Just over the border from England, within six hours drive from London, and less than two hours from most parts of central Scotland lies Dumfries and Galloway, a region steeped in history and rich in opportunities for outdoor pastimes or pure relaxation, discovering the tranquil beauties of our countryside.
Golf
If you are a golfer, we have eight courses to test your skills within minutes of Barons Craig Hotel, varying in difficulty from fun holiday standard to tournament level. Why not try the challenge of the famous Solway links course at Southerness or admire the views from Colvend?
Walking
You can walk the Southern Upland Way through wild mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see. In its entirety it would take you on a 340 kilometre walking tour right across Scotland from West to East.
There are numerous interesting hill and forestry walks of varying lengths around the hotel. We have information of several popular walks on this web site.
Cycling
The 7 stanes offers some of the world’s best biking and Dalbeattie Forest is located only 5 minutes from the Barons Craig Hotel.
Fishing
We have two major salmon rivers and dozens of burns and lochs with sea trout or stocked rainbow trout within easy reach of Barons Craig Hotel.
Historic sites
Dumfries and Galloway is the place of castles and fortified tower houses. These buildings themselves are amazing, but also the stories behind them. Drumlanrig, seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch, is a prime example and well worth a visit – not just for the castle itself but for its bicycle museum, its arts collection, children’s adventure area and craft exhibitions.
Baron’s Craig Hotel is centrally located for exploring the Dumfries and Galloway region’s rich heritage, and is directly adjacent to the famous fourth century Mote of Mark. You will find Threave Castle, Sweetheart Abbey and Dundrennan Abbey on your doorstep, and many more.
The Great Outdoors
You can stalk deer or wild goat with camera or gun – and shoot pheasant, grouse, partridge or wild geese on great estates or on the Solway marshes. Around the Dumfries and Galloway coast and on many of our lochs you can sail, canoe, scuba dive or just relax on a quiet secluded beach.
Even the heavens are full of unexpected visitors. Barnacle Geese and waders sail the skies over the Solway Flats. Rare golden eagles and peregrine falcons soar majestically over the rugged hills of the vast Galloway Forest Park.
Gardens
With great houses and great gardens along with our gentle, temperate climate the rich soil brings forth dazzling displays to please the eye of the keenest gardening enthusiast. In the West of the region the warm Gulf Stream adds a touch of exotic, encouraging the growth of tropical palms and ferns.
In Dumfries and Galloway however, it’s not only the gardens of great houses that attract attention, as each year our villages enter the “Scotland in Bloom” competition. The result is a riot of colour on every main street throughout the summer. You’ll never be short of things to see and places to visit.
