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Daily Record
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The Scottish village with nearby castle hosting 'thrilling' family fair this weekend
For many people in Scotland, August is dominated by the Edinburgh Fringe. While the legendary arts festival is well worth visiting the capital for, there is lots else going on around the country that is worth checking out this month. For the Daily Record's latest Village of the Week, we have chosen a charming little settlement near a castle that is hosting an incredible festival this weekend. Thornhill is a small village in Dumfries and Galloway that is known for its wide streets and opulent Victorian villas. Just a few miles out of the village is Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens, which are situated on the 90,000 acre Queensberry Estate and date back to the 17th century. While the castle is worth a visit any time of year, this weekend it is hosting the Galloway Country Fair. Taking place on August 9 and August 10, the annual fair is a weekend event that celebrates countryside and family life. Each year, it transforms the tranquil grounds of Drumlanrig Castle into a bustling hub of rural fun and "thrilling entertainment" for the entire family. Headlining the action this year is the Stannage Stunt Team, who will perform jaw-dropping motorcycle and fire stunts. Meanwhile, OG Performance Jousting will put on an adrenaline-filled display of medieval skill. In terms of what's on exclusively for little ones, The Kids' Zone is jam-packed with activities such as free mini quads, bouncy castles, and laser quest. For a small fee, children can even enjoy bumper cars, a bungee trampoline, and a giant inflatable fun course. There will be plenty to enjoy when it comes to food and drink at the Galloway Country Fair too. There will be lots of stalls selling everything from artisan hot dogs to fish and chips, as well as donuts, crepes, and ice cream. Meanwhile, Thornhill is well worth exploring all on its own—with a number of shops and cafés dotted around its High Street. The village is also home to the Drumlanrig Cafe restaurant, where you can enjoy a proper meal. Read on for some images that show why Gairloch is worth a visit this August. Meanwhile, more information about the Galloway Country Fair can be found on the Drumlanrig Castle website. For further travel inspiration, a few of our past Towns and Villages of the Week can be found here:


Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish seaside town with pretty beach hosting music festival this weekend
The Daily Record is back with our latest Town of the Week, and once again we are headed to the seaside. With hot temperatures forecast in Scotland this week, there is nowhere better to celebrate the weather than surrounded by coastal views and good music. Stonehaven is a picturesque town nestled on Scotland's northeast coast, around 15 miles out of Aberdeen. A great spot for a quick getaway for families, couples, or friends, it is famous for its lovely harbour and delicious seafood. This week marks the return of the annual Stonehaven Folk Festival. Between July 10 and 13, some of the top traditional and contemporary folk musicians across the country will perform at the seaside town. The Stonehaven Folk Festival is a celebration of Scotland's rich folk music heritage. In addition to concerts, there will be ceilidhs, workshops, singing sessions, and more for visitors of all ages. Even if you aren't a fan of folk music, there is plenty to keep you occupied around Stonehaven. Whether the sun is shining or not, there won't be a shortage of things to do. One of the top destinations in the area is Stonehaven Beach, which is a sand and shingle beach that is more than a kilometre in length. The south of the beach is more sandy and a great spot for sandcastle building or sunbathing. If you want to go for a swim, but the sea is a bit too cold for your liking, then you can visit the Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool. The Olympic-sized pool is heated, while there is also a kids' paddling pool and a water slide. Among the other top beauty spots in the area is Dunnottar Castle, which sits in a dramatic position on a 160-foot cliff overlooking the North Sea. The ruined medieval fortress is perhaps most famous for being where the Scottish crown jewels were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. Those interested in learning more about the history of the area should head to the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum. The attraction, which is among the oldest buildings in the region, is home to a number of fascinating artefacts associated with Stonehaven's heritage. Continue reading for a selection of photos showing why Stonehaven is worth visiting this week. For further travel inspiration, find some of the Daily Record's previous Towns and Villages of the Week below:


Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish seaside town that is food lover's paradise with chippies and restaurants
It offers everything from sandy beaches to world-class fish and chips. It is time for the Daily Record's first Town of the Week of July. Since we are entering the peak of the summer season, we have chosen a seaside paradise. North Berwick is a coastal town in East Lothian, situated around 20 miles out of Edinburgh. It is renowned for its incredible beaches, unparalleled scenery, and fascinating tourist attractions. As reported by the Daily Record, North Berwick has previously been named the 'best seaside town in Scotland by National Geographic. It was praised by the magazine for its "nation-leading living standards" and food offerings. North Berwick is home to many restaurants, cafés, and gastropubs that have earned acclaim from locals and holidaymakers alike. Given its coastal location, it is unsurprising that many of these specialise in seafood. One of the top food spots in North Berwick isn't a restaurant or café at all, but rather a shack. The Lobster Shack, which can be found at the town's picturesque harbour, offers everything from fish and chips to seafood chowder. Elsewhere, other popular places around town to grab a bite to eat are The Ship Inn and Zitto. The former specialises in seafood and pints, while Zitto is an Italian eatery where you can enjoy pasta or pizza. Meanwhile, when it comes to things to do, the Scottish Seabird Centre is North Berwick's most famous attraction. From here, it is only a short walk to various soft sandy beaches. Read on for some photographs of North Berwick's top attractions and food spots. If you are still looking for travel inspiration, a few of the Daily Record's pasts Towns and Villages of the Week can be found here: More On East Lothian Council Staycations Discover Scotland Days Out Food


Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'seafood capital' with everything from chippies to fancy restaurants
The resort town also offers stunning coastal views. May is almost at an end, which means summer is finally here. Therefore, the peak of Scottish staycation season is about to begin. The Daily Record has focused on various sunny beach destinations for our recent Towns and Villages of the Week. However, this time it is all about food. For the Daily Record's latest Town of the Week, we are venturing to a coastal resort that is famed for its cuisine. In fact, it is even known as the "Seafood Capital of Scotland". Oban is found in Argyll and Bute, forming a horseshoe in the Firth of Lorn. It has a population of around 8,000 people, though this can triple during the busy summer season. According to the Visit Oban website, the town is referred to as Scotland's seafood capital. This is because Oban is home to a wide array of eateries that serve up fresh seafood, from fine-dining restaurants to gastropubs and takeaways. Among the top food venues in the town are Ee-Usk and the Oban Fish and Chip Shop. The former is a great spot for a fancy sit-down meal, while the Oban Fish and Chip Shop is an acclaimed chippy that serves up a range of classics you can take away with you and eat as you enjoy Oban's spectacular coastal views. Elsewhere, another destination around town definitely worth checking out is the Oban Distillery. One of Scotland's oldest and smallest distilleries, visitors can expect expert tours and even tailored whisky tasting experiences. Continue reading for some photos spotlighting some of Oban's top food and drink venues. More information about things to do around town can be found on the Visit Oban website. For further travel inspiration, a selection of the Daily Record's past Towns and Villages of the Week here: More On Oban Food Whisky Pubs, bars and nightclubs Discover Scotland