The Galloway Tourist Route is a beautiful 92 miles tour which goes between Dumfries close to the English Border then travelling north up to Ayr on the beautiful west coast. Due to the low lying part of the country this is an area of beautiful cultivated farmland and vast forests.

Like most parts of Scotland Galloway is absolutely steeped in history with the most amazing Romanesque ruined abbeys from as far back at the 1100’s, The Gretna Green Blacksmith has an unbelievable history due to the 1754 Marriage Act which meant lovers couldn’t get married south of the border until they both turned 21 but unbelievably 14 for boys and girls at 12 even without parental consent could get wed in Scotland. This blacksmiths shop hasn’t changed in centuries and you can still get married in the original anvil room today. With centuries of interesting stories of who and why couples eloped this romantic wee village has lots to offer.

You will travel through the Galloway Forest Park which is one of the darkest places in Europe due to the area and the lack of artificial light, because of this the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is set up here where you will be able to look up into the skies and see magnificent magnified view of billions of stars, planets and even the Milky Way. The Forest Park has plenty of day light activities from mountain biking, hiking, with lots of family friendly activities on land and on water.

On route to the sea-side coastal town of Ayr you will have the chance to discover Robert Burns’ birthplace and museum dedicated to arguable Scotlands most famous poet, his famous poem “Auld Lang Syne” was actually written way back in 1788 in a small room Ayrshire and now sung all around the world.

This beautiful underrated area of Scotland is full of historical, geographical and mystical attractions to explore and the more time you have to enjoy the route from Dumfries & Galloway to Ayrshire the better.