcher Antoine will introduce us to a whole world of natural curiosities. Using all our senses, plant and animal life large and small will be revealed. We will learn how to read the signs of their presence in the environment and listen to the stories and legends that connect them to our culture. We will learn to read the landscape and discover the impact of human presence over thousands of years. Alouettenaturetours on FB