Palms, poets & pilgrims

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

Your journey of inspiration awaits you through Scotland's poetic heartland. See the landscape that inspired Scotland's National Bard, from his birthplace in Alloway to his final home in Dumfries. On the way you'll find stories and scenery that inspire romantic verse. Huge skies, coastlines, quiet roads, tumbling ruins, mountains and lochs.

Day by day trip details

Burns Country

Starting in Ayr, take the B7024 south and visit Burns National Heritage Park (1). Return to Ayr and join the A719 south, following signs for Culzean Castle & Country Park (2). Double back and join the A77 at Maybole heading south to Kirkoswald and Souter Johnnie's Cottage (3) and Kirkoswald Churchyard.

Into the forest

Pass through Girvan, join the A714 until just before Bargrennan then turn off to Glentrool (4)with its forest park. Rejoin the A714 through Newton Stewart then take the A75 to Glenluce Abbey (5). Return to Glenluce and follow the A75 towards Stranraer, leaving at the A715 turn off.

Into the far south-west

Join the A716 south to Drummore where you join the B7041 heading for the Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve & Lighthouse (6). Head north on the same road joining the B7065 for Port Logan Beach (7) and Logan Botanic Garden (8) and return towards Glenluce. Take the A747 towards Whithorn where you can take the 4 mile walk to visit St Ninian's Cave (9)

Into Dumfries-shire

Travel back to Whithorn and the Whithorn Story (10). Continue north along the A746 to Wigtown (11), Scotland's National Book Town. Just before Newton Stewart join the A75 to Gatehouse of Fleet and visit the Murray Arms (12). Return to the A75, then take the A755 to Kirkcudbright and join the A711 to Dundrennan Abbey (13).

Goodnight Sweetheart

Continue up the A711 to Dalbeattie, just before the town centre take the A710 Solway Coast Heritage Trail to New Abbey where you will find Sweetheart Abbey (14). Continue on to Dumfries and the Robert Burns Centre (15). Explore the town of Dumfries at your leisure.



 
Banner advert space