Itinerary
- Day 1
Glasgow
You'll arrive in Glasgow at your own pace and have the day to settle in. The city is open for you to wander on your own, or you can join the optional Invisible Glasgow Walking Tour if you're interested. Local guides lead this tour through the city's hidden social projects and sustainable living initiatives, which gives a different perspective on how the city operates.
Optional Activities
- Invisible Glasgow Walking Tour - guided tour introducing well-known sights and social projects focused on sustainable living in Glasgow
- Day 2
Glasgow
Today focuses on Glasgow's green side, starting with the Botanic Gardens where you'll see the John Kibble-designed greenhouse filled with plants from around the world. After that, head to the Clydeside Collective to browse what local traders and artists have on offer. The focus here is regional, sustainable, and seasonal goods, so it's a good spot to pick up something meaningful from the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Glasgow Botanic Gardens with John Kibble greenhouse (admission free)
- Browse Clydeside Collective - association of local traders, artists and producers
Landmarks Glasgow Botanic Gardens River Kelvin Kibble Palace 
- Day 3
Glasgow to Dumfries & Galloway
You'll drive south over Mennock Pass toward Wanlockhead, Scotland's highest village, or take a detour to New Lanark Mill, which is on UNESCO's list. The mill has historic cotton production buildings and river walks to explore. If you're interested in castles, Drumlanrig Castle opens April through September and has gardens plus masterpiece paintings inside. The route also passes Dumfries Museum, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This day covers about 130 km with roughly 2 hours of driving.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Drumlanrig Castle with gardens and masterpiece artworks by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Rowlandson (April-September)
- Explore Dumfries Museum (admission free) with panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Detour to New Lanark Mill - UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of brick buildings including former cotton production center, museum, store, cafeteria, hotel and circular walk along River Clyde
Landmarks Mennock Pass Wanlockhead New Lanark Mill River Clyde Drumlanrig Castle Dumfries Museum 
- Day 4
Dumfries & Galloway
Caerlaverok Castle is your main stop today, known for its unusual triangular design and the marshland nature reserve surrounding it. There are circular walking paths that wind through forests, meadows, and wild marshland. In the afternoon, if you want to learn more about the area's history, Sweetheart Abbey is optional. It's a former Cistercian monastery with a love story attached to it. The drive is about 50 km, taking roughly 1 hour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Caerlaverok Castle & National Nature Reserve with circular paths through forests, meadows and marshland
Optional Activities
- Visit Sweetheart Abbey - Cistercian monastery with the story of Lady Devorgilla and Lord John Balliol
Landmarks Caerlaverok Castle Caerlaverok National Nature Reserve Sweetheart Abbey - Day 5
Dumfries & Galloway to Kirkcudbright
The Dark Space Planetarium is an optional stop on this day, run by the Kirkcudbright Development Trust. It's an interactive space that covers information about space, planets, and celestial bodies. The Trust itself focuses on sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented community living, working with the University of Glasgow. The drive to get there is about 90 km, or around 1.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Dark Space Planetarium - interactive exhibition about space, planets and celestial bodies run by Kirkcudbright Development Trust
Landmarks Dark Space Planetarium - Day 6
Kirkcudbright to Stranraer
You have the option to visit Logan Botanic Garden, where unusual and species-rich plants thrive because of the warm Gulf Stream in this part of Scotland. Later, head to Mull of Galloway Lighthouse at Scotland's southernmost point. The nature here is relatively untouched, so it's quiet and peaceful. You can walk long sandy beaches, climb cliffs for views across the landscape, or just sit in the meadow with a picnic. The drive covers about 140 km and takes roughly 2 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Logan Botanic Garden - exotic paradise featuring unusual and species-rich plants favored by the warm Gulf Stream
- Explore Mull of Galloway Lighthouse and peninsula with sandy beaches, cliffs and meadows
Landmarks Logan Botanic Garden Mull of Galloway Lighthouse - Day 7
Stranraer to Glasgow
The drive back to Glasgow takes you along the coast, so there are nice views along the way. Culzean Castle and Country Park is an optional stop if you have time. It sits on cliffs overlooking Ayrshire and has stories and objects worth seeing, including the top floor that was gifted to President Eisenhower in 1945 after World War II. Once you finish exploring, head back into Glasgow. This final leg is about 150 km and takes around 3 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Culzean Castle & Country Park - castle perched on Ayrshire cliffs with historic stories and treasures, including top floor gifted to President Eisenhower in 1945
Landmarks Culzean Castle Culzean Country Park 
- Day 8
Glasgow
You'll depart Glasgow today. Arrange your travel based on your flight time or other plans, and head out from the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
