11 Museums to Explore in Dumfries and Galloway

Checkout places to visit in Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland and is located in the western Southern Uplands. It comprises the historic counties of Dumfriesshire, Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and Wigtownshire, the latter two of which are collectively known as Galloway. The administrative centre is the town of Dumfries.

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Museums to Explore in Dumfries and Galloway

Annan Museum

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.

Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum

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

Dumfries Museum

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.

Gem Rock Museum

The Gem Rock Museum is home to many fine and rare examples of crystals found in Britain, as well as a brilliant set of exquisitely cut replicas of the world’s largest diamonds. The museum is more than just a static display - it is a fully interactive experience which the whole family will enjoy: see the AV 'Fire in the Stones' audio-visual display, explore the amazing Crystal Cave, relax in the Professor's Study or test your knowledge with a geology quiz.

John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage and Museum

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

Museum of Lead Mining

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.

Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum

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.

Savings Banks Museum

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.

Stewartry Museum

The Stewartry Museum is a local museum in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, which covers the history of this part of Galloway. It tells the fascinating history of the Stewartry, the eastern part of Galloway. Its collections chiefly relate to the human and natural history of the Stewartry, the eastern half of Galloway also known as Kirkcudbrightshire. The social history collections of the 18th and 19th century are particularly important and offer a fascinating insight into Stewartry.

Stranraer Museum

A rather excellent small but modern town museum in the heart of dumfires. The museum features one of Scotland's oldest ploughs, while you can also look at Victorian Wigtownshire in 3D photographs and follow in the footsteps of Stranraer's own polar explorers. There are displays on archaeology, local history, farming and dairying. An exciting temporary exhibition programme also runs throughout the year.

The Devils Porridge

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.

Map of Museums to explore in Dumfries and Galloway