South West Scotland

Turn west from the Borders into DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY and you're soon breathing fresh ocean air and taking in the incredible views across the Irish Sea towards the Isle of Man. The area is rich in history: it was here, in 1307, that ROBERT THE BRUCE launched his campaign to free Scotland.

The region also hosts a unique educational venture in the Crichton Campus: Scotland's first multi-institutional university campus, Crichton is a joint venture between GLASGOW and PAISLEY UNIVERSITIES, BELL COLLEGE and DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY COLLEGE. Set in an 85 acre parkland estate, the campus offers a wide range of degree courses, from Creative and Cultural Studies through to BUSINESS & COMPUTING.

Heading north you enter the rich green pastures of AYRSHIRE, a county which is as rich in literary heritage as it is in beautiful scenery, boasting ROBERT BURNS and SIR WALTER SCOTT among its historical residents. It is also one of Scotland's best GOLFING destinations, with dozens of fine links courses dotted along its coastline.

Thanks to its golf courses and its close ties to ROBERT BURNS (the poet was born in Alloway), Ayrshire's tourism industry now contributes over £300 million to the local economy and employs over 12,000 people, although pharmaceuticals and food and drink are also key local employers, with Johnny Walker whisky and Glaxo Smith Kline both having their manufacturing bases in Ayrshire.

Explore by Region

• Shetland and Orkney Islands
• The Highlands and Western Isles
• North East Scotland
• Central Scotland East
• Central Scotland West
• Glasgow and Surrounding Areas
• Edinburgh and Surrounding Areas
• South East Scotland
• South West Scotland