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Owning a static caravan in South West Scotland: a guide

South West Scotland covers Dumfries and Galloway, from the Solway coast and Kirkcudbright to the Rhins of Galloway around Stranraer and Portpatrick, with the Galloway Forest Park inland. It is the closest part of Scotland to northern England.

A sandy bay on the Solway coast with static caravans on a park above the shore
Illustrative image of South West Scotland
See parks in South West Scotland

Figures update from live listings. Guide last reviewed 2 October 2026.

Things to do in South West Scotland

Days out, walks and places to visit within reach of the holiday parks in South West Scotland.

A sandy cove with clear water between rocky clifftops

Beaches

Sandyhills Bay

Solway coast

A sandy bay on the Solway Firth, with large sands at low tide.

Portpatrick

Rhins of Galloway

A harbour village with a small beach, at the start of the Southern Upland Way.

A coastal footpath through heather and gorse along a clifftop

Walks and outdoors

Galloway Forest Park

Inland

A large forest of hills and lochs, designated as a Dark Sky Park.

Mull of Galloway

Rhins of Galloway

Scotland's most southerly point, with a lighthouse and an RSPB reserve.

7stanes trails

Across the region

Mountain bike trail centres in the forests of the south of Scotland.

A gravel path through a garden of tree ferns, palms and flowering shrubs

Gardens and attractions

Logan Botanic Garden

Near Port Logan

A garden of plants from warmer climates, part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Threave Garden

Near Castle Douglas

A National Trust for Scotland garden and estate.

A ruined stone castle on a green hill with sheep grazing below

Heritage

Caerlaverock Castle

Near Dumfries

A triangular moated castle, managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright

A harbour town with a long history as an artists' colony.

Fish and chips and a pot of crab on a harbour wall, with boats behind

Food and drink

Galloway produce

Across the region

Galloway beef, local cheeses and smoked fish are found in farm shops and delis.

A harbour seen through a rain-covered cafe window, with a cup of coffee on the sill

Rainy days

Wigtown

Wigtown

Scotland's National Book Town, with bookshops and an autumn book festival.

Where to look in South West Scotland

The main areas, and how they differ for owners.

A sandy bay at low tide with wooded hills behind

The Solway coast

Kirkcudbright, Southerness, Sandyhills

Sandy bays and harbour towns facing England.

A small harbour village of colourful houses below green cliffs

The Rhins and Machars

Stranraer, Portpatrick, Wigtown

Peninsulas of coast and farmland in the far west.

A loch among forested hills under a clear starry night sky

Galloway Forest and the hills

Newton Stewart, Gatehouse of Fleet

Forest, lochs and dark skies.

A triangular moated red sandstone castle ruin among fields

Dumfries and Annandale

Dumfries, Moffat, Lockerbie

Market towns near the M74.

Getting to South West Scotland

Typical journey times. They vary with traffic and where in the county you are going.
FromBy roadBy rail
CarlisleAround 45 min to 1 hr 30 min, via the A75Trains to Dumfries, around 40 min
GlasgowAround 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr, via the M74 and A75 or the A77Trains to Dumfries and Stranraer, around 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 30 min
ManchesterAround 3 hours, via the M6 and M74Trains via Carlisle, around 3 hours

The A75 runs across the region from the M74 to Stranraer, and the A77 leads south from Ayrshire. Roads are rural and slower in the far west.

Scotland has a licensing scheme for short-term lets, run by local councils. If you plan to let your caravan, check with the park and the council whether it applies.

Questions about owning a caravan in South West Scotland

When is the best time to visit South West Scotland?

July and August are the busiest months, with the school holidays and the warmest weather. May, June and September usually have long days and fewer visitors. Most parks are open from spring to autumn, and the year chart on this page shows how many are open each month.

How long does it take to drive to Dumfries and Galloway from Carlisle?

Usually around 45 minutes to Dumfries and around an hour and a half to Kirkcudbright via the A75.

Which part of South West Scotland should I look at?

The Solway coast is closest to England, the Rhins and Machars are quieter and further west, Galloway Forest suits outdoor activities, and Dumfries and Annandale are near the M74.

Can I let my static caravan in South West Scotland?

Some parks run letting schemes, some allow private letting with conditions, and some do not allow letting. It depends on the park, so check the park rules and pitch licence before you buy.

How much are site fees in South West Scotland?

Site fees vary between parks with location, facilities, season length and pitch. Each park can give you a written breakdown of its current fees and what they include.

Further reading

Holiday homes for sale in South West Scotland

See the parks in South West Scotland and what they offer.

See caravans for sale

This guide is for information only and is not financial or investment advice. Static caravans depreciate over time and should not be bought expecting capital growth or a financial return.