Travel Information

The Annan Museum houses a exhibitions on the prehistoric to first world war history of Annan.

Annan Museum
Bank Street
Annan
Dumfriesshire
DG12 6AA

Telephone: +44 (0)1461 201384

Close to the harbour, on the high street, in Kircudbright you can find Broughton House. Its main claim to fame is that it was E A Hornels home. It was the aspiration of EA Hornel in 1901, to purchase this home which would reflect his new found wealth and position in life. He was an artist who was doing really well and he used the house as both a gallery and studio to work and display his paintings as well as a place to live. He also had an extensive library here that contains books on the locality and also that famous Scotsman, Robert Burns. The house remained Hornels home until his death thirty two years later. It was the most attractive and notable homes in the town with a splendid garden and still continues to be a landmark in the town. The garden overlooks the River Dee at the rear of the property. Hornell wanted his house to become a public art gallery and a special library long after his death. He willed it to the local community and local trusties ran it. Maintaining the house became a problem for the trusties sixty years later, so the National Trust for Scotland took over the care of this gem of a house, contents and gardens. April 2005 saw the house opened to the public again after a restoration programme. It is well worth a visit for its exceptional collections, lovely interiors and well laid out gardens. If you are in Scotland in your Scottish Motorhome Hire, call in and have a look around. It’s a very interesting house. For opening times, more information and admission prices click the link below.

Broughton House
High Street
Kirkcudbright
Dumfries and Galloway
DG6 4JX
Scotland

Tel 0844 493 2246.

Caerlaverock Castle has imposing battlements and the epitome of the medieval stronghold. The castle has a turbulent history and this is reflected in its strong presence and fortifications.

Seven miles south East of Dumfries on the B725 you can find Scotland’s sandstone 13th century medieval Caerlaverock Castle. Surrounded by a double moat the ruins of the castle is everything you would imagine a great fortress to be. It is triangle in plan with an imposing frontage so that as you approach you feel yourself easily transported to another era. It is not difficult to imagine the knights in armour leaving the castle on horseback and riding forth across the marshlands surrounding. The castle is run by Historic Scotland and it is best to check admission and opening times by clicking on the blue text for Caerlaverock Castle. There is also a café/restaurant and a picnic site. If you are traveling in the borders of Scotland with your Scotland Motorhome Rental it is worth finding Caerlaverock castle as the whole family will enjoy this special place.

Caerlaverock Castle
Glencaple
Dumfries
DG1 4RU
Tel: 0131 668 8800

Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is a paradise for the keen bird watcher as well as a lovely day out for the outdoor enthusiast. Set in a beautiful 1,400 acre reserve, near the Solway Coast, the centre is a famous stop over for over-wintering water fowl. In the winter season you can see several species of geese and whooper swans. In the summer there are beautiful wild flower meadows to explore, as well as Osprey to watch and barn owls and badgers to spot at night. If you decide to join a guided walk with one of the reserve wardens you will no doubt be shown more of the reserves more interesting and perhaps more secretive inhabitants. The Saltcot Merse Observatory sits in a tranquil spot and its grass roof blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape. From here you will enjoy perfect views of the reserve and beyond to the Solway Firth and even the Lake District fells. Some of the birds you are likely to see from the observatory are waders, peregrine falcons, hen harriers and short eared owls. A veritable feast for the bird lover! Excitingly in 2004, there was discovered a colony of endangered tadpole shrimps on the reserve. It is thought that this may be the oldest living species on earth and was long thought only to exist in one pond in the New Forest. This rare creature can be seen in the aquarium located on the reserve. To get to the reserve in your Dumfriesshire motorhome rental from the M6, take the A75 signposted to Annan onto the B724, followed by the B725 onto Caerlaverock Reserve. There is an on site shop selling an extensive selection of books and gifts and a coffee shop selling homemade produce as well as ample parking for your motorhome.

Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
Eastpark Farm,
Caerlaverock,
Dumfriesshire,
Scotland
DG1 4RS

Telephone: 01387 770200

If you love ice cream you will definitely not want to miss a visit to the Cream o Galloway farm. You will enjoy a fun day out for all the family, as there are plenty of farm yard activities to enjoy as well as the main attraction, sampling the delicious range of farm produced ice creams. The family has been making ice cream on site since the early 1990’s and now make a range of delicious luxury ice creams made with organic milk produced on the farm. You may have already had Cream o Galloway ice cream as it is sold in many shops across Scotland. The family pride themselves in only using the very best natural ingredients, which means you will not find many of the ‘nasties’ which are used in the mass manufacture of ice cream. So, no gums, artificial colourings or flavourings just wholesome ingredients. There are some fantastic flavours to try, with  great name such as ‘Chocolate to die for’, ‘Strawberry Pavlova’ and for the adults only ‘Whiskey, honey and Oatmeal’. After all that ice cream, adults and children alike will want to burn off some energy, there are pedal karts, bikes, slides and an adventure playground to explore. Even if you are subject to the changeable Scottish weather you can still let the children run around and play in the indoor play centre. There are plenty of organized tours which change with the seasons including meeting the lambs, Bat Night and Farm Safaris. If your dog is on holiday with you, there are designated walks on the farm where dogs are welcome to run free. You will find the Cream o Galloway farm in your Dumfreisshire motorhome rental off the A75 where there is ample parking for your vehicle. For further information on this ‘tasty’ day out please click the blue link below.

Cream o Galloway
Rainton
Gatehouse of Fleet
Castle Douglas
DG7 2DR

Telephone: 01557 814 040

On a rainy day in Scotland the Gem Rock Museum will enthrall all of your family and is a great place to go. Children will be amazed at the collection and it may well inspire them to start their own collection. After a visit here the rest of your Scottish Motorhome Hire holiday could be hunting for gemstones when ever you stop! The collection is regarded as one of the finest private collections of gemstones, crystals, minerals, rocks and fossils in Great Britain. It’s run as an independent museum by the Stephenson family. Children particularly will want to see the real fossilized dinosaur egg’ and of course the fossilized dinosaur dung! The museum is open from April till October and has reasonable admission prices. The Creetown Gem Rock Museum houses so many treasures it is impossible to list but look out for one of the largest gold nuggets found in Britain. In your Scottish Motorhome Hire you can find Creetown on the A75 road between Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart.

Creetown Gem Rock Museum
Chain Road
Creetown,
Newton Stewart
Dumfries
DG8 7HJ
Scotland

Tel:0167182 0357

Dumfries Museum is located around the eighteenth century windmill which stands above the town. There is a great deal to see at the museum itself and the imposing windmill also houses the camera obscura. Perhaps the experience that will fascinate most of your friends and family traveling in your Scottish Motorhome Hire will be the Camera Obscura. If your children have never seen a camera Obscura it is well worth a visit. On a clear day you can see into Dumfries and the countryside for miles around. The Camera Obscura is situated on the top floor and here you will get the amazing views that have fascinated people from Victorian times. The Camera Obscura is open from April to September, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm-5pm with reasonable admission charge. Renovation work is taking place in May and possibly June 2011 so check it is open before you set off. The museum part is still open during renovation but not the camera Obscura. There is a car park but a Motorhome would not gain access during the renovation work and you are advised to park further down Rothwell Road which is a short walk away from the museum. If you are in the area in your Scottish Motorhome hire you will find something of interest here for all the family.

Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura
The Observatory
Dumfries
DG27SW

Tel: 01387 253374

This is a lovely campsite, located in southern Scotland, near the pretty wool town of Moffat. If you are traveling north to south or vise versa the site is well located for a stop over night or a longer stay exploring the beauty of the Scottish Lowlands. Next to the Site, is a local trout fishery which also serves food if you want to eat out? The bonus for campers eating out early in the morning is that it offers a discount to campers for breakfasts. The local butchers sell quality meats and home-cooked pies. The Loch Arthur Creamery and Farm Shop have award-winning organic cheeses, fruit, meat and much more to choose from. Go to nearby Moffat for more shops including the Moffat Toffee Shop. Traditional Scottish music at the local pub is live during the summer and just the place for some authentic local atmosphere. Many famous Scots had their birthplace at Moffat including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Air Chief Marshall Lord Hugh Dowding. If you love gardens take a trip out to see the Dawyck Botanic Garden near Peebles. It is one of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Scotland. Here you can see some of the tallest trees in Britain. Alternatively go to Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve and see a spectacular 200ft waterfall in a dramatic moorland setting. If nature is not your thing, and you have a need for retail therapy, then a visit to Gretna Gateway Outlet Village is what is needed. Here you will find, fifty shops, offering discounts of up to 50 per cent on high street prices. The children may prefer a visit to Dalescone Farm Fun which has a large indoor play area with ball pools and slides as well as plenty of outdoor play equipment to keep the children occupied. There is a great deal to see in this area if you are staying in your Scotland Campervan Hire. For details of the campsite click the blue text below.

Moffat Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Hammerlands
Moffat
Dumfries and Galloway
DG10 9QL
Scotland

Telephone: 01683 220436 (No calls after 8pm please.)

Not everybody has visited a lighthouse, so it might be something to consider when traveling Scotland’s borders, on its southern most coastline, in your Motorhome or campervan. Standing like a pinnacle, the tower of the lighthouse rises eighty five feet (25m) high and has one hundred and fourteen steps to the top. It poses a challenge for your family. No need to go to the gym, as climbing the stairs to the top everyday would certainly keep you fit. Do not attempt the climb if you have a week heart or any health problems that would result with strenuous exercise. The lighthouse is open weekends only between April and October. If you do manage to climb to the top the views are exceptional and on a clear day you may be able to see Ireland across the ocean. Set within an RSPB nature reserve this is a peaceful and unspoilt place. Travel with your UK Motorhome Hire to this remote coastal location and enjoy the dramatic cliff top setting and surrounding.

Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Stranraer
Cairngaan
Dumfries and Galloway
DG9 9

Scotland owes a great deal to the insatiable desire of Charles Stewart, to collect costumes and historical clothing. The National Costume Museum collection is all housed in Shambellie House which was built in 1856 for the Stewart family. The first original owner of this grand Victorian country was Charles Stewart’s grandfather. Charles Stewart had always loved historical costume as a boy and had trained as a ballet dancer and book illustrator and his interest in drawing and illustrating costume soon expanded into a passion for collecting. His collection contains over six thousand objects and includes parasols, corsets, underwear, muffs, boa and shawls as well as gowns and dresses and much more. The National Museum of Scotland has also added to Charles Stewart’s collection. You can travel through 3 centuries of clothing whilst at the museum. Apart from the textiles there are also furnishings glass and ceramics. The Museum opened in 1982 during Charles Stewarts life time. When he handed the museum over to the public he declared himself finally cured of collecting. He died, at the age of 85, in 2001. The museum is closed during winter and opens again in April till October. It is open from 10am till 17pm and there is a reasonable admission charge. If you are a member of National Museums of Scotland entry is free. If you are interested in costume and fashion this museum is well worth putting on your list of places to see whilst touring in your Edinburgh Motorhome Hire. For more details click the blue link below.

National Costume Museum
Shambellie House New Abbey
Dumfries
DG2 8HQ
Scotland

Tel: 0300 123 6789

The exhibits in The Museum have been gifted or lent by local people. Worth visiting if you are travelling in the locality with your motor home.

Newton Stewart Museum
York Road
Dumfries and Galloway
DG8 6HH
Tel: +44 (0)1671 402 472

This is an amazing place to visit. A tropical paradise located just a mile from Edingburgh Centre in Scotland. This is a world renowned centre of excellence for tropical plants and all set within seventy acres of exotic landscaped gardens. This haven for such plants is achieved by the warm Gulf Stream flowing to Port Logan and providing a micro climate that allows plants to flourish in this rather special place. There are also amazing huge glass houses that contain the more delicate plants. On a rainy day you can stroll in the glasshouse warmth and imagine you are in the tropics! You will find every sort of garden here from rock gardens, woodland gardens fruit gardens, a Chinese hillside and so much more it cannot be listed here. It is an awe inspiring visit for any gardener and for those of us who just love beautiful places this is certainly high on the list of places to visit. The garden is also home to the largest collection of Chinese plants outside of china. There is so much to see that I would recommend you allow plenty of time on a good sunny day to get the best out of your visit to this special place. Probably the most impressive glass house is the Victorian Temple Palm House. In this glasshouse you can walk through ten different zones, each zone contains an amazing array of plants attributed to a different climatic region of the world. There are three places providing food and drink on site too, The Gateway Restaurant, The Terrace Café (self service) and East Gate Coffee bar which also has out door seating. Plan a visit to the Botanic Gardens as part of your Scottish Motorhome Hire holiday. Further information on opening times and admission prices can be found by following the website link below.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
20A Inverleith Row
Edinburgh
EH3 5LR
Scotland

Telephone: Edinburgh switchboard: +44 (0) 131 552 7171

The Wickerman Festival takes place at East Kirkcarswell, near Dundrennan, South West Scotland, down the A711 and just over an hour’s drive from the M74. It’s a music festival a twist as the star of the show is the wickerman. Both days there will be live music produced by a whole list of different bands, Some of the acts on offer include, James Feeder, The Coral, Echo and the Bunnymen, Noisettes, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club-DJ set and many many more. The star act, the wickerman, stands on top of the hill guarding the main arena until midnight on Saturday 23rd when he will be set alight. They also have the added attraction of a fireworks display to mark the burning. The Wickerman is designed and constructed each year by Trevor Leat and Alex Rigg. To get to the festival in your Scottish Campervan Hire take the A711 for Kirkcudbright . Through Kirkcudbright, stay on the A711 heading for Dundrennan / Auchencairn Through Dundrennan, stay on A711 for Auchencairn (but don’t go as far as Auchencairn)You will then arrive with your Scottish Campervan Hire and the Wickerman Festival is on your left.Ensure that you have booked your tickets well in advance from the festival website.

East Kirkcarswell
Dundrennan
Kirkcudbright
Dumfries & Galloway
DG6 4QW.

Only about a thousand people live in Wigtown yet it boasts 13 bookshops.It is the place to be for the Wigtown book festival on September 23rd 2011 and running till October 2nd. There will be workshops and readings taking place at different locations from castles to distilleries!  Famous literary persons making appearances include Chris Brookmyre, Tam Dalyell, Tom Devine, Janice Galloway, Misha Glenny, Celia Imrie, AL Kennedy, Rory Stewart, David Vann and Maggie O’Farrell. These are just a few of those already confirmed to attend this year’s Wigtown Book Festival. Make a visit to the festival in your Scotland Motorhome Hire Holiday part of your plans. Wigtown is in the Machars region of Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland, United Kingdom.Wigtown is situated between the central belt of Scotland and Ayrshire to the north, Cumbria, Northumberland and the Lake District to the south and Ireland to the west. It is not difficult to drive there, and from Glasgow follow the A77 to Ayr. From Ayr take the signs for A713 Castle Douglas. At New Galloway pick up the A712 ‘Queens Way’ to Newton Stewart then onto Wigtown.  If you are driving from Edinburgh in your Scotland Motorhome Hire you follow the M8 to Glasgow and then pick up the A77 (as per directions from Glasgow).  For more information on Wigtown Festival click the blue text.

Wigtown Festival Company Ltd
County Buildings
Wigtown
Dumfries and Galloway
DG8 9JH

Festival Office Tel: 01988 402036