Scottish Borders questions
 

Hi
Having read many posts about how lovely the Scottish Borders are, I have found a lovely cottage to rent in Thornhill, north of Dumfries. We know nothing about this area and have never visited it before (despite living not that far away in North Yorkshire) and wondered if any 'locals' could give us the low down on what to see, where to eat etc. My beloved food bible (Hardens Food Guide) makes it look a bit of a wilderness, but I am sure there must be good local pubs to eat in.
We love walking and it looks a wonderful area to explore.
Any information would be most welcome - thank you.
M

Here, I saw your title and was all ready to jump in to help. But you are really asking about the SW, Dumfries/Galloway. I've only spent a little time down there and don't know much about restaurant/pubs etc.

By the "Borders" I was thinking more NE of there - between Berwick on Tweed/Peebles/Edinburgh

I know Danna (who I don't think has posted that much recently) and Sheila will know more. In fact Sheila posted a trip report about the area a few months ago.

The places I've visited in the area include Caeverlock Castle, Threave Gardens, Sweetheart Abbey, and Whithorn. All were great - and Threave gardens is pretty special.

Thanks Janis
In my ignorance I have called it 'the Borders' but I did wonder if that title tended to be more the NE area, and not Dumfries and Galloway.
M

Born & bred in Dumfries, played both codes of football in Thornhill, know it well. There are, unless it has changed in the last couple of years, 1 pub (Farmer's Arms) & 2 hotels (The George, nice lunches, and the Buccleuch (pron. buckloo) Armes, slightly more up market, best for dinner) on the High Street,as well as several small shops, one or two of them quite exclusive.
The "big" town of Dumfries is about 14 miles south, with a wider choice of things to do & see, and there are a number of small villages around the area.
If you can give me some idea of what you want to do/see, I'll try to come up with some suggestions.

Brilliant - wonderful to find a local!
We like good food so thanks for the pub/Hotel comments.
We are keen walkers so would be interested in any areas you would particularly pick out. It all looks so lovely!
Not really interested in shopping, although would like to know more about the exclusive Thornhill shops. Are they clothes/food/antiques?
Love visiting old properties (We are National Trust members). Also like to see standing stones - beleive there are some around.
We would travel a reasonable distance to have a good meal, but I also like to cook. Does Thornhill have a decent range of food shops.
Also roughly how long would it take to drive to Glasgow/Edinburgh.
In the last couple of years I've had to go to Glasgow many times for business reasons, but itch to go as a tourist.
Sorry to bombard you with questions!
M

I'll look out my report from April and post it in here, but I'd say there are lots of great places to walk, nice places to eat, stay out of Dumfries which has turned into a bit of a dive- good restaurant at the Burns centre tho'. Try Kircudbright for shopping too.