The largest town in southwest Scotland, Dumfries is a major gateway to the surrounding region and a must for those following the trail of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, who spent the last five years of his life here. A number of first-class attractions are within easy reach including Ellisland Farm, Caerlaverock Castle, the early Christian cross at Ruthwell, Sweetheart Abbey (the best preserved of the trio of Cistercian abbeys in Dumfries and Galloway) and Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill, with its magnificent 17th-century mansion.