| Great weekends: Scotland 2 |
| Sunday: Past lives |
| The spellbinding region of Dumfries and Galloway will capture the imagination of anyone who loves history, art, literature or nature |
The region of Dumfries and Galloway was home to some of Scotland's
earliest peoples and literally oozes mediaeval history, too. Ruined strongholds, castles and abbeys dot the beautiful landscapes, standing witness to centuries of conflict between the English and the Scots.
That same beauty and history has inspired artists throughout the generations - so much so that
one of the region's key towns, Kirkcudbright, has become known as 'The Artists' Town of Scotland'.
Getting out and about in this area is a very rewarding experience so grab the opportunity while you can.
1. Caerlaverock Castle
Drive to the Whitesands river area in Dumfries town and at the car park zero your trip meter. Turn left and go over the bridge at Buccleugh Street. At 0.2 miles turn left, following signs for Carlisle and get in the lane for the B725. At 0.3 miles turn right onto the B725 signposted Glencaple. Stay on the B725 and at 8.7 miles turn right into Caerlaverock Castle.
The castle sits in the midst of a beautiful nature reserve in which you can enjoy walks. Caerlaverock's triangular plan is unique in Scotland, and inside the immense and formidable exterior there is a stunning, carved interior. Sir John Maxwell, who owned the estate, began building the castle in 1277. In 1300 it was besieged by Edward I of England during his war against John Balliol, King of Scotland and was noted as being 'so strong a
castle that it feared no siege'.
The site now also includes a shop, a tearoom (in season only) and an adventure playground.
2. Shambelliehouse Museum
Back at Whitesands car park, zero your car's trip meter. At 0.2 miles, after the bridge at Buccleugh Street, again go straight on and then take the A710 road for Solway Coast. At seven miles turn right into Shambellie House Museum of Costume.
Charles Stewart, grandson of the first owner, donated the 1875-built Shambellie House along with
his magnificent collection of rare and distinctive costumes, to the Museum of Scotland in 1977.
Here, you can also walk through the impressive grounds of the house, and enjoy some refreshment at the tea room.
3. Sweetheart Abbey
Zero your trip meter and turn right out of Shambellie House car park onto the A710. Stay on this road for 0.4 miles before turning left into Sweetheart Abbey (pictured above, left).
Sweetheart Abbey was established by Lady Devorgilla in 1273 and is so named because it is here that she was buried, in 1289, along with the embalmed heart of her husband King John Balliol of Scotland. After the Reformation much of the Abbey's stonework was removed for building material; it has been in the care of the State since 1928.
4. The artists' town
Zero your trip meter as you leave Sweetheart Abbey car park. Turn left onto the A710 and continue for 18.4 miles. After Dalbeattie, turn left onto the A711, signposted Auchencairn and Solway Heritage Trail. At the lights and bridge at 19 miles turn left onto the A711 signposted Kirkcudbright.
At 30.6 miles pass or visit 12th-century Dundrennan Abbey on the left. Continue for Kirkcudbright, and once there, at 36.9 miles, turn left, then right into the town car park.
Kirkcudbright (pronounced Kirkoobray - with a silent 'd') is a charming and attractive little town, and you could spend all day here. From the car park walk into the high street and follow the road round the corner. On your right is Broughton House.
Broughton House was bought in 1901 by EA Hornell, one of the renowned 'Glasgow Boys', bright young artists of the late 19th century influenced by ideas from Europe and trying to break away from Victorian styles. Hornell in particular was fascinated by colour and decorative art, especially from Japan. He died in 1933 but today, visitors see his work throughout his house (pictured below, left). The centrepiece, however, is the superb garden which he turned into an oasis of colour and peace with an unmistakable Japanese influence.
Back in the high street, in the corner of its sharp turn is the award-winning Tolbooth Art Centre which tells the story of Kirkcudbright as an art colony with a permanent exhibition of paintings and audio-visual displays.
Continue in the same direction on the high street and turn left at the junction with St Mary's for The Stewartry Museum which appears on the left after a short distance.
The Stewartry is the other name for Kirkcudbrightshire and the museum, founded in 1879, tells its story. Among its collection is the Siller Gun, Britain's earliest surviving sporting trophy, which is still used as such. There are also works by Kirkcudbrightshire artists such as Jessie M King.
5. Mill on the Fleet Visitor Centre
Zero your trip meter as you leave Kirkcudbright car park. Turn right, then left and at 0.1 miles turn left back onto the A711. Immediately afterwards turn left onto the A755 to Gatehouse of Fleet. At 6.4 miles turn right onto the A75, followed by a left onto the B727 to Gatehouse of Fleet. At 8.7 miles turn left into the car park.
This restored cotton mill tells the story of an industry once common in Scotland, and includes working models of the town in the 18th century. There are also wildlife talks and walks which help visitors learn about the unspoilt diverse habitat of the area.
6. Wigtown
Do not zero your car's trip meter. Turn left out of the car park and rejoin the A75 towards Stranraer. At 27.2 miles turn left onto the A714 for Wigtown. At 33.2 miles turn right, then park near the war memorial.
Wigtown is a pleasant little town noteworthy for its plethora of book shops, and is worth exploration. Not far away is the Bladnoch distillery, and some miles south is Whithorn, the first Christian settlement in Scotland.
7. The Torhouse standing stones
Zero your trip at the war memorial and turn down the B733 to Kirkcairn.
At 0.5 miles go straight over the
crossroads. At 3.3 miles stop at the Torhouse Standing Stones.
The Bronze Age Torhouse standing stones (above, right) are about 4000 years old. Their exact purpose is unknown but similar stones were common in north-east Scotland and Ireland, so they at least represent a movement of ideas. They provide a beautifully lonely place to stop and soak in the stillness, the landscape and birdlife.
8. Galloway Forest Park
Leave Wigtown along the B733 for Kirkcowan where you turn right onto the B735 and then turn right onto the A75. Continue until the junction with the A712. Turn left for New Galloway and Clatteringshaw Loch and enjoy the drive through the Galloway Forest Park.
It was in this area that Robert the Bruce began his attempt to preserve Scottish independence from Edward I of England.
Enjoy the majestic countryside and wonderful wildlife, including red squirrels, red deer, golden eagles and peregrines.
Turn right 18.2 miles after joining the A712, onto the A713 signposted Castle Douglas, then immediately afterwards (18.3 miles) turn left back onto the A712 for Crocketford. In 14.6 miles, turn left onto the A75 signposted Dumfries, and return to your starting point. |
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Distance 129.9 miles' driving;
some walking in Kirkcudbright
Time 9 hours
Start Whitesands car park, Dumfries
Finish Whitesands car park, Dumfries
Suitable for All the family
Refreshments
Solway Tide Tea Room, Kirkcudbright
Tel 01557 330735
Attractions
Caerlaverock Castle
Tel 01387 770244
Shambellie House Museum of Costume
Tel 01387 850375
Sweetheart Abbey Tel 01387 850397
Dundrennan Abbey Tel 01557 500262
Broughton House and Gardens
Tel 01557 330437
Tolbooth Art Centre Tel 01557 331556
Stewartry Museum Tel 01557 331643
Mill on the Fleet Visitor Centre
Tel 01557 814099
Information
Kirkcudbright Tourist Information
Tel 01557330494
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