Things to do in  Southern Scotland

Travel to a tiny peninsula at the northern tip of Loch Awe to visit the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, one of the most photographed sites in Scotland. Abandoned since a fire in the 1750s, the ruins are open for exploration, which can include climbing to the top of its 4-story tower. There is no attendant at the door or souvenir shop, just the scenic castle ruins in the countryside.

Complete with turrets and battlements, this Gothic Revival-style castle is revered for its storybook good looks. Inveraray Castle has been the seat of the Clan Campbell since the 15th century and has more recently served as a filming location for Downton Abbey. The castle houses collections of weapons and art, and is surrounded by manicured gardens.

One of the most famous ruins in Scotland, Melrose Abbey is a fascinating monument holding remarkably intact features and lavish sculptures—including a bagpipe-playing pig. Founded in the early 12th century by Cistercian monks, the abbey is perhaps best known for being the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart.

One of just a few distilleries in Scotland’s Lowlands region, Glenkinchie Distillery has a scenic farmland setting, just 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Edinburgh. Its whisky is famously used in Johnnie Walker blends (in addition to being sold as single malts), and its distillery also serves as a regional base for the Johnnie Walker brand.

Named for Scotland’s great Romantic novelist, Sir Walter Scott, Scott’s View offers an epic panorama of southern Scotland’s green landscape. Travelers come here to see the Eildon Hills' three peaks, the River Tweed's sparkling waters, and the rolling Tweed Valley. This spot is often included on local cycling and walking routes and is popular on a day trip from Edinburgh into the Borders area.

Set atop the Ayrshire cliffs, this sprawling neoclassical mansion is one of Scotland’s most famous stately homes—it even appears on the back of the Scottish 5-pound note. Designed by 18th-century architect Robert Adam, Culzean (pronouncedCullane) boasts palatial interiors and grounds that encompass woods, follies, and even beaches.

Set amid idyllic Ayrshire countryside in the village of Alloway, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum celebrates the life and work of Scotland’s most famous poet. Though officially called a museum, the site is made up of several different attractions—a museum, a cottage, a church, and a monument, which together form Burns National Heritage Park.

With rugged mountains in the north and gentle rolling hills in the south, the Isle of Arran encapsulates the diverse beauty of the Scottish landscape. Visitors will find an array of attractions, including Neolithic standing stones, pretty fishing villages, castles, whisky distilleries, and beaches, as well as numerous hiking trails.

Get a peek behind the bars of a mid-19th-century jailhouse and courtroom at Inveraray Jail, one of the best-preserved prisons of its kind in the world. Inveraray Jail opens the door to Scotland’s grim and grisly past with costumed actors, interactive exhibitions, and real-life stories from former convicts.

Perched dramatically on the Firth of Clyde coast in Scotland, the ruins of Dunure Castle appear to tumble into the Atlantic Sea. The castle’s gruesome history—the last abbot of Crossraguel was notoriously roasted on a spit here—attracts history buffs and ghost hunters alike, while its rural location promises no crowds and natural panoramas.

Before they featured in the hit TV show Outlander, the 18th-century Preston Mill and neighboring Phantassie Doocot were two of Edinburgh and the Lothians’ lesser-known historic sites. Since then, the landmarks have enjoyed a well-deserved boost in popularity and are now considered some of the area’s most picturesque destinations. Both dating back to the 16th century, the mill and former pigeon house are worth visiting for their quirky architecture and stunning surroundings.

Rising from one of the largest areas of flat ground on the Isle of Arran, the Machrie Moor Standing Stones (Machrie Moor Stone Circles) are a tangible representation of the island’s long human history. There are six stone circles, dating back to around 2,000 BCE, which stand on the sites of earlier wooden structures believed to date from 4,500 BCE.

Perched on a mere spit of land extending into Loch Ranza off the northern tip of the Isle of Arran, Lochranza Castle is a rather forlorn-looking, ruined L-plan tower house. It dates from the 13th century, though it was remodeled and expanded in the 15th century. The castle is steeped in Scottish history and forms a stunning sight.

Nestled just north of the English border in Scotland, the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop is known for hosting the marriages of couples who had fled England’s restrictive marriage laws during the 1700s and 1800s. The quaint shop remains a wedding venue and draws visitors with its marriage rooms, museum, shop, and restaurant.

The award-winning Devil’s Porridge Museum pays homage to HM Factory Gretna, also known as the Greatest Munitions Factory on Earth. Experience the work of this important wartime site with interactive exhibits and virtual reality headsets, and learn about the history of this area of Scotland.