Other attractions a little further afield


Bladnoch Distillery
Burns Birthplace Museum
Crossraguel Abbey
Culzean Castle
Threave Gardens
Threave Castle
Whithorn
Wigtown

Bladnoch Distillery is Scotland’s most southerly distillery nestles on the green banks of the River Bladnoch, from which it takes its name. Located in this beautifully remote area of Galloway, the distillery has been producing the “Spirit of the Lowlands” since 1817.

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland’s favourite son. The museum comprises the famous Burns Cottage where the poet was born, the historic landmarks where he set his greatest work, the elegant monument and gardens created in his honour and a modern museum housing the world’s most important collection of his life and works.

Crossraguel Abbey was founded in 1244 by Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick, following an earlier donation of 1225, to the monks of Paisley Abbey for that purpose. They reputedly built nothing more than a small chapel and kept the balance for themselves. The Earl took the matter to the Bishop of Glasgow for arbitration and, winning his case, forced the monks to build a proper abbey.
Crossraguel was sacked in 1307 by the army of Edward I. It was rebuilt on a larger scale and remained a monastery until 1560, when the Reformation ended monastic institutions in Scotland. Some of the stone has been removed for local construction, but the Abbey ruins remain some of the most complete of any medieval religious house to survive in Scotland. The site is looked after by Historic Scotland and is open to the public with an entrance charge.

Culzean Castle and Country Park, visitors could easily spend a whole day exploring the Castle, grounds and gardens of this spectacular cliff top attraction.  many special events take place at Culzean throughout the year making it a perfect day out for all the family.

Threave Gardens and Threave Castle at Castle Douglas are well worth a visit.  Threave Castle is located on an Island on the River Dee and is accessed by foot and then by boat.  Threave Gardens is well knows for its daffodils in the spring time, colourful displays in the Summer and autumn tints from the trees and heathers

The Royal Burgh of Whithorn has an important history which is immediately obvious from the medieval street layout. Even more significant is the hidden evidence of the early origins of a settlement on this site going back to the 5th century, Scotland’s first Christian community

Wigtown was officially designated as Scotland's National Book Town in 1998 and is now home to over 20 book-related businesses. A book lovers haven – and with over quarter of a million books to choose from, old and new … it is impossible to escape empty-handed.