Solway Firth - definition of Solway Firth in English | Oxford Dictionaries Definition of Solway Firth in English: Solway Firth proper noun An inlet of the Irish Sea, separating Cumbria (in England) from Dumfries and Galloway (in Scotland). Pronunciation Which is the correct spelling? antemalarial Which is the correct spelling? anteclimax Which is the correct spelling? antisocial Which is the correct spelling? anteterror Which is the correct spelling? ante-racism Which is the correct spelling? antepenultimate Which is the correct spelling? antethesis Which is the correct spelling? antiseptic Which is the correct spelling? antiperspirant Which is the correct spelling? antedepressant You scored /10 practise again? Retry Natural Britain, Solway Firth, Dumfries and Galloway Tweet The Solway Firth is situated on the western side of mainland Britain and straddles the border between England and Scotland. The Solway Coast was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) in 1964.

Solway Firth is defined as the firth, or inlet, that stretches from St Bees Head in Cumbria to the Mull of Galloway in Dumfries and Galloway. The firth is part of the Irish Sea, with the Isle of Man situated nearby, and enjoys the warming influence of the North Atlantic Driftï¿½ (Gulf Stream). This warm water current, and the warm air it brings with it, means that the area enjoys a climate far warmer than its northerly longitude might indicate. The area is mainly rural, with fishing and mainly hill farming being the mainstays of the economy there. In more recent times, however, the area has been noticed by both visitors and those wishing to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Solway region. Property prices and tourism have both increased as a result and the area has enjoyed some growth in recent years as a result. There is a reserve, the National Nature Reserve at Caerlaverock and Solway is host to almost 300 square miles of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The firth is home to a number of very popular beaches, many of them sandy.

The Scottish side of the firth is dotted with charming small towns and villages such as the picturesque old harbour town at Kirkcudbright . It is a very fashionable destination with people attracted by its location in beautiful surrounding scenery and the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture there. Silloth , a Cumbrian port town, lies on the opposite side of the firth to Kirkcudbright and was also once a very fashionable seaside location. After years of falling into disrepair the town is enjoying a programme of renewal which has seen the restoration of many of the seaside properties to their former glory. The small port is still a working facility but tourism is becoming increasingly important to the townï¿½s economy again. Wigtown is another Solway harbour town and gives its name to Wigtownshire, a district of Dumfries and Galloway. It sits on the banks of the River Bladnoch where it flows into the River Cree on the north bank of the firth. Wigtown is known as Scotlandï¿½s National Book Town as it is home to a large number of second hand book shops.

Hill walking and walking in Dumfries and Galloway Walks on the Mull of Galloway 20 minutes – 3 hours or more From Portpatrick turn right onto B7042 about 2 miles from the village and follow signs for Sandhead. Just as you reach Sandhead turn right onto the main road, follow signs for Mull of Galloway and park at the visitor centre (Gallie Craig) The Mull of Galloway is the most southerly point on the Scottish mainland and is a spectacular viewpoint taking in the fells of Cumbria, the Isle of Man, Ireland including the Mountains of Mourne, Luce Bay, the Galloway Hills. Even the Mull of Kintyre, Arran and sometimes, Jura! There is an interesting exhibition at the lighthouse, a coffee house perched on the clifftop where the views can be enjoyed over some refreshments and an RSPB reserve where amongst others, fulmars, black guillemots, shags and up to 2,000 pairs of gannets nest on the nearby Scar Rocks. Porpoises and grey seals are often seen.

Short walk round reserve From the car park go through the gate where there is a network of paths taking in the RSPB centre and the lighthouse itself. No difficulties other than the steep steps down to the foghorn where care is required. The path to the foghorn give a good view of the whirlpools caused by the meeting of the 7 tides. Mull of Galloway – short circuit (about 1.5 hours) Park at the Gallie Craig Visitor Centre, walk round the front of the coffee house and go through the gate at the end of the building onto a path heading north between the fence and the cliff top. The eroded cliffs around here provide fantastic scenery and there are numerous seabirds to watch. You will see a monument in the field above you. This is known as Kennedy`s Cairn and if you have a good head for heights it is possible to climb to the top on stone steps. Although I am a keen hill-walker, I passed on the steps! Returning to the path, follow it until it rejoins the road at a cattle grid. Cross the road and make your way down towards the ruined walled cottage and jetty at the far end of the bay.

Pick up a faint path which runs just above the rocks and follow it as far as you dare! (the path is very narrow and quite exposed) It is possible at various stages to scramble up the steep grassy slope where an easier path runs alongside the fence. Follow the fence until the visitor centre comes into view and make your way back to the car park. If the path southward doesn’t appeal, just walk back alongside the road. Mull of Galloway – long circuit (about 3 hours) Start off as described above short circuit but before crossing the cattle grid take the path, through the gate on the left (signed footpath to Cairngaan). After about 5 minutes, descend into a grassy inlet and bear right near the bottom where a faint path leads to the shore. Pick up the path to the right along the sea shore. Go upwards again through a gate and follow the path round the next headland then ascend a somewhat boggy slope until the fence and path is regained. Walk between the field edge and the fence until you see a post in the field to your right. From the post you will see a lane heading inland.

Follow the lane and at a junction go straight ahead, keeping the farm house on your left until you come to a road beside some houses where you turn right. After 10-15 minutes, a footpath leads off to the right (before the houses). Follow the path round the edge of the field and into an attractive, recently planted wooded valley. Eventually you come to a fork in the path where you go straight ahead, ie. not upwards to the right. Go through a gate and follow the path to the left and soon reach the road. The walk can be cut short at this point by turning right along the road and follow it back to the car park. However, you can, instead cross the road and follow the signed footpath towards the shore. From there, ascend to a field above the cliffs where you can follow the fence until you come to a stile over the wall where you can pick up a good path between the wall and cliff top back to the cattle grid described in the short loop walk described above.

Drummore to Maryport This is an easy and level walk along the shoreline with a good path and excellent views of the Mull of Galloway Park at the picnic area in Cailiness Road at the southern end of the village of Drummore. Walk along the road for a short distance until it turns inland and go through a new gate into a small field then out another gate at the far end where a footpath runs just above the shore line. After rounding Cailness Point, the Mull of Galloway with its lighthouse comes into view and the path continues until Maryport is reached. There are some sandy beaches along the way and Maryport itself where there is a caravan park has a lovely beach. The walk takes about 30-40 minutes one way. The return to Drummore can be either by retracing your steps or by cutting through the caravan park and following the roads back although this is a longer option. The walk can be extended by continuing along the shore (no path) for about 30 minutes until rocks force an ascent of some steep and rough ground to reach the fields above. From here it is possible to reach the road but care is required as a fence needs to be crossed which may be electric!

(it was switched off when I crossed) A further footpath starts not long after the road is reached from where it is possible to walk to the Mull of Galloway but a full day would be required for this. From Cairnryan to the Taxing Stane and WWII Gun Emplacements Park in the picnic area on the far side of Cairnryan, just past the lighthouse. Cross the road at the far end of the picnic area and ascend steeply up the rd. signed “Little Laight” (etc) this was once the stagecoach route to Ballantrae and the first section must have been very tiring for the horses! After passing a wooded area, the gradient levels off and there are good views towards the south rhins over Loch Ryan. Carry on, through a gate until you reach the “Taxing Stane” and you see the remains of gun emplacements on your right. It is possible for the more agile to climb to the top of one of the emplacements utilising an adjacent fence. This is an excellent viewpoint from where the entire Rhins of Galloway Peninsula as far as the Mull of Galloway can be seen and it gives an excellent perspective of the peninsula.

From the viewpoint you can also see over the peninsula to Ireland and north-west to Kintryre. The Taxing Stane is thought to commemorate the burial of Alpin, king of the Scots of Dalriada, who was murdered in Glenapp in AD741. It was also a boundary marker between the old kingdoms of Galloway and Carrick and is close to the current boundary between Wigtownshire & Ayrshire. The gun emplacements were for anti-aircraft guns and were one of four emplacements used to defend Loch Ryan during the 2nd World War. This walk forms part of the Loch Ryan Coastal Path from Stranraer to Glen App where it merges with the Ayrshire Coastal Path and leads north as far as Skelmorlie. If transport can be arranged, it is well worth continuing beyond the Taxing Stane to Glen App church where the path rejoins the main road. The return walk takes about 1 hour & 10 minutes (the descent is much faster!!). Coast to Coast in 90 minutes! Unlike the 212 mile Southern Upland Way, this mini coast to coast walk can be done – there and back in well under two hours!

The walk is from New England Bay on the coast of Luce Bay to Port Logan on the Irish Sea Coast of the Rhins of Galloway. Start at the picnic area at the entrance to New England Bay Caravan Park – about two miles south of Ardwell. Follow a short grassy track from the car park to the main road. The track is diaganonally opposite and to the right of the car park access road. Cross the main road onto a narrow public road which is followed all the way to Port Logan where the route turns left and the first left again immediately before the Port Logan Inn to climb back uphill. After 600m turn left onto a narrow public road and continues past Killumpha Farm and Bridge Cottages at an acute bend. Back at the main road,cross ove and turn leftr to join the Mull of Galloway Trail along the foreshore back to New England Bay. (7km). Whithorn to Burrow Head Walk This is a fairly level coastal walk on a grassy path mainly though farmland. Return either same way or by the minor road. Total distance about 5-6 miles. The walk can be extended from Burrow Head to St Ninian`s Cave.

The path starts opposite the Quens Arms Hotel in Isle of Whithorn. The route follows the coastline on grassy fields and is well waymarked. The scenery gets dramatic as the walk starts to climb to higher cliffs. I spotted a heron while gannetts and cormorants are often seen as well as passing marine mammals. The path keeps to the seaward side of the fields so take care if its windy! The collumns of the cliffs get ever more imoressive. Eventually you reach a cairn which marks the highest point. This is where “The Wicker Man” was burned in the cult movie. Keep following the path to reach the caravan park from which either retrace your steps to Isle of Whithorn, go through the caravan park to pick up the road back or continue on the coastal path to St Ninian`s Cave. Loch Trool Walks Two walks at Loch Trool – the first is a relatively easy one along the 7 Stanes mountain bike trail to Loch Dee. The second is a bit more challenging and goes all the way round Loch Trool.

Both walks start from the same car park as the Merrick and it is worth taking a small detour to see Bruce’s Stone from which there is a good view of the loch. The stone commemorates the Battle of Glentrool in 1307 when Robert the Bruce with an army of 300 Scots defeated an English Army of 1500 men by rolling boulders down the hill then using archers to complete the victory. There is a beautifully situated Visitor Centre a couple of miles before the car park which is open 10.30am to 16.30pm and provides maps and leaflets etc plus teas, coffee etc along with home baking. The Visitor Centre has a lovely picnic area beside a waterfall and bridge and provides and excellent place to relax and soak in the scenery either before or after your walk. Loch Trool to Loch Dee From the car park at the start of the Merrick climb, follow the 7 Stanes sign along a forest road which takes you through an attractive wooded area, somewhat unusually,oak instead of the normal conifer.

The route is well signposted and descends quite steeply at first but then climbs gradually after that most of the rest of the way which makes for an easy return walk. The trail follows the valley of the Glenhead Burn deep into the Galloway Forest Park, often echoing with the call of cuckoos and provides great views of nearby hills with unusual names such as Mulldonoch, Lamachan Hill and Rigg of the Jarkness. Around the highest point of the trail, look out on your left for one of the “7 Stanes” a 1.5 ton sculpture resembling a neolithic axe head complete with runic text. From here there are lovely views of Loch Dee with it`s sandy shores. Follow the trail for as long as you want but remember you need to go back the same way. It is possible to access the loch at several points Loch Dee is the source of the River Dee which flows through Clatteringshaws Loch and Loch Ken before entering the Solway Firth near Kirkcudbright. To return to the carpark, retrace your steps and enjoy the glimpse of Loch Tool as you descend the trail.

The return walk to the west end of Loch Dee takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Round Loch Trool From the car park set off to the right along a tarmac track used as a cycle path. The path crosses an old bridge across the Buchan Burn, after which fork left (signposted Gairland Burn) and cross the wooden bridge over Gairland burn. After about 0.5km a footpath branches right leading to a further sign post where you turn rt. and cross another wooden footbridge from where you go straight on uphill on the Southern Upland Way. Follow the path swinging right and traverse the steep hillside and pass a plaque commemorating the Battle of Glen Trool. After about 2km the path enters a meadow where you turn left onto a cinder track and cross a concrete bridge. At the next junction turn right and rt. again after about 100m to cross two bridges bringing you to a small carpark where the former Caldons Camp site was. From here the signposted Loch Trool Forest Trail goes through a cleared area before entering the trees.

About 50m after the trees start the trail bears left and a small path ascends gradually away from the loch to the road where you turn right back to the car park. Time – about 2 1/2 hours. Climb the Merrick The Merrick is the highest point in the Southern Uplands of Scotland and is a Corbett. This mountain is 843 metres above sea level and appropriate precautions should be taken as the weather can change rapidly and it can often be extremely cold and exposed at and near the summit. For regular visitors to the Lake District, the Merrick is only two metres lower than the mighty Blencathra! Ailsa Craig from The Merrick – photo by Leeming & Paterson From Portpatrick follow the A77 to Lochans, turn right in the village and rt. again at the junction. Take 2nd on the left signposted A75 then turn rt. when the road meets the A75. Just before Newton Stewart take a turning to the left and follow the signs for Glentrool. Access to the Merrick is from the carpark at the end of the public road in Glen Trool.

A well used, signposted path leads up beside the Buchan Burn to Culsharg bothy. From the bothy, the path takes you upwards through a forest then through open hillside to the summit of Benyellary. (719m) The path then follows a wall and continues to a col. When the slope broadens out, leave the wall and ascend the grassy hillside by the path which takes you to the summit. As this is the highest land between the Lake District and Ben Lomond, north of Glasgow, views on a clear day are spectacular and include Ailsa Craig and the west coast as well as the mountains of Cumbria and the Mull of Galloway. It is also nearly always very cold on this section of the walk as this will be the highest ridge in the South of Scotland. It is possible to vary this walk by ascending via a series of lochs and it is suggested that OS sheet 77 is studied in detail beforehand. Unless you are used to regular hillwalking, approximately 5 -6 hours return should be allowed for the walk by the main path. The car journey is just under an hour each way.

Coastal walk – Stairhaven to Auchenmalg This walk follows a signposted and waymarked footpath and provides excellent views of the Mull of Galloway, Burrow Head and the Isle of Man. There are opportunities to explore the shore-line and view birds including cormorants and the chance of seeing a seal or two From Portpatrick, take the A77 to Lochans, turn right in the village and right again then follow signs for A75. Shortly after joining A75 turn right for Stairhaven and park in the picnic area. The footpath starts just to the left of Fisherman`s Cottage and climbs fairly steeply for a few minutes before levelling off and running along above the shore line. Good views of the Mull of Galloway. After a while, the path reaches a field and becomes indistinct. Follow the seaward edge of the field and at the far end of the field and, slightly inland, the footpath becomes obvious again where the track crosses a small stream. Soon the view changes to the Isle of Man and Burrow Head where Edward Woodward met a grizzly end in the cult Wickerman movie.

The path continues over stiles but is always obvious until it descends to join a farm road near Auchenmalg. This is the end of the walk, however it is only a short distance to the Cock Inn at Auchenmalg which has a tea room open 10am – 3pm daily except Mondays. To reach the Cock Inn, it seems to be ok to skirt round the back of a recently built wooden house as walking the shore at that point would involve crossing a stream. You may prefer to go up the farm road to join the main rd. from which it is only a short distance to the Cock Inn Stairhaven was a port for a brief period around 1826-1850 but trade gradually declined thereafter. The remains of the harbour can still be seen. Now there are just a few houses but it is a pretty spot to have a picnic or to explore the beach. From Auchenmalg, the best plan is to retrace your steps back to the car as returning by road is quite a bit longer Approx distance: two miles each way. Time: about 2.5 – 3 hours Please not that due to livestock, no dogs allowed on the path.

Inshanks Fell & Kirkmaiden Inshanks Fell may be only 164 metres above sea level but it is the highest point on the South Rhins of Galloway and the view is senstional. There is no path to the summit, the ground is rough and a barbed wire fence needs to be negotiated so a bit of caution is required but well worth the effort. Park in the tiny village of Kirkmaiden which is near Drummore. There is usually space to park near Kirkmaiden Old Kirk (which was a location in 2000 Acres of Sky) Take the turning just south of the Old Kirk beside a red phone box and walk along the narrow minor road to the west. The road is mostly downhill and views are good as you approach Castle Clanyard. Remains of the castle on your right. Take a left turning at Castle Clanyard farm and walk along a concrete road, past farm buildings bearing left. A burn runs alongside this good track on your left. The track runs uphill away from the farm and after a while, passes a new build house with an interesting round turret, the track turns to grass as has great views.

On reaching the road, turn left and soon you will see a gate on your right. Climb the gate and follow a faint track for a short while then proceed left towards the summit of Inshanks Fell. There is no path but once you reach higher ground, you will see the trig point in the distance. Pick the easiest way through the uneven and, in some places, overgrown ground towrads the summit. There is a barbed wire fence which is too rickety to climb bit an agile walker can crawl below the wire. The fence was broken in places so another option is to find a place where you can step over it. Once at the summit you will be amazed at the views in all directions taking in the Galloway Hills, Cumbrian Fells, Mountains of Mourne, Isle of Man and much more. Best option is to retrace your steps back to the road, climb the gate agan and go right towards Kirkmaiden, turning left shortly before the village. The walk including the fell should take no more than two hours and the ascent of the hill is only about 40-50 metres. It still a great walk even without the hill ascent and would reduce the time to just over an hour.

Dumfries and Galloway wikipedia - wiki Dumfries and Galloway map - wiki articles about Dumfries and Galloway on the map | Gulliway Oliver Mundell Finlay Carson Area • Total 2,481 sq mi (6,426 km) Area rank Ranked 3rd Population (2010 est.) • Total 151,000 • Rank Ranked 12th • Density 60/sq mi (23/km) ONS code 00QH ISO 3166 code GB-DGY Website Topographic map of Dumfries and Galloway Dumfries and Galloway (Scots: Dumfries an Gallowa, Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland and is located in the western Southern Uplands. It comprises the historic counties of Dumfriesshire, Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and Wigtownshire, the latter two of which are known as Galloway. The administrative centre is the town of Dumfries.

Following the 1975 reorganisation of local government in Scotland, the three counties were joined to form a single region of Dumfries and Galloway, with four districts within it. Since the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, however, it has become a unitary local authority. For lieutenancy purposes, the historic counties are largely maintained with its three lieutenancy areas being Dumfries, Wigtown and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. To the north, Dumfries and Galloway borders East Ayrshire , South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire ; in the east the Borders ; and to the south the county of Cumbria in England and the Solway Firth. To the west lies the Irish Sea. The region is well known for its many artists and writers. Geography The Dumfries and Galloway Council region is composed of counties and their sub-areas.

From west to east: Dumfriesshire County the sub-area of Dumfriesshire - Annandale the sub-area of Dumfriesshire - Eskdale the sub-area of Dumfriesshire - Nithsdale Kirkcudbrightshire County the sub-area of Kirkcudbrightshire - Stewartry (archaically, Desnes) Wigtownshire County the sub-area of Wigtownshire - Machars (archaically, Farines)--divided into census areas (civil parish areas) the sub-area of Wigtownshire - Rhins of Galloway divided into census areas (civil parish areas) The term 'Dumfries and Galloway' has been used since at latest the 19th century - by 1911 the three counties had a united Sheriffdom under that name. Dumfries and Galloway covers the majority of the Western area of the Southern Uplands, it also hosts Scotland's most Southerly point, at the Mull of Galloway in the west of the region.

Water systems and transport routes through the Southern Uplands The region has a number of south running water systems which break through the Southern Uplands creating the main road, and rail, arteries north/south through the region and breaking the hills up into a number of ranges. River Cree valley carries the A714 north-westward from Newton Stewart to Girvan and Water of Minnoch valley which lies just west of the Galloway Hills carries a minor road northward through Glentrool village into South Ayrshire. This road leaves the A714 at Bargrennan. Water of Ken and River Dee form a corridor through the hills called the Glenkens which carries the A713 road from Castle Douglas to Ayr . The Galloway Hills lie to the west of this route through the hills and the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills lie to the east. River Nith rises between Dalmellington and New Cumnock in Ayrshire and runs east then south down Nithsdale to Dumfries. Nithsdale carries both the A76 road and the rail line from Dumfries to Kilmarnock .

It separates the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills from the Lowther Hills which lie east of the Nith. River Annan combines with Evan Water and the River Clyde to form one of the principal routes into central Scotland from England - through Annandale and Clydesdale - carrying the M74 and the west coast railway line. This gap through the hills separates the Lowthers from the Moffat Hills. River Esk enters the Solway Firth just south of Gretna having travelled south from Langholm and Eskdalemuir. The A7 travels up Eskdale as far as Langholm and from Langholm carries on up the valley of Ewes Water to Teviothead where it starts to follow the River Teviot to Hawick . Eskdale itself heads north west from Langholm through Bentpath and Eskdalemuir to Ettrick and Selkirk. The A701 branches off the M74 at Beattock, goes through the town of Moffat, climbs to Annanhead above the Devil's Beef Tub (at the source of the River Annan) before passing the source of the River Tweed and carrying on to Edinburgh .

Until fairly recent times the ancient route to Edinburgh travelled right up Annandale to the Beef Tub before climbing steeply to Annanhead. The present road ascends northward on a ridge parallel to Annandale but to the west of it which makes for a much easier ascent. From Moffat the A708 heads north east along the valley of Moffat Water (Moffatdale) on its way to Selkirk. Moffatdale separates the Moffat hills (to the north) from the Ettrick hills to the south. National Scenic Areas There are three National Scenic Areas within this region. Nith Estuary - This area follows the River Nith southward from just south of Dumfries into the Solway Firth. Dumfries itself has a rich history going back over 800 years as a Royal Burgh (1186) and is particularly remembered as the place where Robert the Bruce murdered the Red Comyn in 1306 before being crowned King of Scotland - and where Robert Burns spent his last years. His mausoleum is in St Michael's graveyard.

Going down the east bank there is the village of Glencaple, Caerlaverock Castle, Caerlaverock Wild Fowl Trust, an ancient Roman fort on Ward Law Hill and nearby in Ruthwell is the Ruthwell Cross and the Brow Well where Robert Burns "took the waters" and bathed in the Solway just before his death. On the west bank, there are several walks and cycle routes in Mabie Forest, Kirkconnell Flow for the naturalist, the National Museum of Costume just outside New Abbey and Sweetheart Abbey within the village. Criffel (569 metres) offers the hill walker a reasonably modest walk with excellent views across the Solway to the Lake District. The house of John Paul Jones founder of the American Navy is also open to visitors near Kirkbean. East Stewartry - This takes in the coast line from Balcary Point eastward across Auchencairn Bay and the Rough Firth past Sandyhills to Mersehead. There are several attractive coastal villages within this area - Auchencairn, Kippford, Colvend, Rockcliffe, and Portling.

There is also a unigue round tower at Orchardton and the islands of Hestan Isle and Rough Island can be reached at low tide outside the breeding season for birds. Mersehead is an excellent wildfowl reserve. The area is well provided with coastal paths. Fleet Valley - This area takes in Fleet Bay with its popular holiday destinations of Auchenlarie, Mossyard Bay, Cardoness, Sandgreen and Carrick Shore. The area also includes the town of Gatehouse of Fleet and the historic villages of Anworth and Girthon - there is a castle at Cardoness in the care of Historic Scotland. Governance and Place-names The region was created in 1975, by merging the counties of Wigtownshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Dumfriesshire as a two-tier region with the districts of Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale within it. After 1996 the unitary authority became known as Dumfries and Galloway Council still with Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale, Annandale and Esdale within it.

County councils as administrative authorities were only created in 1889, little more than 100 years ago. The present-day, "Dumfries and Galloway Council Area" exist for administrative purposes. The historic counties of Britain, at least most of them, have existed for around 1,000 years or more and are often logical geographical entities in themselves. In Scotland they originated as Sheriffdoms consisting of a group of parishes over which the sheriff had jurisdiction, replacing native "Celtic" forms of government with Norman feudal structures. Transport Transport in the region is operated by bus companies Huston's, McEwan's, Stagecoach Western and McCall's coaches, and train operators Abellio ScotRail, TransPennine Express and Virgin Trains. Railway A Virgin Pendolino leaving Lockerbie station for Carlisle The region has 7 working railway stations. All are on the Glasgow South Western Line, except Lockerbie which is on the West Coast Main Line. Stranraer railway station Lockerbie railway station Bus and coach The area is served by buses which connect the main population centres. Express bus services link the main towns with Glasgow, Ayr, Edinburgh and Carlisle.

Local bus services are also operated across the region. Sea Stena Line provided HSS sailings between Stranraer and Belfast Dumfries and Galloway is home to two ports which have services to Northern Ireland, both are in the West of the region. Stena Line and P&O Irish Sea both have a port in the village of Cairnryan . Air The region also has no commercial airports; the nearest are Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Carlisle Lake District Airport. The region does host a number of private airfields. The town of Lockerbie was the scene of the Pan Am Flight 103 terrorist attack on December 21, 1988. Roads The main roads to and from the region are: A74(M) A709 The Port Line The mainline from Dumfries railway station via Newton Stewart to Stranraer Harbour railway station, was closed under the Beeching Axe. The line previously connected London Euston and the West Coast Main Line with the ferries to Larne Harbour railway station and the Port of Belfast.

The Port Road to Stranraer being the last to go in June 1965 leaving only the original G&SWR main line open to serve the Stranraer. The Beeching Axe cutting the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway and Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway has resulted in adverse mileage to connect Stranraer with a longer line via Kilmarnock and Ayr. Emergency services The Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary (Dissolved 2013 and now Police Scotland) is the police force for the region, and is the smallest in the United Kingdom. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service provide firefighting services across the region. The Coastguard, Lifeboats, Moffat mountain rescue and Galloway Mountain Rescue also offer emergency services across Dumfries and Galloway. Nith Inshore Rescue is based at Glencaple. This an independent lifeboat providing water rescue cover for the River Nith, surrounding rivers and inland water. Nith Inshore Rescue is a declared facility for HM Coastguard who are the control centre and overseeing authority responsible for call outs. NHS Dumfries and Galloway provide healthcare services across the region.

The two main hospitals are the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in Dumfries and Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer. Education Dumfries & Galloway Council provides nursery, primary and secondary education across the region. Alternative Schools Wallace Hall Academy, Thornhill Wildlife The region is known as a stronghold for several rare and protected species of amphibian, such as the Natterjack toad and the Great crested newt. There are also RSPB Nature Reserves at the Mull of Galloway, Wood of Cree (Galloway Forest Park), Ken Dee Marshes (near Loch Ken) and Mereshead (near Dalbeattie on the Solway Firth) Welcome sign Outdoor activities There are five of the world class 7Stanes mountain biking centres in Dumfries and Galloway at Dalbeattie , Mabie, Ae, Glentrool and Kirroughtree. The Sustrans Route 7 long distance cycle route also runs through the region. There is excellent hill walking in the Moffat Hills,Lowther Hills the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills and Galloway Hills.

The Southern Upland Way coast to coast walk passes through Dumfries and Galloway and the 53 mile long Annandale Way travels from the Solway Firth into the Moffat hills near the Devil's Beef Tub. There is also fresh water sailing on Castle Loch at Lochmaben and at various places on Loch KenLoch Ken also offers waterskiing and wakeboarding. The Solway Firth coastline offers endless fishing, caravaning and camping, walking and sailing opportunities. Arts and culture Dumfries and Galloway is well known for its arts and cultural activities as well as its natural beauty. The major festivals including the region-wide Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and Spring Fling Open Studios. Other festivals include Big Burns Supper in Dumfries and the Wigtown Book Festival in Wigtown - Scotland's national book town. Towns and villages Main settlements in bold text.

Ae, Airieland, Airds of Kells, Annan, Anwoth, Ardwell Beattock, Beeswing, Borgue, Brydekirk WWT Caerlaverock - a reserve of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Council political composition The council consists of 47 councillors elected for a four-year term from 13 wards. These wards were introduced for the 2007 election and each returns three or four members by the single transferable vote system of election. This system was introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, as a means of ensuring a reasonably proportionately representative outcome. 2003–2007 The result of the 2003 election returned a council with no party having overall control. A 'silver' coalition was first formed involving all parties but Conservative and Labour, after this coalition resigned Labour took minority control of the council. The following number of councillors were elected for each party as follows: Party The Solway Firth | Flickr The Solway Firth Group Description The group remit is simple - "Pictures of the Solway!" The Solway is the inlet of sea between the north west of England and southern Scotland.

It extends from St. Bees Head (south of Whitehaven in Cumbria) up to the Mull Of Galloway at the western end of Dumfries and Galloway. To the west of the the Solway Firth lies the Irish sea - with the Isle of Man somewhere inbetween. The rivers Eden, Esk and Nith flow into the Solway Firth. This group is for photographs of the Solway itself, views across it, beaches and locations alongside it. Please mark photos with the tag "SolwayFirth" and consider adding them to the Flickr map, thanks!

Additional Info Accepted content types: Photos, Videos, Images, Art, Screenshots Accepted safety levels: Safe Place:Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland - Genealogy Place:Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland source: BIAB Online (1999-2000) accessed 16 Dec 2002; Gazetteer of Great Britain (1999) xvii Dùn Phris agus Gall-Ghaidhealaibh regional administration of same area 1975-1996 Contained Places source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland and is located in the western Southern Uplands . It comprises the historic counties of Dumfriesshire , Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and Wigtownshire , the latter two of which are known as Galloway . The administrative centre is the town of Dumfries .

Following the 1975 reorganisation of local government in Scotland, the three counties were joined to form a single region of Dumfries and Galloway, with four districts within it. Since the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 , however, it has become a unitary local authority. For lieutenancy purposes , the historic counties are largely maintained with its three lieutenancy areas being Dumfries, Wigtown and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. To the north, Dumfries and Galloway borders East Ayrshire , South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire ; in the east the Borders ; and to the south the county of Cumbria in England and the Solway Firth . To the west lies the Irish Sea . The region is well known for its many artists and writers.

Contents the sub-area of Wigtownshire - Machars (archaically, Farines )--divided into census areas (civil parish areas) the sub-area of Wigtownshire - Rhins of Galloway divided into census areas (civil parish areas) The term 'Dumfries and Galloway' has been used since at latest the 19th century - by 1911 the three counties had a united Sheriffdom under that name. Dumfries and Galloway covers the majority of the Western area of the Southern Uplands , it also hosts Scotland's most Southerly point, at the Mull of Galloway in the west of the region. [ edit ] Water systems and transport routes through the Southern Uplands The region has a number of south running water systems which break through the Southern Uplands creating the main road, and rail, arteries north/south through the region and breaking the hills up into a number of ranges. River Cree valley carries the A714 north-westward from Newton Stewart to Girvan and Water of Minnoch valley which lies just west of the Galloway Hills carries a minor road northward through Glentrool village into South Ayrshire .

This road leaves the A714 at Bargrennan . Water of Ken and River Dee form a corridor through the hills called the Glenkens which carries the A713 road from Castle Douglas to Ayr . The Galloway Hills lie to the west of this route through the hills and the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills lie to the east. River Nith rises between Dalmellington and New Cumnock in Ayrshire and runs east then south down Nithsdale to Dumfries. Nithsdale carries both the A76 road and the rail line from Dumfries to Kilmarnock . It separates the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills from the Lowther Hills which lie east of the Nith. River Annan combines with Evan Water and the River Clyde to form one of the principal routes into central Scotland from England - through Annandale and Clydesdale - carrying the M74 and the west coast railway line . This gap through the hills separates the Lowthers from the Moffat Hills . River Esk enters the Solway Firth just south of Gretna having travelled south from Langholm and Eskdalemuir .

The A7 travels up Eskdale as far as Langholm and from Langholm carries on up the valley of Ewes Water to Teviothead where it starts to follow the River Teviot to Hawick . Eskdale itself heads north west from Langholm through Bentpath and Eskdalemuir to Ettrick and Selkirk . The A701 branches off the M74 at Beattock , goes through the town of Moffat , climbs to Annanhead above the Devil's Beef Tub (at the source of the River Annan) before passing the source of the River Tweed and carrying on to Edinburgh . Until fairly recent times the ancient route to Edinburgh travelled right up Annandale to the Beef Tub before climbing steeply to Annanhead. The present road ascends northward on a ridge parallel to Annandale but to the west of it which makes for a much easier ascent. From Moffat the A708 heads north east along the valley of Moffat Water (Moffatdale) on its way to Selkirk . Moffatdale separates the Moffat hills (to the north) from the Ettrick hills to the south. There are three National Scenic Areas within this region.

Nith Estuary - This area follows the River Nith southward from just south of Dumfries into the Solway Firth. Dumfries itself has a rich history going back over 800 years as a Royal Burgh (1186) and is particularly remembered as the place where Robert the Bruce murdered the Red Comyn in 1306 before being crowned King of Scotland - and where Robert Burns spent his last years. His mausoleum is in St Michael's graveyard. Going down the east bank there is the village of Glencaple , Caerlaverock Castle , Caerlaverock Wild Fowl Trust , an ancient Roman fort on Ward Law Hill and neaby in Ruthwell is the Ruthwell Cross and the Brow Well where Robert Burns "took the waters" and bathed in the Solway just before his death. On the west bank, there are several walks and cycle routes in Mabie Forest, Kirkconnell Flow for the naturalist, the National Museum of Costume just outside New Abbey and Sweetheart Abbey within the village. Criffel (569 metres) offers the hill walker a reasonably modest walk with excellent views across the Solway to the Lake District .

The house of John Paul Jones founder of the American Navy is also open to visitors near Kirkbean . East Stewartry - This takes in the coast line from Balcary Point eastward across Auchencairn Bay and the Rough Firth past Sandyhills to Mersehead. There are several attractive coastal villages within this area - Auchencairn , Kippford , Colvend, Rockcliffe , and Portling. There is also a unigue round tower at Orchardton and the islands of Hestan Isle and Rough Island can be reached at low tide outside the breeding season for birds. Mersehead is an excellent wildfowl reserve. The area is well provided with coastal paths. Fleet Valley - This area takes in Fleet Bay with its popular holiday destinations of Auchenlarie, Mossyard Bay, Cardoness, Sandgreen and Carrick Shore. The area also includes the town of Gatehouse of Fleet and the historic villages of Anworth and Girthon - there is a castle at Cardoness in the care of Historic Scotland .

[ edit ] Governance and Place-names The region was created in 1975, by merging the counties of Wigtownshire , Kirkcudbrightshire and Dumfriesshire as a two-tier region with the districts of Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale within it. After 1996 the unitary authority became known as Dumfries and Galloway Council still with Wigtownshire, Stewartry, Nithsdale, Annandale and Esdale within it. County councils as administrative authorities were only created in 1889, little more than 100 years ago. The present-day, "Dumfries and Galloway Council Area" exist for administrative purposes. The historic counties of Britain, at least most of them, have existed for around 1,000 years or more, and were not formed by any government, but are geographical entities in themselves which have nothing whatsoever to do with administrative regions formed purely for the sake of convenience of provision of services. [ edit ] Research Tips This place has no commentary yet. It is only a stub .

You can help by editing it and sharing what you know: research tips, history, relationships with other places, etc. This page uses content from the English Wikipedia . The original content was at Dumfries and Galloway . The list of authors can be seen in the page history . As with WeRelate, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License .

Question: Which inlet of the Irish Sea separates Cumbria from Dumfries & Galloway?
Answer: Solway Firth