Dumfries

📌 Town in Dumfries & Galloway
★★★

Located a little way away from the M74 corridor through southern Scotland, Dumfries is often unfairly neglected by visitors driving up from the south who zoom straight past en route to Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands. They’re missing out on a town bursting with history, literary connections and charming architecture. We like it a lot, and would perhaps go as far as saying it’s the town to visit south of the Central Belt. The town’s past roles as frontier post, market and major bridging point have given Dumfries more importance than its size merits alone, with numerous striking buildings, several (small) museums and a bustling High Street. Robert Burns also spent the latter years of his life here, before passing away at the young age of 37. You can visit both his last residence and his resting place as well as a decent exhibition at the Robert Burns Centre. Also take time to seek out the Globe Inn, Burns’ favourite watering hole, hidden away down a narrow alley just off the main street. Overall, we were impressed at how well Dumfries seems to be set up for tourists, with the main sights linked by a choice of walking tours available as free booklets / leaflets at each venue. See below for the attractions list.

🌍 Location

📌 Dumfries & Galloway. Midsteeple in the town centre is at:

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NX 972761

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.068776,-3.610673

🚶 The town centre is quite compact, which a couple more sights easily walkable across the River Nith.

🚆🚌 Trains call at Dumfries from places including Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Carlisle. The town is a major bus hub, with services from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stranraer and numerous other settlements in southwest Scotland.

🚗 Central car parking is limited and often restricted – best options are around the riverside.

<1 mi away

>> Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura ★★

>> Old Bridge House Musuem ★★

>> Robert Burns Centre ★★

>> Robert Burns House ★★

>> Robert Burns Mausoleum ★

<3 mi away

>> Lincluden Collegiate Church ★★ (1 mi ↑)

>> Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum ★★★ (2 mi →)

>> Twelve Apostles Stone Circle ★ (3 mi ↑)