Cheap Hotels in Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway is mainly rural in character, occupied by moorland and mountains. Much of the coast is a flat plain, but inland the terrain is hilly. Three parts of the district have been designated as National Scenic Areas, the Nith estuary, Auchencairn Bay, and the Rough Firth, Fleet Bay, and Laver Fleet Valley. The region is also rich in wildlife, and sections of the Solway Firth are important wintering grounds for wildfowl and waders.

As with much of southern Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway was first occupied in prehistoric times, and the area is rich in archaeological remains, including monoliths, hill forts, and Pictish lake dwellings. Later settled by Romans, Celts, Angles, and Vikings, the region was much fought over by the English and Scots, and ruins of castles, hill forts and abbey's testify to this, including the 13th century Caerlaverock Castle near the town of Dumfries.

30% of Scotland's dairy farms are to be found in Dumfries and Galloway, and nearly 75% of the land is used for agriculture, followed by forestry, which takes up 22%. The tourist trade is highly active in the region, with many walkers, anglers and birdwatchers attracted by the beauty of the area.