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Town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Photo: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Castle Douglas is a town in Dumfries and Galloway in southwest Scotland, with a population of 4000 in 2022. The big attractions are Threave Gardens and the castle. This page also describes nearby villages such as Dalbeattie, and the coast of the Solway Firth.
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Beautifully presented gardens over 1600 acres (647 hectares) run by National Trust for Scotland. The main garden has landscaped and themed areas; the Sculpture Garden has over 30 works by Scottish sculptors; and the nearby Nature Reserve (free, open all year) ranges from wetlands to woodlands. Wildlife includes bats, ospreys and various wildfowl. The House, visited in summer by guided tour, is a Baronial mansion of 1871 with 1930s decor.
Threave Castle is a much-bashed but still massive tower built in the 1370s by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway. It was the stronghold of the Black Douglases, too strong for King James II liking, so in 1455 he besieged and captured it. It was thereafter in royal control until 1640 when the Covenanters captured and partly demolished it, and it was abandoned. The castle is on an island in the River Dee, so you get there on a little boat, included in the ticket price.
Mainly a cinema but has some live shows.
Dog friendly, good refreshment stop during a walk.
Castle Douglas' own brewery, where you can have a drink or buy off-sales to take home. Tours by appointment.
Dog-friendly pub with real ales and restaurant with good local food.
Traditional pub overlooking Kippford harbour, good food and has accommodation. Real ales, dog friendly. If the weather is fair it's a great place to sit outside and watch the world go by.
Pleasant country house hotel half a mile north of town.
Basic but friendly well-run small hotel.
Run-down old coaching inn, the staff try their best but the place is tatty.
Comfy place with good meals.
Site open all year at the north end of Carlingshaw Loch. 108 caravan stances, 73 of which are on hard standing with a separate area for 53 tents.
Splendid hotel in 17th-century building looking onto Solway Firth, fine traditional dining. Open Feb-Nov.
By road from the south take M6 past Carlisle onto A75 west. From Glasgow the quickest route is M74 over Beattock then A701 towards Dumfries to join A75.
Read in the guideThreave Gardens and the castle are both 1½ miles out of town, within walking distance. You need wheels to explore further.
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Prestwick, South Ayrshire · International · PIK
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