The Scenic South West of Scotland
2 day tour

  • Caerlaverock Castle
  • Passengers
  • Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
  • Portpatrick Harbour
  • Mull of Galloway

Escape to Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland’s best kept secret on this two-day tour from Glasgow.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Beaches
Castles
Forests
Literature
UNESCO Heritage Sites

Places you explore

 

Caerlaverock Castle - Admire the extraordinary shape of the fortress, caught up in frequent border conflicts.

Portpatrick - Feel the tranquillity as you stroll around the quaint streets of this wee harbour village.

The Rhins of Galloway - Get off the beaten track to the unspoiled peninsula full of rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, and abundant wildlife. 

Mull of Galloway - Visit Scotland’s most Southerly Point adorned with craggy cliffs and a lovely lighthouse. 

Galloway Forest Park - Home to Britain’s biggest forest, sparkling lochs, and stunning dark skies. 

Your journey
 

Just when you thought there were no more secrets to uncover in Scotland, we invite you to explore Dumfries and Galloway. 

This scenic land has stayed away from the spotlight, so it’s a perfect destination for curious travellers. 

Say yes to this adventure and you’re going to find yourself rambling along the stunning wild coast, feeling the tranquillity of the star-studded night sky, and breathing in the scent of the ancient woodland. 

Then, when you return home, decide if you want to keep this slice of paradise your secret or not. 

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 08:15 (tour departs at 08:30) - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Pick Up, Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station (Stance between 23 to 32), Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Drop Off, Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW
Luggage
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old).

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transportation by a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Imagine battles raging outside the medieval Caerlaverock Castle
  • Spend the night in Gatehouse of Fleet, a village under the canopy of stars in the Dark Sky area

You leave Glasgow behind and head south past the gorgeous rolling expanses of the Southern Uplands to our first stop of the day, the market town of Moffat. Grab a coffee and buy some of the famous Moffat toffee before you continue your journey. You deserve it.

Next, it’s the highlight of the day; Caerlaverock Castle. With its triangular shape, wide moat, and imposing battlements; this medieval fortress is as unique as its turbulent history.

For lunch, we stop in the market town of Dumfries. You’ll have free time here, so you can decide if you want to grab something to eat and explore. You can visit Moat Brae, the house that’s the birthplace of Peter Pan, or Robert Burns’ Mausoleum.

Then, ramble through the stunning countryside, with a stop at a local village along the way before you arrive in Gatehouse of Fleet in the early evening. You’re dropped off at your accommodation and are free to explore. This charming village lies in the Galloway Forest Dark Skies area, so make sure to stay up a bit to enjoy some stargazing.

 

Day 2

  • Stand at the most southerly point of Scotland at the unspoiled Mull of Galloway
  • Reconnect with untouched nature at the Galloway Forest Park

Your driver-guide picks you up in the morning and you head to the Rhins of Galloway. This wild peninsula offers splendid sea views, wonderful wildlife and boasts Scotland’s southernmost point, Mull of Galloway. Enjoy a walk along dramatic cliffs, admire the beautiful lighthouse and keep your eyes peeled for porpoises and sea birds.

Then, you ramble up the unspoiled coast to the Port Logan Fishpond. This quirky place started as a fish larder for the local laird and today acts as a natural ‘aquarium’ full of diverse sea fish.

All this sea air must have whetted your appetite, so you head to the pretty village of Portpatrick for lunch.

Next, you travel to the Galloway Forest Park; a region full of ancient woodlands and mountain vistas, which is also part of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Soak up the tranquil loch views and breathe in the crisp air as you explore this untouched wilderness.

From here, you start your return journey to Glasgow and arrive back to the city in the evening.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay one night in Gatehouse of Fleet, in the Galloway Forest Dark Skies area.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £150

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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