Out & About

Discover more about our beautiful Spa Town and explore our stunning local countryside. With plenty to see and do in the South West of Scotland.
Crawick Multiverse 
​There are many reasons for visiting Crawick. You may appreciate the artistic landscape, unique landforms, or enjoy following Charles Jencks’ projects.
Or perhaps you have an interest in cosmology or science? Both come together beautifully at Crawick through land art. Here you can walk through comet explosions, the Milky Way spirals, and the North-South Line from the Belvedere.
There is no doubt the site looks fantastic on a bright clear day, a climb up to Belvedere, the highest point on site, offers spectacular views not only of the site itself, but also the surrounding valley and beyond. 
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Drumlanrig Castle
The 'Pink Palace' of Drumlanrig, constructed between 1679 and 1689 from distinctive pink sandstone, is an example of late 17th-century Renaissance architecture. The first Duke of Queensberry, William Douglas, had the castle built on the site of an ancient Douglas stronghold overlooking the Nith Valley. The castle has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers.
In 1984, aerial photography revealed the outline of a substantial Roman fort some 350 yards to the southeast of Drumlanrig Castle. The fort was partially excavated in 2004 by the Time Team television programme.
Devil`s Beef Tub
The Devil`s Beef Tub is a deep, dramatic hollow in the hills north of the Scottish town of Moffat. The 500-foot (150 m) deep hollow is formed by four hills, Great Hill, Peat Knowe, Annanhead Hill and Ericstane Hill. It is one of the two main sources of the River Annan.
The unusual name derives from its use to hide stolen cattle by the Border Reivers of the Johnstone clan who were referred to by their enemies as "devils"; it is also called Marquis of Annandale's Beef-Tub (or Beef-Stand) after the Lord of Annandale, chief of the raiding "loons" (here meaning "lads", rather than "lunatics"); the name may also refer to the resemblance the valley bears to a tub used for preserving meat.
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Dawyck Botanic Gardens
Dawyck Botanic Garden is a five star Garden renowned for its seasonal displays of snowdrops, bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, blue poppies and autumn colour.
Located in the hills of the Scottish Borders, 65-acre Dawyck enjoys an almost continental climate comprising warm dry summers followed by cold, snowy winters.  Plants from the mountainous regions of Europe, China, Nepal, Japan and North America thrive here.

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Earshaig
​Over the years Earshaig Lochans has been a wonderful resource for the public and visitors to the area - a perfect spot for afternoon walks or picnics! Now Kirkpatrick Juxta Community Council, the Forestry Commission and Dumfries & Galloway Council Countryside Department are working closely together to make a visit to Earshaig Lochans a very special experience for the visitor.
There is much wildlife to be seen in this area including roe deer, crossbills, many types of dragonfly, basking reptiles, and a varied selection of birds of prey.
Museum of Lead Mining
​​Discover our 18th century lead mine  where you will experience the thrill of going on the only underground mine tour in Scotland.  Take a glimpse into the past by visiting the miners’ cottages and see how the miners and their families lived during the periods of 1750, 1850 & 1910. 
The Visitor Centre is situated in the heart of the village of Wanlockhead, which is Scotland’s highest Village at 1531 ft./468.08 m. above sea level.
If you need any help or advice with planning a day out in the beautiful surrounding countryside or with a day exploring the local Spa town, then please let us know.  We will only be to happy to help. 

​Susan & David