The Attractions of South West Scotland For Your Interest and Enjoyment Return to : Dalbeattie Domain

[Introduction] [South Ayrshire] [Mull of Galloway] [Machars]
[Galloway Forest Park] [Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse] [Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas]
[Nithsdale and Dumfries] [Annandale and Eskdale]
[Dumfries & Galloway Golf Links] [Nature Reserves in Dumfries & Galloway]

Annandale and Eskdale :

Introduction :

Forest Walks and Nature Reserves :

Brown Moor Walk, Ecclefechan : Circular walk. Easily reached from the village car park.

Castle O'er, Eskdalemuir : Three circular walks on the west bank of the White Esk. Car parks signposted and adjacent to the road. Two walks visit archaeological heritage sites listed by Solway Heritage.
Telephone : 01387-860247. Fax : 01387-860312.

Grey Mare's Tail : National Trust for Scotland. A spectacular 200 feet/60 metres waterfall from beside White Coomb (2,696 feet/800 metres). Area rich in wild flowers and geological interest and there is a herd of wild goats. This area has changed little since the Covenanters sought sanctuary here in the late 17^th century when Charles II was attempting to impose Episcopalianism on Scotland. Sir Walter Scott and his horse were caught in fog on this land and were hard put to "to get extracated" [his words]. Warning : Keep to paths as there have been fatal accidents off the path. Small entry charge. Car park and picnic area. Information Centre during summer months, Ranger Service on hand.
Details from Area Office : Telephone : 01721-722502. Fax : 01721-724700.

Devil's Beef Tub : A huge steep-sided valley once used by reivers to hold cattle driven across the Border. Below the A701 north of Moffat, overlooked by parking places. One of the best views in the area.

Museums :

Savings Bank Museum, Ruthwell : Museum in the building where the world's first savings bank was started by a local clergyman. Sponsored by the Trustee Savings Bank.
Telephone : 01387-870640. Fax : .

Carlyle's Birthplace, Ecclefechan : Birthplace (1795) of the writer and historian Thomas Carlyle. Good selection of artefacts of the period. Run by National Trust for Scotland. Entry fee Adult £ 2.20, Children £ 1.60. Other concessions available. Excellent value for families.
Telephone : 01576-300666. Fax : 01576-300848.

Clan Armstrong Trust Museum, Langholm : History and culture of this notorious clan of Border reivers.
Telephone : 013873-81610.

Moffat Museum : Displays covering the local schools, churches, local crafts, sports, local celebrities, Moffat Spa, the local geology, railway developments, farming and genealogy. Rotating exhibitions on various local themes and crafts. Audiovisual on Moffat. Display on Lord Dowding, of Battle of Britain fame, born in Moffat. Entry Fee : Adults, £ 1.00 Families (2 Adults 2 Children) £ 2.00 Children : £ 0.20.
Telephone : 01683-220868.

Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Centre : Exhibition on the history of the local World War I ordnance factories.
Telephone : 01461-40460.

Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments :

Rammerscales House, Lochmaben : 18th century sandstone house, with walled garden, woodland walks and picnic areas.
Telephone : 01387-811988.

Gilnockie Tower (Clan Armstrong Centre), Canonbie : History of this notorious clan of Border reivers. Genealogy of past and current Clan members.
Telephone : 013873-71876.

Ruthwell Cross, Ruthwell : In Ruthwell Church. Magnificent stone cross c. 680 AD with Anglian Runic inscription quoting from Ceadmon's 'Dream of the Rood'. One of only two of its kind in northern Britain. Phone for details of access to Church. Custodian has good fund of local history.
Telephone : 01387-870249.

Scots Dyke, nr. Canonbie : Trench and dyke marking the frontier (Border) between Scotland and England. Intended to reduce conflict when feuds occurred over the 'Debateable Lands'. Most visible three miles southwest of Canonbie.

Lochmaben Castle, Lochmaben : Unusual square castle with two flanking walls covering main gate. Extensive earthworks. Interpretation board. Once family home of Robert the Bruce's family. Excellent parking and picnic site beside Castle Loch. Recommended. Managed by Historic Scotland. External viewing only. Free access.
Telephone : 01387-770244 (Information). Fax : As phone.

Burnswark : Native hilltop earthwork flanked by two Roman siege training camps of about 2nd century AD. Managed by Historic Scotland.
Telephone : 01387-770244 (Information). Fax : As phone.

Eastriggs & Gretna Heritage Centre : Exhibition on the history of the local Ordnance Factory.
Telephone : 01461-40460.

Gretna Green Story : The old Anvil Room and Coach Museum, enlarged to tell the Gretna Green story. Tartan and Tweed shop. Restaurant, coffee house and arts centre. Entry fees : £ 1.50 pp coach party, Adults £ 2.00, Children under 10 Free, OAPs £ 1.50. Very large car and coach park. Picnic and Childrens' Play Area.
Telephone : 01461-338441. Fax : 01461-338442.
E-mail : info@gretnagreen.com   Website : www.gretnagreen.com/

Gretna Hall Blacksmiths and Craft Shop : Romance and nostalgia of past and present years.
Telephone : 01461-337635. Fax : .

Historic Resources Centre, Gretna : Local history, archaeology, photographic art and craft exhibitions.
Telephone : 01461-201384. Fax : .

McDiarmid Memorial, Langholm : Metallic 'open book' memorial above Langholm dedicated to the poet Hugh McDiarmid, joint-founder of the Scottish National Party.

Gardens and Nurseries :

Bridge End Nurseries, Gretna : .
Telephone : 01461-800612. Fax : .

Warmanbie Walled Garden, Annan : .
Telephone : 01461-204015. Fax : .

Craigieburn Gardens : .
Telephone : 01683-221250. Fax : .

Art and Craft Centres :

Border Fine Arts Gallery, Langholm : The birthplace of Border Fine Arts. Museum and shop. Gallery of old products and display of those for purchase. Part of ENESCO Group. Branch at Gretna Green Story. Free entry.
Telephone : 013873-81044. Fax : 013873-83030.

Dalton Pottery, Dalton : Large range of hand painted porcelain and glass giftware including clocks, bathroom accessories and vases. Ample parking, disabled access throughout, toilets. Refreshments. Play table in pottery and outdoor play area. Free entry.
Telephone : 01387-840236. Fax : As phone. No E-mail.

Other Attractions :

Annan Swimming Pool : .
Telephone : 01461-204773. Fax : .

Farm Buggy Trails, Lockerbie : Quad bike trails with guide through wonderful hills and woodland. Go-karts and air-pistol shooting gallery. Tearoom with home baking. Parking, toilets. Protective clothing within the quad or go-kart hire prices.
Telephone : 01576-710225/610242. Fax : 01576-610236.

Annan Activities, Annan : Paint balling, quad biking, clay pigeon shooting and fly-fishing ponds.
Telephone : 01461-800274.

Dormont Lake, nr. Dalton : Fish for carp, tench and roach in the suroundings of the historic Dormont Estate. Parking adjacent, fishing stands with provision for the disabled angler.
Telephone : 01387-840222. Fax : As phone.
E-mail : Carruthers.Dormont@btinternet.com

Mossburn Animal Centre, Hightae : Animal welfare centre near Lockerbie. Meet (and handle some, under supervision) rescued animals being cared for in a happy environment.
Telephone : 01387-811288. Fax : As phone.

Tweedhope Sheep Dogs, nr. Moffat : "One woman and her dogs" working black 'MacTaff' sheep in a natural setting.
Telephone : 01683-221471. Fax : .

Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Monastery, Eskdalemuir : The most unusual attraction in Dumfries and Galloway. A community of Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns. Magnificent temple and riverside grounds. Shop and tearooms. Guided tours available on request, - at 24 hours' notice.
Telephone : 013873-73232. Fax : 013873-73223.
E-mail : samye@rokpa.u-net.com Website : http://www.samye.org/

Moffat Fishery : Fly and bait fishing at fish farm in Moffat. See and feed the fish at the fish farm. Fee 50p to feed the fish, rod hire from £ 2.50 per day. Fish tickets vary from £6 to £20. Refreshments available, large car park.
Telephone : 01683-221220. Fax : 01683-221313.

Moffat Woollen Mill : Famous producer of high-quality Scottish woollen garments. Genealogy tracing service. Working weaving exhibition. Entry free.
Telephone : 01683-220134. Fax : . No E-mail. Website : Imminent (late June 1999)

Lady Street Cinema, Annan :
Telephone : 01461-202796. Fax : .
E-mail : . Website : .

Prize Cinema & Bingo Club, Gretna :
Telephone : 01461-337591. Fax : .
E-mail : . Website : .

Rex Cinema and Bingo Club, Lockerbie :
Telephone : 01576-202547. Fax : .
E-mail : . Website : .

Westlands Activities, Annan :
Offers Go Karting, Quad Biking, Crazy Golf, Clay Shooting, Fishing and Paintball Shooting for individuals, families, corporate days, birthday parties and stag or hen parties. Rural location on Kirkpatrick Fleming road near Annan.
Tel/fax: 01461 800274. Mobile : 07734 084 927.
Email : info@westlands-activities.co.uk Website : http://www.westlands-activities.co.uk.

All text and images © 1999 Richard Edkins of Dalbeattie Internet. Attractions of South West Scotland website started 17th January 1998. Last updated 16th January 2006.