I visited Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura on 18 July 2019 while on a walking tour of Dumfries…read more When I arrived I was informed about a potential camera obscura show, though whether we would get to see it in use would be dependent on the weather as the technology is weather sensitive. I attended the use of the camera obscura with another group (a dad and two kids). The camera obscura worker was clever and creative in showing us how the technology worked and descriptive in providing societal context of how it was received and distributed across Scotland. We were stopped early due to weather, however, we were able to see it in use, which was very cool. Had a crisper image than a lot of even the nicer cameras these days. A variety of exhibits were well laid out and easy to navigate. Some provided background about Scotland and the Dumfries area. Others covered more global events and topics. All of the ones I perused had informational placards and straightforward displays that made reading, learning, and contextualizing approachable. Gifts and other items were on sale near the entrance. I found a card I loved with a female harvest mouse holding onto blades of grass. As a rodent-adorer (I had pet mice, rats, and hamsters growing up) it melted my heart on sight and I had to get it, so I did. All of the workers I interacted with were friendly and helpful.

If you're visiting dumfries, pay a visit to the museum, its an old windmill that sits on higher…read moreground on the maxwelltown side of the river nith. The exhibits havent changed a great deal over the years, but are of a pretty high standard in my opinion. The building itself is really cool, and theres one of the few remaining working camera obscuras in the uk, so its worth it for that alone.

A ruin in a graveyard, and yet so much more, this is of great histrical value t the scots. Their is…read morea 'dig' here where people can take part in all things archeological, and then view the small museum at the entrance that explains briefly the history of the area. A shop attached to this has plenty of little nic naks to purchase connected to the area and scotland on the whole. Try it out..there is not much else in the area to do.

Visited the Mill on the Fleet today and thought it was awesome. The surrounding area is stunning…read moreand the building with the old mill wheel turning is lovely from the outside. The Mill building houses a little shop and cafe on the ground floor. When you head up to the first floor (with lift access) there is a museum detailing the history of the Mill. There are lots of information boards and interactive displays. Great for engaging kids. Plus there is a dressing up section for the children. But the magic really happens when you reach the top floor. There is a little gallery space with local art which is great to wander round. However, the show is really stolen by the 'book shop'. I have never seen so many books piled up. It is like a labyrinth of nooks and crannies with walls of every type of book you could imagine. I am not articulate enough to find the right words but it is like something out a story book. The staff are very friendly and helpful and never moaned once as we spent ages wandering round looking at everything and touching lots of books! Unfortunately I had not take my purse as there were lots of little treasures I would have loved to have bought. All very reasonably priced too. Plus, there was a children's section with big cushions on the floor. I will definitely be back. Gatehouse of Fleet is one of my favorite places and the Mill just adds to it's draw.

This place is brilliant…read more Gatehouse is where my parents live, and its really beautiful. The Mill on the Fleet is an old mill, as the name suggests, inside theyve got a pretty good little museum, but the real treat I found was the awesome bookshop at the top floor. You will never have seen a bookshop quite like it! It is chaos, piles and piles of old books form corridors of, yes you guessed it, books!! If you've got time to burn and you're a book fan, this is an absolute must!!!!!

Cradle of Christianity Whithorn is famous as the site where…read moreSt Ninian founded the first ever Christian Church in Scotland. Traditionally, the White Church here was dated to 397 AD, and the archaeological evidence supports the existence of a very early Christian community, sophisticated, literate, and importing goods and ideas from Europe. Later, Whithorn became the centre of a network of pilgrimage routes, leading from all over Scotland and the Irish Sea; by the High Middle Ages, St Ninian's (http://www.qype.com/place/479679-St-Ninians-Priory-Newton-Stewart) healing powers drew Robert the Bruce in search of a cure for his leprosy and, every year, James IV, right up to the Battle of Flodden, 1513. Whithorn's Georgian buildings have respected the old mediaeval layout of the town, narrow at both ends to house the burgesses' cattle and markets. Whithorn is still a centre for the South Machars, retaining many small shops and family businesses. More recent, surprising celebrities are marked by a series of plaques, which you can follow round the town, including one of the founders of Esso, the Scots poet J.K. Annand, poet and Spanish translator, Alastair Reid, and a Spanish Civil War veteran. Many visitors will recognise film locations used in the cult Wicker Man film, with local residents as extras.

When Arnold Palmer wins a golf tournament, and then gets stoned, he comes to PalmerStoned Park, of…read morecourse. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - this was actually the final Scottish League stadium that I ever visited, in November 2014. I'd been to every single other stadium, but I'd never been to the city of Dumfries, much less this venue. I got a ferry across from Northern Ireland, and then drove over here in the rental car to check it out. It's a lovely little place with plastic turf (understandable considering the weather), and it was exciting to check the final box in the "Scottish stadiums visited" column of my "things to do" list. I'd love to see a game here someday, but walking on the field was fun. However, I have to say that altogether, I was underwhelmed not just by how small, but how open to wind and rain and elements this stadium is, which will also make most of the noise escape. So when I was doing my first tour of Scotland in 2011, I also hit up every single stadium in the country. My obsession with footy (soccer to Americans) is the reason. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are based on first-hand personal experience, usually from multiple visits. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to most of them yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at many of them, which I will post later. Also, when back in Scotland I plan to take more pix, and add more stadia! So watch this space! *** return to regular review *** It's a stadium dating back to 1919 in Dumfries, which is in the South West of Scotland right near England. It holds 9k people and has plastic grass, amazingly. It had grass until 2013, at which point the club sold the grass to fans (lol) and installed the plastic. My gf says plastic makes perfect, I wonder if she's talking about her body modifications, or credit cards. Probably both, knowing her. It's a typical stadium in a great city.

It is a surprisingly long walk from the car park to the actual entrance to the boat jetty although…read morethere are plenty of seats dotted along the way if it does get too much. One at the jetty it is good fun for kids to ring the bell to call the ferryman who comes quickly from the opposite side of the river bank. You are given a very friendly welcome as you step in the boat as well as a very knowledgable introduction to the history of Threave and the the wildlife and fauna to be seen on the lake. Once on the island, the guide showed us a family of ravens nestling in the alcove of the tower and for that reason we were unable to go into the upper levels for fear of disturbing the birds. The grounds are very peaceful and would be a perfect picnic spot.

This is a review of the Castle grounds only - as I have only been there,although the castle itself…read moredoes look very interesting. Drumlanrig is a lovely place to visit and ride the mountain bike trails in the grounds. But be aware it costs £4 per person, which is significantly more than you may be used to compared to the other trail centres in the borders. That said, the trails around the grounds are so very enjoyable. They flow nicely and do not involve too much climbing. Well worth a visit. In addition there is the coffee shop to visit afterwards.

A beutiful park with managed woodland areas and ornamental gardens around which can be walked for a…read moresmall entrance fee, which is essentially pay for the parking. My avatar is an example of one type of flora that can be seen in the woodland area which also contains a range of ancient trees and wildlife (which probably isn't so ancient). I have seen people foraging in the wooded areas collecting mushrooms and berries according the time of year. It's also popular with dog walkers and, so-long as dogs are controlled, they seem to be welcome. The castle itself is an impressive site and is open to the public for an additional fee, I've not been inside although I've heard it's very good.

charming and now able to develop as it has bought the building next doorread more

what a magnificent theatre building and history.,great shows tooread more