National Geographic Names This Scottish Region One of Earth's Best Destinations Here's Why You Should Go

It might have raised a few eyebrows among locals, but Dumfries and Galloway has been recognised as one of the top travel destinations on the planet.

National Geographic named the south-west Scotland region on its Best in the World list for 2027, alongside Melbourne in Australia, Jaipur in India and the island of Puerto Rico. The list highlights 25 must-visit locations for people planning their “next unforgettable trip.”

For anyone thinking of making the region their destination, here's what it offers.

1. Stargazing in a world-class Dark Sky Park

Galloway Forest Park became the UK's first internationally recognised Dark Sky Park in 2009, acknowledged as one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. An observatory built at Dalmellington on the park's edge burned down five years ago, but a new one is being constructed in the heart of the forest at Clatteringshaws. Plans were approved earlier this year, with hopes it will open in 2027.

2. Walking the Rhins of Galloway coastal path

The Rhins is the hammerhead-shaped peninsula at the western end of the region. A new 83-mile circular coastal trail lets visitors explore its "fantastic fringes," taking in everything from the sheltered waters of Loch Ryan to the windswept cliffs of the Mull of Galloway Scotland's southernmost point. National Geographic said the route makes the region's dramatic cliffs and beaches “more accessible.”

3. Caerlaverock Castle's unique triangular shape

Scotland has no shortage of castles, but Caerlaverock's selling point is its distinctive triangular design. It hosts regular jousting tournaments celebrating its long history and endured famous sieges in 1300 and 1640 the latter lasting 13 weeks before the garrison surrendered. Afterwards its south curtain wall was demolished so it could never again be used as a defence.

4. Following in Robert Burns' footsteps

Ellisland Farm, a few miles north of Dumfries, was built by Scotland's national bard in 1788 for his wife Jean Armour and their family. While living there he wrote some of his most famous works, including Auld Lang Syne and Tam o' Shanter. A trust is now trying to raise £12m to safeguard the site's future, with planning permission for restoration granted earlier this year.

5. Gravel, mountain biking and the Tour de France

The region's cycling credentials go back to Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a pioneer of two-wheeled travel. Today riders can tackle the 330km Gallovidian Gravel trail, which starts in Dumfries and is split into three intersecting loops for all experience levels. The annual Gralloch event in Gatehouse of Fleet has built a growing reputation for gravel riding, while five of the 7stanes mountain bike centres Kirroughtree, Glentrool, Dalbeattie, Mabie and Ae are located in the region.

6. Literary adventures in Wigtown

The region is home to Scotland's national book town, Wigtown, which stages an annual festival. This year's edition featured Outlander star Sam Heughan, who grew up in Galloway, among the speakers. Wigtown became a book town to revive the local economy and now boasts numerous bookshops visitors can even run their own at The Open Book, surely a book lover's dream holiday.

Travel journalist Mike MacEacheran, who contributed to the National Geographic article, said his love of the area runs deep, recalling a beach holiday to Portpatrick in 1983. "These days it's a rare, if lovely, feeling to have a part of Scotland largely to yourself especially one so effortless to reach, yet entirely a world apart," he said.

Local tourist bodies now hope the recognition will boost visitor numbers and raise the profile of the region's many attractions.