Food & Drink Guide of Dumfries and Galloway, Southern Scotland
Nestled in the southwest of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway is a region renowned for its stunning landscapes, historic sites, rich cultural heritage and some of the best food and drink Scotland has to offer. From the rolling hills of the Southern Uplands to the rugged coastline along the Solway Firth, this diverse area offers a wealth of natural beauty to explore. Visitors can wander through charming towns like Dumfries, where Robert Burns once resided, visit the world famous book town of Wigtown, or venture to the picturesque village of Portpatrick with its colourful harbourside.
Foodies will also delight in the local culinary scene, featuring fresh seafood, hearty stews, and traditional Scottish dishes. This area is well known for its Belted Galloway Beef, Smoked Salmon and ice-cream! There’s also whisky with two great distilleries worth visiting.
Here’s my guide to spending time eating and drinking your way around Dumfries and Galloway departing from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Firstly the initial stretch is a long one, approx 3 hours drive from Edinburgh but its does take in some stunning coastal scenery. Definitely worth it!
Food & DRINK guide for Dumfries and Galloway, Southern Scotland
KITCHEN COOS & EWES - High Airyolland, New Luce, Newton Stewart DG8 0AU www.kitchencoosandewes.com
3 hours drive from Edinburgh, Kitchen Coos and Ewes is a MUST VISIT. I’ve seen many a hairy coo in my life here in Scotland but not once have I had the opportunity to get up close and personal with these gorgeous beasts.
Kitchen Coos & Ewes is run by Neale and Janet McQuistin, of Airyolland Farm, who are the hosts during the tours. Like many farms they have had to diversify and now host these Coo Tours to show how rearing Highland Cows improves biodiversity and enhances the habitat for many other species.
Read my full article on Kitchen Coos and Ewes HERE
There are a variety of tours available from the Insta Coo Tour to the Haute Coo Tour, ranging in price and length of tour but the best thing is, they all end with tea/coffee and baked goods. One tour does include a Cream Tea which is just the perfect way to end a fabulous experience!
BLADNOCH DISTILLERY - Wigtown, DG8 9AB www.bladnoch.com
Bladnoch is located in the world famous book town of Wigtown and is 40 minutes from Kitchen Coos and Ewes. Bladnoch is the world’s oldest privately owned distillery and is over 200 years old. They have released a very special series called the Master Distiller’s Waterfall Collection, highlighting the journey that their whisky takes to mature its flavours and character.
They have a very lovely visitor centre, Cafe Melba serving tea, coffee and cakes but it’s the whisky you come for. They have three tours available
Classic Tour and Taste - includes 3 tastings. 1 hour duration and costs £20pp
1817 Tour - a more in-depth look through the 204 year old Bladnoch Distillery, 2 hour tour and tasting through the estate. £50pp
Aged Statement and Tour - Limited tour lasting 90 minutes and costs £50pp
Read my article on Bladnoch Distillery HERE
THE ETHICAL DAIRY - Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2DR www.theethicaldairy.co.uk
Only a 35minute drive and you’ll have gone from learning about whisky to eating cheese! This is how Dumfries and Galloway works - all the best food and drink, within easy reach of one another.
The Ethical Dairy is special. David and Emma Finlay own the dairy and have been concerned about cow and calf welfare for many years. In 2012 they trialled a new way of working. It needed tweaking and launched the cow with calf system in 2016. In traditional dairy farms calves are removed from their mothers within a few hours of their birth. Here at the Ethical Dairy, calves stay with their mothers for 5 to 6 months. They still milk them in that period, but only once a day.
The results are:
Cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than half
Reduced energy use by more than half
Cut antibiotic use by 90%
Cut agro-chemical use by 90%
Doubled the productive life of cows
Increased our farm biodiversity five-fold
Increased the net amount of food in our food system by 80%
That is incredible! I am truly in awe of what they do here and after visiting, the cows just look so happy (although many were giving me the side eye! lol)
The Ethical Dairy host one tour where David will take you round the farm to meet the cows and calves. Runs weekly on Tuesday at 3pm and lasts 2.5 hours. Cost is £25pp
From all these wonderful happy cows, The Ethical Dairy make some of the most wonderful cheeses which come come in a multitude of flavours, textures, and aromas. From creamy brie to tangy blue, from sharp cheddar to mellow Alpine, The Ethical Dairy has a cheese to suit everyone. But not only can you buy these cheeses, you can learn to make your own.
Practical cheese making session, farm tour, cheese store tour, cheese tasting, refreshments and lunch. Costs £95pp or £130 for 2 sharing a workstation. Runs weekly, most Thursdays from 10am.
THE GLOBE INN - 56 High St, Dumfries DG1 2JA www.globeinndumfries.co.uk
45 minutes on from The Ethical Dairy, you’ll arrive in Dumfries - home of Rabbie Burns and his favourite howff, the Globe Inn. You’ll most definitely be hungry and The Globe Inn will offer you some superb dining options.
The Globe Inn stands as a silent witness to the legacy of Robert Burns, our beloved Bard (national poet) of Scotland. With its charming façade and rich history, it was within the warm embrace of these walls that Burns found solace, inspiration, and a pint or two. In this quaint tavern, the poet would engage in animated discussions with fellow intellectuals, recite his lyrical masterpieces, and share laughter and banter late into the night. The Globe Inn remains a pilgrimage site for literary enthusiasts, who seek to immerse themselves in the ambiance that once enraptured the great Robert Burns.
The Globe Inn is a culinary gem that promises to tantalize the taste buds of all who enter. With a rich history dating back to the 17th century, this charming inn offers an impressive menu that showcases the very best of Scottish cuisine. The Globe Inn takes pride in sourcing local, seasonal ingredients bursting with flavour. Whether you choose to indulge in their A La Carte menu or their Tasting Menu, you’re guaranteed that each dish is carefully crafted to provide a truly memorable dining experience that will leave you longing to return for more.
Read my review HERE
CAIRNDALE HOTEL & SPA - English St, Dumfries DG1 2DF www.cairndalehotel.co.uk
A stones throw away from the Globe Inn, the Cairndale Hotel and Spa is an ideal spot to spend a few days whilst exploring these regions food and drink offerings. The Cairndale Hotel has recently been refurbished and provides superb rest and relaxation packages.
The have a fantastic spa and jacuzzi/swimming pool area and will even bring you a glass of bubbles whilst bubbling away in the hottub!
Read about my stay at the Cairndale Hotel HERE
Luxury Spa Room including breakfast for 2 people rate is £195.00.
ANNANDALE DISTILLERY - Northfield, Annan DG12 5LL www.annandaledistillery.com
With a 25 minute drive from hotel to distillery, you’ll be back in the world of whisky in no time. This is a fabulous experience to do in the morning, taking a whisky tour and working up an appetite as Annandale Distillery has one of the nicest cafes, the Maltings Coffee Shop which is dog friendly! Plus I reckon Annandale is one of the prettiest distilleries to visit with loads of wrought iron artwork about, telling tales of Rabbie Burns, and a large courtyard for outdoor dining.
They host a Classic Tour for £25pp, lasting 1 hour and you’ll get five tastings. They also host Whisky Masterclasses that you can book via their website.
Read more about Annandale Distillery in my article HERE
This is only a small snippet of the incredible food and drink that Dumfries and Galloway has to offer.
Many thanks to the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, Scotland Food and Drink and the Guild of Food Writers for the opportunity to discover, eat and stay at some of the best places in the South of Scotland. And many thanks to the food and drink producers and accommodation providers who hosted myself and the tour group. It was wonderful!
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer, judge and panelist living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards and a Judge for Scottish Baker Awards.
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