Welcome to "Visit Kirkcudbright"
Established as a Royal Burgh in 1455, Kirkcudbright has always been supported by a busy fishing trade. Behind the harbour the streets have housed generations of creative artists, a tradition maintained today by a flourishing colony of painters and craftworkers. This has led to it being called "The Artists' Town". Other well known features of the town are the pastel coloured houses and wide streets, the wide selection of mainly family owned shops where almost everything can be got, and the free parking all over town.
Visit Kirkcudbright Brochure
The 2011 brochure has been published and is available in many outlets. It lists events and attractions in town plus accommodation and much more. We also have a PDF version which you can view here.
Town Map
Click here to access a copy of our town map.
Where we are
Kirkcudbright enjoys a sheltered position in the estuary of the River Dee on the north Solway shore. Only about 25 miles west of Dumfries the town is easily accessible from the M6/M74 motorway system and from Stranraer and the Irish Sea ferries. The area offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, attractive coastal landscapes and safe country roads.
Accommodation
Set amidst beautiful coastal countryside there is a comprehensive selection of holiday accommodation both in the town and in farms and villages around us, including self catering cottages, bed & breakfast and hotels. Kirkcudbright is especially well served by a number on high quality caravan and camping sites. Special interest groups such as cyclists, walkers and motor cyclists are catered for in many establishments.
History
If you are researching your family tree and it has led you to Kirkcudbright, the Discussion Forum on our Community website has a section on Genealogy for you to leave your messages. The STV Scotland's Towns series includes a programme on Kirkcudbright's History, which is available on YouTube. Also available is an episode of Weir's Way from 1994.
Activities
The area offers a wide range of activities for visitors and locals alike. These range from facilities to help you research your family tree to quiet country roads for walking or cycling, and golf and fishing are both on our doorstep. For the more energetic there is mountain biking, horseriding and hillwalking. Our marina is very popular with visiting sailors offering one of the safest anchorages on the north Solway coast.
Entertainment
Throughout the year a variety of entertainment is provided by Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities. This ranges from Scottish nights to classic car rallies, from historic walks to a medieval fayre. There is also an Annual Jazz Festival and a spectacular Tattoo is held every August. And we hold a Summer Art Exhibition in the town hall every July and August.
