Dumfries and Galloway has probably been one of Scotlands' best kept secrets. But now that you have discovered this lovely part of South West Scotland on those pages, the SECRET IS OUT - well and truly. If you have never been here before , then give yourself a treat and try to make a visit. This is the Scotland you dream about....a place where people have time for other people and where nothing is too much trouble. I am confident that should you make such a visit, you will come to appreciate the friendliness of the local people and like so many visitors to this area you will enjoy yourself and will not hesitate to come back again and again. The pace of life is easy and the towns and villages retain their distinctive character. There is plenty of space for all on the quiet roads and the open countryside.
Dumfries and Galloway comprises the former three counties - Dumfriesshire, the Stewartry of Kircudbright and Wigtownshire. Each of the counties is further split up into administrative areas of which the Parishes play and important part in the life of the community. My own Parish where I live is that of Kirkpatrick Irongray (more of this area later) in the former Stewartry of Kircudbright (pronounced Kir-coo-brie). The area enjoys a wide range of attractions from the town of Dumfries itself to New Abbey, Castle Douglas, Kircudbright, Moffat, Lockerbie, Gretna Green and Stranraer.
Dumfries, the Queen of the South, is the capital and administrative centre of Dumfries and Galloway in this South Western part of Scotland. It has a population of just over 30,000 people and has had diverse historical roots from King Robert the Bruce to Robert Burns and associations with J M Barrie, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Hare (of Burke and Hare), John Paul Jones,the founder of the US Navy, to name but a few. It is also the home of the first Bicycle and played host to the last public hanging in Scotland. The well known statue of Robert Burns is shown on the left here adjoining Greyfriars in the centre of Dumfries.
But Dumfries does not , however, live off the past and is currently investing imaginatively in the future. There are many attractions and should you come this way, you are cordially invited to visit as many as possible.
St Michael’s Church (above left) and the River Nith at the Caul in Dumfries
Sweetheart Abbey at
New Abbey
New Abbey
McClellan Castle, Kirkcudbright
The famous Belted Galloway cattle quietly grazing.
Typical Dumfries & Galloway Countryside near Tynron
Loch Ken near Dalry (Kirkcudbrightshire
