Things to Do

Drumlanrig Castle and Country Park
The historic Scottish castle, constructed from local pink sandstone and set on a hill at the end of a long ridge, affords visitors beautiful views across Nithsdale to rolling hills and woodlands. This ancient Douglas stronghold is brimming with treasures; fine paintings and furniture, carvings, tapestries and silverware dating from a bygone age of opulence. The Country Park provides visitors an opportunity to enjoy the Buccleuch Countryside directly surrounding Drumlanrig Castle.

Drumlanrig has a specially constructed mountain biking course and has played host to British and Scottish National events. Tracks are classic woodland single-track through some of Dumfries and Galloway's finest scenery. Four different trail types are on offer to suit every ability and interest.

Cycling
Dumfries and Galloway is famed for its stunning landscapes and coastline, and cycling holidays are the ideal way to explore. With lots of off-road trails and miles and miles of quiet country roads. If an off-road challenge for your cycling holidays appeals, then make sure you take time to visit one of the nearby 7 Stanes mountain biking centres. The 7stanes are seven mountain biking centres spanning the south of Scotland, five of which are located in the beautiful region of Dumfries and Galloway.

• Ae, the closest, only 12 miles from Hillcrest, has five trails that are suitable for families and entry level mountain bike riders, and the more experienced mountain bike rider.

• Mabie, the original mountain biking venue, just 19 miles from Hillcrest, has five trails catering for beginners through to the most expert of riders.

• Dalbeattie, 29 miles from Hillcrest, and with a coastal setting, has three trails on offer.

• Further afield, 40 miles from Hillcrest, is Kirroughtree, with five trails and some of the best single track in the country.

• Lastly, Glentrool, a distance of 49 miles from Hillcrest, has three trails suitable for all riding experiences.

Fishing
The River Nith, which flows south from New Cumnock to south of Dumfries is the largest of the Solway rivers and offers excellent salmon and sea trout fishing for anglers of all abilities and experiences. Fishing in both loch and river are available within easy reach of Hillcrest.

Walking
A walking holiday in Scotland is about exploring the wild hills, and the Dalveen pass, just ten minutes drive, has striking scenery and a dramatic trek to the summit of Lowther Hill. The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's longest and arguably most dramatic and unspoiled coast to coast National Trail.

Robert Burns
Poet Robert Burns was twenty nine, in the prime of his life, when he came to Ellisland farm in Dumfries and Galloway. Ellisland is now a popular museum and visitor attraction, and provides a wonderful insight into the life of Robert Burns on a farm 200 years ago.

Wanlockhead and Leadhills
Wanlockhead, Scotland's highest village, a short drive away, owes it's existence to lead mining. You can experience what it was like to live as a miner in the eighteenth century and a guided tour of lochnell mine gives the visitor a vivid sense of what lead mining was all about. Enjoy a trip at the Leadhills and Wanlockhead rail society which operates a two foot gauge tourist railway between the two villages.

Golf
With a choice of many courses in Dumfries and Galloway, you can play serious golf or just a few relaxing rounds of holiday golf. Play an enjoyable round at Thornhill where Andrew Coltart honed his skills, or try the challenge of the famous Solway links course at Southerness.