Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock, Glencaple, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 4RU
Tel: 01387 770244

Historic Scotland. Surrounded by moats, it has a twin-towered gatehouse and a Renaissance range.

Cardoness Castle

Beside A75, on the B727, one mile (1.6km) southwest of Gatehouse-of-Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway
Tel: 01557 814427

Historic Scotland. Well preserved ruin of a 15th century tower house with good quality architectural details.

Carsluith Castle

Carsluith, Creetown, Dumfries & Galloway
Tel: 0131 668 8800    Fax: 0131 668 8888

3.5 miles south of Creetown. The delightful and well-preserved ruin of a four storied tower house of the C16th with C18th ranges of out-houses reminding visitors that such houses were originally linked to outbuildings. One of its owners was the last abbot of Sweetheart Abbey. Keys available during standard opening times.

Drumcoltran Tower

Off the A711, 7 miles (11.3km) northeast of Dalbeattie, Dumfries & Galloway, among farm buildings

Historic Scotland. Well-preserved mid-16th century tower.

MacLellan’s Castle

In the centre of Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway, on A711
Tel: 01557 331856

Historic Scotland. Castellated town house, complete except for its roof, built in 1570's.

Orchardton Tower

6 miles (10km) southeast of Castle Douglas off A711

Historic Scotland. Small 15th century circular tower house.

Threave Castle

Off the A75 on an island 2 miles (3km) west of Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway

Owned by National Trust for Scotland and under guardianship of Historic Scotland.
Reached by boat and a long walk to the property. Massive 14th century tower and artillery fortification.

Cairnholy

Carsluith, Creetown, Dumfries & Galloway
Tel: 0131 668 8800    Fax: 0131 668 8888
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gov.uk
Web: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

6.5 miles south east of Creetown. Dating back to about 2000 BC. Impressive remains of two chambered cairns.

Castle of St John

Charlotte Street, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 7EJ
Tel: 01776 705544
E-mail: www.dumgal.gov.uk/museums

The Castle of St. John is alternatively known as the Chapel or Stranraer Castle and is located in the centre of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway. Restored by Wigtown District Council and open to the public since 1990, the castle was built in 1510 by Ninian Adair of Kilhurst, one of the most powerful Lairds of Wigtownshire. It passed to the Kennedys in 1591, was a Dalrymple of Stair property from 1680 and eventually passed to public ownership in 1815 when it was purchased by the Burgh of Stranraer. Standing four storeys tall, it was also used as the town gaol between 1815 and 1907. The Castle of St. John was restored in 1988/89 and reopened as a Visitor Centre in 1990.

Menstrie Castle

Menstrie Place, Menstrie, Clackmannanshire
Tel: 01259 211701    Fax: 01259 211701
Web: www.nts.org.uk

Menstrie Castle was the birthplace of Sir William Alexander, James VI's Lieutenant for the Plantation of Nova Scotia, and an exhibition in the Nova Scotia Commemoration Room tells the story of this ill-fated scheme. The National Trust for Scotland, in co-operation with the then Clackmannanshire County Council, played a large part in saving it from demolition.

Chapel Finian

Port William, Dumfries & Galloway
Tel: 0131 668 8800    Fax: 0131 668 8888
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gov.uk
Web: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

5 miles north west of Port William. Dating from C10th/11th, the remains of a small chapel in an enclosruer built in the Irish style, is probably named after St Finian who studied at Whithorn. Low walls remain on long raised beach.

McDiarmid Memorial (Monument)

Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway
Tel: 013873 80914

Overlooking the town of Langholm the memorial was designed by sculptor Jake Harvey. It takes the form of a giant metal open book. There is also a MacDiarmid Trail around the town of Langholm where this greatest 20th century poet was born and educated. His first collection 'Annals of the Five Senses' was published in 1923 followed by 'Penny Wheep, Three Hymns to Lenin and A Kist of Whistles'. MacDiarmid is buried in a simple grave in Langholm Cemetery - Lair E73.

Ukrainian POW Chapel (Church/Chapel)

Muirhill, Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway
Tel: 01576 204025

This pre-war building is made of a timber frame with plaster boarding inside. Looking at the building from the outside, the impression is of just another hut in the middle of nowhere. It is when you open the door and step inside then you realise what lies hidden behind the outer walls. It is the first Ukrainian Chapel of its' kind in Scotland and is still in use to this day. Services are still being held on the first Sunday of every second month. About 3 miles from the Camp is 'The Garden of Remembrance' for the Lockerbie Air Disaster.

Drumtroddan Cup and Ring Marked Rocks and Standing Stones

Two miles (3km) northeast of Port William, Dumfries and Galloway, on the A747.
Historic Scotland.

Three groups of cup and ring marked stones probably carved in the Bronze Age; an alignment of three stones.

Ruthwell Cross

Off the B724 at Ruthwell, Dumfries and Galloway, 8 miles (13km) southeast of Dumfries (within parish church). Historic Scotland.

Anglian sculptured cross dates from 7th century. Considered a major monument of Dark Age Europe.

Torhouse Stone Circle

On the B733, 4 miles (6km) west of Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway, (A714).
Historic Scotland.

Bronze Age circle of 19 boulders (no longer upright).

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Dundrennan Abbey

At Dundrennan, Dumfries and Galloway, 6 miles (10km) southeast of Kirkcudbright, on A711
Tel: 01557 500262

Historic Scotland. A Cistercian house founded in 1142 by King David I. Mary, Queen of Scots, stopped here in 1586 on her flight to England. Transepts (early Gothic style) and west wall are still standing. Remains of chapter house with its beautiful cinquefoil arched doorway between two windows.

Glenluce Abbey

On minor road two miles (3km) northwest of the village of Glenluce on the A75, Dumfries and Galloway
Tel: 01581 300541

Impressive ruined Cistercian monastery, founded around 1190, set in tranquil valley. 16th century Chapter house with part of original tiled floor and water pipes still in place. Visited by Robert the Bruce, James IV and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Sweetheart Abbey

Seven miles (11.3km) south of Dumfries and Galloway in the village of New Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway, on A710
Tel: 01387 850397

Historic Scotland. Founded in the 13th century as a Cistercian abbey. Beautiful red sandstone ruins. Named Sweetheart because Dervorguilla, wife of John Balliol, carried his embalmed heart around for 22 years after he died, then had it buried with her at the high altar.

Whithorn Priory

At Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway, on A746
Tel: 01988 500700

Historic Scotland. Site of the first Christian church in Scotland, founded by St Ninian in the 5th-century. It became the cathedral church of Galloway. Romanesque doorway, ruins. Visitor's Centre and museum with collection of early Christian stones. Archaeological excavation-Whithorn Dig-open to visitors.

Lincluden Collegiate Church

At Abbey Lane on western edge of Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway (A75/76)

Historic Scotland. Remains of 1389 church with beautiful chancel and monumental tomb of Princess Margaret, daughter of Robert III.

St. Ninian's Chapel

Four miles from Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway, on A750 at Isle of Whithorn, five minute walk from the pier.

13th century chapel thought to be where St Ninian landed.

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DUNKSEY GARDENS

Portpatrick, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 8TJ
Tel: 01776 810211    Fax: 01776 810581
E-mail: info@dunskey.com
Web: www.dunskey.com

Recently re-established 18th century walled garden with restored MacKenzie and Moncur greenhouses. Woodland walks, An interesting eating house with murals. Wide variety of plants for sale.

Broughton House

High Street, Kirkcudbright.Dumfries and Galloway

National Trust for Scotland. 18th century townhouse, which belonged to the Murrays of Broughton and Cally. Home of the artist E.A. Hormel from 1901. The house contains a fine collection of antique furniture, an exceptional library and a notable manuscript collection. The garden is the highlight of a visit. Designed by Hormel, it backs onto the Dee estuary. It contains both Scottish and Japanese features and has been recently restored to its former fine state.

Rammerscales

Five miles (8km) west of Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway, on A74, B7020.
Tel: 01387 811988

Historic Houses Association. Pink-stoned 18th century Georgian manor house designed in Palladian style. Fine circular staircases, Jacobite relics, and library. Collection of 20th century paintings, tapestries and sculpture. Views over Annadale.

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Castle Kennedy, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 8SJ
Tel: 01776 702024    Fax: 01776 706248
E-mail: info@castlekennedygardens.co.uk
Web: www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk

Located on a peninsula between two lochs, they provide vistas, sweeping lawns and tree-lined avenues. Rhododendrons, azaleas, walled garden, lily pond, water features and conifers. Ruins of Castle Kennedy.

Threave Garden

One mile west of Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway, off the A75
Tel: 01556 502575    Fax: 01556 502683
E-mail: threave@nts.org.uk
Web: www.nts.org.uk

National Trust for Scotland. 64 acres include 200 varieties of daffodils. Herbaceous beds, heather garden, trees. House not open to the public. Visitor Centre with exhibition. Estate trails and bird hides.

Ardwell Gardens

Ardwell, Estate Office, by Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 9LY
Tel: 01776 860227    Fax: 01776 860288

The gardens surround an 18th century Country House (not open to the public), with the formal layout round the house blending into the informality of woods and shrubberies. In the the spring daffodils provide a carpet of colour. There are fine azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons and a walled garden, summer bedding and herbaceous borders. The walk round the largest pond (approximately half an hour) gives fine views over Luce Bay. There is a good range of home grown plants for sale in the walled garden, also fruit and vegetables in season.

Logan Botanic Garden

Port Logan, Nr Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 9ND
Tel: 01776 860231    Fax: 01776 860333
E-mail: logan@rbge.org.uk
Web: www.rbge.org.uk

Wonder at the groves of eucalyptus and at the Gunnera Bog in the Woodland Garden. Enjoy the brilliant blooms of southern hemisphere plants in the Walled Garden. This is a showcase for tender plants, and provides a blaze of colour all year round. An exciting new addition is Local Heroes, featuring a fascinating collection of native coastal treasures found in this region. Visit the Discovery Centre, and unearth the intriguing history of the Logan Botanic Garden, from its foundation to its current wealth of plant collections. Self-guided audio tours highlight interesting plants and features in this beautiful Garden.

Glenwhan Gardens

Glenwhan House, Dunragit, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 8PH
Tel: 01581 400222    Fax: 01581 400397
E-mail: tess@glenwhan.freeserve.co.uk
Web: www.glenwhangardens.co.uk

Described as one of the best newly created gardens in recent times, it is hard to believe just twenty years ago there existed only bog, rushes and gorse. The focal point of this outstanding 12 acre garden centres round two small lakes with magnificent views across Luce Bay and to the Mull of Galloway. The warming effects of the Gulf Stream allow exotic and tender plants from around the southern hemisphere to flourish and large collections of rare trees and shrubs may be discovered. This is a garden for all seasons - not only in spring when azaleas and rhododendrons dazzle the visitor - but throughout the summer when the plantsman may discover many rare gems. Red squirrels also live in the garden.