There's a Lot More Going On Dumfries & Galloway may be one of Scotland's least densely populated areas but it boasts a staggering range of activities, events and attractions encompassing sport, leisure, the arts, entertainment and much more. Castle Douglas is a designated Food Town, Wigtown a Book Town and Kirkcudbright an Art Town; all have associated festivals and events throughout the year. The area is steeped in history with ancient castles, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age sites by the score. The Robert the Bruce Trail follows in the footsteps of the Hero King who launched the Wars of Independence in Dumfries and fought some his most famous battles in Galloway. The mighty Caerlaverock Castle is just one of the many well preserved strongholds in the region. Wildlife enthusiasts will love Dumfries & Galloway with much to see and do including the Galloway Red Kite Trail and the RSPB reserves at Mersehead and Mull of Galloway. The area also provides valuable habitat for the endangered Red Squirrel with several locations where these shy little creatures can be spotted. Walkers are spoiled for choice in this corner of Scotland with many superb routes to choose from including the western end of the Southern Upland Way, Scotland's coast-to-coast path. Walking festivals are held annually in Newton Stewart and Moffat - which lies at one end of the Annandale Way long distance walking route.

• 7stanes MTB Trail Centres
• Drumlanrig Root Rats
• Dumfries & Galloway CTC
• Dumfries Cycling Club
• South West Cycling Project
• Stepping Stanes Youth Cycle Coaching
• Stewartry Wheelers

What Else is There to Know About Dumfries & Galloway?

Facts & Figures
Dumfries - largest town in the region - population circa 31,500
Scotland's most southerly point is at the Mull of Galloway, further south than Hartlepool in England.
Galloway Forest Park is Britain's largest and includes the UK's first Dark Sky Park for stargazing and astronomy.

Famous Dumfries & Galloway Residents
David Bogie - Scottish and British Rally Champion.
Kirkpatrick Macmillan - blacksmith and inventor of the pedal driven bicycle - born in Keir Mill near Thornhill.
Calvin Harris - musician and record producer - born and raised in Dumfries.
Kirsty Wark - broadcaster, journalist and BBC2 Newsnight presenter - born in Dumfries.
David Coulthard - former Formula 1 racing driver - born in Dumfries and raised in Twynholm.
Thomas Telford - civil engineer, architect, stonemason and noted road, bridge and canal builder - born in Glendinning.
Rabbie Burns - Scotland's favourite son - the poet lived in Dumfries from 1791 until his death in 1796.
James Clerk Maxwell - pioneering physicist and contemporary of Albert Einstein - grew up in Corsock.
Neil Oliver - archaeologist, historian, author, broadcaster and presenter of BBC's Coast - grew up in Ayr and Dumfries.
J M Barrie - playwright, novelist and author of Peter Pan - educated at Dumfries Academy.
King Robert I of Scotland, 'Robert the Bruce', Lord of Annandale, began his campaign for the independence of Scotland in Dumfries in 1306. The ancient fiefdoms of Galloway and Annandale are steeped in Bruce history.

Filmed on Location in Dumfries & Galloway
The Wickerman (Film 1973) - cult British horror movie starring Edward Woodward and Britt Ekland - filmed in Galloway.
The Thirty-nine Steps (Film 1978) - John Buchan’s spy thriller starring Robert Powell - filmed throughout Dumfries & Galloway.
A Shot at Glory (Film 1999) - football drama starring Robert Duvall and Ally McCoist - filmed at Palmerston Park in Dumfries.
Two Thousand Acres of Sky (TV 2001-2002) - BBC1 TV drama starring Michelle Collins - filmed in Wigtownshire & Ayrshire.
Coast - Series 2, Arran to Gretna (TV 2006) - BBC2 TV documentary - filmed in Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway.

Pictured Above: The town of Kirkcudbright from Goat Well Bay © T Bruce

Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities Dumfries and Galloway is well worth a visit at any time of year but summer visitors may wish to take in some of the Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities which run from May to August each year. There really is something for everyone from the Half Marathon to the Riding of the Marches not forgetting the hugely popular Scottish Nights in the Harbour Square and the Annual Tattoo which provides a stirring finale to the programme of festivities. Want to Know More About the Area? Visit Dumfries &Galloway Tourist Information - a great resource for finding out what's going on in the Dumfries & Galloway area.