Days out in Galloway touring travel Galloway visitor information maps South west Scotland

Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 9AD

Local Area > Other

Wigtownshire is a Scottish county, located in the extreme South-West in the district of Dumfries and Galloway. Its history tells of diverse ancestry. Gaels and Anglians, Norsemen and Northumbrians, Irish and Cumbrians, Scots and English all left a mark on this cornerstone of Scotland. Its history, deep and often hard to find, is etched into its villages, towns and farms and no less into its people and its hills and shores. Here we hope to offer you some small insight into this beautiful land of our forebears, with a little compendium of useful information on the wealth of places to see and visit during your time with us.

From gemmology to Formula One racing, social history to luxury foods.

Museums and visitor centres in Dumfries & Galloway cover a vast range of subjects. Discover Dumfries & Galloway's past with museums in towns across the region, such as Moffat, Dumfries, Sanquhar, Dalbeattie, Creetown, Newton Stewart, Stranraer and the Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright. Or visit museums and exhibitions dedicated to specific topics and discover the origins of Scottish Christianity at Whithorn, the story of Kirkcudbright's artists' colony or the development of medical care at the Crichton Museum. See the collection of aircraft and aviation artefacts at the Aviation Museum, the first ever savings bank at Ruthwell, journey underground to leadmines at Wanlockhead and discover the story behind runaway brides at Gretna Green.

The light and landscape of Dumfries & Galloway has been an inspiration to artists for centuries. Over 400 contemporary artists and craftsmen currently make the region their home, living and working in small towns and villages scattered across the region, with many incorporating the natural world around them into their works.

The pretty harbour town of Kirkcudbright is the most well known haven for artists in the region and has acquired the title of Artist's Town for its historical artistic connections. The influence of this artistic heritage has spread throughout the region and in almost every town at any time of the year you'll find workshops or studios to visit, galleries and exhibitions to view and souvenirs to take home.