Rampant Scotland Directory! The gentle rolling hills of the Southern Uplands and the river valleys of the Scottish Borders mask the sometimes violent history of the region, the buffer between Scotland and England. Away from the bustle of the two main road arteries which now link Scotland and England, the area is now full of peace and tranquillity.
Other areas and aspects in the Rampant Scotland site of interest to the virtual tourist include:
Across the Region
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Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in the Borders which are described and illustrated include:
This is a large, attractive tourism portal designed to help you plan for a vacation in the "Southern Uplands" - from the Scottish Borders across to Dumfries and Galloway. Extensive coverage of towns to visit (with an interactive map to take you there), things to see and do, news and events, accommodation. If you prefer, you can read about all the Towns in Southern Scotland from Abbey St Bathans and Ae (the shortest placename in Scotland) to Wigtown. And there's a liberal sprinkling of links to other sites dealing with all aspects of Southern Scotland. This is a very comprehensive site covering the Scottish Borders (and drifting also into Lothian). Its main purpose is to provide access to the Hotels and Bed and Breakfast locations plus Self Catering Rentals. But there is extensive coverage of Castles and History and Waterfalls of the area The historical aspects of the area are featured further with a description of Mary Queen of Scots House and Murder of Darnley plus Argyll Highlanders 1794. There are also sections on Art and Artists linked to the area as well as Painters and Poets And no Web site devoted to the Borders could omit a reference to Fishing with details of Sea Trout. The Southern Upland Way is also covered. This is an extensive online resource for everything to do with the Southern Upland Way, Dumfries and Galloway, The Scottish Borders and the Southern Uplands. The site also includes information on an abundance of shorter walks, cycling, golf and other outdoor activities as well as all types of accommodation making it easy for you to you arrange your activity holiday here in Southern Scotland. There are lots of adverts for commercial sites in the Scottish Borders. Elsewhere, there is another well illustrated detailed description of Southern Upland Way all on one long page. The National Trust looks after a wide range of properties around Scotland. The Web pages give brief description of each one, together with opening times and a (small) illustration. The Trust properties in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are as follows: The "Border Reivers" is the name given to the bands of castle rustlers and raiders - from both sides of the English/Scottish Borders. The site recounts the stories of reiving and feuds plus information on the clans and families involved, castles, towers, sites of battles and skirmishes. There is an emphasis is on the actual location of events and of visual evidence of the past, including the Castles and Strongholds in the region. The site also features extensive information on many of the Border towns in Scotland and England, including: |
Scottish Borders Region
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An guide to the Borders region with an events diary, recommendations on where to eat out and a searchable Accommodation Guide. The individual town guides cover:
Local information on Events, News, Arts and Crafts in the Scottish Borders and also a directory of where to stay and a list of Businesses as well. There are individual pages on Border walking trails and local galleries, places to go and local music. There are also useful pages on the main Borders towns including: This is a business and lifestyle portal from the local Chamber of Commerce is designed to connect you to local business, help you chose a career in the Borders and find out what the local towns and lifestyle is like. There's information on Borders businesses with pictures, website links and videos as well as information on local businesses and the careers they can offer you. There are also Towns and Lifestyle pages providing information on the local towns and links to useful information. The Business Diary lists all local events relating to business, commerce and training. A bright and lively site covering accommodation, what to see and do, history, local businesses in theis Border town. Large photo section with illustrations of buildings, scenery, places of interest, events and nature.
Although the Roman-built Hadrian's Wall is nowadays in England, in former times it marked the border between Scotland and the rest of Britain. A background to the history of the wall is provided with good illustrations and maps of the various sites and museums along the wall. They thus provide a useful description of the Roman attempt to keep out the savages from the north. Selkirk is the site of the first Border Abbey and where William Wallace, 'Braveheart', was declared guardian of Scotland. The site has background and illustrations on these and other events, including the Selkirk Common Riding when up to 500 riders saddle their horses at daybreak to ride the Marches and re-enact the story of the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Historical and architectural attractions, calendar of events and scenery, plus history and a map. The Web pages for the "Muckle Toon" of Langholm has a photo gallery and background to the Langholm Common Riding. Principally about Maxwell House in Kelso (described unfairly by Sir Walter Scott as 'vulgar and modern' but the site also has a brief description and pictures of Kelso itself and also local attractions such as Smailholm Tower and Hermitage Castle as well as the Eildon Hills. An official site for the Border town of Kelso, there are pages on its history (including Kelso Abbey), local events and recreation (including Kelso racecourse, rugby and the declaration of the "Kelso Laddie") and a map of the town. There are photos from around the town, including the cobbled main square. The region of Cowdenknowes is just south of Earlston and north-east of Melrose in the Scottish Borders. The Web site gives a history of the barony and the Border rievers who raided not only across the border but other parts of the area too. There is information on the main Border families who were involved in these unlawful activities and biographies of some of the well known "characters" of the area including Kinmont Willie, a notorious Border reiver, Thomas the Rhymer who, according to legend, lived with the Queen of the Elves for seven years, and Muckle Mou’ed Meg who married one of the Scott family who had been caught raiding her father's estate and agreed to the marriage to avoid being hung! Situated on the banks of the river Tweed, Paxton House is a hidden gem. Built by the Adam brothers in 1758 for the young Patrick Home it is perhaps the finest example of 18th century Palladian Country houses in Britain. It has one of the most magnificent collections of original Chippendale furniture in Britain alongside the largest collection of publicly owned art exhibited outside of the National Galleries of Scotland.
Having frequently heard people in the Borders saying "there's nothing to do" the creators of this Web site set out to prove otherwise, with a selection of places to see, things to do and exhibitions in the area. This a 14-day food and drink event in the first half of March which showcases the creative dishes and exceptional dining experiences that can be found across the Scottish Borders. Many of the region's top restaurants, hotels, cafes and bisrtos are taking part, so whether you are looking for a lavish four course dinner or a light lunch, you should be able to find pleny of ideas from the list of participating establishments. A Borders Web and graphics design company has assembled over 130 old Borders photographs, including 60 of Hawick but also covering Galashiels, Denholm and Jedburgh.
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Dumfries and Galloway
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In addition to providing information on the work of the Council, this site presents a guide to the places to visit. The towns (with their associated attractions) covered imnclude:
A comprehensive listing of towns, villages and places of interest in Dumfries & Galloway. Each location has an Ordnance Survey map reference, items of note and a description. Divided up alphabetically, some pages are lengthy due to the extensive nature of this gazetteer.
A basic introduction to this south-western corner of Scotland. The Accommodation Section is particularly comprehensive. The site also covers what to see and do, gardens, golf, walking, cycling and travel. Elsewhere is a description and illustration of the Ruthwell Cross.
An interactive map showing all the Historic Scotland locations in the area, from Whithorn priory to "cup and ring" marks.
Arts and crafts, accommodation, facts and figures, postcard rack, maps and Accommodation in south west Scotland. There is a lengthy article about Glenkiln where a Henry Moore's sculptures "Standing Figure" and "Glenkiln Cross" (on the skyline of Bennan Hill) as well as his "King and Queen" and "Two Reclining Figures" are on display plus Auguste Rodin's "John the Baptist". The site's Hall of Fame has good biographies of a number of people connected with the region including:
Set up by South Rhins Community Development Trust this site covers the extreme Southwest corner of Scotland describing the area, its attractions (including, among other places, Logan Fish Pond, and Ardwell Gardens ), activities, history (including the Romans, the Early Christian Church, the Angles and the Vikings), useful information, transport and accommodation.
At Wanlockhead (Scotland's highest village at 1531 feet above sea level) in Dumfries and Galloway, the Museum of Scottish Lead Mining site not only covers the Museum itself but other tourist attractions in Wanlockhead including a beam engine and 18th and 19th century miners' cottages in the village. And then there is a section on gold - with details of gold panning courses and a history of Scottish gold.
Nearly 2,000 illustrations of Dumfries and Galloway available to view and to purchase. There are landscapes, gardens, hill walking, ancient monuments and a library of photos on the following towns and areas. See the various Categories. Mossburn animal sanctuary is based in SW Scotland in Dumfries & Galloway near the town of Lockerbie. It is home to a wide variety of animals including cattle, horses, ponies, pigs, goats, poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, raccoons, reptiles and wildlife ... and more ... They rescue misused, abused, unwanted and neglected animals and provide work placements for children and adults with problems who find working among animals very therapeutic. Visitors are made very welcome at Mossburn. The attractive site has lots of illustrations of the creatures which have been rescued or are permanent residents.
History and heritage, tourism, places to visit in the Dunfries and Galloway towns of and Portpatrick as well as Cairnryan. There is also a business directory and a facts and figures section. Formed in the Globe Inn, Dumfries, in 1889, the Burns Howff Club meets on the 25th January each year to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns in 1759 with a "Burns Supper". The Club have developed well researched self-led walking tours that focus on the monuments and heritage of poet Robert Burns in Dumfries. This section of the site has three detailed printable walking tours in and around Dumfries. Ellisland Farm, Dumfries, inspired some of the best nature poems by Robert Burns when he worked there. It is now a visitor attraction and it provides an insight into Robert Burns's life on a farm two hundred years ago. Guided tours of Ellisland farmhouse and museum are always available. The site provides information on the history of Ellisland, its location, the Dumfries Burns Trail and some of the poetry of Robrert Burns which was written at Ellisland. Local web site for Gretna and District in Dumfries and Galloway featuring bygone days and the main business of the area - everything to do with Weddings from cakes and churches to outfitters and wedding rings. Professional events organiser providing tailor-made special events - imaginative Scottish wedding planners, conference and party organisers operating throughout SW Scotland. This Web site argues that the Gretna area has more to offer than just being a romantic wedding location! It covers walking, cycling, fishing, wildfowling, golf, gardens in Dumfries and Galloway. The area is rich in history and colourful characters, including the Border Reivers, Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns plus the fascinating story of Gretna Township and the munitions factories during the Great War. This is a directory for a number of related Web sites dealing with Gretna Green, including the Mill Hotel, a family-run hotel in a converted 18th century farmhouse specialising in "Gretna Weddings" and The Forge for an anvil wedding with candlelit ceremonies and churchlike setting. And you can Contact Maggie for free advice on all aspects of Gretna Green Weddings. The site for this quiet fishing and farming town has stories about some of the people of the town, including Caesar, the town cat. There is an accommodation finder and local attractions include Castle Maclellan completed in 1582 by Sir Thomas MacLellan of Bombie, whose coat of arms, along with those of his wives, appear over the entrance.
Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities website contains details of the events held in Kirkcudbright during the summer. Individual events include a Music Festival, Jazz Festival, Medieval Fayre, Children's Festival, Pipe Band Night, Scottish Nights, Wicker Man Festival, Vikings, Vintage Cars and Tattoo. Created by Dalbeattie Internet, there are general Views of Galloway as well as local attractions such as a lengthy text description of the history and background of Dundrennan Abbey and Episcopalian Church, of Christ, known as the "Leicester Quarrymens' Church". There is also a lot on Murdoch of the 'Titanic' - the ship's officer who came from Dalbeattie. Highlights the concentration of bookshops, dealers and publishers in the town. There are also text-only pages on history and heritage, visitor attractions and accommodation. This site has been created to raise awareness in Castle Douglas and to provide a resource for local people and holiday makers. It contains details of 80 local organisations (and growing), things to do, things to see and local history specifically on Castle Douglas and the immediate area. Site includes cycle routes, walks, Threave Garden etc. A privately owned world-class collection of gemstones, crystals, minerals, gemstone objet d'art and fossils, Gem Rock is regarded as as one of the finest private collections of its kind. Mmore than just a static display, it is a fully interactive experience with lots of things to do as well as to see.
Clatteringshaws is situated in the Galloway Forest Park on the A712 (known as the Queen’s Way) between New Galloway and Newton Stewart. The Galloway Forest Park was created in 1947 and has marked cycle and walking trails, picnic areas and interpretation centres in an area of 293 square miles (759 sq. km). The Web pages include images, information and links for the Clatteringshaws area including Clatteringshaws Dam, Loch & Visitors Centre, Grey Mare’s Tail, Loch Dee, Murray’s Monument, Queen’s Way, Raiders Road, Red Deer Range, Wild Goat Park. There is an associated Web site for Glenkens with a map and information on services and facilities. Westlands Activities in Annan, halfway between Dumfries and Carlisle, offers Go Karting, Quad Biking, Crazy Golf, Clay Shooting, Fishing and Paintball shooting for individuals, families, corporate days, birthday parties, and stag or hen parties. As a result of a North America/UK countryside exchange, an extensive survey and report of the Machars region on the Solway Firth has been carried out. The Web pages describe the area in detail from the perspective of its existing natural resources and what can be done to improve it economically. Tourism, in one of the unspoilt regions of the country, is one of many proposals put forward. |
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
