Where is it:
Dumfries & Galloway can be found in the South-west corner of Scotland, on the border with England.
Why visit:
Framed by beaches and rocky coasts with forests at Dumfries and Galloway’s heart, it’s a stunning place to explore. There are also sites where Robert the Bruce, the King of Scotland from 1306 until 1329, fought as well as places where Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, spent some of his time.
Top things for families:
Parks and green spaces, and the “birthplace” of Peter Pan at Moat Brae, where you can visit the house where the author lived and the garden that inspired Neverland.
Known for:
Galloway Forest Park: Home to the Red Deer Range and Wild Goat Park, as well as lots of walking and mountain bike trails.
Unesco Biosphere: A Unesco designated area where people and nature work together. It offers the opportunity for cultural and learning experiences in a sustainable way.
There are plenty of activities from dark sky star-gazing (if the kids are old enough to stay up!), adventure activities like canyoning and cycling, and for the smaller ones Cream Cream o’ Galloway, where they make delicious ice-cream alongside a woodland adventure playground including slides and other rides.
Southwest Coastal 300: A road trip route across 300 miles of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire, with opportunities to stop at many of Scotland’s lesser-known gems.
It includes Moat Brae and the Cream Cream o’ Galloway mentioned above, as well as other farm parks and other outdoor activities along the way that would suit children.