Mouswald Lodge Park - Fun Days Out

Caerlaverock is a moated castle on the southern coast of Scotland, about seven miles south of Dumfries. Its triangular shape is unique among British castles, and it has a wide moat, a twin-towered gatehouse and lofty battlements. First built in the 13th century, it was the stronghold of the Maxwell family and was besieged by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Walk all the way around the moat to appreciate the castle's strength and shape, then cross the drawbridge into the courtyard. Climb to the South range for good views of the east range and the moat. A short nature trail leads to the foundations of an older castle that came before it. Afterwards, stroll the grounds or the neighbouring Caerlaverock Nature Reserve.

Tip: Head up to the South range for the best views over the moat, then follow the short nature trail to the older castle's foundations.

Annandale Distillery in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, makes single malt Scotch whisky and describes itself as Scotland's only single cask single malt distillery. Every cask is bottled on its own, never vatted. The distillery was founded in 1836, closed in 1924 and was restored after 2007, and it now sits beside a visitor centre.

On a tour, guides walk you through how the whisky is made and finish with guided tastings. You'll hear about the two expressions: the unpeated Man O' Words, named after Robert Burns, and the peated Man O' Sword, named after Robert the Bruce, once Lord of Annandale. Afterwards you can unwind at the Maltings Coffee Shop. It suits whisky fans and anyone curious about Burns and Bruce connections to the area, and the distillery also runs events and tastings.

Tip: Finish your visit with a stop at the Maltings Coffee Shop.

Sweetheart Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1273 in the village of New Abbey, about 8 miles south of Dumfries. Dervorguilla of Galloway founded it in memory of her husband, John de Balliol. She kept his embalmed heart in an ivory and silver casket for the rest of her life, and it was buried alongside her. She named the abbey Dulce Cor, Latin for Sweet Heart.

The abbey was built in deep-red local sandstone in the Early English style. The church measured 203 feet long, and its central tower rose to 92 feet. Sections of the old precinct wall can still be seen around it. King Edward I stayed here in 1300 during his campaign in Galloway. In the same village, Monksmill corn mill stands at the other end of the main street, so you can pair the two. It suits history fans, and anyone curious about medieval Scotland.

Carlisle Castle guarded the western end of the Anglo-Scottish border for hundreds of years and survived seven sieges by the Scots between 1174 and 1461. It was later adapted for artillery, and in 1568 it held Mary Queen of Scots prisoner. It stayed in military use well into the 20th century.

You can explore the Tudor battery, the 12th-century gatehouse and the recently conserved keep, which has 15th-century carvings on its second floor. Other things to see and do include Queen Mary's Tower, the Warden's apartments and an exhibition. Inside the castle is Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, which covers the Border Regiment's 300-year history. There is also a World Builder trail where you can build your own city.

Tip: Booking advance tickets online saves 15%, and arriving by bus, train or bike gets you 20% off entry at the site on the day.

Drumlanrig Castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, set on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway. Built between 1679 and 1689 from distinctive pink sandstone, the "Pink Palace" overlooks the Nith Valley and has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers. Inside is part of the Buccleuch art collection, including Rembrandt's An Old Woman Reading, along with tapestries and other objects of art.

The grounds give you plenty to do beyond the castle itself. The former stable yard holds the Stableyard Studios, with a range of local businesses, plus a tearoom, and part of the rear gardens has an adventure playground for children. Walking, hiking and cycling routes run across the estate. Nearby, aerial photography revealed the outline of a Roman fort, which the Time Team television programme partly excavated.

Threave Castle stands on an island in the River Dee, about 2.5 kilometres west of Castle Douglas. Archibald the Grim built it in the 1370s, and it was a stronghold of the Black Douglases, Earls of Douglas and Lords of Galloway, until their fall in 1455.

The ruins include the tower house, one of the first of its kind built in Scotland, and the L-shaped artillery house added in the 15th century. The castle later became a royal castle, saw a siege in 1640 and passed into state care in 1913. The castle complex is open to the public, so it suits anyone curious about Scottish history and medieval defences.

Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined stronghold in the remote valley of the Hermitage Water, in Scotland's wild border country. It was targeted for 400 years because of its role in controlling the Scottish Middle March, and it has a name as one of the most sinister and atmospheric castles in Scotland.

Wander through the ruins and picture the brutal struggles for power that once raged along the Anglo-Scottish border. The castle's story takes in murder, torture and treason, with names such as Mary, Queen of Scots and the Earl of Bothwell woven through it. A fact-finding quiz is available to follow as you explore, which adds a bit of fun to the visit.

It's a good pick if you enjoy border history and like the splendid isolation of a castle set well away from everything else. The castle is run by Historic Environment Scotland.

Tip: In the summer season (1 April to 31 October) it is covered by the Historic Environment Scotland Explorer Pass, but not in winter, so check before you go.