Alright, after living in Scotland for the past 8 weeks I think there are some of you who might like an update! Plus, Alex and I finally managed to get out of Dumfries and see a bit more of this beautiful county, so I thought I’d share.
Note: I have been planning to do a series of posts reflecting on all the places I’ve lived in the past few years (and will get around to it, promise), but with a wedding on the horizon, a few long-distance hiking trips in the process of being planned for this summer, and wrapping my head around a new job and education system (and, in all honesty, a large pile of books I keep adding to) I just haven’t had time. BUT, everything comes in time 🙂
A little bit about Dumfries…
Dumfries, situated in Dumfries and Galloway county, is the largest Scottish town south of Glasgow with around 50,000 people residing here. It is just 30min from the English border and is the place where Robbie Burns (you know, that very famous Scottish poet?) spent the last years of his life.
Because it is so central, Dumfries is also a great place from which to explore the county, as well as the rest of southern Scotland and into Northern England (the Lake District is under an hour away!).
Also, Dumfries, as I have discovered, has some great cafes! Alex and I like to try a new cafe every weekend and haven’t been disappointed yet!
- Burns Coffee House – a cute little diner severing some great all day breakfast!
- Kings Coffee and Books – great atmosphere and the best coffee in town!
- Mrs Green’s Tea Lounge – really cool 1950’s style venue with some great coffee and delicious bakery items!
- The Stove Cafe/Making Dumfries – an artist led organisation aiming at contributing to society and the future of the region. The Stove runs creative workshops and projects in order to create connections and opportunities for the creative community. They also have some pretty decent sandwiches!
Things to see and do:
During the first week of my Easter holidays, after jetting down to Leeds to catch up with some friends and picking up my wedding dress, we decided to keep the rental car for an extra day and drive out to the coast! Unfortunately, we did not make it that far, but we did see a breath-taking castle ruin, wander through some ancient burial stones, and got to explore Scotland’s National Book Town!
- Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town
- The Book Shop – “the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland!”
- Glaisnock Cafe and Book Store – great lunch!
- Wigtown Harbour, Local Nature Reserve for bird watching
- Lots of galleries and more bookshops…
- Cardoness Castle – the ruins of a 15th century fortified residence
- Cairn Holy Chambered Cairns – a pair of Neolithic burial monuments, the “lonely resting place of a mythical Scottish king”.
In the last 8 weeks we’ve also managed to check out:
- Annandale Distillery – a ‘re-awakened’ single malt distillery also making the aptly named Rascally Liquor
- Comlogon Castle – the 14th century medieval Scottish castle where we will be getting married!
- Carlisle – only 40min by train back across the English border!
- Great for: cinema, shopping, restaurants (we tried The Last Zebra and loved it!), bars, and it even has a castle!
Still on the List:
- Hadrian’s Wall and Vindolanda Fort – ancient Roman fortifications!
- Gretna Green – the place for run away brides!
- Robbie Burns House and Theatre Centre, Dumfries
- Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura
- Tam Kelton Distillery, Dalton
- Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart
- Caeverlock Castle – unique, triangular castle ruins, just 20 minutes from home!
- Hiking
- Annandale Way – a 55mile long distance walk
- South Upland Way – 212 miles, coast to coast
- Galloway Forest Park – Dark Sky viewing, paddle boarding, walking…
- Coast and beaches and more castles!
Needles to say, Alex and I are enjoying our new home and cannot wait to continue our exploration of this beautiful, ancient country!
xoxo J.
Backpacks and Border Crossings 