What Makes Dumfries and Galloway One of the Most Breathtaking Places on Earth

Conquering armies since the Iron Age, including the Romans, Picts, Saxons, and Vikings, have left their mark on the southwestern corner of Scotland. But today, most visitors to the council area of Dumfries and Galloway come for the region’s untouched natural beauty. In 2027, stargazers will find a sanctuary in the new location of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory overlooking the mirror-like Clatteringshaws Loch in Galloway Forest Park. The new 83-mile Rhins of Galloway Coast Path makes the region’s dramatic cliffs and beaches more accessible while, nearby, the new 206-mile Gallovidian Gravel Route unites the area’s world-class mountain biking trails. Times may change, but the landscape of Dumfries and Galloway is eternal.

(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)

When to Go 

The region’s dark skies are at their most rewarding in autumn and winter, when the temperatures drop and there’s less moisture in the air, letting the stars shine brighter. The October South of Scotland Dark Sky Festival heralds the unofficial beginning of Dumfries and Galloway’s stargazing season. If you’d like to explore the coastline, go in summer when the Gulf Stream blows in warm Atlantic air, making the days balmier than anywhere else in Scotland and delivering sunsets that burn fiery orange, then dusky pink. Witness history on July 2, when the Tour de France heads to southern Scotland for the first time.

What to Do 

Go Stargazing:

The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, whose old facility was destroyed by a fire in 2021, will soon have a new home inside the Galloway International Dark Sky Park, where you can stargaze among the trees of an ancient spruce forest beside a glimmering loch.

Visit a Castle:

A medieval attraction straight out of a fairy tale, Caerlaverock Castle is a triangular pink sandstone fortress with its own moat. Throughout 2027, Historic Environment Scotland, a government body charged with protecting and promoting the country’s historic sites, will celebrate the castle’s 750th anniversary with extensive renovations and public events.

Walk in the Footsteps of a Great Bard:

Though born in Ayrshire, Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, wrote “Auld Lang Syne,” his most famous work, in Dumfries and Galloway. In 1788 he built a farmstead, now the Robert Burns Ellisland Museum & Farm, on the banks of the River Nith. Guests can tour the main house and farm buildings, walk the path where he composed “Tam o’ Shanter,” and even visit his outdoor toilet.

Celebrate the Written Word:

Dumfries and Galloway’s contemporary literary scene is anchored by the city of Wigtown, officially designated Scotland’s National Book Town. It’s home to 17 bookstores and the Wigtown Book Festival, which typically runs from late September to early October. Drop in at The Bookshop, the largest secondhand bookshop in Scotland with around 100,000 titles. Stay at The Open Book, the country’s first bookstore residency, where travelers are invited to run the shop.

Hike the Coastline:

The hammerhead-shaped peninsula known as the Rhins of Galloway is rugged and wild, with views of the Irish Sea. Hikers looking for a multiday challenge can follow the Rhins of Galloway Coast Path, which runs from the fishing village of Portpatrick to the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s southernmost point.

Embark on an Epic Bike Ride:

Locals will tell you that, back in 1839, the Dumfriesshire blacksmith was the first person to put pedals onto a bicycle. In his honor, the Kirkpatrick C2C offers visitors a 250-mile coast-to-coast cycling route across the South of Scotland, from Stranraer, on the Rhins of Galloway, to Eyemouth, on Scotland’s east coast.

Getting Around

ScotRail trains can usually transport travelers from the gateway cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh in around two hours, which can be a good option for ambitious cyclists. For most visitors, however, a car rental is the best option.