Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Scotland
Queen of the South, Delightful Dumfries and the New Galloway Forest
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Devil's Porridge Museum information board
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Annandale Distillery front entrance
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Annandale Distillery interior
Dumfries, known as the ‘Queen of the South’ sits on the banks of the River Nith next door to the scenic New Galloway Forest park in this pretty part of South West Scotland. Undulating scenery, pretty villages and towns nestled along the coastline and rich in history, yet sometimes it is bypassed in favour of the Highlands. Explore this pretty area without the high mileage and long journeys to the North. On this tour we explore the scenic routes along with the Devils Porridge museum, Annandale Distillery, Threave Gardens and a guided tour of the Crichton Estate where you will be staying, this all adds to an interesting tour. You may wish to include a short visit to Sweetheart Abbey enroute to the hotel or on your return day. Optional extra.
Dates
17th May, 28th June, 29th August, 20th September 2027
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to the Borders
Arrive at your hotel in the Borders for your first taste of Scottish hospitality. Why not stop off at Sweetheart Abbey or the famous Gretna Green village before arriving at the hotel.
Day 2
Crichton Estate walking tour and Dumfries
Your hotel is situated in the grounds of the Crichton Estate. The story of the Crichton begins in 1823 with the death of Dr James Crichton of Friar’s Carse who left to his widow, Elizabeth, the then considerable sum of around £100,000 to be used for charitable purposes. With the help of her friend, the Rev Henry Duncan, Minister of Ruthwell Parish and founder of the Trustee Savings Bank, Elizabeth attempted to endow a College of University status in Dumfries ‘for the education of poor scholars’. Your coach will take you into the town of Dumfries with time for lunch in one of the many coffee shops and free time to browse through the shops or take a walk by the river Nith.
Day 3
Devil’s Porridge Museum and Annandale Whisky Distillery
The Devil’s Porridge Museum tells the story of HM Factory Gretna, the greatest munitions factory on earth in World War One, where the devil’s porridge (or cordite, an explosive) was mixed. There were 30,000 workers: 12,000 of them were women. Their contribution to the war effort helped women to achieve the vote. Enjoy a visit to this state of the art, award-winning, 5 star-rated museum. Sandwiches and homemade tray bakes will be served for lunch here before arriving at the Annandale Whisky Distillery, set in a pretty Annan valley. Enjoy an intimate distillery tour and discover the history and craft behind this whisky. Learn about the past and present owners of Annandale Distillery. Sample 2 single cask malt whiskies and also take home a branded miniature whisky glass. This is a small tour with not many steps, there is a cosy coffee shop if you do not wish to do the tour and you will still take your samples home and not miss out.
Day 4
Threave Gardens, New Galloway Forest Park and Kirkcudbright
Visit Threave Gardens, the only Scottish garden dedicated to the training of horticulturists, home of the School of Heritage Gardening since 1960. Enjoy stunning views over the Galloway Hills and the Ken/Dee valley, and keep an eye out for soaring ospreys, red kites and peregrine falcons over our wetlands nature reserve. Time for lunch here or in the little town of Castle Douglas before a scenic tour along the shores of Loch Ken and through the New Galloway Forest park, established in 1947 it is claimed to be the largest forest in the UK. The park was granted Dark sky status in November 2009, and covers 774 square kilometres. Spend a small amount of time in the town of Newton Stewart on the banks of the river Cree before a coastal drive along Wigtown Bay to Kirkcudbright, with pretty cottages by the sea.
Day 5
Return home
After a full Scottish breakfast return home. Why not call in Hawick, a town famous for its Cashmere, Tweed and Whisky.
Featured hotel – Inspected by Greatdays September 2025
Holiday Inn Dumfries ***
Situated on part of the Crichton Estate, this Holiday Inn boasts pretty views from the restaurant in the old part of the original house. There are only 2 floors to the accommodation side of the building with ample bedrooms on the ground floor, there is a lift to both floors. All rooms have TV, hairdryer,Iron and wifi, the majority of bathrooms have walk in showers. The hotel has recently been refurbished and offers bar, lounge and restaurant area. Coach parking on site.
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- Holiday Inn Dumfries across gardens
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- View from main entrance of Holiday Inn Dumfries
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- Holiday Inn Dumfries Bedroom
Holiday Inn Hotel ***
| Dates | 5 days / 4 nights | Single Supplement |
| 17th May 2027 | From £415.00 per person | From £145.00 per person |
| 28th June 2027 | From £415.00 per person | From £145.00 per person |
| 29th August 2027 | From £449.00 per person | From £145.00 per person |
| 20th September 2027 |
From £415.00 per person | From £145.00 per person |
Other dates maybe available on request.
