Other things to do

Dumfries and Galloway, in the south-west of Scotland, is known to locals and thrilled visitors alike as 'Scotland's best kept secret'.

From Moffat in the east, along the Solway coast to Stranraer in the west, and north to its border with Ayrshire, the unspoilt beauty of the diverse and varied landscape is second to none. Nithsdale is no exception, with the dramatic patchwork of the heather-clad Lowther Hills, through rolling farmland to the beautiful coastline of the Solway Firth.

Visitor attractions

From the river's source it flows south through the royal burgh of Sanquhar, home to the oldest working Post Office in Scotland. From there, it meanders through the Queensberry Estate with stunning Drumlanrig Castle - the 'Pink Palace' - home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, as a backdrop with its beautiful gardens and country park.

It continues on past the bustling market town of Thornhill with its excellent shops, hotels and facilities, and on to Ellisland, once home of the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns, and where Tam O'Shanter was conceived.

The historic county town and royal burgh of Dumfries, with its further associations to Burns and to Robert the Bruce, straddles the river before it flows into the Solway estuary at Glencaple, past Caerlaverock Castle and the Wetlands and Wildlife Centre.

In truth, there are a wealth of things to do and places of interest along the way, too numerous to mention. It's an ideal destination not only for anglers but for their families and freinds too!

For local events and other activities and things to do in Nithsdale, please see below or visit www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk, the tourist board's site.