Explore Dumfries and Galloway Beaches and Coast

Dumfries and Galloway is a county in Scotland and is known as the 'safest' county there!

The landscapes are wild and romantic and used for inspiration in films like 'Brave' and 'BraveHeart' with its miles of coastline scattered with beautiful and empty beaches, historic castles, forests and wildlife.

This county hosts great festivals to celebrate the traditions they hold dear from the 'Flavour Taster' in May, The Arts Festival and Spring Fling in June right through to the Lockerbie Jazz Festival and Wigtown Book Festival. Sample the tastes of Scotland and join in the Spring festivities then, in between stalk a stag or chase the butterflies!

There is so much inspiration here in the landscapes, the history and the craftsmen and many things to see and do for the whole family from gorgeous towns like Portpatrick with fun parks and museums to kayaking, walking, riding or just enjoying the scenery and lazing on the stunning beaches.


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 19 beaches in Dumfries and Galloway. You can even take a look at our list of Dumfries and Galloway dog friendly beaches or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

Dumfries and Galloway Coast Map

Dumfries and Galloway Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

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Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, and places to stay and eat:

Mossyard-White-Bay-beach

Mossyard Beach

Mossyard beach is a small sandy beach with rocks and is situated on the north side of the mouth of Fleet Bay. Right next door you have another small sandy bay called White Bay. Car parking available with some local holiday parks. Read more…
Cardoness-Castle

Cardoness Castle

Cardoness Castle is a 15th Century tower house just south-west of Gatehouse of Fleet. It was originally owned by the MacCulloch family of Galloway also known as the MacCullochs of Myreton. They abandoned the castle in the late 17th Century, following the execution of Sir Godfrey McCulloch for the murder of a Clan Gordon neighbour. You have a good view Read more…
Killantringan-Bay-and-Knock-Bay-beach

Killantringan Bay and Knock Bay Beach

Knock Bay and Killantringan Bay contain a rural continuous sandy beach that extends to over 1km. You also have some small patches of sandy beach to the north of Knock Bay. The southern part of Killantringan Bay changes from a sandy beach to a rock platform. This beach is one of the largest on this stretch of coast and reaches Read more…
Beach

Southerness Beach

At Southerness you have a few choices. The main stretch of sand is in front of the holiday village but it is well worth exploring Southerness Point as you have smaller bits of sand but some surrounding rocks to explore. The tide can go out some distance and so the best time to swim is when the tide is Mid Read more…
Broughton-House

Broughton House

Broughton House was the home and studio of E A Hornel, one of the famous early 20th-century ‘Glasgow Boys’. The house today is a beautiful living museum dedicated to Hornel’s life and work. If you are an art-lover then this is a must visit as it has many paintings, photographs and sculpture. Outside the house, is a beautiful garden that backs on to Read more…
Beach

Sandyhills Beach

Sandyhills beach is a sheltered sandy bay surrounded by wooded hills. At low tide you get a large expanse of sand whilst the beach is a gradual slope allowing great safe swimming. Read more…
lifeboat

Kippford lifeboat station

Kippford lifeboat station was established in 1966 and has an inshore lifeboat. Station is only open by appointment. Read more…
Things to see and do

Portpatrick

Portpatrick is a small fishing village cut into a cleft in steep cliffs with a rescent shaped harbour. Popular location for clifftop walks and beaches both north and south. The Gulf Stream, flowing in from the north, gives the coastline a pleasant climate, in which subtropical plant life can flourish. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Portpatrick was important as Read more…
Dhoon-Kirkcudbright-Bay-beach

Dhoon Beach

Dhoon is a sandy beach approx. 350m long within Kirkcudbright Bay, also known as Nun Mill Bay which it looks out to. The beach slopes gently into the water making it a great swimming beach although it all but disappears at high tide. The beach has some interesting rocks, is backed by grass areas and is surrounded by trees. At Read more…
Drummore-beach

Drummore Beach

Drummore beach is a sandy beach to the north of the village and tidal harbour of Drummore, Scotland’s most southerly village. The beach just about disappears at high tide. Facilities at the beach include limited road car parking and a pub in the village. Read more…
lifeboat

Portpatrick lifeboat station

Portpatrick lifeboat station was established in 1877 and now operates an all weather lifeboat. Station is open daily. Read more…
Ross-Bay-beach

Ross Bay Beach

Ross Bay has a selection of beaches with sand, shingle and rocks. Read more…
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