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Dumfries Holiday Cottages
A range of Dumfries holiday cottages are available from the rental agent featured below, providing holiday makers with access to an impressive 200 miles of coastline. Inland, the Dumfries landscape consists of shapely green hills and windswept moor-lands - an idyllic region, well suited to cottage rentals and weekend breaks.
Running from the Southern Uplands to the flat Solway Plain, the three valleys of Nithsdale, Annandale and Eskdale offer some of the most beautiful scenery Scotland has to offer. Dumfries can also boast the highest towns in the country with Wanlockhead and Leadhills at 1380 ft.
The River Annan flowing down from the spectacular Devil's Beef Tub, is popular for game fishing as are the rivers Nith, Cree and Bladnoch. On a clear day the Dumfries coast affords some spectacular views of the Lake District, Ireland and the Isle of Man. It too is a regular haunt for anglers and fisherman, thanks to the large sized Cod that swim in its waters.
The visitor will also find around 1, 300 miles of marked trails that run along the dramatic coast that also run inland through the thick forests and moor-lands of this spectacular area of Scotland. For further information regarding Dumfries holiday cottages see the featured property and link following this brief guide.
Dumfries self catering attractions and amenities
Off the beaten track this unspoiled area has much to offer cottage holidaymakers. There is some stunningly beautiful scenery along the Solway coast and the Galloway hills – a vast region of mountains, locks, moors and rivers is the perfect escape for lovers of the outdoors.
Outdoor Activities
Running through the Galloway Hills is the
Southern Upland Way, 212 miles of long-distance walks. The region is the perfect venue for cyclists, walkers and sightseers. Loch Ken Water Ski School offers sailing, water ski-ing and jet-ski-ing and the Galloway Sailing Club and the Solway Yacht club are also popular with enthusiasts. A good way to see the countryside is pony trekking. Try Longsheds Equestrian Centre in Castle Douglas or Lockhill Farm’s Trekking Centre - especially suitable for kids. Hire a mountain bike at Castle Douglas Cycle Centre Open daily from 9- 5p.m. Helmet, tool kit, lock and pump in the hire price.
Food and drink
From traditional pubs to fine cuisine, there are plenty of opportunities for eating out in this area. Claudio’s Restaurant at Burnside serves a wide variety of Italian dishes and the historic Claudio’s Restaurant at Burnside serves bar meals and traditional ales. Wisharts on Mill Road in Dumfries, offers high quality Scottish cuisine and next door is Bruno’s, a popular Italian restaurant.
The Balmoral Fish and Chicken bar is said to serve the best chips in South West Scotland. For a special meal out,
The Selkirk Arms Hotel is a little pricey and the
Auld Alliance Restaurant serves a mixture of Scottish and French cuisine and features Solway scallops and locally caught salmon.
History and Culture
Across the border into Annandale is Gretna Green, where generations of couples have eloped to marry over the anvil. The Old Blacksmith’s Shop has a small exhibition centre and is open January - March and November- December daily 9 - 5p.m. April- May and October daily 9 - 6p.m. and June and Sept ember 9-7p.m.
Sweetheart Abbey, founded by Lady Devorghia in 1296 in memory of her husband, John Balliol is worth visiting. It's open all year daily except Thursdays and Fridays in winter. In the Mull of Kintyre, the moated, triangular 13th century Caerlaverock Castle, captured by Ed 1st is another interesting site. It is open all year Monday to Saturday. Just outside Moffat is the Devil’s Beeftub, an abyss where the Reiver clan hid their stolen cattle and a few miles further on is Hartfell Mountain and a small cave which is said to be the home of Merlin, King Arthur’s wizard.