Dumfries Tours

20/10/2026

Home. ❤️

20/10/2026

13/10/2026

Mark was out and about today with Laura from Queensland Australia. We were able to located the headstones of her ancestors at Balmaghie Parish Churchyard and St Cuthbert’s Cemetery in Kirkcudbright. We also visited Crossmichael and Kirkpatrick Durham. A successful day in the autumnal sunshine.

11/10/2026

While Tracey was riding a Clydesdale horse through Dumfries House Estate, Mark took her mum Leonie on a guided tour of the house itself.

We then had a beautiful lunch at Lochside House Hotel.

On the way back to Dumfries we stopped off in Balmaclellan and Corsock where their ancestors had lived.

But we saved the best to last at Kirkpatrick Durham where we located the headstone of Leonie’s Great Great Grandfather.

It was a long journey from Queensland, Australia but worth every mile for this special moment.

10/10/2026

Mark spent the day with Leonie and Tracey from Queensland Australia exploring their roots in Nithsdale. On route we visited Dalswinton, Closeburn, Dalgarnock, Penpont, Keir Mill, Thornhill, Glencairn, Dunscore and Irongray. A fabulous day chasing rainbows.

09/10/2026

What a fantastic day we had at Kitchen Coos and Ewes. Leonie and her daughter Tracey from Queensland, Australia absolutely loved their time here. It was then on to Glenluce Abbey followed by a lovely lunch at The View in Port William-warming lentil soup and mackerel pate with oatcakes. We also visited the Isle of Whithorn, and Gavin Maxwell’s memorial.

04/10/2026

It’s always a pleasure and privilege to be in Russell’s company.

🇺🇸 Across the Atlantic, Back to Dumfries 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

One of the very best parts of hospitality is the people you meet along the way and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome our friend Russ back to The Cairndale once again❤️

Russ is 90 years young and has now made the journey across the Atlantic from America to Dumfries several times, travelling solo each time.

His first visit began with a desire to trace his family ancestry back to Dumfries. But somewhere along the way, Scotland became much more than a place to research his family history....it became somewhere he simply loves coming back to.

I asked Russ during this visit whether there was anywhere else in the world he still wanted to travel to.

His answer was simple: “No. Just Scotland.”

And he means it! He’s already talking about his next trip across the pond, when he hopes to explore some of the Scottish islands.

Russ has become a familiar face to many of us at The Cairndale, and I know plenty of guests who have crossed paths with him during his stays have enjoyed his stories and company just as much as we have.

A special mention, too, has to go to Mark at Dumfries Tours , who always takes such great care of Russ on his visits. Mark welcomes many guests from America and around the world who come to Dumfries & Galloway hoping to discover more about their Scottish roots and I know the personal care he gives them makes their trips all the more memorable.

At 90 years young, travelling solo across the Atlantic and still planning the next Scottish adventure, is something we can all aspire to!

It was a pleasure to see you again, Russ.

Safe travels home, and we’ll look forward to welcoming you back to Dumfries for adventure number five! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️