Want to make your time in Scotland fun and memorable? Here are a few places you simply need to see when you visit South West Scotland, specifically Dumfries and Galloway.
If you are planning a trip to Dumfries and Galloway, there are lots of villages and quaint towns to visit and explore. The coastlines are some of the most beautiful in the world and are perfect for creating memories with your family.
If you are busy planning your next holiday stay at Coastal Kippford, these are some of the places you should consider visiting during your time with us.
1. Kippford: Best For Coastline
Start your exploration nearby Coastal Kippford Holiday Park. Sometimes the shortest trips make for the best experiences 🙂
Kippford is great for coastline and walks on the beach. You also have the option of the Solway Yacht Club that offers a temporary membership for Cruiser and Dinghy sailors. It’s at the entrance to Kippford and only a two-minute drive from the holiday park.
If you’d like to learn more about the sailing opportunities, read our Sailing in Scotland post here> https://www.coastalkippford.com/sailing-in-scotland/
2. Gretna Green: Best for shopping (or a wedding!)
Gretna Green is widely known as a romantic wedding destination or a great place to marry if you wished to elope.
It was particularly well known as a place for residents from south of the border to get married if they were under the age of 21 and required parental consent and so on.
A quick nip up to Gretna Green would remove that requirement as the marriage laws in Scotland were different in those days.
Whilst many people still marry in Gretna Green, it’s also a place which puts a smile on the face of shoppers who like to grab a bargain at the Gretna Gateway Outlet Village with stores that include:
- Hugo Boss
- Jeff Banks
- Nike
- Molton Brown
- M&S
- Superdry
- Thorntons and many more.
Get your shopping fix, have a bite to eat or a drink and enjoy a relaxing few hours in Gretna Green.
3. Kirkcudbright: Best for art
The Kirkcudbright Artists’ Colony was a community that existed for approximately 100 years from the year 1880. It attracted many of the country’s best artists, and that amazing tradition is upheld in today’s era since The Wasps (Workshop & Artists Studio Provision Scotland) opened the artists’ studios known as Canonwalls and Claverhouse in 2010.
It provides 14 studios to support artists, arts organisations, and creative businesses. You may also be interested in our post here> https://www.coastalkippford.com/artistis-dumfries-galloway-spring-fling/ where you’ll find out more about the artistic history of Kirkcudbright and other artists in and around Dumfries and Galloway.
4. Threave Gardens: Best for stunning gardens
Home to the Practical School of Horticulture, Threave Gardens covers approximately 64 acres of land just outside of Castle Douglas.
The garden is divided into a series of smaller gardens to showcase different styles, surrounded by the stunning Galloway Hills and the Ken/Dee valley.
Threave Gardens is one of Scotland’s most biodiverse nature reserves, where you can also take part in a guided tour of Scotland’s only Bat Reserve!
It’s paid entry, however, if you’re a member of The National Trust for Scotland it’s included in your membership and therefore, completely free!
More information here> https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/threave-garden
When you’re finished in the gardens, you should nip into Castle Douglas which is only a few minutes away, or, if you’re looking for a place to eat after a day of touring around then read our blog on South West Coastal 300 Route – Top 10 Eateries For Foodies.
We hope you enjoyed this post about quirky places to visit whilst holidaying at Coastal Kippford. Visit us on our Facebook page and feel free to share and comment when you post.
