5 Days Golfing from the Hills to the Coast

Located in a picturesque village in Dumfries & Galloway, with which it shares its name, Thornhill started out in 1893 as a 9-hole course. It was extended to 18 holes in 1979 and hasn’t looked back since. Indeed, it is widely regarded as something of a ‘hidden gem’.

Set in the 120,000 acre Queensberry Estate, complete with a country park and Victorian gardens, this 17th century castle is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in the country.

The Crawick Multiverse is a 55-acre former open cast coal mine now transformed into a striking landscape of distinctive landforms, each one representing astronomical and cosmological features and theories.

Wanlockhead is a former lead mining village nestled in the Lowther Hills, close to the head of the spectacular Mennock Pass. It is Scotland’s highest village and is home to the fascinating Museum of Lead Mining.

New Galloway Golf Club is a delightful 9-hole golf course located in the South of Scotland that welcomes visitors to experience playing in a magical place. It is a gem among rural courses in Scotland and noted for its superb natural greens and views.

Discover and explore the South West of Scotland by bike – enjoy nature, culture and its people with Galloway Cycling Holidays’ unique  tours. They will put you in touch with the real South of Scotland, take all the hard work out of organising and planning your cycle, and most of all make it a wonderful memorable experience!

As Scotland’s only designated Food Town, Castle Douglas prides itself on its top quality, locally produced food and drink. So whether you’re eating out or discovering the wide array of wonderful produce available from local retailers, we know you’ll be delighted with your food and drink options!

Founded in 1893, Kirkcudbright Golf Club is conveniently located on the southern edge of the beautiful and historic town of Kirkcudbright. Panoramic views of the Galloway Hills and the Dee Estuary add romance charm and inspiration to a refreshing and challenging round of golf on this excellent quality 18-hole, par 69 (ladies 72), parkland course.

Right in the heart of Kirkcudbright, a pretty artists’ colony on the Solway Firth, Broughton House is an 18th-century Georgian house and the former home of Scottish painter E A Hornel, one of the Glasgow Boys. The house holds Hornel’s pictures, vast collection of artefacts and furniture, and has a beautiful garden.

Visit a nationally important art collection and learn the story of the Kirkcudbright ‘Art Colony’ through an audio-visual show “The Artists’ Town” and a permanent display of some of the best Kirkcudbright paintings in the collection.

At Brambles Delicatessen, you will find an amazing range of fine foods, cheese and local produce. In any given week, there are more than 40 artisan cheeses to choose from. The Brambles’ cheese of the month showcases individual cheeses and offer tastings before you buy!

Colvend’s testing parkland layout offers a challenge to all abilities and is one of the area’s most popular golfing experiences. The Club was founded in 1905 with a Willie Fernie designed 9-hole layout and over the years this has been developed into the 18-hole course you see today. They welcome golfers and non golfers of all abilities and buggies are available on request.

Part of a National Scenic Area, the National Trust for Scotland nature reserve at Rockcliffe is fringed with wildflowers and dotted with sailing villages. The walk from Rockcliffe to Sandyhills takes you via Castle Point offering spectacular clifftop views and Sandyhills beach lives up to its name, at low tide it has a vast expanse of sand.

Situated on the scenic north shore of the Solway coast, Mersehead is an extensive wetland and saltmarsh area, a haven for breeding waders, wintering waterfowl and year-round bird and wildlife-watching. Enjoy the birdsong of lapwings and skylarks in spring. See the young birds emerge in summer. Welcome the arrival of the Svalbard barnacle geese and pintails in autumn. And in winter, if you’re lucky, witness the unforgettable display of the starling murmurations.

Southerness Golf Club in Dumfries & Galloway, with its level terrain, allows for easy walking and no hills to climb; meaning you can simply relax and concentrate on your golf.

The John Paul Jones Cottage Museum is located on the Arbigland Estate near Kirkbean in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The cottage is where John Paul Jones, hero of the American Revolutionary War and founder of the United States Navy, was born in 1747. Jones’ father was a gardener for the estate.

Caerlaverock Castle is the UK’s only triangular castle. With its wide moat, twin towered gatehouse and loft battlements, it is an awe-inspiring medieval stronghold.

Established in 1836 and reborn in 2014, Annandale is one of Scotland’s oldest operating distilleries. Their 5-star visitor experience includes hourly tours, and on-site cafe, cask ownership and much more!