 Museum of Lead Mining
(approximately 25 miles from Ashmark)
The Museum of Lead Mining explores the 300 years of History associated with lead and gold mining in this
area. Guided tours through the lead mines, a mining families cottage, heritage trail, working models of mining machinery and Special Events. Gold Panning. The gold in this area is amongst the purest in the world - why not hire a gold pan and try your hand. Contact museum for opening times.
Tel:01659 74387
www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk
Young girl panning for gold - pictured right
 Leadhills &Wanlockhead Railway
The railway is the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway (LWR), which currently runs a passenger services from Leadhills to Glengonner just outside Wanlockhead, the highest village in Scotland. The line is built to 2-foot gauge or 610 millimetres for fans of the metric system. www.leadhillsrailway.co.uk
Drumlanrig Castle
The Dumfrieshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch is Drumlanrig Castle, with Gardens, Country Park and Adventure Play Ground and is situated near Thornhill. The castle houses a renowned art collection and the country park provides Way marked Walks, Nature Trails, Cycle Routes and a wide variety of wildlife including red squirrels and otters. After which you can enjoy refreshments in the castle kitchen. Approx. 40 minutes away. www.drumlanrig.com
 Galloway Forest Park
(approx. 20 miles
from Ashmark)
Travel south through the delightful village of Straiton, to the largest park in Britain, which is teeming with wildlife. With a red deer range, wild goat and red squirrel feeding stations, increasing your chances to get up close to nature.
Birds of prey also make the forest their home, with buzzards a common site, golden eagles more elusive and rare red kites, successfully introduced to the region in 2001. www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark
 Threave Gardens
Displays of daffodils herbaceous beds, trees, heather garden and plant centre are an all year round attraction. Threave House offers an insight into Victorian country living and within that the Maxwell Collection of local bygones is on show. Threave Estate is a wild fowl refuge with walks, nature trails and a countryside centre.
www.castles.org/chatelaine/theave.htm
Threave Castle, Castle Douglas
Off A75, one mile west of Castle Douglas. Built in the 14th century by Archibald the Grim, the castle is on an island in the middle of the River Dee. A ten-minute walk through fields and past woods brings you to the shore of the River Dee. There you will find a small jetty and a brass bell with a rope pull. Ring this bell loudly and the boatman will come across from the island to take you to the castle.
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/castledouglas/threavegardens
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