Galloway: dark skies to the Mull of Galloway

Route description

Dumfries, where Robert Burns spent his last years, is the gateway to Galloway. Drive south along the Nith estuary to Caerlaverock Castle, a triangular fortress in a moat, and the wetland reserve next to it where thousands of geese spend the winter.

The A711 and A75 lead west to Kirkcudbright, a harbour town of pastel houses long favoured by painters. From there head north to New Galloway and join the A712, the Queen’s Way, through Galloway Forest Park past Clatteringshaws Loch and on to Newton Stewart.

The forest park is a dark-sky park: on clear, moonless nights the stars are superb, and forest campsites make it easy to stay out late. Red deer and wild goats can be seen from roadside viewing areas along the Queen’s Way.

Head south-west to the Rhins peninsula and the Mull of Galloway, where a lighthouse stands above cliffs full of seabirds and Ireland is in view on clear days. End in Portpatrick, a small harbour village at the start of the Southern Upland Way. Roads are quiet, which makes this a relaxed motorhome route even in summer.