Dumfries, Scotland Attractions

Just 3mi/4.8km northwest of Maxwelton House near Moniave a special experience awaits art lovers. Just a mile or two south of the village on a lonely moor near Glenkiln estate, about halfway up the hillside, stand Henry Moore's life-size bronze sculptures entitled "King and Queen". The owner Sir William Keswick has gathered together an appreciable outdoor collection, including works by Rodin and Renoir.

To the northeast of Moffat just before the boundary with the Borders region, the A708 passes a 200ft/61m high waterfall that cascades from the southern end of Loch Skene.

Ruthwell and its early Christian cross are well worth a visit before returning to Dumfries. A niche in the purpose-built church houses one of the two most famous Christian crosses of Anglo-Saxon times. Carved out of sandstone probably in the eighth century, it reaches a height of 17ft/5.20m. It is possible to make out some Latin inscriptions as well as several biblical figures and leaf patterns.

Although the Dumfries Museum on Corbelly Hill specializes in local history, it also possesses an observatory with a Camera Obscura that was installed in 1836.

Tracing the history of the Tinwalds Down airfield and aviation in the local area, this museum also houses a Venom, a Vampire and a Super Sabre.

The Victorian writer Thomas Carlyle was born in Ecclefechan and the house where he grew up maintains a collection of manuscripts and other memorabilia.

Carlyle is buried in the graveyard.

In 1788 Ellisland Farm (6.5mi/10.4km northwest of Dumfries) Robert Burns began to employ new agricultural methods but with such little success that the land had to be sold off in 1791. The famous ballad about his friend "Tam o'Shanter" and "Auld Lang Syne" was written while he lived here.

Langholm is the birthplace of Christopher Murray Grieve, the poet Hugh MacDiarmid.

The ruins of Lincluden Abbey lie about 1.5mi/2.4km north of Dumfries. This Benedictine monastery founded in the 12th C was elevated to collegiate church by Archibald "the Grim". All that remains are the chancel, sacristy and parts of the small 15th C sandstone chapel. Princess Margaret (d. 1430), daughter of Robert III, is buried in the chancel where the Late Gothic window tracery still survives.

The resort of Lochmaben (9mi/14.4km to the northeast of Dumfries) is surrounded by five lakes so that it resembles an island. The lakes are of course popular with anglers, while the abandoned castle is claimed, alongside Turnberry Castle, as the birthplace of Robert the Bruce whose statue stands in front of the town hall.

This property is now a private house and no longer open to the public.
Stephen Laurie bought 14th C Glencairn Castle in 1611, changed the name to Maxwelton House and had the tower house extended. His granddaughter, the subject of a very popular ballad by Lady Scott, was born there in 1682. In 1968 the Stenhouse family bought the estate and started work on restoration which took a total of three years. Now the chambers, chapels and gardens are back to their former grandeur.

The post office in Sanquhar High Street has been in business without a break since 1738 and is said to be the oldest in Britain.