Exploring the Moffat Area with your Car

A fairly long drive into Galloway with much beautiful coastal scenery

The Solway Coast    

Moffat to Beattock back

Distance: 90 miles
(suitable for a whole day)

Views of the Galloway Hills

Leave Moffat on the A701 and follow all signs for Dumfries.  Although quite a busy road, one can still admire the scenery and catch glimpses of Raehills, the home of the Earl of Annandale, and the Galloway Hills to the west.  In Dumfries, which is the commercial centre of the area, follow all signs for New Abbey by the A710.

Sweetheart Abbey

In this attractive little village can be found Shambellie House, the home of the Scottish Museum of Costume and a restored 18th century water powered oatmeal mill.  However, dominating the village are the ruins of  Sweetheart Abbey, built in the 13th century by Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway, in memory of her husband, John Balliol.

Southerness Point and the pretty Sailing Village of Kippford

The A710 continues as far as Dalbeattie, about 20 miles beyond New Abbey, but to make the most of the journey, explore the many cul-de-sacs to the left: to the coastal hamlet of Carsethorn, to Arbigland Gardens, to the John Paul Jones museum, to Southerness Point and to the sandy beach at Rockcliffe and the sailing centre at Kippford.

Bronze Sculptures on the Hillside

Architecturally, Dalbeattie is quite different from other villages further east and there is little evidence of the use of sandstone which features so obviously in Dumfries.
 Leave the village on the B794, and then turn right on to the A75.  After about 7 miles, turn left to the hamlet of Shawhead.  Go through the village and on a hillside to the north can be found Henry Moore's great bronze sculptures as well as some by Joseph Epstein and one by Rodin.  The most direct route to return to Moffat is by Dumfries.