20 Attractions to Explore Near Forest of Ae

Morton Castle is located by an artificial loch in the hills above Nithsdale, in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. It lies 2.5 miles north-east of Thornhill, and once formed part of a chain of castles along the strategically important Nith Valley, which runs from the Solway Firth north to the Clyde Valley. Architecturally the castle bears some resemblance to Caerlaverock Castle, being triangular in plan, with similar twin gatehouses at the south-west corner.

The Annandale Way is a walk which gets under the skin of the landscape, offering the walker glimpses into the history and hidden secrets of this quiet and tranquil part of Scotland. The route, which was established on 12 September 2009, has been designed to be traversable in four to five days as a continuous walk but it also offers several day-walks.

Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The category A listed castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry It is less well known and less visited than it deserves to be. The castle itself offers one of the best and most interesting visitor experiences you are likely to find anywhere, and the extensive and very varied formal and informal gardens are well worth a visit in their own right, or a return visit

This was the family home built by Robert Burns in 1788 for his bride Jean Armour. Set picturesquely on the banks of the River Nith, Burns could not have chosen a more idyllic spot. The complex is a museum in the farm Robert Burns built, lived in and farmed from 1788 until 1791.

The Garden of Cosmic Speculation is a 30 acre sculpture garden located at Portrack House, near Dumfries in South West Scotland. It was created by Charles Jencks, a renowned landscape architect and theorist, and Maggie Keswick, his late wife. They chose their home, Portrack House, to be the location for their dream. The sculpture garden covers 30 acres and has an unusual design, which was inspired by contemporary cosmology, just like much of Charles Jencks’ works.

The Devil's Beeftub sits about 5 miles north of Moffat on the A701 road to Edinburgh known by locals as the "Beeftub Road". It is a hollow that nestles between four hills whilst the Annan River flows through its valley floor. It is a very tranquil and serene site but this feeling of calmness does not equate with its turbulent past.

Lowther Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 728m above the sea level, located on the border between Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway, in Scotland. It's one of the highest roads of the country. It’s a deserted area without any motorized traffic. This road is popular with hillwalkers and cyclists, using it as a means of easy access to the top of the hill or for recreation.

Green Lowther is a hill in the Lowther Hills range, part of the Southern Uplands of Scotland. It is the highest point of the Lowther Hills and lies in Lanarkshire, east of the town of Sanquhar. A microwave array once stood at the summit, however a telecommunications mast remains next to a transmitter station. The private service road which makes its way up neighbouring Lowther Hill, continuing over Green Trough to the summit is the second highest paved road in Britain after Great Dun Fell in the

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

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.

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

Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead Village is unique in Scotland, having the only real mine which is open to the public. Join the Museum's friendly and knowledgeable guides to discover treasures including the genuine 18th century lead mine where you can experience the thrill of going underground. Make your way along the village paths to the our miners cottages set out in 1750, 1850 and 1910 period and see how the miners really lived.

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.

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.

Dumfries Museum tells the story of the land and people of the region. Look out for fossil footprints left by prehistoric animals, the wildlife of the Solway, tools and weapons of our earliest people, stone carvings by Scotland’s first Christians and the everyday things of the Victorian farm, workshop and home. The museum also has the world's oldest working Camera Obscura. Admission is free, however a small fee applies for the Camera Obscura.

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.

Crawford Castle, substantially in ruins, is located on the north bank of the River Clyde, around half a mile north of Crawford, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The ruins stand on an earlier motte and bailey earthwork. The castle was formerly known as Lindsay Tower, after its former owners, the Lindsay family. The strategic location of the castle, at NS954213, guards the strategically important Mennock Pass from England into the upper Clyde Valley.

White Coomb is a summit in the Moffat Hills region or range in Scotland. White Coomb is 821 metres high. Its broad summit is the highest point in the range and the registration county of Dumfriesshire, however, despite this, it is largely concealed by other hills on all sides except its east and south east, making this the only direction from which its full scale can be seen.

This fascinating museum of local history covers Sanquhar's rich history as a centre of the knitwear trade and the mining industry. Displays now include Sanquhar’s world-famous knitting tradition and the story of the mines and miners of Sanquhar and Kirkconnel. Local archaeology and social history are on display, along with items associated with both World Wars and the story of the town’s common riding. At ground level is a set of jougs attached to the wall, by the side of the prison door.

Grey Mare's Tail is a 60-metre hanging valley waterfall near to Moffat in southern Scotland. The fall is produced by the Tail Burn flowing from Loch Skeen cascading into the Moffat Water in the lower valley below.Grey Mare’s Tail is a superb example of a hanging valley and is important for its rare upland plants and wildlife. The area boasts a rich human history as well, dating back to at least the Iron Age.