Dumfries

File:Dumfries banner Caerlaverock Castle - Caerlaverock Castle Dumfries is the principal town in Dumfries and Galloway in South West (Scotland) ‎| Southwest Scotland. It's a market and former county town straddling the River Nith: Maxwelltown and the area west of the river, was a separate town until merged with Dumfries in 1929. Although it's a burgh of great antiquity, few of the buildings are very old, as invading armies kept wrecking the place. The last such visitor was Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, who demanded money and shoes for his men. But the Duke of Cumberland was marching down on him so he and his Jacobite forces scarpered, none too nimbly as few of the shoes had been handed over.

The poet Robert Burns spent his later life here: from 1788 to 1791 at Ellisland Farm 7 miles north and then in Dumfries until his death in 1796, aged 37. Sites associated with him are the main reason to visit the town, and it's also a good base for adventuring the Dumfriesshire countryside. For travellers to & from Ireland who need a stopover, Dumfries may be a better choice than the port of Stranraer.

Devorguilla Bridge, Dumfries - - 1322035.jpg‎|Devorguilla Bridge, Dumfries

Travel to Dumfries

55.070053|-3.610813

By rail

Scotrail trains run direct between Glasgow Central and Dumfries via Kilmarnock and Sanquhar, taking just under two hours. They run every couple of hours Monday to Saturdayt but only two on Sundays. From England, change at Carlisle; thit is also a route from Glasgow that's almost as quick as the direct train. Dumfries station GPS 55.0728,-3.6045 has been nicely preserved and is usually kept clean.

By road

A74 (M) is the main Carlisle-Glasgow highway, to the east of Dumfries. From Carlisle take A75 past Annan to Dumfries; this continues west to Castle Douglas and Stranraer. From Glasgow or Edinburgh leave A74 (M) at Beattock for A701.

A76 runs up the Nith Valley from Dumfries via Sanquhar and Cumnock to Kilmarnock, for routes to Glasgow and the Ayrshire coast.

By bike: Dumfries is a stopping point on National Cycle Route 7, with another route heading north via Ae Forest.

Travel on a Bus in Dumfries

Stagecoach Cumbria Bus 79 runs from Carlisle via Longtown, Gretna, Annan and Ruthwell to Dumfries, hourly Monday to Saturdayt and every two hours Sunday.

Stagecoach Bus X74 runs from Glasgow via Hamilton, Lesmahagow and Moffat to Dumfries, hourly Monday to Saturdayt and every two hours Sunday.

Stagecoach West Scotland Bus 500 runs from Stranraer via Glenluce, Newton Stewart and Castle Douglas to Dumfries, Monday to Saturdayt every couple of hours and Sunday every four hours. It doesn't serve the ferry ports at Cairnryan.

There's just one direct bus per day from Edinburgh, Stagecoach West Scotland Bus 102 via West Linton, Biggar, Abington, Elvanfoot and Auldgirth. This runs north from Dumfries around 09:00 Monday to Saturdayt and returns south from Edinburgh around 17:00, no Sunday service. Otherwise take X95 between Edinburgh and Carlisle then change for Bus 79.

National Express / Ulsterbus 920 runs overnight from London Victoria via Luton airport, Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester airport and city, Preston, Carlisle, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Stranraer, Cairnryan then by Stena ferry to Belfast.

Get Around

Houstons Bus 372 runs south from Dumfries along A710, via New Abbey (for Sweetheart Abbey), Ingleston Ford Farm (start of the climb up Criffel), Kirkbean (turnoff for John Paul Jones birthplace), to Sandyhills which has a deer park. It runs hourly Monday to Saturdayt, but only three times on Sunday.

DGC & Stagecoach Bus 6A runs south from Dumfries along B725 via Kingholm Quay to Caerlaverock Castle then loops back. Buses run every 3 hours Monday to Saturdayt, no Sunday service. Three hours is longer than you need for the castle, so you could tramp along the road for an hour either north to Kingholm Quay or east to Ruthwell, both of which have more frequent buses back to Dumfries.

DGC Bus 213 runs north from Dumfries along A76 via Auldgirth (for Portrack Garden and Ellisland Farm) to Thornhill, 3 miles south of Drumlarig Castle. It runs Monday to Friday every hour or two, no weekend service. One bus a day continues north to Sanquhar and Kirkconnel.

What to See

In & around town

Robert Burn's House Burns Street DG1 2PS Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00 Free - Small museum in the house where he spent his last five years.
Other Burns sites to be found within town are the statues to him and his wife Jean Armour (1765-1834), and his mausoleum in Street Michael's graveyard.
Devorgilla Bridge is a 15th C sandstone footbridge over the River Nith. On the west bank the Old Bridge House, built 1660, is now a small free museum open April - Sept Monday to Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00.

Dumfries Museum Observatory, Rotchell Road DG2 7SW corner of Church Street west of river Opening Hours: April - Sept Monday to Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00; October - Mar Tuesday - Saturday 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Museum free, camera obscura adult £3.40 - History museum with local exhibits. The camera obscura, up a spiral staircase on the top floor of an old windmill tower, is open April - Sept.
Aviation Museum is a collection of military aircraft and equipment on a former RAF base that's nowadays Heathhall Industrial Estate north of the A75 bypass. It's open July - Aug W-F 10:00-16:00, Saturday Sunday 10:00-17:00; March - Jun & Sept-Oct West 10:00-16:00, Saturday Sunday 10:00-17:00; November - Feb Saturday 10:00-16:00. Adults £6.

South of town

Sweetheart Abbey New Abbey DG2 8BU 54.981, -3.619 On A710 eight miles south of Dumfries, west of the river Opening Hours: April - Sept daily 09:30-17:30, October - Mar Saturday - West 10:00-16:00 Adult £4 - Thit is the remains of a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1275 (hence the nearby village is called "New Abbey"; the old abbey was Dundrennan to the West near Kirkcudbright). It was established by Devorguilla in memory of her husband John de Balliol, and she also endowed the Oxford college named for him. She carried his embalmed heart around everywhere in a casket of ivory and silver, until it was buried with her here, though the grave is now lost. The abbey is west of the river and there's no bridge below Dumfries, so reaching nearby Caerlaverock on the east bank means back-tracking.
The Birthplace of John Paul Jones, naval hero to the U.S. but pirate to the English, is at Abigland another 5 miles south on A710. It's a humble cottage with a small museum, open April - Sept daily 10:30-17:00, adults £4.50.

Caerlaverock castle - Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle Glencaple DG1 4RU 54.9756, -3.524 7 miles south of Dumfries on B725, east of river - Opening Hours: Daily April - Sept 09:30-17:30, October - Mar 10:00-16:00 Adult £6 Caerlaverock Castle - Caerlaverock Castle from the air 25398 Impressive twin-towered triangular castle surrounded by a water filled moat. Built mid 13th C and wrecked and rebuilt until 1640 when it was abandoned. It's scenic and often used as a film location.

South of Caerlaverock are the wetlands of the Nith estuary, a National Nature Reserve.
Going west towards Annan, visit Brow Well an ancient spa (where Burns came in his last days in hopes of a cure), and Ruthwell Cross a remarkable 8th C high cross with Latin, Anglo-Saxon and Runic inscriptions.

North of town

Portrack Garden of Cosmic Speculation is a wacky garden and sculpture park inspired by science: quarks, fractals, and black-hole distortions of space-time, insofar as it's feasible to re-create these in rural Dumfriesshire. It's privately owned and only open one day a year as part of the Scotland's Gardens scheme, usually the Sunday of the first May Bank Holiday. For 2019 that's confirmed as Sunday 5 May, 11:00-17:00. Adults £10, children free. It's at Holywood DG2 0RW five miles north of Dumfries off A76.

Ellisland Farm 55.137, -3.680 7 miles north of town along A76 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00; October - Mar closed Sunday Monday Adult £5, conc £4 - This was Burns' last spell of farming for a living, but poetically his most productive period. It's a cattle and sheep-raising farm on the banks of the Nith.
Drumlanrig Castle Thornhill DG3 4AQ 55.2747, -3.8088 17 miles north of Dumfries off A76 ☎ +44 1848 331555 Opening Hours: Castle daily July-Aug (& occ May w/e) 10:00-17:00; gardens daily April - Sept Adult £12, conc £10, child £6 Drumlanrig Castle - Drumlanrig Castle Impressive 17th C Renaissance "pink palace", interior by guided tour only, with 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers. Houses the Buccleuch collection of artwork, furniture and silver. Set in extensive gardens and estate with various activities for adults & children (think zip-wires). The Galloway Country Fair is held here in July each year.

Morton Castle is a jagged stump two miles east of Drumlanrig. Not much left of this remote 13th C Hall-House and the fun is in trying to find it and then having it to yourself. At Carronbridge leave A76 for A702 and take the second right. Always open, free.

Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall 55.41788, -3.28676 on A708 North east of Moffat - Grey Mare's Tail - Grey Mare's Tail The Grey Mare's Tail is one of Scotland's finest waterfalls, a magnificent 60m cascade in the Moffat hills. This walk climbs past the falls and continues up to beautiful Loch Skeen, ringed by craggy hillsides. It is at least 30 miles and an hours drive from Dumfries.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Dumfries

The Ice Bowl includes a skating rink and bowling facilities, swimming swimmingpool and sports/exhibition hall "DG One"
Two cinemas here: Odeon, near DG one, and the council-run Robert Burns Film Theatre.
Galleries are Ottersburn Gallery near the old swimming pool, and the Gracefield Arts Centre on the Edinburgh Road.
Theatre Royal on Shakespeare Street claims to be the oldest working theatre in Scotland.
Watch football ie soccer at Queen of the South FC, who play in the Championship and the second tier of Scottish football. Their home ground is Palmerston Park, capacity 8690, off Terregles Street west of the river.
Dock Park, east bank of the river below Street Michael's Bridge A756, is a park and play area with mini-golf, trampolines and cafe.

Mabie Farm Park Burnside Farm, Mabie, Dumfries, DG2 8EZ 55.02773, -3.64008 5 miles south of Dumfries on A710 ☎ +44 1387 259666 - A good kids entertainment place with rides, slides and animals.

Mountain biking at Seven Stanes course at Mabie Forest (south on A710), with another course at Ae Forest.
Climb Criffel, 10 miles south of Dumfries off A710. It's 1870 ft / 570 m, so it's not a Munro, it's a Marilyn, but because it rears up in isolation from a low plain, it looks higher and commands all-round views. The usual route is from Ardwall by Loch Kindar: there's parking up the lane. It's a short steep ascent through forest, becoming boggy on the summit heathland, reckon 3 hours there and back.
Dumfries Agricultural Show is held in early August. The next event is Saturday 3 Aug 2019.

Shopping in Dumfries

Loreburne Shopping Centre is the main retail mall. Barbour's department store and the town's oldest shop, is still going strong in its impressive sandstone building on Buccleuch Street.

There is a Saturday market in the town centre, with stalls offering food, clothes, curios and other goods.

Halal Restaurants

Casa Mia 53 Nunholm Road 55.08119, -3.61167 ☎ +44 1387 269619 Opening Hours: Daily 12:00-14:00 & 17:00-21:00 . Modern European Cuisine

Pizzeria Il Fiume Dock Park DG1 2RY - GPS: 55.064, -3.606 ☎ +44 1387 265154 Opening Hours: Daily 17:00-22:00 Mains £10-20 . Italian

Drummuir Farm Ice Cream Drummuir Farm, Clarencefield Road, Collin 55.05441, -3.49945 Off B724 to the West of Dumfries ☎ +44 1387 750599 Established in 1991 it serves a range of home-made ice creams, hand-made in with milk from their own herd of dairy cows. Not only for the kids!

Robert the Bruce is a JD Wetherspoons at 81 Buccleuch Street (corner with Castle Street)
Globe Inn at 56 High Street is a traditional flagstone pub that Burns declared as "his favorite Howff", so raise a glass to Scotland's Bard here. Open 10:00-23:00, Friday Saturday to 01:00, but on Burns Night and similar big occasions it's usually booked out for private events.
Others in the centre include The White Hart Hotel on Brewery St, Slipstream and Dickie's on English St, New Bazaar on White Sands, Hole in the Wall on High St, The Stag on Bank St, and the Flesher's Arms on Loreburn St.
Out of town:
The Steamboat Inn Carsethorn DG2 8DS 54.9230, -3.5729 12 miles south of Dumfries off A710 ☎ +44 1387 880631 - Nice inn on the coast with views over the Nith Estuary, real ales and good food.

Nightclubs: The Venue at Church Place has live events. Chancers on Munches Street aims for an older crowd.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Dumfries

Dumfries - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Dumfries, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Dumfries. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Dumfries and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Dumfries. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Dumfries. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Dumfries: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Dumfries.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Dumfries: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Dumfries, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Dumfries.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Dumfries, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Dumfries, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Dumfries and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Dumfries, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Dumfries, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Dumfries without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Dumfries is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Dumfries.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Dumfries is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Dumfries, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Dumfries Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Dumfries

eHalal Group Dumfries is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Dumfries. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Dumfries.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Dumfries ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Dumfries. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Dumfries, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Dumfries are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Cairndale Hotel is a 3-star on English St.
Huntingdon House is a 3-star at 18 Street Mary's Street near the train station.

Dumfries Villa 33 Lovers Walk DG1 1LR ☎ +44 1387 248609 Bed & Breakfast double from £70 . 3-star Bed & Breakfast in Victorian town house. 5 rooms all en suite.
Premier Inn and Travelodge motels are both east edge of town, junction of A780 and A75 bypass.

Stay Safe

Safety is not usually a problem in Dumfries, despite occasional concern about the scale of its hard drug problem. Generally crime is common and most likely to occur after something like leaving valuables in view in a car. Walking down the streets is seldom dangerous, even though there are less pleasant areas. Violence that occurs will tend to be unrelated to anything concerning tourists, but the Rangers-Celtic rivalry can obtain some impact in the town.

News & References

Travel Next

The Museum of Lead Mining in Wanlockhead, Scotland's highest village, in the Lowther Hills.
Take the old road to Annan via Ruthwell for its 6th C High Cross and chalybeate Brow Well.
For more Robert Burns memorabilia, head to his birthplace at Alloway just south of Ayr.
The mountains seen to the south are the English Lake District. It's scenic but will feel very tourist after Dumfries & Galloway.