One of the National Trust for Scotland’s top ten most visited attractions, this garden for all seasons is renowned for its springtime daffodils, herbaceous beds ablaze with colour in summer and dense heather gardens in Autumn. Among Threave Garden’s numerous highlights are the informal Rose Garden, the herbaceous perennials and the one-acre Walled Garden with its wonderful temperate glasshouse collection. Threave House is a restored Scottish baronial-style house; The estate is a wildfowl refuge and a designated Special Protection Area for breeding waders and wintering waterfowl. This has led to Threave’s wetlands been designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest. The restaurant is popular with visitors and locals and there is a plant sales area and a gift shop.

Situated on an island in the middle of the River Dee, this formidable castle is only reachable by boat. Now under the care of Historic Scotland, this massive tower house was built in the late 14th century by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway. It became the stronghold of the Black Douglases and still today, round its base you can see the artillery fortification, an innovative defence years ahead of its time, built before 1455 when James II besieged the castle. Begin your journey to the castle at Kelton Mains farm and from there follow the picturesque 10-minute walk through fields and past woods until you arrive at the shore of the River Dee. Here you will find a small jetty and a brass bell with a rope pull. Ring the bell loudly – little adventurers love this bit – and the boatman will come across from the island to take you to the castle.

The Cocoabean Company is a family-run chocolate factory where expert chocolatiers make and decorate exquisite treats. Come to the Cocoabean for a day full of fun for all the family. Kids can make chocolate creations in our interactive workshops. Explore and enjoy the extensive indoor and outdoor play areas. Enjoy lunch in the Cocoabean Café and don’t forget to take home some tasty treats from the factory chocolate shop. The best and most enjoyable visitor attraction in Dumfries & Galloway this chocolate factory is now on a new purpose built site. IT has chocolate workshops with glass viewing walls where you can watch the chocolatiers at work.

Cream o’ Galloway is a deliciously good fun place to visit with its adventure playground, indoor visitor centre & play areas, daily events, exciting slides, rides and pedal kart track, and its miles of beautiful walks and nature trails. Indulge in luxurious Cream o’ Galloway Ice Cream, tuck into tasty Finlay’s Farmhouse Cheese and enjoy lots and lots of deliciously good fun at the award winning Visitor Centre.

One of the star attractions in Galloway for art lovers, this brand new £3 million facility opened its doors in 2018. It houses the ‘Kirkcudbright Artists’ Collection’; a collection of works created by the many artists who have lived in the famous ‘Artists’ Town’ throughout history. In 2015 the collection was formally recognised as one of Scotland’s Nationally Significant Collections, showcasing the very best of the nation’s holdings of art and antiquities.

Head to Kirkudbright where you can explore the 18th century Broughton House, home and studio of the artist E.A Hornel until his death in 1933. A hidden treasure nestling on the banks of the River Dee near the Artists’ Town of Kirkcudbright, this magnificent 18th century town house was bought in 1901 by Hornel, one of the celebrated group of painters known as ‘The Glasgow Boys’. Taking inspiration from such French Naturalist painters as Bastien-Lepage and also from Whistler, the Glasgow Boys produced some of the most revolutionary paintings in Britain, drawing praise in London, Munich, and Vienna and further afield.

A wealth of indoor and outdoor adventure activities that the whole family can enjoy; from grass sledging to Zip Wires to water zorbing to clay pidgeon shooting there is an activity to fit all ages and fitness! Laggan Outdoor has one of the longest zip wires in Europe.

This excellent walk includes some of the best coastal walking in the area, heading along the clifftops and then the shoreline between Balcary Point and Rascarrel. It is deservedly popular, although not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

A fine example of a Scottish tower-house castle, Cardoness Castle was built in the later 15th century as the fortified residence of the McCullochs. Cardoness Castle is a well-preserved ruin where you can admire the exquisite architectural detail of this still magnificent structure, including the splendid fireplace and wall-cupboard where the family’s best silverware was displayed, touch the intricate stone carvings and soak up the superb views over the beautiful Fleet Bay to the Solway Firth beyond. There is also a new scale model and a fantastic exhibition.

The well laid out course’s (5400 yards (18), SSS 66, par 68) greens and tees are superbly kept and are a pleasure to play. The parkland layout throws up some very interesting holes, particularly the third, with its plateau green – very difficult to catch in regulation. The course is relatively easy to walk. Alternatively, golf buggies and trolleys are available for hire. Catering and bar facilities are available all day during April through September

Clatteringshaws Loch was formed in 1935 when the River Dee was dammed. The water is piped to Glenlee power station. This was the first large scale hydro-electric power scheme that was developed in Scotland; it preceeded those in the highlands which were all developed after World War 2. The wild goats which you may see as you cycle through this area are feral goats (domestic goats which have gone wild). Their young are born in January and February so you are likely to see them if you are going through in the spring. If goats are disturbed they make an explosive hiss through their nostrils, this sound can carry half a mile. Roe deer are also quite common.

Explore the woodland trails of Dalbeattie Forest on foot or by bike. Follow the walking trails from the Town Wood end of the forest, 7stanes mountain biking from the Richorn car park or come along to one of our events to find out more about the forest. Although its flatter than other cycle trails, Dalbeattie is a must-ride location, primarily for ita liberal sprinkling of granite boulders.

Mary Queen of Scots spent her last hours on Scottish soil in this Cistercian abbey founded by David I. Built in c12th. the abbey stands in a small secluded valley, its remoteness in keeping with the strict rules of the Cistercian abbey. Dundrennan Abbey is one of the most impressive to survive from Scotland’s 13 Cistercian monasteries and today many of the stone carvings around the abbey can be still touched. Mary Queen of Scots spent her last hours on Scottish soil in this Cistercian abbey, which was founded in 1142 by Fergus, Lord of Galloway, with the help of King David I. Once home to a community of Cistercian monks and now under the care of Historic Scotland, Dundrennan Abbey is amongst the best preserved late 12th century Cistercian architecture in Scotland. As you explore the abbey you can’t fail to be charmed by the peaceful beauty of Dundrennan’s ruins which stand in a beautiful small and secluded valley – the remoteness is in keeping with the strict rules and observance of the Cistercian order.

The centre is situated on the banks of Loch Ken. They cater for families, individuals and groups alike. they provide a wide range of outdoor activities, courses, kit hire accommodation and holiday packages. Choose from Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Waterpark, Outdoor Laser Quest, Archery, Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Climbing/Abseiling and more.

Orchardton Tower is a ruined tower house in Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway, south west Scotland. It is located 4 miles (6.1km) south of Dalbeattie, and 1 mile (1.7km) south of Palnackie, in Buittle parish. It is remarkable as the only cylindrical tower house in Scotland. Orchardton Tower is in the care of Historic Scotland, and is a Category A listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument

The small sandy Rockcliffe beach with rocks is set in the picturesque village of Rockcliffe near Dalbeattie. The beach is a great area for walks and attracts many visitors every year. With several marked routes and many places of interest, it makes for a lovely day out destination. Depending on the state of the tide, the sea can be within a few yards of the road at high tide or, on the other hand, when the tide is low the nearest open water can be the better part of a mile away, beyond the beaches and the craggy rocks that punctuate them, beyond Rough Island.

Screel Hill may rise only to a modest 344m but this rocky eminence provides a very rough walk. The reward is the stunning views over the Rough Firth and Auchencairn Bay.

This splendid red-sandstone ruin of the late 13th century was founded by Lady Devorgilla of Galloway, in memory of her husband Lord John Balliol. When her husband died in 1268, Lady Dervorgilla, had his heart embalmed and placed in an ivory casket which she carried everywhere with her. On her death, she was laid to rest with her husband’s heart and the monks named the abbey in memory of her. Now under the care of Historic Scotland the romantic abbey is enclosed by an impressive precinct wall – a wall of massive granite boulders, ranking alongside the wall at St Andrews cathedral priory as the most complete in Scotland – and despite Scotland’s turbulent history, it stands remarkably complete, in a beautiful setting nestled between the grey bulk of Criffel Hill and the shimmering waters of the Solway Firth.

Located 7 miles north east of Dalbeattie, Drumcoltran Tower is a fortified mid 16th century L plan tower house, adjacent to mid 18th century farmhouse. Drumcoltran Tower was built in the 1550s by Edward Maxwell, a younger son of the then Lord Maxwell. It is thought the site was chosen because it controlled the main road from Dumfries to Dalbeattie rather than because of any inherent defensive strength. In later centuries, the tower had various owners before passing by marriage to Captain John Maxwell of Cardoness in 1750, who also inherited Cardoness Castle shortly after. A house was later built to accommodate farm labourers while the tower was used as a farm store. Today it is under the care of Historic Scotland.

Just recently opened, and a short drive away on the other side of Castle Douglas, Ernespie Farm makes for a great family day out, with indoor and outdoor play areas for the children (including a soft play area, climbing frames, animal feeding, and even tractor rides), a farmhouse kitchen and a gift shop.