Shepherd's huts near Langholm

Better-known to locals as the ‘Muckle Toon,’ Langholm lies between four hills in a scenic spot where the Dumfries and Galloway region meets the Borders. The great salmon river, the River Esk flows through Langholm, which attracts game fishers. The area also offers excellent walks of varying lengths along waymarked routes through the surrounding hills and glens—at 1,165ft (355 metres), Whita Hill is the highest. Langholm was the birthplace of Hugh MacDiarmid, one of Scotland’s greatest poets, and visitors can see a memorial and follow the Hugh MacDiarmid walking trail through the town.

There are plenty of places to eat in town, as well as several independent shops worth exploring. The community-run cultural venue, the Buccleuch Centre hosts regular concerts, performances and other events such as farmers' markets and antique fairs. Just outside town, Ewes Water Caravan and Camping Park has level grass pitches.

Langholm and the surrounding area is a year-round destination, but best experienced in the summer when daylight hours are long, the weather is at its best and the calendar is filled with activities. The year’s highlight is the Langholm Common Riding, an all-day spectacle of horsemanship and pageantry, which takes place on the last Friday of July—if visiting at this time, booking your site in advance is recommended.

• Wild camping is legal throughout Scotland as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. If you cross the border into England, be aware that English law prohibits wild camping.
• The closest train station is Gretna Green, which has direct services to Glasgow and Carlisle.
• You should be able to find all the essentials in Langholm’s small shops, which include national chains and interesting independent businesses.