Kirkpatrick C2C – 8 day Explorer Itinerary

The Castle of St John sits in a prominent position in the centre of Stranraer and is a fine example of the tower houses built and used by Scottish Lairds in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in Wigtownshire, it was later used as a military garrison and then as a jail. The fascinating story of the Castle and its many inhabitants can be found in the exhibitions on site.

Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year with revealing and engaging tours and award-winning spirits, Crafty Distillery has something for everyone. Nestled on the edge of Newton Stewart this modern grain to glass distillery pumps out gallons of multi award winning tasty stuff and delivers panoramic views over the Galloway Hills. Here you can learn about their unique distilling approach and enjoy a taste of their award winning spirits.

The famous four star Creetown Gem Rock Museum is a unique, worldwide and world class, collection of gems, crystals, minerals and fossils. It’s one family’s collection and crammed full of wonderful specimens from all over the globe.

Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve is a paradise for walkers. With panoramic vistas over the stunning landscapes, there are sculptures by local environmental artists to be spotted amongst the landscape. It is home to spectacular birds of prey that hunt over the open landscape, including the peregrine falcon – the world’s fastest bird.

Kirkcudbright Galleries are the home to a nationally important art collection and host a wide range of temporary art and craft exhibitions. 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 our collection.

The Dark Space Planetarium is a brand new, state of the art interactive experience for everyone. The exhibition space contains interactive science and space themed exhibits designed to enthuse and educate people of all ages. Visitors can also enjoy the immersive Planetarium domed cinema screen, enjoying virtual trips to the edge of the Universe, exploring inside the human body, and journeying around the Earth.

Castle Douglas is an 18th century market town and is the perfect destination for food lovers, nature lovers and history lovers alike. As Scotland’s only designated Food Town, Castle Douglas prides itself in 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!

Threave’s wonderful garden has been created over the years by students of the Trust’s School of Heritage Gardening – and is a fine example of landscaped beauty. The garden is divided into a series of smaller gardens to showcase different styles, including a rose garden, rockery and walled garden. A garden for all seasons and a haven for wildlife, with an osprey platform and bat reserve.

It was in this simple sandstone house in a quiet Dumfries street that Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, spent the last years of his life. He died here in 1796 at the age of just thirty seven. The house shows us how the poet and his family lived in the late eighteenth century and is now a place of pilgrimage for Burns enthusiasts from around the world.

Situated in the town’s eighteenth century watermill on the west bank of the River Nith, the Robert Burns Centre tells the story of the renowned poet and lyricist’s last years spent in the bustling streets and lively atmosphere of Dumfries in the late eighteenth century. The exhibition showcases a precious collection of artefacts that are of national significance.

Langholm is a picturesque town nestling in the hills at the confluence of the Ewes Water, Wauchope Water and Border Esk. The town is a hub for hikers, mountain bikers and bird watchers and a great place to stretch your weary legs. A network of waymarked walks shows off the beautiful scenery. And the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, encompasses more than 5000 acres of Langholm Moor. Here, a rewilding project is underway, promising a positive future for native species such as hen harrier, short-eared owl, and red and black grouse.

Beside the twisting road linking Langholm with Newcastleton, on the brow of Whita Hill, visitors will encounter a memorial to the poet Hugh MacDiarmid. Born Christopher Murray Grieve on 11th August 1892, MacDiarmid – as he restyled himself – would go on to become a co-founder of the Scottish National Party and one of the foremost proponents of Scottish independence after the union of 1707.

Gilnockie Tower is a stunning example of a Scottish Pele tower. Built almost 500 years ago, and it was home to Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, a notorious Border Reiver. In 1530 this powerful chieftain was hanged by the young Scottish king, James V and his story was romanticised by Sir Walter Scott.

Newcastleton Forest is home to one of the of the seven world-class mountain biking centres that span the south of Scotland. Their award-winning trails offer some of the best mountain biking in the country and attract riders from across the UK and beyond. But if you’re not into mountain biking or have done enough pedalling for the day, this wildlife haven is the perfect setting  for a peaceful picnic with lovely views or a wilderness ramble.

Discover a history filled with intrigue, murder, torture and treason. This awesome, eerie ruin has plenty of tales to tell, thanks to its role as “the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain”.

On the banks of the River Teviot, Eastfield Mill has been a centre of the textile manufacturing for over 140 years. The visitor centre tells the unique and proud story of Johnstons of Elgin, with the chance to touch and feel the different fibres used in production, as well as showcasing the iconic machines used over the mill’s history. Enjoy a tour of the factory and see first hand the talent and special skills used in the manufacture of their luxury knitted cashmere and lambs wool.

Visit the only whisky distillery in the Borders, in the heart of Hawick and take a tour to discover this amazing building. Let the Borders Distillery team take you through their mashing, fermentation and distillation halls, and learn about the design and operation of the distillery. And of course have a ‘wee dram’ to see what you think!

The oldest building in Hawick, built at the time of the Borders Reivers, Borders Textile Towerhouse gives visitors a unique insight into the region’s history of knitwear and tweed manufacture. Displays of fashion, artefacts, photographs and film bring to life over 200 years of tradition and innovation in the local woollen industries. In the early 1700s, the tower became a fine townhouse and, later still, the leading local hotel, the focal point of Hawick’s annual Common Riding.

There has been a church on this site since 1152 AD. The present ruin was built in 1747 and was the parish church until 1861. The Scottish patriot William Wallace was proclaimed “Guardian of Scotland” here in 1298.

Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom is one of our direct links to the great Scottish writer. In this building, Sir Walter Scott sat as Sheriff of Selkirkshire, dispensing justice for nearly 30 years until his death in 1832. The writer was intimately associated with the Borders, with its landscapes and history inspiring his prose and his background in law leading him to take the role of Sheriff-Depute in Selkirk.

The extraordinary home of Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott, the man who gave us the historical novel, popularised tartan & rediscovered Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Sitting on the banks of the River Tweed, Abbotsford is at the heart of a landscape of folklore and legend. It inspired Scott as he became the biggest selling author of his day. Immerse yourself in Scott’s home through our popular audio tours, explore his beautiful gardens, riverside and woodland walks, and indulge in our café, shop and exhibitions.

Trimontium Roman fort was a permanent garrison three times the size of the largest fort on Hadrian’s Wall and for a significant period was the most northerly bastion of the Roman Empire. The site of the fort lies just east of Melrose and is home to the NEW Trimontium Museum. Trimontium was one of the largest concentrations of Roman military-related finds in the British Isles.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland was created and hand stitched by 1,000 people from across Scotland and comprises 160 panels. The Tapestry tells a compelling visual account of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture from its formation to present day. It is made up of 300 miles of wool, enough to lay the entire length of Scotland from the border with England to the tip of the Shetland in the North Atlantic!

Wander around this remarkably complete medieval ruin by the River Tweed to grasp the appeal of monastic life. You can still see plaster and paintwork inside the chapter house dating from when it was built. Other fine examples of ecclesiastic architecture and masonry also remain – despite three fires and four attacks all but destroying the abbey buildings.

Scott’s View is probably the most famous view in the Borders. It was Sir Walter Scott’s favourite view and the story is told that when his funeral cortege was making its way to Dryburgh, the horses stopped, unbidden, at the spot – they were so used to stopping there during Scott’s visits to the area. The view takes in the Eildon Hills, the River Tweed and the original site of the Abbey at Melrose.

The centrepiece of the beautiful Roxburghe Estate, Floors Castle is reputedly the largest house in Scotland and is still a home to this day. Just a short walk from the castle, you will find the spectacular Victorian Walled Gardens with glasshouses, herbaceous borders and a formal Millennium Garden. There are also waymarked woodland and riverside walks to explore, along with a cycle trail, Floors has so much to discover.

The Union Chain Bridge was built in 1820 by Royal Naval Captain Sir Samuel Brown under the guidance of Scottish civil engineers, Robert Stevenson and John Rennie. It is the oldest and longest wrought iron suspension bridge in Britain.

Patrick Home of Billie, who had not long returned from Europe, built Paxton House on a new site high above the river Tweed from 1758. Patrick Home’s architects were John and James Adam, brothers of Robert Adam; the three were sons of Scotland’s premier architect William Adam. The three Adam brothers changed the face of British architecture. Enjoy a tour of this exquisite 18th century country house led by one of their friendly and knowledgeable guides.

Eyemouth is a busy town with plenty to do, so is a great place for visitors to spend the day. The name Eyemouth name derives from its location at the mouth of the Eye Water River. This historic town is based around a natural harbour which means fishing has always been a central part of the Eyemouth community.