SCOTTISH ROAD TRIP
FOOD AND DRINK

We might be biased of course, but we think, Dumfries and Galloway has some of the best food and drink producers in the country.  And new producers seem to be springing up all the time.  So, for anyone visiting the region, we decided to put together a foodie (and drinkie!) A Scottish road trip of Dumfries and Galloway.  Of course, you are welcome to pick and choose whichever producer you fancy!  We have based the route around the A75, but of course you are welcome to meander off the main road, you never know what you will find.

CASTLE DOUGLAS

What better place to start than Castle Douglas, D & G’s designated Food Town.  Here you will find a brewery, artisan bakery, chocolatier, not to mention 3 butchers and an amazing greengrocers.

•  Sulwath Brewery – shop and conducted tours ever Monday and Friday at 1pm.
•  The Earth’s Crust – artisan bakery producing slow fermented organic bread, and lots more.  Also a delicious laid back cafe.
•  In House Chocolates – an amazing selection of chocolates, hand made on the premises.  And a cafe serving cakes and drinks, and the most luscious hot chocolate!

 

KIRKCUDBRIGHT

From Castle Douglas head to the A75, and Kirkcudbright – Artists Town.

• Station House Cookery School holds one off classes to teaching exotic cuisine, from Indian to sour dough bread making.  Probably best to check out what is on before you arrive though. If you don’t fancy cooking yourself there is a small but very cool cafe, serving lunches and teas.

 

NEAR GATEHOUSE-OF-FLEET

Hop back on the A75, for a few miles to find not one, but two award winning smokehouses.

• Marrbury Smokehouse, has a wonderful position in the grounds of the ruins of Carsluith Castle, and has supplied their smoked salmon to the Queen, no less!  Stop here, and you can not only purchase smoked products, you can try them out in the cafe.  All products are still smoked by hand by Vincent Marr himself.
• Galloway Smoke House – just a few miles down the road you will find the Galloway Smoke House – prize winning smoked fish, seafood and game, is produced on the premises.  You can even have a personal tour of the process if you interested.  They also sell locally caught, fresh fish, and have a tasty cafe serving dishes made from their own products.

 

WIGTOWN

Continue on the A75, until Newton Stewart. and take the turning to Wigtown.  Just a short drive down the Wigtown Road on the right, you will find –

• *Crafty Distillery – started selling their amazing gin a few years ago.  Unlike many small gin producers, they distill their own base (from locally grown wheat), as well as flavouring with botanicals.  Tours are available at 12noon and 3pm, daily (but probabley best to call in advance).
• *Bladnoch Whisky Distillery – Based just south of Wigtown   Bladnoch single malt whisky has been brewed here for the past 200 years.  If you fancy a tour of the distillery, make sure you book in advance, but of course you are welcome to pop in to shop.

 

GATEHOUSE-OF-FLEET

Heading back onto the A75, for about 18 miles, to the small town of Gatehouse-of-Fleet. Alongside several pubs, here is the home of

• Galloway Lodge Preserves – a huge selection of home made chutneys, jams, marmalades, chilli sauce, can be bought here in their tasty coffee shop., as well as on-line.

Again back onto the A75, to Dumfries.

 

DUMFRIES

• Kilnford Farm Shop – is your one stop shop for delicious local produce – perfect, is this is all you have time for!

 

LOCHMABEN

If you have time head in the direction of Lockerbie, and stop at the pretty town of Lochmaben.

• Barony Foods – Definitey worth a visit.   Here you can buy fresh, smoked and frozen fish.  But there is also plenty here for the meat eaters, and lots of lovely deli products.

 

ANNAN

Head back to the A75, and continue around Dumfries, towards Carlisle.  At Carrutherston, take the turning towards Dalton.

• *Dalton Distillery – another micro gin distiller, producing the delicious Oro gin.  Give them an email if you fancy a bespoke tour and tasting.
• *Annandale Distillery – A bit further down the road, near Annan, you will find this whisky distillery, which was founded way back in 1836.  The derelict distillery has recently been brought back to life, after it was closed for nearly 100 years.  In 2018 the first of a new batch of whisky, called “Man O’Words”, was released.  They run tours every hour on the hour, but best to call ahead to be sure of a place.

 

BEESWING

Follow the A75 around Dumfries and take the A711 towards to the Kippford and the Colvend coast, to the beautifully named Beeswing.

• Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Cafe  – We end our tour at Loch Arthur Camphill Community. The community supports adults with learning difficulties, providing housing, emplyment and support.  There is a farm, creamery, bakery, farm shop and cafe.  A lot of the products sold in the shop are produced at Loch Arthur itself, or locally.  The award winning cheese is a must, as is the delicious hand made bread.

If you fancy a foodie trip of your own, in one of our classic cars, have a look here for more information.

*Tastings for passengers only, please!