Welcome to Out About Scotland. I'm Craig, I'm a travel writer living in Edinburgh, and I'm here to show you Scotland's best tourist attractions... read more.
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Last updated on March 29th, 2021
If you’d like to discover even more places to visit take a look at my Scottish Tourist Attractions Map – but don’t forget to check my Weather Forecast Map before you leave home.
Agnew Park
Address: Agnew Crescent, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, DG9 7JZ
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: +44 (1776) 703535
Email Address: karen.brownlie@dumgal.gov.uk
Website: Agnew Park
About: Agnew Park has a wide range of leisure facilities including a boating lake, a miniature railway which takes a complete tour of the park, a play island, an 18-hole putting green, and a mini car racing circuit. In addition there is a multitude of paths through the gardens and a café serving a range of hot and cold refreshments.
Dalbeattie Museum
Address: Southwick Rd, Dalbeattie, DG5 4BS
Opening Times: April to October: Mon – Sat 11:00 till 16:00
Tel Number: 01556 611657
Email Address::info@dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk
Website: Dalbeattie Museum
About: Dalbeattie Museum is a fascinating little gem that was set up with a vision to record the town’s history through a collection of artefacts, displays and photographs. Each item of memorabilia has been chosen for its contribution to the social history of Dalbeattie and there are many items that adults will fondly remember from their childhoods.
Dock Park
Address: Dock Park, Dumfries, DG1 2RY
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01387 245911
Email Address: contact@dumgal.gov.uk
Website: Dock Park
About: The most prominent feature of Dock Park is the nineteenth-century bandstand that plays host to frequent events throughout the year. The rest of the park borders a riverside which is extremely popular in summer, while a large children’s play park and a historic maze are used by families year-round. There is also a Peter Pan-themed mini golf area that is popular with all age groups.
Eskrigg Nature Reserve
Address: Quaas Loaning, Lockerbie, DG11 1HY
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: N/A
Email Address: N/A
Website: Eskrigg Nature Reserve
About: Eskrigg Nature Reserve is a peaceful site that was once an old curling pond, but is now maintained by a local charity. There are various paths to follow around the adjacent woodland which offer visitors the chance to see plenty of wildlife, while a mountain bike trail is a favourite with those feeling a little more energetic.
Galloway Forest Park
Address: Creebridge, Newton Stewert, DG8 6AJ
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01671 402420
Email Address: galloway@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Website: Galloway Forest Park
About: Galloway Forest Park covers an impressive three hundred square miles of prime forest in the heart of southern Scotland. Stretching from seashore to mountain, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife and visitors can frequently see red and roe deer and several species of birds of prey in its forest, moorland and lochs.
Grey Mares Trail Nature Reserve
Address: Moffat Valley, Moffat, Dumfriesshire, DG10 9DP
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 07713 786230
Email Address: information@nts.org.uk
Website: Grey Mares Trail
About: This spectacular trail features one of the highest waterfalls in the UK where the tumbling waters of Loch Skeen plunge 60 metres down the Moffat Water Valley. Walkers will often catch sight of ospreys, peregrine falcons and wild goats as they traverse the glacier-scarred terrain.
Mossburn Animal Centre
Address: Mossburn Community Farm, Hightae, Lockerbie, DG11 1LE
Opening Times: Contact site for details
Tel Number: 01387 811288
Email Address: mossburnanimalcentre2@hotmail.com
Website: Mossburn Animal Centre
About: The Mossburn Animal Centre was established to care for abused, unwanted and neglected animals and is home to a wide variety of farm, domestic and exotic animals. The charity organization prides itself on providing education for children through its interesting tours and also features a tearoom and a shop.
Red Deer Range Trail
Address: Castle Douglas, DG7 2BL
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 0300 067 6156
Email Address: fcscotland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Website: Red Deer Range Trail
About: The Red Deer Range offers visitors the chance to see over 60 red deer in their natural environment, where you can view the animals without causing them distress thanks to a purpose-built viewing area and hide. The numerous paths are a great way to experience the forest and guided walks are also available at certain times of the year.
Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum
Address: High Street, Sanquhar, Dumfries & Galloway, DG4 6BN
Opening Times: Apr to Sept: Tues to Sun 10:00 (14:00 Sun) to 17:00
Tel Number: +44 (1659) 50186
Email Address: dumfries.museum@dumgal.gov.uk
Website: Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum
About: This museum is dedicated to Sanquhar’s world-famous knitting tradition, as well as the story of the mines and miners of Sanquhar and Kirkconnel. The 18th-century tollbooth is a fascinating backdrop to the audio-visual presentations and children will enjoy learning what prison life was like in the Sanquhar jail.
St. Ninians Cave
Address: St Ninian’s Cave, Nr Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway, DG8
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 0131 668 8600
Email Address: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website: St. Ninians Cave
About: St. Ninians cave lies in an area of outstanding peace and solitude on the beach-side of Physgill, close to Whithorn. Visitors can explore the dark and gloomy depths of the sea-cave where St. Ninian supposedly had a hermitage while the stony beach is perfect for taking a relaxing afternoon stroll.
Station Park
Address: Beattock Road, A701, Moffat, DG10 9HF
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01683 220 697
Email Address: beechgrove.leisurecentre@dumgal.gov.uk
Website: Station Park
About: This family park and boating pond, set in beautiful surroundings, is a fantastic escape for families to enjoy a wide range of activities. In addition to the stunning gardens there is a boating lake, a putting green, an interactive water feature and an excellent children’s play park.
The Mill on the Fleet
Address: High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, DG7 2HS
Opening Times: Mar to Oct: 10:00 – 17:00
Tel Number: 01557 814099
Email Address: millonthefleet@btopenworld.com
Website: Mill on The Fleet
About: The Mill on the Fleet was built in 1788 as a cotton spinning mill but today it is renowned as a visitor and exhibition centre for the heritage of the local area. The main exhibition floor houses displays that provide a glimpse into the life and times of Gatehouse and Fleet Valley while a café and bookshop provide families with areas to unwind.
The Mull of Galloway Trail
Address: Various points of entry. See website for details.
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Tel Number: 01776 707408
Email Address: info@mullofgallowaytrail.co.uk
Website: Mull of Galloway Trail
About: The Mull of Galloway Trail runs from the Mull to Stranraer, and Stranraer to Glenapp, across 35 miles of stunning south Scotland terrain that not only provides breath-taking views but is also rich in wildlife. Visitors to the trail will frequently see red deer, red squirrels, seals and a wide variety of wild Scottish flora and fauna.
If you’d like to find free attractions in Argyll read this guide: Free Attractions in Argyll and Bute.
More free places to visit in Scotland
- Brodick – Isle of Arran: Complete Visitor Guide
Brodick is the main village on the Isle of Arran, located on the west coast of Scotland. Brodick lies halfway along the eastern side of the island where it overlooks Brodick Bay and Goatfell mountain. It is the arrival point for most visitors due to the ferry port but is popular in its own right thanks to its beaches, surrounding forests, castle and quality restaurants. - Arran Forest Walks: Complete Visitor GuideThe forests of Arran offer some of the best mountain biking routes of any of the west-coast islands and any cycle ride is almost guaranteed to include sightings of Arran’s famed red squirrels. The most popular wooded areas are; Brodick Castle, Dyemill, Glenrickard, King’s Cave, North Sannox and South End.
- The Arran Coastal Way: Complete Visitor GuideThe Arran Coastal Way is a circular cycling and walking route around the perimeter of the Isle of Arran on Scotland’s west coast. This easy-going trail rewards visitors with stunning views at every section of its 65-mile length and there are plenty of opportunities to deviate onto nearby attractions along the way.
- The Holy Isle – Arran: Complete Visitor GuideHoly Isle is located close to the eastern shore of the Isle of Arran on Scotland’s west coast. This small (one square mile) island has a rich religious history dating back hundreds of years and the tradition of quiet seclusion continues to this day thanks to the Centre for World Peace and Health located on the western edge of the isle.
- Loch Leven – Kinross: Complete Visitor GuideLoch Leven is a large expanse of water situated in the rural Scottish county of Perth and Kinross. The National Nature Reserve is renowned for the number of wildfowl that live there and in fact, it’s home to more breeding ducks than anywhere else in Europe.