North of England
Scotland
Take a step back in time and stay in this historic castle, a remarkable slice of Dalbeattie history which is said to have once hosted Mary, Queen of Scots. A truly unique place to stay, this grand property makes an exceptional base for adventures in the Dumfries and Galloway countryside and along the Solway Coast (5 miles).
It’s just 1.5 miles from Dalbeattie, a delightful town known for its surrounding forests and incredible mountain biking trails, particularly the 7Stanes routes (2.5 miles). In the opposite direction, Castle Douglas (5.5 miles) is a haven for food lovers, home to a wide selection of quality eateries, butchers, bakers and delis offering well-sourced local fare.
Make your way to the coastline via the picturesque village of Kippford (5.5 miles), a vibrant sailing centre where water sports and nautical adventures are available in abundance. A little further still, Sandyhills (7.5 miles) boasts a pristine sandy beach, perfect for summer days by the sea.
Overflowing with characterful features and original design elements, this grand castle is simply splendid. Step inside to discover wood-panelled walls, original beams and exposed stonework, alongside floral décor, unique artworks and heavy drapes that add to the sense of grandeur.
From the entrance hall, make your way into the kitchen, complete with its original Aga, charismatic stone walls and cooking utensils displayed decoratively. From here, take a solid wooden staircase up to the first floor, home to the spectacular dining hall with stone-flagged flooring and a sweeping table.
Next door, the sitting room offers a cosy space to unwind, with soft seating arranged around a grand open fire and an abundance of books for your entertainment. While a TV is not permanently installed, one can be provided on request.
Continue through the property and take the spiral stone staircase up to the second floor in search of the sleeping quarters. The first two bedrooms can be found here, alongside a family bathroom with a delightful roll-top bath.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of 5-Bedroom Hot Tub Cottage in Dalbeattie, with real driving times.
Sat nav: DG7 2AB
A 14th-century Black Douglas stronghold standing on an island in the River Dee.
Threave Castle stands on an island in the River Dee, about 2.5 kilometres west of Castle Douglas. Archibald the Grim built it in the 1370s, and it was a stronghold of the Black Douglases, Earls of Douglas and Lords of Galloway, until their fall in 1455.
Sat nav: DG1 4RU
A moated, triangular medieval castle with a drawbridge, twin-towered gatehouse and a border-conflict history.
Caerlaverock is a moated castle on the southern coast of Scotland, about seven miles south of Dumfries. Its triangular shape is unique among British castles, and it has a wide moat, a twin-towered gatehouse and lofty battlements. First built in the 13th century, it was the stronghold of the Maxwell family and was besieged by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Tip: Head up to the South range for the best views over the moat, then follow the short nature trail to the older castle's foundations.
Sat nav: DG2 8BU
A red sandstone Cistercian abbey in New Abbey, founded in 1273 in memory of a devoted wife's husband.
Sweetheart Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1273 in the village of New Abbey, about 8 miles south of Dumfries. Dervorguilla of Galloway founded it in memory of her husband, John de Balliol. She kept his embalmed heart in an ivory and silver casket for the rest of her life, and it was buried alongside her. She named the abbey Dulce Cor, Latin for Sweet Heart.
Sat nav: DG7 2EJ
A well-preserved 15th-century tower house with a bloody family feud behind its thick walls.
Cardoness Castle is a well-preserved six-storey tower house just south west of Gatehouse of Fleet, built in the later 1400s for the McCulloch family, a prominent Galloway clan. It is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Sat nav: DG6 4LB
A late 16th-century tower house in the middle of Kirkcudbright, with a peephole in the great hall.
MacLellan's Castle stands in the centre of Kirkcudbright, on the south side of the River Dee. Building began around 1577 for Thomas MacLellan, on the site of a ruined Greyfriars monastery. The castle was never finished, and the roof had collapsed by the time the family sold it in 1752. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Tip: Look for the peephole behind the great hall fireplace and the carved coats of arms above the entrance.
Sat nav: DG3 4AQ
A 'Pink Palace' of 120 rooms with an adventure playground, tearoom and walking routes on the Queensberry Estate.
Drumlanrig Castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, set on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway. Built between 1679 and 1689 from distinctive pink sandstone, the "Pink Palace" overlooks the Nith Valley and has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers. Inside is part of the Buccleuch art collection, including Rembrandt's An Old Woman Reading, along with tapestries and other objects of art.
Sat nav: DG12 5LL
A working Scottish distillery in Annan where guided tours end with tastings and a coffee shop stop.
Annandale Distillery in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, makes single malt Scotch whisky and describes itself as Scotland's only single cask single malt distillery. Every cask is bottled on its own, never vatted. The distillery was founded in 1836, closed in 1924 and was restored after 2007, and it now sits beside a visitor centre.
Tip: Finish your visit with a stop at the Maltings Coffee Shop.
Sat nav: DG8 9AB
Tour the most southerly distillery in Scotland and taste Lowland single malts where they are made.
Bladnoch is a Lowland single malt distillery on the banks of the River Bladnoch, near Wigtown. Founded in 1817, it is the most southerly whisky distillery in Scotland, and it has a long and eventful history of closing and reopening.
Tip: Tours are appointment-only, so book by midnight the day before. The visitor centre and café are open Tuesday to Saturday only. Tours are not suitable for wheelchair users or walking aids, and high heels are not allowed.
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
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