20 Attractions to Explore Near Annandale Distillery

This family friendly Annan museum houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Annan and the surrounding area.A beautiful museum housing a permanent exhibition on the history of Annan and the surrounding area. A fascinating journey through time takes visitors from the prehistoric period up to the era of nuclear fission.

Annan beach is a shingle beach and an important wildlife area. It offers visitors a good chance to stretch the legs whilst enjoying views over the marsh and its wildlife. This rural beach is backed mostly by fields. This beach is perfect for a family day out, and if you’ve got little animal lovers, it’s perfect for trying to spot some wildlife.

The Devils Porridge museum commemorates HM Factory Gretna, the nine-mile-long factory where 30,000 workers ‘did their bit’ during the First World War. Learn about the lives of the Border people throughout the Second World War in the Solway Military Coast display. From Evacuees and Dr Barnardo’s Boys staying locally, to the Gretna Bombing and the MOD munitions depot, via RAF Annan and the first nuclear power station in Scotland bringing the museum into the Cold War era.

Housed in an attractive 18th century building, the museum charts the history of the savings bank movement and the role played by the renowned Rev Henry Duncan DD - minister, author, antiquarian, geologist, publisher, philanthropist, artist and businessman.

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop, situated at the heart of Gretna Green village, is the world-famous, historic home of the anvil wedding and has been at the centre of runaway love, since the Marriage Act of 1754. Audio-visual displays bring to life the drama of Gretna Green runaway weddings and there is also a fascinating collection of memorabilia and artefacts from the days when couples crossed the border to take advantage of Scotland's lenient marriage laws.

WWWT Caerlaverock is wetland nature reserve in southwest Scotland, one of nine reserves in Britain operated by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust founded by Sir Peter Scott. WWT Caerlaverock It covers a 587 hectares site at Eastpark Farm, on the north shore of the Solway Firth to the south of Dumfries. It is a wild nature reserve with a network of screened approaches and several observation towers. There is a visitor centre and farmhouse accommodation. The site received 16,105 visitors in 2019.

Lochmaben Castle is a ruined castle in the town of Lochmaben, the feudal Lordship of Annandale, and the united county of Dumfries and Galloway. It was built by Edward I in the 13th and 14th centuries, and later rebuilt during the reign of James IV of Scotland. An earlier motte-and-bailey castle was built south of the current castle in c. 1160 by the Bruce family, Lords of Annandale.

Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle first built in the 13th century. It is located on the southern coast of Scotland. With its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, this awe-inspiring castle is the epitome of the medieval stronghold and one of the finest castles in Scotland. The castle, which is protected as a scheduled monument, is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, and is a popular tourist attraction.

Castle Loch is a shallow eutrophic loch covering an area of around 100 hectares in the town of Lochmaben in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies to the west of Mochrum Loch and has 2 islets. The ruined Lochmaben Castle lies at the southern end of the loch. Castle Loch is an important over-wintering location for the pink-footed goose and the goosander. It has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, and has been designated a Site of Special Scienti

Gilnockie Tower is a stunning example of a 16th century Scottish pele tower. Built some 500 years ago, it was home to Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, a notorious Border Reiver. In 1530 this powerful chieftain was hanged by a Scottish king, his story romanticised by Walter Scott. The tower was rebuilt, but was damaged again by English raids in the 1540s, only to be rebuilt again with a new parapet walk, and a beacon stance on the gable.

The Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum is a volunteer-operated aviation museum located in and around the World War II-era watch tower at the former RAF Dumfries, located two miles north east of the centre of Dumfries, Scotland, which was in service from June 1940 until 1957, when it closed. The Museum's main exhibits are not roped off, which allows visitors the freedom of gettting close to the aircrafts which includes - the F-100 Super Sabre, Lockheed T33, De Haviland Vampire T11, The Britis

Sweetheart Abbey was founded in 1273 by Lady Devorgilla of Galloway in memory of her husband John Balliol. When she died, she was buried with her husband’s embalmed heart and her tomb is in the Abbey’s sanctuary. The village which stands next to the ruins today, is now known as New Abbey. At the other end of the main street is Monksmill, a corn mill. Although the present buildings date from the late 18th century, there was an earlier mill built by and for the monks of the abbey which serviced th

Dock Park is a great children's play area set within picturesque grounds. A range of other activities are also available whatever your age, including tennis, bowling, putting and trampolining. The park is landscaped, and contains an interesting sunken garden that used to be an old quarry, and was the source of the sandstone for the Mid Steeple. It is also the site of a former castle for Robert the Bruce, and there is a sandstone plaque marking the spot.

New Abbey Corn Mill is a well-kept secret in the village of New Abbey, five miles south of Dumfries. The corn mill as an attraction is rather overshadowed by Sweetheart Abbey, whose impressive ruins dominate the west end of the village. The 18th-century mill is much more than a time capsule of the miller’s craft: it is still put to work to show how oatmeal is made. The mill is still in full working order and on most summer day visitors can see it run as it would have all of those years ago.

Scotland’s national bard spent his last years in this simple sandstone house that is a key pilgrimage site for Burns' enthusiast from around the world. Over the years it has attracted many famous visitors including the poets Wordsworth, Coleridge and Keats. View original manuscripts and some of Burns’ personal belongings. See his desk and chair in the study where he created some of his finest works.

Powillimount Beach is a beach in Dumfries and Galloway. Powillimount Beach is situated south of Arbigland. It offers some spectacular views over the Solway Firth and on a clear day you can see the Lake District. It is a great beach to visit with curious kids as it is full of shells, rock pools and huge rock formations.

The John Paul Jones Cottage Museum is the historical birth place of “The Father” of the U.S. Navy. This cottage sits on the Arbigland Estate where John Paul Jones grew up. The cottage has been restored to how it would have been when he lived there and features unique artifacts and information from his past. It also features audio presentations about life in the cottage. There is a reconstructed cabin of John Paul Jones' ship Bonhomme Richard, and exhibits about his defeat of HMS Serapis at the B

Carlisle Castle is a great medieval fortress that has watched over the City of Carlisle for over nine centuries. Uncover a fascinating history through lively exhibitions, offering an insight into William Rufus, Mary Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. the castle still plays a prominent role in Cumbria as one of its best-loved landmarks. With an exhibition, a program of guided tours, beautiful medieval carvings, a dungeon, a picnic area, a unique gift shop, and being so close to Hadrian's

Gracefield Arts Centre is located in Dumfries. The gallery's main building, a Category B listed building, was bought in 1951 by a committee of local people. The gallery houses a collection of over 600 Scottish paintings and also It holds a varied and dynamic schedule of exhibitions throughout the year featuring work by local, national and international artist and makers and selected exhibitions from our permanent art collection.

Tullie House has one of the largest purpose-built contemporary art galleries in the north of England, Set in beautiful gardens, Old Tullie House is a Grade I Listed building, and holds collections of fine and decorative art, history human and natural sciences and hosts exhibitions of regional, national and international importance.