View from the coastal path along the Solway coast
Burns’ Country
Adventures in the Scottish Lowlands
June 17 - 26, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Open
Greenan Castle
The southwestern corner of Scotland comprises the counties of Ayrshire, Wigtonshire, Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire, located in the regions of Strathclyde and Dumfries & Galloway – we call it Burns’ Country.
When the Romans came to Britain they found four distinct peoples inhabiting the area north of what became Hadrian’s Wall. The people in the region of our tour were the Scotii, from which we now take the name of the whole country and the people who live there. The irony is that the Scotii were actually settlers from Ireland!
Culzean - the Adam Staircase
But that is ancient history and the region’s claim to fame these days is that it was the home of Scotland’s “favorite son,” the “Bard of Ayrshire,” Robert (Robbie or Rabbie) Burns. His fame is now so widespread that Scots all over the world have founded Burns Clubs and celebrate his birthday every year on January 25th. Burns was born in Alloway in 1759 and died in Dumfries in 1796 – we’ll visit both the house he was born in and the house where he was living when he died.
Despite the reflected glory cast upon the region by the “Ploughman Poet,” this part of Scotland is well off the usual tourist track that heads up into the Highlands or down through the Borders into England. But just because the lakes and mountains are not as spectacular as they are further north, the gentle rolling hills, dotted with ruined castles, medieval abbeys and megalithic stone circles have a charm and beauty all their own.
This June, join us for an exploration away from the crowds to this little corner of Scottish heaven that is Burns’ Country.
If you would like to register for the Burns’ Country tour, please complete and submit the form located under Reserve Now.
*Once you have submitted the above registration form with your digital signature, a Discover Europe staff member will be in contact as soon as possible to process your deposit and welcome you to the tour.