Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Train
There are trains between Carlisle and Dumfries (£9.70, 35 minutes, every hour or two),
and direct trains between Dumfries and Glasgow (£14.50, 1¾ hours, eight daily Monday
to Saturday). Services are reduced on Sundays.
WANLOCKHEAD
Even the phrase 'lead mining' has a sort of dulling effect on the brain, so you'd think it'd be a tough ask to make the
subject interesting. But at the fabulous Hidden Treasures Museum of Lead Mining
( www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk ; Wanlockhead; adult/child £7.50/5.50; 11am-4.30pm Apr-Jun & Sep,
10am-5pm Jul & Aug) at little Wanlockhead, signposted ten miles off the motorway northwest of Moffat, they pull it
off. It's apparently Scotland's highest village, set amidst a striking landscape of treeless hills and burbling streams.
The place is fascinating, and family-friendly, taking in a tour of a real mine, recreated miners' cottages, a remark-
able 18th-century library, and a display on lead mining and other minerals. In summer, they also run gold-panning
activities. The palpable enthusiasm and personableness of the staff bring the social history of the place alive. It's
really rather special, and is one of our favourite museums in Scotland.
Buses running between Ayr and Dumfries stop in Sanquhar, from where there's a bus to Wanlockhead five times
daily Monday to Saturday. Wanlockhead is also a stop on the Southern Upland Way walking route.
South of Dumfries
CAERLAVEROCK
The ruins of Caerlaverock Castle (HS; www.historic-scotland.gov.uk ; adult/child £5.50/
3.30; 9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep, 9.30am-4.30pm Oct-Mar) , by Glencaple on a beautiful
stretch of the Solway coast, are among the loveliest in Britain. Surrounded by a moat,
lawns and stands of trees, the unusual pink-stoned triangular castle looks impregnable. In
fact, it fell several times, most famously when it was attacked in 1300 by Edward I: the
siege became the subject of an epic poem, 'The Siege of Caerlaverock'. The current castle
dates from the late 13th century but, once defensive purposes were no longer a design ne-
cessity, it was refitted as a luxurious Scottish Renaissance mansion house in 1634. Ironic-
ally, the rampaging Covenanter militia sacked it a few years later. With nooks and cran-
nies to explore, passageways and remnants of fireplaces, this castle is great for the whole
family.
 
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