South West Coastal 300 Route

This wonderful touring route circumnavigates the iconic World Heritage Site that is Galloway Forest Park. The South West Coastal 300 or SWC300 boasts breathtaking scenery and long stretches of majestic coastline which covers over half the route. If beautiful coastlines, sandy beaches, war torn castles and historic landmarks fill you with excitement this route is definitely for you. Galloway Forest Park is the beating heart of this route, it is a World Heritage Site and is also a certified International Dark Sky Park. The park is one of the very best places to observe the night sky in the whole of the UK. You could also be in with a chance of experiencing the Scottish Northern Lights from within the Biosphere due to the complete darkness at night. This will make for an absolutely amazing experience, especially having the freedom of your Campervan, being able to find a suitable camping spot or campsite and get settled for an evening of stargazing.

Dumfries

The official start point of the South West 300 is in the town of Dumfries, which is only 60 odd miles from Alba Campers. Travelling down towards Dumfries you will actually closely pass by another Scottish World Heritage Site that is New Lanark which is well worth stopping by for a visit either on the way or on your return journey. Dumfries is a thriving market town and is also home to the Robert Burns Centre, so this will make for a great place to wander around for any aspiring poets.

Sweetheart Abbey

From Dumfries, the SWC300 heads south towards the village of New Abbey, which is home to the romantic Sweetheart Abbey. It was built in 1273 by Dervorguilla of Galloway, in memory of her husband, John de Balliol, The couple had at least eight children including John Balliol, who was later crowned King of Scotland. After her husband’s death, she kept his embalmed heart, contained in a casket of ivory and silver, with her for the rest of her life, and it was buried alongside her at the high altar of the Sweetheart Abbey. In line with this devotion to her late husband, she named the abbey Dulce Cor (Latin for Sweet Heart).

Let the light guide you

Travelling further South towards the coast you will arrive at one of Scotland’s oldest lighthouses, Southerness Lighthouse. Free parking and public toilets are available at Southerness Beach. At the western end of the beach stands Southerness Lighthouse which was built in 1749. Unusually it is square in shape, although no longer a working lighthouse it is often open to visit and offers fantastic views of the coastline. At the eastern end of the beach is Powillimount Beach, with its outstanding rock formations, it is well worth the short coastal stroll from the lighthouse.

Rabbie Burns

The route then follows this beautiful coastline for miles upon miles, all the way up to the birthplace of Robert Burns at Ayr. There are many places to stop along the way and explore. When we did this route we actually stopped close by to Galloway Forest Park for a couple of days to venture into the heart of the World Heritage Biosphere and do some of the fantastic walks and generally explore the area. This Dark Sky Park really does come alive at night and is truly a sight to behold, who knew there were so many stars obscured from view!

Places to Visit during you SWC300 roadtrip

Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle is a wonderful moated triangular castle built in the 13th century. It is located just a few miles south of Dumfries. The castle’s turbulent history and defensive layout owes much to its close proximity to the English border which brought it into the brutal cross-border conflicts.

7stanes, mountain biking trails

The 7stanes are world-class mountain biking centres that span the south of Scotland. Their award-winning trails offer some of the best mountain biking in the country and attract riders from across the UK and beyond. 5 of these iconic trails are all located very close to South West Coastal 300 Route, so be sure to bring your Bike with you!

Mull Of Galloway Lighthouse

The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse is perched on the edge of a 260 ft. high cliff at Scotland’s most Southerly Point. It was built by Robert Stevenson, with work commencing in 1828 and taking two years to complete. The light, which stands 99 m above sea level, was first lit on the 26th March 1830.

Dunure Castle

Hanging on to the Ayrshire coast, Dunure Castle stands as one of the most photogenic ruins in Scotland. Dunure Castle is very popular with ‘castle hunters’ worldwide thanks to its dramatic appearance in Outlander.

Rockcliffe Beach

Rockcliffe is one of Scotland’s most beautiful coastlines, stretching along the Solway Firth on the southern edge of Dumfries and Galloway. Part of a National Scenic Area, this National Trust for Scotland nature reserve is fringed with wildflowers and dotted with sailing villages. Further inland the shells and shingle give way to patches of ancient broadleaved woodland and meadows, rich with flowers, butterflies and birds.

Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park

The exceptional darkness due to exceptionally low light pollution allows you to see parts of the night sky not usually visible. With the designation as a gold tier Dark Sky Park, Galloway Forest Park enjoys some of the best views and conditions for stargazing.

Donald Trumps Golf Course

Donald Trump purchased this hotel and the golf courses in 2014, and the resort was renamed ‘Trump Turnberry’ and is recognised as a world class golfing destination.

Logan botanical gardens

Logan Botanic Garden lies in the Rhinns of Galloway close to the far south-western tip of Scotland and 14 miles south of Stranraer. The southerly location and the warming effect of the Gulf Stream means that Logan Botanic Garden enjoys an exceptionally mild climate with, usually, the reliable absence of air frost between mid April and the end of November. During the summer the climate can seem almost sub-tropical. The exotic plants this allows to thrive can be vulnerable to extreme weather.

Robert Burns Museum

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland’s favourite son. Set among four hectares of the poet’s cherished Alloway countryside, the Museum comprises the atmospheric cottage where the poet was born, the historic landmarks where he set his greatest work, the elegant monument and gardens created in his honour, and a modern museum housing the world’s most important collection of his life and works.

Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery is a 203 year old premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky producer, paying tribute to the rich history of Bladnoch and traditional lowland style Scotch Whisky. Every drop is crafted using water from the River Bladnoch which runs through the SWC300 touring route.

When Is The Best Time To Drive The SW300 Road Trip?

The SWC300 can be driven all year round, each season has both positives and negatives which we will detail below. Our personal picks are the Autumn and Winter seasons to take advantage of the Dark Sky Park in all its glory.

‍SUMMER

This is the peak season for the South West Coast 300. June, July, and August will be the busiest the SWC300 will get. The sun will be shining, the popular stops will be busy and you will have a good chance of meeting some friendly campers along the way to share your experiences with.

AUTUMN

This will be quieter and you should have no problems getting parked up close to some iconic beauty spots. The Autumnal colours are also a big plus, another big plus for travelling during the Autumn is the chance of experiencing the Northern Lights. You are most likely to see the Northern Lights Aurora in Scotland between September and March. However the weather will be cooler with more chances of rain and wind. Also some visitor attractions which are staffed may close outside of the peak months.

WINTER

These conditions are certainly not for everyone and can also make driving more treacherous. The weather will be cold, icy and you may possibly experience a dusting of snow. The SWC300 is however a better choice for a Winter roadtrip than the NC500, as the weather is generally fiercer towards the North of Scotland.

SPRING

The roads will be generally quieter during the Spring as many visitors wait until the start of the Summer Holidays, so you can get some fantastic trips in before it becomes busy.

IS THE South West Coast 300 SUITABLE FOR MOTORHOMES AND CAMPERVANS?

Yes, the SWC300 was actually designed to encourage visiting commerce. The beautiful winding roads of the South West Coast 300 can be narrow at points but with sensible driving even the largest of Motorhomes should have no problem.

There are many ‘Passing Places’ dispersed throughout the route, if you see an oncoming vehicle in the distance you should look to stop at your side of the next ‘Passing Place’ you encounter. Additionally if you are taking it slow and enjoying the beautiful scenery from your window (who would blame you!) Look to stop at ‘Passing Places’ and allow vehicles behind to overtake you as some may be local residents who are not as lucky to be on holiday and trying to get on with their daily tasks.

So, Aye! The SWC300 road trip is suitable for campervans and motorhomes.

Where Does The South West Coastal 300 Route Start And End?

The SWC300 officially starts and ends in the town of Dumfries. This wonderful touring route circumnavigates the iconic World Heritage Site that is Galloway Forest Park. The South West Coastal 300 boasts breathtaking scenery and long stretches of majestic coastline which covers over half the route.

How Long Is The SWC300 Route?

The South West Coastal 300 touring route is just over 300 miles and circumnavigates the Galloway Forest Park. Famed for its Dark Skies and World Heritage Biosphere accolade. This route could be ideal for a shorter break or if you are interested in taking things slower, the SWC300 has so many beautiful stops to keep you occupied.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE THE SWC300?

There is no right or wrong answer here, well technically you could drive the whole route in under 24 hours but you would not get to experience a whole lot.

How long you choose to take is entirely up to you and how much time you have to dedicate to exploring this popular touring route. We would recommend giving yourself at least a full weekend to complete the route. Take things slowly and enjoy the wonderful coastal drive during the day and spend your evenings with the famed Dark Skies counting stars.

IS THE South West Coastal 300 SIGNPOSTED?

There are Brown ‘SWC300’ signs located all around the route, Brown signs are coloured for Tourist Information so keep your eyes peeled for them while driving as they will generally point you to some well known Castles, Beaches and other well visited sites you may have otherwise missed.

Local towns and villages will also be signposted, so if you know where you are planning on stopping next for the evening you will be able to follow the signposts for that particular town or village.

ARE THERE SHOPS AND PETROL STATIONS ALONG THE South West Coast 300?

Yes, the route goes through many small towns and villages and the vast majority of them have Shops and Petrol Stations. Some of the smaller Villages may only have a small village shop but neighbouring towns will have larger Shops with petrol Stations so there is no shortage of fuel for yourself or your vehicle while traversing around the SWC300.

Ready for a Scottish Roadtrip?

Touring Scotlands South West Coastal 300 is the perfect option for getaways long and short. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend break or a few days on the road, inspire yourself with one of the many attractions throughout the SWC300 route in one of our campervans.

Want to chat with us about hiring a Campervan? Get in touch today and have a chat with our knowledgeable and friendly team.

South West Coastal 300