Caerlaverock Castle, Drumlanrig Castle, Sweetheart Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway

Caerlaverock Castle & Caerlaverock Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre Near Dumfries

As you'd expect there's a scattering of historic Scottish Castles in Dumfries and Galloway, many of which changed hands from Scottish to English and back again several times. Striking medieval stronghold Caerlaverock Castle (Lark's Nest), situated to the south of Dumfries (9 miles) on the northern banks of the Solway Firth is not to be missed. The history of conflict is here as the castle was at the heart of the border conflicts. Caerlaverock Castle remains are impressive indeed, with moat and twin towers, plus gatehouse and battlements all intact. On-site is a warfare exhibition plus a children's adventure park and nature trail, plus a shop.

Caerlaverock Castle, Caerlaverock, Glencaple, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway DG1 4RU, Scotland. Tel. 01387 770244 (see Caerlaverock Castle's weblink right for details and opening times). Parking is nearby, and visitors with disabilities can be dropped nearer the castle. The castle is sandwiched between two wetland nature reserves and is a Green Tourism attraction.

The Solway Firth south of Dumfries is renowned for its saltwater marshes and tidal pools, home to numerous migratory wildlife, and wetlands centre. The stunning Caerlaverock Wetland Centre (see weblink right) is situated adjacent to Caerlaverock Castle and is frequented particularly by vast flocks of Barnacle Geese. They're particularly present at Caerlaverrock in October when they're on the journey back from the High Arctic and they remain on the Solway saltflats and merses until April.

Other highlights at the Caerlaverock wetlands include Osprey, Barn Owls, Wild Whooper Swans and rare Tadpole Shrimp. A caf is on-site. Check the Caerlaverock Wetland Centre and Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve websites right for more details and opening times. WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, Eastpark Farm, Caerlaverock, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, DG1 4RS. Tel. 01387 770200.

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New Abbey, Sweetheart Abbey & the National Costume Museum - 19th Century Womens Fashions

Just South of Dumfries towards the Solway Firth off the A710 facing Caerlaverock Castle across the River Nith sits the settlement of New Abbey. A number of historic attractions and a scattering of museums are down here including the striking 13th and early 14th century Cistercian Abbey - Sweetheart Abbey. The abbey ruins are well worth a visit - Sweetwheart Abbey was founded by Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway who built it in memory of John Balliol her husband. Devorgilla also had her husband's heart embalmed and carried it with her in a casket - the abbey derives its name from this and her devotion. You'll find her buriel site in the presbytery here. Ruined castles and abbies are a common site along the southern coast of Dumfries and Galloway. (see also Glenluce Abbey in Stranraer Tourist information on this website).

Also of note in New Abbey is its historic 18th century corn mill. Abbey Corn Mill is in working order and is a superb living history exhibition. The first mill on this site dates from 1300 and would have been built by the local Cistercian monks at Sweetheart Abbey who were experts in water technology in the period. The working corn mill you see today dates from the late 1700s.

Just north of New Abbey's centre sits Shambellie House, home to the National Museum of Costume which explores both fashion and social etiquette from the 1850s to the 1950s. It's particularly interesting for 19th century womens fashion. (see website right for more details and photography). Shambellie House is a feudal manor dating from 1850, and built by David Bryce. The setting is superb for exhibits of both Victorian and Edwardian fashion. Special events and exhibitions, plus workshops and tours run regularly.

The National Museum of Costume near Dumfries is a gem not to be missed. The history of clothes and fashion is explored through clothing displays dating from the 1850s upto the 1950s. This museum sits off the A710 Solway Coast Trail Road, south of Dumfries town centre at New Abbey. New Abbey is clearly signposted out of Dumfries centre. national Museum of Costume, New Abbey, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway DG2 8HQ, Scotland. Tel. 01387 850375.

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Drumlanrig Castle near Dumfries

Drumlanrig Castle north of Dumfries near Thornhill isn't just a magnificent historic castle these days, it's a superb attraction as well with gardens, trails, workshops, kids adventure playground, four wheel drive tours, fishing and a superb tearoom on-site. Mountain biking trails are also here within the 120,000 acre Queensberry Estate. More of a vast Stately home attraction than a ruined castle like Caerlaverock, Drumlanrig and the Queensberry estate are home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry who happens to be one of the richest blokes in the UK. It's rather an efficient rural working estate this one, with a choice of attractions within including some big name art works such as Rembrandt's 'Old Woman Reading'. Leonardo da Vinci's 'Madonna with the Yarnwinder' was held here until it was stolen in 2003. It has yet to be recovered and sits on the FBI's Top Ten Art Crimes list!

Drumlanrig Castle, essentially a huge pink sandstone stately home, holds some unique architectural features including the 'Pink Palance', a fine example of 17th Century Renaissance architecture. Take one of the guided tours which scoots both inside and outside the house, and around the gardens for a detailed history of the architecture. Drumlanrig Castle is a superb attraction for families - kids will love the adventure playground, tree trails, cycle trails and mountain bike trails. Both cycle hire and a visitor centre is on-site.

Look to the Drumlanrig Castle weblink right for a comprehensive history of the estate which dates back to it passing into the hands of William Douglas, 1st Laird of Drumlanrig in or before 1388. New for 2006 in the gardens is the small Bog Garden, plus there's a big plant centre and Victorian glasshouse on-site.

Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, DG3 4AG. Tel:01848 331 555. (Drumlanrig Castle's website is linked right for more details).

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Family Holiday Attractions near Dumfries - Mabie Farm

Within the Dumfries area there's more on the family holiday attraction menu. The Mabie Farm Park Attraction (website right) covers over 40 acres and sits just to the south east of Dumfries. There's a host of kids attractions going on here including a Dirt Buggy Track, Pedal Go Karts, a Boting Poond, numerous annimals and a huge 5000 square foot Indoor Playbarn which is great for the younger tots.

The Mabie Farm tearoom services snacks, drinks and ice cream and has an outdoor patio area. The park recommends at least a 2 hour slot to enjoy everything here, but you'll probably have to tear the kids away even after that!

Free car parking space and coach park space is on-site, plus there's picnic areas, a barbecue, a toy shop and tuck shop and toilets within the complex. Check-in at reception on arrival to purchase tickets. Entrance rates are excellent considering the extent of what's on offer inside Mabie Farm Park. Rides, including Dirt buggies, donkey rides and paddle boats are extra. Discounts are available for large group bookings. Both indoor and outdoor attracions are numerous so Mabie Farm Park suits for both rainy and sunny days out.

Mabie Farm Park, Burnside Farm, Mabie, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, DG2 8EZ. Tel. International 00 44 1387 259666. (UK 01387 259666.

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7 Stanes Mountain Bike Trails - Mabie Forest

Just south of Dumfries there are a number of challenging mountain bike trails in Mabie Forest which sit within the 7 Stanes Mountain bike trail network across South West Scotland. A choice of four trails here at Mabie Forest range from easy to severe, so all mountain bike standards are catered for.

You're riding through mixed woodland and some stunning scenery here at Mabie. For a nice easy mountain bike ride choose the Big Views Loop or for the ultimate challenge the Black Severe graded Kona Dark Side trail is a 3.8km challenge for the most experienced of mountain bikers.

Download maps of all the Mabie mountain bike trails via the 7 Stanes weblink right.

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