Classic Scotland in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway

Classic Scotland in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway is found in this extreme southern Scottish town. Kirkcudbright is situated at the mouth of the River Dee. This waterway runs 38 miles in length, from its source in Loch Dee, down through Kirkcudbright and into the bay which bears the town's name. From there, the bay runs into the firth known as the Solway. The Solway forms a natural border between England and Scotland.

Lying only about six miles from the sea, the town benefits from a harbor which local fishermen use to head out to sea for commercial fishing. It was designated a Royal burgh in 1453, when it was granted a royal charter by the crown. It had a lively history from that charter classification and through the intervening centuries. King Henry VI of England landed in the town in 1461, during actions surrounding the War of the Roses.

The original town was constructed around its High Street, which is a street name associated with many towns in the United Kingdom.

The famous Stewartry Museum makes its home in the town. It specializes in displaying and promoting the past history of the part of Galloway in which which Kirkcudbright resides. It houses an impressive collection of prehistoric rock art carvings. The name Stewartry is the modern-day designation for the eastern part of Galloway, once called Kirkcudbrightshire.

Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 council areas of Scotland. It is known as a haven for many artists and writers. It was created in 1975 from the combination of three counties. It is also home to two seaports in the western region, which have services running to Northern Ireland. Both Kirkcudbright and Dumfries and Galloway are classic examples of southern Scottish living.