Browse Items (4104 total)

The Irving Family would like to invite you into Bonshaw Tower, a complete, three-storey Peel tower dating from the 1500s. The tower is one of the best remaining examples of a Peel tower and contains fine examples of a dungeon, wheel staircase and…

A warm welcome awaits you at the Brigend Theatre in Market Place, home of the Dumfries Musical Theatre Company, formed in 1922.In 1972, the Society converted the former church into the 92 seat Brigend Theatre, which is used for both rehearsals and…

Come to Langholm to experience Dumfriesshire’s newest venue! Situated on Telford Street in Langholm, the handsomely 21st century Buccleuch Centre seems to sit well with its 19th century neighbours, and is offering an eclectic and high quality…

During his three years living at Ellisland Farm, Robert Burns frequently walked beside the Nith upstream to Friars Carse. Once the family home of Captain Riddell, a friend and patron of Burns, this handsome country house is now a hotel. It is…

Visit International land artist Andy Goldsworthy’s iconic red sandstone Striding Arches. Walkers will enjoy climbing to the arches on the surrounding hilltops in order to experience how the arches interact with the landscape, whilst everyone can…

Take the opportunity to explore the heritage of workers living in prehistory in the company of professional archaeologist Dr Jane Murray.

By June 1940 most of the ports in southern England were closed to ocean-going ships and Liverpool and Glasgow, the tow main military ports, threatened by air raids. Two secret alternative ports were constructed for emergency use. One was at Gairloch…

The Grade B listed ‘Cally Gardens’ of today were built 1765-1770 as the walled kitchen garden for Cally House, near Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire. Over 1 hectare in size, the area is enclosed by brick walls up to 15ft in height, and would…

Cample Mill is an early nineteenth century B listed woolen mill on the banks of the river Cample. Originally used for weaving blankets, it now houses South West Scotland's finest collection of traditional and reproduction furniture in both solid…

Capenoch House is a mid 19th century mansion designed by David Bryce in Scottish Baronial style. It boasts a handsome stone mullioned conservatory and has been protected in the hands of the Gladstone family for almost 160 years. The building has been…

In a wild but beautiful setting under the great hills of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, the village is home to a small and dynamic community. Back in 1987 villagers came together to form the Carsphairn Heritage Group, and as a result information of local…

Attractive and dignified, this church is today a simple whitewashed building. It replaced a much old building, which was destroyed in fire. The church has a central communion table, one of the very few in Scotland. There is a plaque to John Semple,…

Discover the comforts of the life of a Jacobean laird at this fine towerhouse standing above Luce Bay. Castle of Park was built in 1590 by the son of the last abbot of Glenluce, who left his inscription over the door: � THIS VERK VAS BEGUN THE FIRST…

The recently renovated Castle of St John is an early 17th century tower house. It was built by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in late medieval Wigtownshire and used by lairds in the 16th and 17th centuries. Over the years it…

Castle of St John, Stranraer and Guided Town trail led by John Picken. A chance to meet Matt Baker, one of the artists behind this national award-winning town square, and hear about its inspiration and the background to its design and build.Matt,…

CatStrand is a unique venue in historic New Galloway, the smallest Royal Burgh in Scotland. Originally the town’s primary school, the granite building was imaginatively renovated and extended in 2006/07 to create a multi-use arts and visitor centre.…

Situated in the heart of Border Reiving country you’ll find the world’s largest Armstrong Museum. The Anglo-Scottish Reiving past will be on show, including arms, armour, heraldry, archives and the extensive library. Trace the history of this…

Built by William McCandlish in 1852, this church features a memorial window to James Clerk Maxwell and other fine stained glass windows. There is a plaster bust of Alexander Murray Dunlop, a lawyer prominent in the act of succession and the church…

Mrs Sykes invites you into her home and that of Annie Laurie, the heroine of 'the world's greatest love-song', where she lived with her husband Alexander Fergusson in the early 1700's. The earliest records of Craigdarroch date to the 14th century but…

Visit furniture maker Matthew White's workshop and showroom to see traditional quality crafsmanship in pine and native hardwoods. Beautiful farm walk from car park takes you through herb-rich river margins, ancient woodland and upland wildflower…

Pre-booked guided tours only. An unusual opportunity to visit a working granite quarry, first opened in the late 18C. Craignair has helped to shape Dalbeattie, providing the town with its building stone and providing generations of employment for its…

You’ll find Creetown Heritage Museum on the main street of Creetown, a village once known as ‘Ferrytown of Cree’ because ferries used to cross the River Cree here, right back to the days when pilgrims made their way to the shrine of St Ninian at…

The characterful churches of Crossmichael andParton open their doors to welcome visitors to twovillage churches of fine but contrasting architecture.Crossmichael’s unusual slender round tower was builtin 1611, a late addition to the first…

The last remaining Cruck Cottage in Dumfries and Galloway. Fashioned from local materials with traditional skills, this cottage, like its many lost companions, was simply constructed on three massive oak cruck frames, fastened together with oak pegs.…

The church is believed to date from the 12th century with restoration in 1890, and is the most complete small Romanesque church in Dumfries and Galloway. The north wall has no windows - consistent with the primitive belief that evil spirits come from…

An afternoon of family fun at the Granite Festival's Grand Opening where you can immerse yourselves in the rich quarrying history of the region and join an afternoon's celebration of song, storytelling and stone. Special exhibition in Dalbeattie…

Explore Dumfries and Galloway's newest public garden. The Granite Garden has been designed by Solway Heritage to celebrate both the beauty of the natural stone and the craft of the granite worker. The garden exemplifies the many uses of granite, from…

Dalbeattie Museum has displays of the local granite industry, a victorian kitchen/parlour, grandpa's workshop, a radio bunker and the Titanic along with much much more. A warm friendly welcome awaits the visitor to Dalbeattie's award- winning museum.…

Traditional T-shaped building of 1771, modifications in 1831 including addition of bell tower. Pulpit with carved wooden canopy. Galleries on three sides. Alongside are remnants of the earlier 1546 church – the Gordon aisle, the burial place of the…

Dalswinton Barony Chapel stands among beech trees just beyond the planned estate village of Dalswinton.This charming little church was originally designed for use on the Victorian missions, but was provided here for the estate workers. It was bought…

Although it was built in 1898, Dalton Village Hallhas recently installed a ground source heat pump toprovide warmth to the building and solar thermalpanels to heat the water, together with improvingthe level of insulation in the roof of the…

Our new state-of-the-art museum has something for everyone. Experience life in a World War One Trench and explore the Factory to discover what life was like for the thousands of munitions girls who flocked to work here.

The Mausoleum is an imposing memorial to the history of Castle Douglas and a fine example of early nineteenth century funerary architecture. It contains the remains of 25 members of the Douglas family, beginning with Sir William - the founder of…

They've been building stoves at Dowlings since 1982, and Steve and his workforce are justly proud of the company's skills and commitment to environmental sustainability. Their stoves, built of the heaviets gauges of steel on the domestic…

Situated by the Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial and Garden of Remembrance Dryfesdale Lodge Visitors’ Centre is not just a memorial to the disaster but is also a tribute to the tight-knit community of Lockerbie. Since opening, the centre welcomes many…

The restored Control Tower of the former WWII airfield at Dumfries is the centrepiece of the Museum and is now a listed building. The Museum is run by volunteers and houses a large and ever expanding aircraft collection, aero engines and a very…

From the Cold War threat to the Lockerbie disaster, to Foot and Mouth and the recent severe winters of 2010 and 2011, the threats that have faced Dumfries and Galloway have undoubtedly changed over the years. Local government has had to develop…

Modern Movement building by Boswell Mitchell and Johnston, currently with an extensive new building programme under way. Tours offer 'The Alternative Hospital Visit' and will include visits to the switchboard/communications system, art/exhibition…

18thC and earlier buildings on this site were extended and converted to a warehouse around 1860, and the building has variously been used as a pianoforte warehouse and sheet music shop, and for the curing of hams. The Victorian signage relating to…

A treasure house of history in Dumfries and Galloway telling the story of the land and people of the region. Look out for fossil footprints left by prehistoric animals, the wildlife of the Solway, tools and weapons of our earliest people, stone…

Dumfries Sheriff Court was designed by David Rhind of Edinburgh and built in 1863-6. It is a tall Baronial red sandstone building which boasts a giant pepperpot turret and cannon spouts. Following an extensive internal renovation in 1994 the Court…

An impressive example of the Heritors’ Gothic style, the church is in a prominent position in the Dunscore village around seven miles from Dumfries in the beautiful Cairn Valley.Newly opened this year, the Heritage Centre houses a touch-screen…

The spectacularly positioned and well preserved small fort at Durisdeer was used by a garrison of no more than 30 men to keep the Roman road through the remote pass to Elvanfoot free from bandits. Excavations in 1938 suggest it was probably used by…

This huge factory site dating from World War II produced essential munitions for the war effort. All its service buildings were duplicated with the intention of enabling production to continue unimpeded if part of the site were bombed.

Let the Trail tell its stories of our prehistoric ancestors, who left behind them up to 4000 years ago on the valleys and hills of Eskdale, roundhouses, hill forts, stone circles and King Schaw�s Grave.

This site of national scientific importance relocated to Eskdalemuir in 1908 to escape the magnetic disturbances caused by trams in London. The Observatory supplied vital meteorological data to the War Office during World War II. The critical…

Whether you are local or a visitor to the region, members of the Family History Society will be on hand to help you find out about your roots and the history of Dumfries and Galloway, so take this chance to tap into their local knowledge and take…

These historic gardens stand in a unique position on the shores of the Solway Firth and benefit from an unusually mild climate owing to the Gulf Stream. There are Victorian glasshouses in the beautiful walled garden, which in its day produced award…

The virtual world has brought swift changes to rural areas, and the independent photographers who make up the Galloway Photographic Collective have seized the opportunity to create an online collaboration which works to raise the profile of high…

Looking out over the silvery expanse of Wigtown Bay is the Galloway Smokehouse, home of prize winning smoked salmon, trout, seafood and game. A small smokery where only the best in raw materials are used. From the simple kipper to the grand salmon a…

Walking tour around the town to discover the world of the Faeds, a remarkable family of Victorian artists. Gatehouse was founded in the 1760s as the estate village for Cally House. The walk gives an opportunity to consider the built environment of…

The Gem Rock Museum is the leading independent of its kind in the UK and is renowned worldwideOwned and run by the Stephenson family it is regarded as one of the finest private collections of gemstones, crystals, minerals, rocks, and fossils in Great…

An opportunity to visit the birthplace of Thomas Telford, who was born, the son of a shepherd, in the remote valley of the Meggat Water. The landscape here has changed little over the centuries, and still bears evidence of continuous farming activity…

"The work of James Clerk Maxwell changed the world forever."Albert EinsteinGlenlair House, near Corsock is famous as the home of the eminent scientist, Professor James Clerk Maxwell, whose work was the basis for all forms of radio communications,…

Goldielea Viaduct is a particularly impressive example of John Miller's work. Built on a curve with 18 semi-circular arches of 50 foot span on tapered piers, it dates from 1859 and was closed in 1965. Access is restricted to walking under the…

Welcome to Gracefield, located across two buildings at 28 Edinburgh Road, the Arts Centre first opened its doors in 1951 to celebrate the Festival of Britain when former grand house ‘Gracefield’ was bought and converted by the local community. Since…

House type: semi-detached house, 1911Energy efficiency and renewable measures: Solar water heating, Solid wall insulation, loft insulation, wood burning stove, A-rated appliances, Energy saving lighting, recycling, composting. Bedrooms: 3 Occupants:…

House type: modern timber-framed detached bungalow, 2009Energy efficiency and renewable measures: Solar water heating system, ground source heat pump, solid wall insulation, A-rated appliances, energy saving lighting, recycling, composting. Bedrooms:…

House type: detached house, pre-1900Energy efficiency and renewable measures: solar water heating, solar PV, wood fuelled boiler, CHP Generator, solid wall insulation in new extension, loft insulation, A-rated appliances, energy saving lighting,…

Organisers regret, but this site will not now be participating in Doors Open Days.

Energy efficiency and renewable measures: Solar PV, air source heat pump, loft insulation, A-rated appliance, energy saving lighting, recycling, composting. Bedrooms: 5. Occupants: 3.Key features: A modern bungalow with solar PV, air source heat…

House type: 1800s detached house, extended in 2009Energy efficiency and renewable measures:Solar water heating, ground source heat pump, wood burning stove, wall insulation, loft insulation, A-Rated appliances, Energy saving lighting, recycling,…

In 2010 Moffat CAN (Carbon Approaching Neutral) rescued the derelict Old Church Depot and has been turning it into a model for low carbon living. The surrounding waste land is now a community market garden and allotments and the zero-carbon Church…

House type: Detached bungalow 1800sEnergy efficiency and renewable measures:Solar PV, wind turbine, solid wall insulation, loft insulation, floor insulation, A-rated appliances, Energy saving lighting, recycling, composting. Bedrooms: 2 Occupants:…

There have been three churches in Dumfries known as Greyfriars. Today the steeple of the third one dominates the church and the townscape of Dumfries and the Town Bell still rings daily for Angelus and Curfew. This ancient site was once occupied by…

This very rare chapel (probably the only one in Scotland) was built by Ukrainian Prisoners of War at Hallmuir Camp, who in 1947 were sent from Italy to Scotland rather than being handed over to the Russians and a potentially terrifying future. The…

Pre-booked tours only. Harelawhill Quarry was in use from the 1770s until 1966. In the 1940s-50s it rang with the noise of pneumatic hammers, the boom and clatter of the empty �tubs� descending the mine and the grinding of the limestone crushers. In…

Hidden Treasures, Museum of Lead Mining at Wanlockhead is hidden amongst the Lowther Hills in Scotland's highest village (461m / 1531ft). Visitors can spend a day that is fun for all the family uncovering treasures, including a real 18th century lead…

Visit the newly restored 16th century stronghold of the Maxwell family.Hills or Hillis Tower is a 1527 tower house with a 1721 house attached complete with gatehouse and barmkin. Built by the Maxwells it passed to the McCulloch’s of Ardwall in 1733.…

Built in 1883 to replace old prisons in Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Stranraer, this castellated building was the work of Major-General T.B. Collinson, the architect and engineer to the Scottish Prisons Department. The original purpose of the prison…

A chance to see inside an Aluminium Extrusion manufacturing plant.

Hidden from view in the depths of the beautiful Mabie Forest, is an extraordinary building. An authentically reconstructed Iron Age Roundhouse stands in a clearing, its thatched roof smoking gently from the fire in the great central hearth…

Ironmacannie Mill, one of the largest in south west Scotland, milled grain for all the farms on the Kenmure Castle Estate. Reputed to have been built around 1640, it continued working until 1947. The wheel is 14ft in diameter, 4ft wide and is in full…

“We work up to sixteen hours a day, seven days a week for around seven months each year, otherwise it’s brilliant. I simply love being out on the hills with the sound of happily working bees around me.”On a winding back lane at…

"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way"John Paul Jones lived in an age of great change, and thrived on it. He was born in 1747, when the landscape, agriculture and industries of Scotland…

Here in the peaceful, undulating valley of Eskdalemuir, alongside the river Esk, the Buddhists have brought not only a treasure house of Tibetan art and culture, but also a community deeply committed to the cause of peace, charity and learning.

A granite T-plan church with square tower at the centre of south wall. Interior mainly reconstructed in 1911 following original layout. Galleries on three sides with pulpit on long south wall. Fine roof of pitch-pine with central diagonal arched…

Built some 80 years ago to house the dam builders working near St John�s Town of Dalry, this unassuming wooden building was taken over in 1930 by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association. Since then it has welcomed generations of walkers, cyclists and…

Kilquhanity House became Scotland’s only ‘free school’ in 1940 and is still the mainspring of child- centred ‘free school’ education in Scotland, now owned and managed by Shinichiro Hori, a Japanese educator who has…

A chance to see the inshore lifeboat station in the Solway village of Kippford and get a close up view of the D class lifeboat. Kippford RNLI was established in May 1966 and is now operational all year round.The lifeboat was originally housed in a…

Tucked into a fold of land which shelters it from the sea winds along the Carrick Shore, you will find an extraordinary small building. B listed Kirkandrews Kirk was built in 1906 by Mr James Brown of Knockbrex, as part of the grand architectural…

Award winning Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society has been transforming this ex-mining village since 1997. Visit the Heritage Base with its collection of photos of life in the village throughout the 20th century, its extensive newspaper archive and…

The Kirkdale sawmill is driven by an overshot waterwheel and dates form the early 1800s. It was used as an estate sawmill and joiners' shop until the 1970s.It has recently been restored with a new sloping roof over the saw bench, replacing the…

As trouble and religions strife racked Scotland and noblemen and gentry queued to sign with their own blood the National Covenant, protesting against the rules and regulations being forced on them, work began on a small church, a Kirk. It was the…

The design of the church is late Georgian Gothic despite its Victorian date. High in the north gable above the big pointed window with Y-traceried mullionsis a circular stone heraldic panel with the coat of arms of William Kennedy Abbot of…

Liz and Simon Holmes invite you to enjoy the sights, sounds and indeed the memories of a tranquill Carsphairn glen. Today the site of two annual World/Celtic music festivals, the natural landscape contains a wealth of wildlife.

Visit the Georgian-survival gothic Langholm Parish Church, designed by William Burn and David Bryce in 1842-6. The exterior of the church is ashlar-clad and internally it is graced by a beautiful pulpit, galleries and is dominated by a magnificent…

In a welcoming sunny courtyard among the steadings, you will find a remarkable shop, packed with delicious local produce.Loch Arthur Creamery and Farm Shop has grown out of the productive efforts of a diverse and vibrant Community. The Creamery has a…

Visit Lochhouse Tower, the former stronghold of the Johnstones, known for their fierce battles with the Maxwells. One such battle took place on 6th December 1693, when 800 Johnstones ambushed the panicked Maxwells as they tried to retreat. Lord…

Scotland’s most exotic garden. Famed for its tender collections and warmed by the Gulf Stream, Logan is a showcase for colourful blooms throughout the season. Highlights include the three acre Walled Garden, renowned for its collection of South…

500 million year old greywacke rock, worked on by volcanic action and later ice ages, formed a blow hole at Logan which in Victorian times became used as a fish larder. Work to adapt the natural rock formation was completed in 1800, and live sea fish…

A rare opportunity to explore part of Loreburn Street Police Station where Officers will be on hand to answer questions and introduce visitors to a huge range of their activities. Built in 1938 by Dumfriesshire County Council, Loreburn Street serves…

Here, by the side of a quiet lane in Eskdalemuir, you will find a small stone house housing a most unusual cottage industry.Two generations of the Chinnery family work here, breaking new ground in the traditional skills of gilding and woodcarving.…

Newly restored by Solway Heritage with the assistance of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, this charming small monument was built in 1802. It almost certainly commemorates Mary Kincaid (d 1801), widow of Rev Andrew Ross of Balsarroch and stepmother of…

This unique office was one of the winners of the Times/Gestchner Digital Office 2000 Competition. It is constructed on a bent elm frame with feathered oak shingles on the exterior, and looks not unlike a small owl. Inside you will find wood cladding,…

In April 1703, having received a sum of 20,000 merks from the sale of the Tracks of Customs and Foreign Excise, the magistrates of Dumfries resolved that “the toun is not at present provided with sufficient prisones, whereby several malefactors…

The Mill on the Fleet was built in 1788 as a cotton spinning mill and restored as a visitor centre by Dumfries and Galloway Council in the 1980’s. The water wheel on the gable end was used to drive the machinery to spin the cotton. The separate…

Moat Brae House and its Neverland Discovery were the ‘enchanted land’ where the creator of Peter Pan played as a child. His pirate games by the River Nith became the inspiration for one of the most well-loved and legendary stories of all time. No…

In 2010 Moffat CAN (Carbon Neutral) rescued the derelict Old Church Depot and has been turning it into a model for low carbon living. The surrounding wasteland is now a community market garden and allotments and the zero-carbon Church houses CAN’s…

Georgian Townhouse adjoining Bakehouse (1870) which was incorporated into the Moffat Museum in 2012-13. Find out how Moffat grew up from the Killing Times of the Covenanters through the Coaching Days to become a Victorian Spa Town.