Dumfries and Galloway Towns

"Queen of the South", Dumfries, is a town of medieval origins, situated in the heart of the beautiful Scottish countryside. The town's turbulent and interesting past is still evident today in the many remaining historic buildings. Dumfries was the home of the national bard Robert Burns between 1791 and 1796 and is where he wrote some of his most famous poems, including 'A Red, Red Rose'. His house on Burns Street is open to visitors and the Robert Burns Centre has an exhibition about his life in the town. You can also enjoy a pint in Burns' favourite 'howff', 'The Globe Inn' on the High Street!

Dumfries Museum is filled with local treasures and is also home to the Camera Obscura which offers an unusual panoramic view of Dumfries. The Old Bridge House, built into the 15th century 'Devorgilla Bridge', is the oldest house in the town and includes a somewhat scary display of Victorian dentistry! The darker side of Dumfries history includes the site of Greyfriars Monastery where Robert the Bruce slew the Red Comyn in 1306; the Whitesands, a torture place of alleged witches during the 17th century; and Buccleuch Street, the site of the last public hanging in Scotland in 1868.

Today, Dumfries is the largest town in South West Scotland and the administrative and commercial capital of the region. Alongside its unique historic attractions, it offers visitors all the facilities expected of a modern market town. There are a wide range of restaurants and bars, accommodation types, shops and leisure facilities; including golf courses, cinema, public parks and a new leisure centre, opened in 2008. The town also supports a diverse range of cultural activities including art, music, festivals and theatre.

Dumfries has the enviable advantage of being situated close to the coast, forests and mountains, offering the opportunity for a vast array of outdoor activities. Three of the world class 7stanes mountain bike trail sites, Mabie, Dalbeattie and Ae forests, are located within a twenty minute drive of Dumfries. The town is easily accessible by public transport from the airports located in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. There are also rail links from other parts of the UK.

Moffat, an attractive small town lying in the heart of Southern Scotland, is an ideal base to discover Dumfries and Galloway and The Scottish Borders. It is located 20 miles North of Dumfries and only 50 miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

During the Victorian era, Moffat's sulphurous waters were believed to have healing properties, attracting many spa tourists and turning the town into a renowned holiday destination. Highlights of Moffat's beautiful surroundings include the Devil's Beef Tub - the former cattle-rustling hotbed of the Border Reivers, and Grey Mare's Tail - Scotland's highest waterfall. The centrepiece of the town is the Moffat Ram, symbolising its long history as a wool trading centre. Today, quality knitted goods are sold in the Moffat Woollen Mill and the town's famous toffee is available in the Moffat Toffee Shop.

Moffat offers a selection of quality accommodation, restaurants and cafes, and specialist shops. It is also ideally located for hill-walking, with many long and shorter walks available in the region. The town is a popular stop-off for those completing the long distance walking route 'The Southern Upland Way'.

Lockerbie is a small market town located 12 miles North East of Dumfries. Historically, agriculture dominated the town's economy and today regular livestock auctions are still held here. The town and its environs include attractions such as castles, battlefields and archaeological sites and host several festivals during the year. The local countryside offers visitors opportunities for cycling, golf, fishing and walking.

The town offers all levels of accommodation from 'Bed and Breakfast' properties to 4 star hotels. It is easily accessible from Glasgow International and Edinburgh airports, has very good rail and road links with Edinburgh, Glasgow and the rest of the UK, being situated on the main Glasgow - London West Coast Main Line and adjacent to the M74 motorway.

Delegates arriving at Glasgow Prestwick airport would not be advised to book accommodation in Moffat or Lockerbie due to difficulties in reaching this location directly via public transport from Prestwick. Delegates arriving at Edinburgh and Glasgow International Airport should find Moffat and Lockerbie much more accessible.