Dunfries and Galloway and/or the Borders - suggestions thoughts and ideas please

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niccapotamus

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We have never been.

We are heading north from the south of the UK at the end of September for 10 days. Unless the weather is dreadful. But assuming that it isn't then we are hoping to ignore the lakes and see what the south of Scotland and the borders looks like.

Driving up the M5/M6 Birmingham, Manchester, Gretna.....and then into bonnie Scotland.

I have no idea. When we said Scotland a few months ago, my head pictured mountains, lochs and craggy seascapes with tiny harbours (ie the highlands) but I think the highlands are a bit far for a long week.

I'd love to hear any experiences of the border regions or Dunfries and Galloway, and ideas of where to go/stay/see. Like wandering around pretty seaside towns/villages, going for walks with the dogs, natural beauty and stuff. Happy to be off grid mostly or stay occasionally in a nice site. Moho is 7.5m (not a wee van)

looking for inspiration and direction. nothing booked and currently no clue (whereas if it was the lakes I'd have a clue!)
thank you
 
Dumfries and Galloway has some lovely coastline and further inland there are mountains and lochs. The Borders also has a lovely mix of uplands and coastline. You shouldn’t be disappointed.
 
D&G is lovely as is The Borders. A lot will depend on your interests.

The Isle of Whithorn (not an island) is gorgeous for example.

We live near Kelso and if you need an overnight stop with EHU, water, waste disposal. We are just off the A697 near Greenlaw.

Lots of lovely small towns to explore and stately homes if that is your thing. For walks The Southern Upland Way is worth checking out.

Then Galashiels houses The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

Edinburgh is easy to get to by train from Tweedbank and takes about an hour on The Borders Railway which reopened 10 years ago.

If on the west side the Ayrshire coast is nice.

Moffat is a nice place or go gold panning at Leadhills.
 
As Dumfries & Galloway is a wonderful place, for Garlieston has both major club campsites, the Caravan and motorhome site looks out to sea. Port Patrick & Mull of Galloway lighthouse should be definitely on you list.
 
First of all you'll have no problems in your 7.5 mtr van or with park-ups. There is a good route called the SW300 (easily found on Google ) which is circular,scenic and worth checking out. If time allows do try visiting the Isle of Arran, well worth the effort.

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Check out our vids of Scotland and North Yorkshire as that took in some of the lovely border country. See below.
 
D & g is great. The Devils Porridge museum just outside Gretna is worth a visit. The SW 300 is worth a look at, not to follow slavishly but looking to see what takes your fancy. The road up to the Leadhills museum is great. We have had three holidays in the area. If you are into books Wigtown is worth visiting.
 
Loads to see and do in D&G, if you like wild camping have a look at https://forestryandland.gov.scot/stay-the-night they have a few in this area.
As mentioned above the Devils porridge is worth a visit, and if you do like books the the Wigtown book festival is on last week of September https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/our-projects/wigtown-book-festival-2

Kirkcudbright is worth a visit, campsite and Aire. There’s a Japanese garden and the old school has some art/graft places plus a Gin Distillery. Just be aware bridge is closed to bigger vehicles just now, just means a few mile detour heading west but nothing to worry you.
Gatehouse of fleet, worth stopping for lunch and a walk
Newton Farm, basic campsite off the A75, although basic you park right next to the beach and in the right weather it’s stunning.

Newton Stewart has a lovely CL and is worth a visit, even just for a daytime walk.
Crafty Distillery just outside N/S if you like a nice Gin.
Isle of Whithorn, the pub allows overnight if eating/drinking in pub. Also St Ninians chapel

Garlieston CMC site plus CS site, you can also stay at the Harbour inn again if using pub. Just phone beforehand and car park round the back but you’ll fit in.

Port William, Kings Green community campsite. This is one of our favourites, nothing much there but it’s ideal for a night away. They do have a pub/cafe and again it’s community run so all profits go back to local life boat and village.

Port Logan, you can stay in the car park for the Fish Pond, worth a visit too. Also Logan Botanical gardens are worth a visit.

Portpatrick is one of the nicest harbour villages in D&G, there’s a couple of campsites sit above the harbour with easy access.

If you require any specific info just ask, we live in Dumfries so should be able to help with most questions.
 
lorger said:
Loads to see and do in D&G, if you like wild camping have a look at https://forestryandland.gov.scot/stay-the-night they have a few in this area.
As mentioned above the Devils porridge is worth a visit, and if you do like books the the Wigtown book festival is on last week of September https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/our-projects/wigtown-book-festival-2

Kirkcudbright is worth a visit, campsite and Aire. There’s a Japanese garden and the old school has some art/graft places plus a Gin Distillery. Just be aware bridge is closed to bigger vehicles just now, just means a few mile detour heading west but nothing to worry you.
Gatehouse of fleet, worth stopping for lunch and a walk
Newton Farm, basic campsite off the A75, although basic you park right next to the beach and in the right weather it’s stunning.

Newton Stewart has a lovely CL and is worth a visit, even just for a daytime walk.
Crafty Distillery just outside N/S if you like a nice Gin.
Isle of Whithorn, the pub allows overnight if eating/drinking in pub. Also St Ninians chapel

Garlieston CMC site plus CS site, you can also stay at the Harbour inn again if using pub. Just phone beforehand and car park round the back but you’ll fit in.

Port William, Kings Green community campsite. This is one of our favourites, nothing much there but it’s ideal for a night away. They do have a pub/cafe and again it’s community run so all profits go back to local life boat and village.

Port Logan, you can stay in the car park for the Fish Pond, worth a visit too. Also Logan Botanical gardens are worth a visit.

Portpatrick is one of the nicest harbour villages in D&G, there’s a couple of campsites sit above the harbour with easy access.

If you require any specific info just ask, we live in Dumfries so should be able to help with most questions.
Click to expand...
Port Patrick and port Logan both featured in the tv series Two Thousand Acres of Sky, for those that remember it.

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hja said:
Port Patrick and port Logan both featured in the tv series Two Thousand Acres of Sky, for those that remember it.
Click to expand...

Port Logan was also featured in a film starring Gerard Butler, I remember being there and all the females mistakenly thinking I was him 😂😂😂

Film was to do with a lighthouse keeper
 
lorger said:
Port Logan was also featured in a film starring Gerard Butler, I remember being there and all the females mistakenly thinking I was him 😂😂😂

Film was to do with a lighthouse keeper
Click to expand...
I think you may be confused.
It was The Butler!:X3:

ps it was The Vanishing based on the actual events of The Flannan Lighthouse.
 
I will put up Melrose as a option on the east side as it not been mentioned yet.
Lots of walks and decent bus links if you are into liner walks or train from Tweedbank.
Not used the site there as we live close by.
I can't argue with anything already sagested though
 
You are spoilt for choice

Don't forget the aire in Hawick and all the work done by our lovely irnbru to help make it permanent.
 
Thank you to everyone for taking time to reply. I will have a proper read and peer at the map but it looks pretty fabulous from where I am sitting:)

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We had a great time about 18 months ago exploring D&G.

Some great suggestions, especially from lorger above.

Some of the places we visited -



We also called in briefly to D&G last week on the way up to the Highlands, at Wanlockhead (Scotland's highest village) to walk the Lowther Hills, and overnighted in the overflow carpark for the Lead Mining Museum mentioned earlier in this thread.

 
In Scotland at the moment, our first stop in Scotland was the kelpies at Falkirk , overnight on site £15 after 5pm 3 minute walk to the sculptures in fact when lit up at night we could see them out of our window. Extra £10 if you park during the day.
Falkirk wheel also has overnight parking less rd noise than kelpies.
We cycled between the two.
 
Brian/April said:
In Scotland at the moment, our first stop in Scotland was the kelpies at Falkirk , overnight on site £15 after 5pm 3 minute walk to the sculptures in fact when lit up at night we could see them out of our window. Extra £10 if you park during the day.
Falkirk wheel also has overnight parking less rd noise than kelpies.
We cycled between the two.
Click to expand...
Wow that gone up in price the Kelpies, so if you get there about lunchtime as we did and stay overnight it’s now £25?
 

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