Dumfries Tours

07/06/2026

This morning we visited the Dark Hedges as featured in Game of Thrones. It was then onto Dunluce Castle. Built on the cliff side, the views were incredible. Next was Mussenden Temple. We are now having lunch at The Ponderosa, Ireland’s highest pub restaurant. Heading back to Belfast this afternoon.

06/06/2026

The Coastal Causeway Northern Ireland.

06/06/2026

We left Ballycastle after breakfast to get an early start for our walk over the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. You need a head for heights for this one. After exploring the island and the nearby chalk walls we headed to the Giant’s Causeway.

Legend has it that an Irish giant named Finn McCool created a causeway to get across the Irish Sea to face his rival, the Scottish giant Benandonner.

Following their fearsome meeting, Benandonner ripped up the causeway as he fled back to Scotland, leaving what we see here today.

All this walking and talk of giants was making us hungry and thirsty so we made our way to Bushmills Inn where we had a lovely meal.

With food in our bellies it was time for our Bushmills Distillery Tour and Tasting. This was followed by a wee wander round the town.

06/06/2026

05/06/2026

What a drive up the Coastal Causeway Road from Belfast to Ballycastle. It was fascinating to learn the Ulster Scots history. So many connections between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mark set off early from Belfast with Cory and Tim from Reno, Nevada. They travelled with Mark a couple of years ago and kept in touch.

In the morning we visited Carrickfergus, Glenarm and Carnlough and Garron Point

Our lunch stop was Harry’s in Cushendall. The seafood chowder was amazing.

In the afternoon it was Cushendun and Torr Head which is only 12 miles from the Mull of Kintyre.

03/06/2026

Day two with Kristen from Colorado. The Maxwell themed tour continued. Dumfries Town Centre was our first stop where Kris bought some souvenirs from Treasure Trove on Friars Vennel.

Over the river Nith to Brigend and what was the Maxwelltown area of Market Square.

Dodging the heavy showers, we were the first visitors of the day to the Robert Burns Centre.

We then visited Terregles Church & Village. Lincluden Abbey was our next stop.

The heavens opened at Sweetheart Abbey so we popped into the Corn Mill instead. What a fascinating tour we had with a lovely lad from Historic Scotland.

Loch Arthur Farm Shop was our lunch stop. Wonderful as always. Give the Homity Pie a go next time you are in.

The 1500s Maxwell’s Drumcoltran Tower was next. The rain relented giving us time to visit to Threave Castle situated on the island on the river Dee. Thanks to Josephine, Malcolm, Lewis and James from Historic Scotland for looking after us. We pretty much had the place to ourselves for a good while.

After a look around the Artists Town of Kirkcudbright we took in the place where Mary Queen of Scots spent her final night on Scottish soil - Dundrennan Abbey.

The weather was a challenge at times but what a fabulous day we had. Just remember, there is no such thing as bad weather just the wrong type of clothes.

02/06/2026

Mark was delighted to support Langlands School and the wonderful work they do. Much love. ❤️

04/12/2025

An exciting Visit Scotland event today. I’m hoping to meet representatives from Destination Management Companies looking to bring their clients to Dumfries and Galloway.

25/11/2025

We spent yesterday exploring Andy Goldsworthy installations in Nithsdale with Foster, Ally and her mum Terry. All the way from Kansas City to see these works of art in the wilds of Dumfries and Galloway.