Solway Tours

22/06/2024

For the first time in ages on tour it was dry enough to get out a wee walk before breakfast.

Lovely grounds here at Duchally to explore before we head up through Perthshire and into the Highlands later today.

21/06/2024

Today was our first day of 10 with a lovely group of Texans. Three of the group have travelled with us previously.

We had a lovely sunny morning in and around Falkirk and Stirling with great stops at The Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle. In the afternoon when the light rains started we investigated our medieval Scottish history at The National Wallace Monument and The Battle of Bannockburn NTS

A great start to the tour with a day of history, culture and whisky ahead tomorrow.

Historic Environment Scotland VisitScotland - Your Scotland National Trust for Scotland

20/06/2024

Fascinating place. Sorry to hear it’s the last year of the archaeological dig!

20/06/2024

Thanks to Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine for featuring Solway Tours in their 200th edition this month.

Solway Tours was established in 2014 and for the last 10 years we have loved guiding guests around Dumfries and Galloway and beyond to share with them the history scenery and culture of our wonderful country.

The article has a focus on our Outlander Locations tour and some of the wonderful sites we have the pleasure of guiding guests around including the stunning Drumlanrig Castle which features in Outlander.

It’s also great to see local boy Sam Heughan in the same edition talking about his love for his hometown in Dumfries and Galloway and his new gin.

Now we can’t guarantee that if you come on an Outlander Tour with Solway Tours you will meet Sam but as you can see from the photos below it has happened once before!

Thanks again to D&G Life for featuring us in the special edition!

VisitScotland Drumlanrig Castle & Country Estate

19/06/2024

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe occupies a dramatic location on the Caithness coastline near Wick.

Many have thought that this stunning site was actually two separate castles built beside each other, Castle Sinclair and Castle Girnigoe. However recent archaeological work and research has proved that it was one castle from the mid-1400s when the Norse Fortress that was there was remodelled and extended.

It was altered by every generation until 1680 when it was deliberately partially destroyed.

Although you can’t actually explore that much of the Castle due to its condition the Castle Trust have ensured that some of the wonderful site is available to see.

A must see when in the North East of our wonderful country.

VisitScotland

19/06/2024

Our most recent Trip Advisor Review.

Thanks Debbie and Nancy

Solway Tours: SOLWAY TOURS: TEN STARS - See 128 traveller reviews, 202 candid photos, and great deals for Dumfries, UK, at Tripadvisor.

18/06/2024

Mark has just got back home to Dumfries after a great final day with the Little Clan from Maryland. We travelled to Edinburgh from Inverness today with a number of fascinating stops.

This morning we spent time at Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness before heading to Glencoe via the Commando Memorial. In the late afternoon we travelled down Loch Ness with a quick stop at Luss.

We have had a great 7 day ancestral tour that saw the family spend time In Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and Stirling as well as the Highlands.

Mark would like to wish the family a fantastic stay in Edinburgh and London over the next week and a safe onward journey.
Urquhart Castle Historic Environment Scotland VisitScotland - Your Scotland

18/06/2024

Lesley has had a wonderful day in the Machars with Frank and Karin who are visiting Dumfries and Galloway from Hertfordshire.

We started out this morning at the Martyrs Stake in Wigtown and then enjoyed a visit to the Whithorn Priory Museum, Churches and a fascinating tour of the Iron Age Roundhouse.

We then spent some time in Garlieston considering the Mulberry Harbour trials and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Harbour Inn.

Our afternoon was filled with visits to the Isle of Whithorn, St Ninians Cave, Monreith, Port William, Chapel Finian and the Torhouse Stone Circle.

A great day in D&G in the sunshine with a lovely couple.

17/06/2024

Mark has had a great day today in and around Inverness with his guests from Maryland.

We started the day up at Clava Cairns considering the incredible burial sites and their links-to the midwinter solstice.

The rest of our morning was spent at the emotive Battlefield site of Culloden Moor where the Highland way of life was to change forever on the 16th of April 1746.

In the afternoon we headed over the Black Isle and up to Balintore to take in the Seaboard Statues including the Mermaid of the North and the 3 Salmon.

Out last stop of the day was the 1300 year old Pictish Stone at Nigg which is a real intricate and beautiful artefact to view.

VisitScotland Culloden Battlefield NTS

16/06/2024

Well the rain didn’t dampen any of our spirits on Day 5 of Mark’s tour with the Little clan from Maryland.

We started the day at Doune Castle to satisfy the Outlander and Monty Python fans in the van before moving north to Tibbermore Church.

We then spent some time at Scone Palace and Moot Hill, the ancient crowning site of Scottish monarchs.

We thoroughly enjoyed the tumbling waters of the Black Linn at the Hermitage before spending some time in Pitlochry.

In the afternoon we made some great stops at Queen’s View, Ruthven Barracks and Carrbridge before finishing the day in Invernesss.

Another fantastic day!

VisitScotland - Your Scotland

16/06/2024

Lesley and her guests were delighted to see the Jacobite Steam Train at the Glenfinnan Viaduct yesterday.

16/06/2024

It may be a wet and rainy Sunday morning but this site still gives Mark goosebumps

Can you tell which pivotal Scottish site I am at this morning from the images below?

15/06/2024

Lesley had a brilliant last day today with the lovely Matthew’s family. The weather was on our side as we travelled from Inverness down to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge and then onto Glenfinnan where we were lucky enough to catch the Jacobite steam train going across the viaduct.

We then walked out to the Glenfinnan Monument and had stunning views over Loch Shiel.

After spending time in Fort William including a delicious lunch we then went to pay our respects at the Glencoe Massacre Memorial. We then made our way back to Edinburgh travelling through the beautiful Glencoe pass where the views were spectacular and we even managed to fit in one last visit to see and feed some highland coos!

It’s been a great 5 days touring some of the best historic and scenic spots in Scotland with a lovely family. We wish the family safe travels back to Belguim!

15/06/2024

Mark has had a fantastic day 4 with his Little family grouping from Maryland.

The family were lucky enough to be staying on Moffat Road this morning so were excited to see the Ride Out of the horses for the guid nychburris 2024 Gala parade.

We then made our way to Stirling and had some great visits in the sunshine at Stirling Castle The Battle of Bannockburn NTS and Stirling Auld Brig.

In the late afternoon we travelled over to the old industrial town of Falkirk to visit its fantastic heritage sites at The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies.

Mark would like to thank all the staff at a number of sites, but especially at Stirling Castle, who helped us with our wheelchair.

VisitScotland - Your Scotland Historic Environment Scotland

14/06/2024

Today Mark and his lovely Little family from Maryland spent the day around Dumfries and Galloway.

We started the day up at Drumlanrig Castle before heading to the 12 Apostles Stone Circle and Irongray Church.

We were lucky enough to get inside the Burns Mausoleum to pay our respects to our greatest Bard and then visited his house in the old Mill Street.

We had a lovely lunch with fantastic shortbread at the Abbey Cottage as always before Mark explained the story of Devorgilla and Sweetheart Abbey.

In the late afternoon we spent time at the triangular Maxwell masterpiece of Caerlaverock Castle before visiting the Ruthwell Cross. Our last stop of the day was some ice cream at Drummuir Farm.

14/06/2024

Day 4 of Lesley’s tour with Jim, Lindsay, Cameron and Robin has been all about a castle, coos, Culloden, Cairns and a spectacular thunder and lightning storm.

Today we spent the day exploring sites in and around Inverness starting out at the magnificent Urquhart Castle. We were lucky enough to see some highland coos on the way and we tried our hardest to spot Nessie as we drove along Loch Ness.

We then spent some time in Drumnadrochit before then making our way to the fantastic museum at the Culloden Battlefield. After the museum we then walked the battlefield to see the memorial cairn and clan markers and a thunder and lightning storm added to the already evocative atmosphere at this important site.

Our last stop was Clava Cairns before making our way back to Inverness .

Another great day visiting some fantastic sites with a lovely family .

13/06/2024

Day 2 of Mark’s 7 day ancestral tour was an emotional one to say the least. The 3 generations of our Little family spent the day in and around the Reiver Clan Little lands.

Bob had brought his father’s ashes from Maryland to scatter on two sites linked to the Little family. The family scattered the ashes after saying a few words of commemoration and remembrance at both Meikledale and Gilnockie Tower.

We started the day in Hawick at the Johnstones of Elgin store doing some cashmere shopping before heading to Carlenrig to hear the story of how Johnnie Armstrong and some Littles were executed by King James V in 1530.

We met some Armstrongs from Kentucky at the austere Hermitage Castle with their guide ArmstrongTours.

At Gilnockie Tower - Historic Home of Clan Armstrong we were given a great welcome by both Ian and Beverley. Ian explained the history of the Tower including its magnificent restoration. The staff were very helpful in allowing Bob and his family to scatter some of the Little family ashes at the Tower.

We then headed up into the Clan Little ancestral lands and scattered the rest of Bobs dad’s ashes at the marker indicating where the Little ancestral 15th Century Tower used to be.

We then spent some time in Moffat, Gretna, Gretna Green after a lovely lunch at First Bite in Langholm.

VisitScotland

13/06/2024

Lesley has had another great day today with Jim, Lindsay, Cameron and Robin.

Today we headed into the highlands with stops at Dalwhinnie whisky distillery, Ruthven Barracks, Aviemore , Carrbridge where we spotted some belties and we ended the day spending some time exploring Inverness .

Another busy day where the scenery as we drove into the highlands was beautiful.

12/06/2024

Mark started a 7 day tour today with 3 generations of the Little family from Maryland.

After picking the family up in central Edinburgh we made our way up to Liberton and to the tower house which was home to the Littles of Liberton which was a cadet branch of the main Little Clan of Meikledale and Ewesdale.

We then had stops at Roslin Chapel, Melrose Abbey, Leaderfoot Viaduct, Scott’s View and the Wallace Statue.

We had a wonderful lunch at Eden’s in Melrose.

We then spent the late afternoon at Abbotsford by the River Tweed the home of Walter Scott.

We ended the day in the Borders Mill Town of Hawick.

A great first day!

Gilnockie Tower - Historic Home of Clan Armstrong VisitScotland - Your Scotland

12/06/2024

Lesley has had another great day today with Jim , Lindsay, Cameron and Robin.

Leaving Edinburgh early this morning we made our way across the Queensferry Crossing and travelled to St Andrews. We spent hours exploring the castle, the Cathedral, around the Old Course, the Swilcan Bridge and the University. It was great to see St Salvators Chapel and there were graduations happening today as well so it was a bustling town.

After lunch we travelled to Dunkeld and then did the short walk to the Hermitage and then arrived at our home for tonight , the picturesque town of Pitlochry.

Another great day!

12/06/2024

Make sure you get your copy ordered

🎉Coming to a newstand near you, through your letter box if you are a subscriber, and available to order as a special single-issue, wherever you are in the world [watch this space for website link], our 200th edition of Dumfries & Galloway Life - featuring an exclusive with much-loved home-grown superstar Sam Heughan (talking about his enduring love for Galloway, how ‘home’ inspired his new Sassenach Spirits gin), rock icon Pete Townshend of The Who, who is working with Wigtown's The Bookshop Band, screen legend James Cosmo, who has signed a copy of his Storyman whisky for our special competition, and how you can follow in the footsteps of your Outlander and real-life history heroes with Solway Tours. There's so much more, too, in this action-packed 212-page special edition - all for just £4.99. Buy a copy for yourself, buy some for your friends, too and give them the gift of a brand new magazine to read first-time themselves. You know they're worth it.

11/06/2024

Lesley has started a new multi day tour of Scotland today with a lovely family who have travelled here from Belgium.

Starting from Edinburgh early this morning we had a brilliant morning exploring historic Stirling including the castle, Stirling Auld Brig and the Bannockburn Battlefield. After a delicious lunch at the Westerton Arms in Bridge of Allan we then spent the afternoon enjoying the barge ride on the Falkirk Wheel and a visit to the magnificent Kelpies.

A great first day with a lovely family and we look forward to heading to St Andrews tomorrow!

10/06/2024

Last week Lesley enjoyed a visit to Summerlee Heritage Park and Museum of Industrial Life in Coatbridge.

The site has a fantastic museum and park that has preserved the stories and objects of the lives of working people in the industrial heartland of Scotland. On the site there is a museum, 22 acres of parkland, a working heritage tramway, a mine you can get a tour of and a miners row of cottages which shows you what life was like for working people from the 1840s to the 1980s.

A great place to visit and it was great to see local school children enjoying a visit there that day.

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

08/06/2024

At Solway Tours our diary for 2026 is starting to fill up. If you are looking for Scottish historians who run a 5 star ancestral history based tour company then look no further.

We can help you get to places that your ancestors lived, were educated & worked and let you experience their every day lives.

We build personalised itineraries with you and will immerse you in the culture and incredible scenery of Scotland.

If you want to book a vacation in 2026 then let’s start the discussion now before we are fully booked. Planning ahead is essential when visiting Scotland to maximise your experience.

Contact us on

[email protected]

to plan your trip of a lifetime and let you walk in the footsteps of your ancestors.

07/06/2024

On this day in 1329 our greatest King, Robert the Bruce died aged 55.

A man who spent some of his upbringing at the Bruce Castle at Lochmaben he was to spend a lot of time in South West Scotland.

Dumfries was to prove pivotal in his life with the killing of John Comyn and his decision to become king both taking place in the town on the 10th of February 1306.

We have also included some other images of some of the many sites linked toour greatest king

VisitScotland - Your Scotland Historic Environment Scotland

07/06/2024

Recently we paid a visit with some guests to Kitchen Coos & Ewes in the Rhins of Galloway. A family run business that really is at the top of its game.

We had a great coo safari getting up close to the magnificent Highland Cattle as well as learning more of what the incredible Region of Dumfries and Galloway specifically around Airyolland Farm has to offer.

Janet’s home baking to end the visit in the fantastic byre kitchen is just such a delight.

A must see when you visit the South West of Scotland.

We love Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries & Galloway Life Our Wigtownshire

06/06/2024

On the 80th anniversary we remember those who gave their lives on this pivotal day of WW2 and those who went on to give the ultimate sacrifice during subsequent campaigns.

It was the success of the amphibious attack on the 5 beaches supported by some incredible work by the airforces that allowed the allies to defeat the N***s and bring peace to Europe in 1945 and later across the world.

The 6th of June must be remembered with humility as we consider why those men and women perished- to achieve democracy, equality and human rights for all.