'Love' Southwest Scotland five top attractions
Monday 18 May 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026
£690pp Single supplement £140
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Why visit Southwest Scotland? Dumfries will quietly win you over, it's the sort of place that has character, not crowds. Burns spent his final years here, a wander along the sandstone streets will soon tell you why he decided to return. Gentle rolling countryside breaks into something a little more dramatic as you head deep into the Dalveen Pass, offering a variety of vistas to soak up as the spring rays shine down on the valleys. Look out for red kites and red deer that thrive in this soulful corner of southwest Scotland.
Why visit with Shaws? In 2024 99% of our holiday customers said they would book again and 99% also said they would recommend us to a friend. In 2025 passengers rated our holidays 4.7/5 for value for money and we've earned the same 4.7/5 star rating on Google reviews. Shaws Coaches has a strong reputation for a dependable service, with a proven track record for punctuality and professionalism. Our friendly booking team and highly-rated tour drivers are ready to welcome you.
What do our customers say? "The guide was excellent at Drumlanrig Castle" • "Devil's Porridge tells the story of a little known wartime history, a very enjoyable tour" • "Very good guide and history at Drumlanrig"
Holiday Insurance. We always recommend taking out adequate holiday insurance, that's why we’ve partnered with David Oliver Associates who offer cover specifically designed for your coach holiday. Find out more and get your free quote.
Tour code: B3510
Monday
Check in at one of our favourite hotels.
Tuesday
Spend the morning exploring nearby Dumfries, a town best known for its association with Robert Burns, who lived here in the 1790s. Take a stroll down Burns Street and spot the simple sandstone house that Scotland’s favourite Bard lived and died in, it remains almost unaltered since the late 18th century. Perhaps pop along to the Robert Burns Centre, housed in an 18th century watermill, to gain an insight into daily life in Dumfries during Burns' lifetime. You could even treat yourself to a tipple in The Globe Inn – Burns’ favourite haunt! This afternoon, it’s time for a romantic visit to the Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience. This immersive attraction, refurbished in 2022, takes you through eight centuries of love and marriage with a guided tour of the sculpture park and maze (with wonderful views of the Langholm Hills) and the museum. Discover tales from runaway couples and their rebellious journeys over the border and enjoy a (heart) warming lunch with tea/coffee. Return to the hotel and perhaps take a wander in the neighbouring Crichton Estate through lovely landscaped grounds.
Wednesday
Sit back and soak up incredible scenery during a morning drive across the Beatock Summit and along the Dalveen Pass to Drumlanrig Castle. This magnificent ‘Pink Palace’ contains a world class art collection (learn about it all during a guided tour) and is surrounded by stunning Victorian gardens. Don’t miss the 183m Long Terrace Walk and the restored Victorian glasshouses and Rock Garden. There’s just time to finish the day at the Robert Burns Ellisland Museum. After a short introduction there’s the chance to see original poems and understand how Burns lived during their height of his poetical inspiration.
Thursday
Visit the intriguingly named Devil’s Porridge Museum to discover the story of the greatest munitions factory on earth during WWI. Galleries feature displays from the trenches, HM Factory Gretna and the 1941 Gretna bombing. Spend the afternoon at Threave Garden & Nature Reserve (NTS). Each ‘garden room’ showcases a different planting style and keep an eye out for soaring ospreys and peregrine falcons as you enjoy views of the Galloway Hills.
Friday
Time to head home.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee each night (min 3 choices)
- Guided tour & lunch at Blacksmiths Gretna Green
- Guided tour of Drumlanrig Castle
- Entry to the Robert Burns Ellisland Museum
- Entry to Threave Garden (NTS)
- Entry to the Devil's Porridge Museum
- Free time in Dumfries
- Porterage
- All travel including home collection*
- International Passenger Protection
- Reserved coach seat
- 18kg suitcase pp
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow control
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
- Friendly booking team on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your holiday
- £5 DISCOUNT for National Trust Members
- HALF PRICE DEPOSITS! Just £25pp when you book by 28 Feb 2026 (balance due 8 weeks prior to departure)
- LOYALTY DISCOUNT! Book 3 holidays (in any calendar year) and save £15pp, book 4+ and save £20pp, just let us know in special requests that you'd like to redeem your discount
- SAVE £10pp by meeting the coach at Maxey, Stamford Bus Station or Peterborough Extra Services
- *Providing you live in Bourne, Stamford, Peterborough, Uppingham, The Deepings, Spalding, Whittlesey, Oakham and most of the villages between them and Maxey (we're happy to collect from outside of our free pick-up area with a small additional charge)
- *We’re pleased to offer home collection from the Welwyn area following our successful partnership with Reg’s Coaches. Departures from Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Codicote, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hatfield, Stevenage and many of the nearby villages incur a small supplement of £30pp. We’re happy to pick up outside these areas, please enquire
Holiday Inn Dumfries 
- Set within 100 acres of landscaped parkland on the Crichton Estate, just outside Dumfries
- Beautiful stone building with many original features
- Winners of a Tripadvisor 2025 Travellers' Choice Award
- Rated 4.6/5 by Shaws' customers in 2024
- Ensuite rooms with Freeview HDTV, hairdryer, bathroom toiletries, free WiFi and complimentary tea/coffee tray
- Brasserie restaurant
- Lounge bar featuring a glass ceiling
- Outdoor seating
- Lift to all floors
ACCESS: Most bedrooms feature walk-in showers (small step into them) but some have shower over bath so please specify if this is a requirement, limited ground floor and accessible rooms available upon request
Please ask us about upgrade options which may be available at a supplement