Dumfries and Galloway

zombat

Does anyone know the area around Dumfries in the Scottish borders?

We are thinking of moving to the area and ideally would be looking for a property in the outskirts of a village within approximately 15 miles of Dumfries.

Don't need schools as our kids are almost beyond that.

Know any nice villages that fit the bill?

Also what is Dumfries itself like?

Hillbilly1

What are you looking for and have you visited the area?

I grew up there and my Dad still lives there...

zombat

Thanks for coming back to me.
I know little about the area. We have some friends who have just bought a house in the area but have not moved as yet.
I intend to do a short visit in September with my wife.
We are looking to downsize from living in the South East of England and the Scottish borders was suggested as being a similar climate but easier pace of life, nice countryside and less expensive. Outskirts of a village, not too remote and approx 10 miles of Dumfries for shopping/cinema etc I suppose.

c00lbeans

Grew up here, a favourite would be kirkcudbright, about 28 miles west. Lovely little artists town and harbour, but maybe a little far out for you.

Castle douglas is nice, about 15 miles outside dumfries. nice restaraunts and pubs

billybraggtastic

If you are looking for a New Build property Taylor Wimpey are building in nearby Lochmaben.

I'm not from the area but have spent a couple of days in Dumfries. Nice part of the world. Like a lot of the larger semi rural towns there will be good and bad aspects but you'll need to judge these for yourself.

zombat

Many thanks to all so far. Have always lived in properties from the Victorian era so prob after something that age. Although buying a small plot with planning permission and then having some kind of eco-house built would be a possibility. (Would love to get the utility companies off my back as much as possible).

Hillbilly1

Kirkcudbright is lovely!

kingstreet

We lived in Gretna and wife worked in Annan.

I found the trip to Dumfries on the A75 a bit of a drag, TBH. The coastal road south from Dumfries around Southerness and Dalbeattie is lovely, but it's a bit off the beaten track. You find yourself going to Dumfries regularly when you need something.

If we moved back up there, we'd probably go for somewhere along the M74 corrider - Lockerbie, Lochmaben, Langholm or Moffat.

I must confess to having a real soft spot for Silloth on Solway on the Cumbrian coast looking over to Dumfries. Old style Victorian seaside town - a bit seedy but still nice when the sun's out.

arbrighton

kingstreet wrote: »

We lived in Gretna and wife worked in Annan.

I found the trip to Dumfries on the A75 a bit of a drag, TBH. The coastal road south from Dumfries around Southerness and Dalbeattie is lovely, but it's a bit off the beaten track. You find yourself going to Dumfries regularly when you need something.

If we moved back up there, we'd probably go for somewhere along the M74 corrider - Lockerbie, Lochmaben, Langholm or Moffat.

I must confess to having a real soft spot for Silloth on Solway on the Cumbrian coast looking over to Dumfries. Old style Victorian seaside town - a bit seedy but still nice when the sun's out.

Gretna to Dumfries (and beyond) can be a complete drag, especially once you get behind a tractor, lorry or caravan.
Castle Douglas is nice, as is Newton Stewart. Some of the villages around Loch Ken are stunning, but you will have to rely on cars for everything as distances are pretty great and public transport is few and far between. I clocked up about 250 miles a week just getting to and from work and to the supermarket once a week.

As for the climate. Wet. Very wet. I can remember being in full waterproofs in horizontal rain on about the first of June working on the Mull of Galloway. A lot of rain.

Wildlife is lovely. Red squirrels, red kits, osprey, deer, seabirds.

zombat

Many thanks to Hillbilly1, c00lbeans, billybragtastic, Kingstreet and arbrighton.

That's given me something to work on.