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Sun Foundry Fountain in Dumfries town centre

  1. Home
  2. Places to go
  3. Towns
  4. Dumfries

Dumfries

Dumfries is a historic market town that more than lives up to its local nickname, the Queen of the South. Located in the southern region of Dumfries & Galloway and connected by lovely russet-hued sandstone bridges which straddle the banks of the River Nith, this former royal burgh has an interesting history and special connection to Scotland’s National Bard.

Great things to do in Dumfries

Enjoy the great outdoors with plenty of outdoor activities and family attractions right on your doorstep.

8 Amazing things to see & do in Dumfries

Find amazing things to do in Dumfries including days out, attractions, activities, tours and more.

Burns Night in Scotland

Celebrate our National Bard, Robert Burns with our handy guide to Burns Night in Scotland. Learn about his famous works and the Burns Night Supper.

Golf in Dumfries & Galloway

Stay and play golf in Dumfries & Galloway at a variety of exciting courses.

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

Explore the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and discover untouched coastlines, deep forests and historic rural communities.

Cycling

There are trails of all kinds in both the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway including mountain biking, gravel and road biking.

Dumfries & Galloway

Dumfries & Galloway sits in the south west corner of Scotland. It's great for outdoor activities and historic attractions.

Top days out ideas

Discover new locations, attractions and days out in Dumfries.

Caerlaverock Castle

Discover one of Scotland's greatest medieval fortresses, the UK's only triangular castle.

The Globe Inn

Burns' favourite howff!

Sweetheart Abbey

Discover the tale of devotion behind the abbey’s evocative name.

Robert Burns House

Delve into the life and works of Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns.

Robert Burns Ellisland Museum & Farm

Ellisland Farm was built by Robert Burns in 1788 for his young wife Jean Armour and their family.

Devorgilla Bridge

Admire one of Scotland's Oldest Bridges.

Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries

Mull of Galloway

© VisitScotland / Cutmedia

Follow a route

Explore the wonders of south Scotland with our jam-packed itineraries full of adventure.

  • Dumfries town centre trail
  • In The Footsteps of Burns
  • Annandale Distillery Tri-Site Tour
  • Tours in Dumfries

See what's on in Dumfries

Check out the latest events to make your trip to Dumfries extra special!

The Great Mountain stage at the Eden Festival

The Eden Festival

© Eden Festival

Guid Nychburris, 20 June 2026 – Be ready for a vibrant celebration of tradition, community pride and local history, with colourful parades, crowning ceremonies and a fantastic atmosphere for all ages.

Youth Beatz, 27–28 June 2026 – Come to celebtate music, creativity and young talent at Scotland’s biggest free youth music festival.

Dumfries International Street Food Festival, June 2027 – Get ready to enjoy mouth-watering street food from around the world, alongside live music, entertainment and a buzzing atmosphere.

Map of Dumfries

Explore Dumfries

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How to travel to and around Dumfries

Just under two hours from Edinburgh by car, an hour and a half from Glasgow, and a mere 30 minutes from Gretna Green on the Anglo-Scots border, Dumfries is easy to reach whichever direction you’re travelling from. 

Getting to

Train

If you are travelling by  train, there are frequent services running from Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as from towns and cities further north, including Aberdeen and Inverness. There are often deals and cheap tickets for many train journeys across Scotland. 

Train travel Dumfries & Galloway

Edinburgh Waverley to Dumfries tickets

Driving

Travelling by car is pretty straightforward, with many major and minor roads connecting larger towns and cities to Dumfries. Follow the A701 from Edinburgh or the M74 from Glasgow and you'll arrive in Dumfries in no time at all. 

Find out more about driving in the south of Scotland

Bus and coach

Dumfries is easy to get to by bus and coach. Check out these handy links:

Dumfries buses - routes and tickets

Dumfries buses - general info

Getting around

Cycling

You can also make use of the great cycle paths around the town. It's a quick, efficient and eco-friendly way to get around Dumfries. Make sure you pick up a cycling guide from the local information centre too! 

Find more travel information to get to Dumfries

Bus and coach

Dumfries is small enough to comfortably explore on foot but also boasts excellent public transport links, including regular and reliable bus services. 

Dumfries bus services

Walking

You can certainly walk around Dumfries. Whether you're doing a bit of sightseeing, shopping or just going for a stroll, check out these useful links.

Walking in and around Dumfries | PDF 2.5MB

 

Selkirk Arms Hotel

Places to stay in Dumfries

Take your pick of a variety of places to stay in Dumfries - from friendly B&B's, and cosy self-catering cottages, to family-friendly camp sites, glamping experiences and more.

  • Accommodation in Dumfries

The Globe Inn

Places to eat in Dumfries

Enjoy a taste of south Scotland with these foodie suggestions.

  • South of Scotland food stories
  • Dumfries places to eat on TripAdvisor

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