Editing Dumfries and Galloway (section)

====National scenic areas====
There are three [[National scenic area (Scotland)|National scenic area]]s within this region.

* [[River Nith|Nith Estuary]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkscotland.plus.com/otherwalks/nith_nat_s_area/nith_index.htm|title=Nith Estuary National Scenic Area|website=www.walkscotland.plus.com}}</ref> this area follows the River Nith southward from just south of Dumfries into the Solway Firth. Dumfries itself has a rich history going back over 800 years as a Royal Burgh (1186). It is particularly remembered as the place where [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert the Bruce]] murdered the [[John Comyn III of Badenoch|Red Comyn]] in 1306 before being crowned [[List of Scottish monarchs|King of Scotland]] – and where [[Robert Burns]] spent his last years. His mausoleum is in St Michael's graveyard. Going down the east bank is the village of [[Glencaple]], [[Caerlaverock Castle]], [[WWT Caerlaverock|Caerlaverock Wild Fowl Trust]], an ancient Roman fort on Ward Law Hill<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roman-britain.org/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206080654/http://www.roman-britain.org/places/ward_law.htm|url-status=dead|title=Roman Britain - Organisation|archivedate=6 December 2009|website=Roman Britain}}</ref> and nearby in [[Ruthwell]] is the [[Ruthwell Cross]] and the Brow Well<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk/browwell.html |title=Dumfries Museum – The Brow Well |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-date=4 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204033532/http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk/browwell.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> where Robert Burns "took the waters" and bathed in the Solway just before his death. On the west bank, there are several walks and cycle routes in Mabie Forest,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forestry.gov.uk/Website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandDumfriesshireForestsoftheSolwayCoastMabieForest|title=Forestry Commission web page on Mabie Forest and its facilities}}</ref> Kirkconnell Flow<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland's Natural Nature Reserves page on the Kirkconnell Flow |url=http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/reserve.asp?NNRId=50 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310191156/http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/reserve.asp?NNRId=50 |archive-date=10 March 2010 |access-date=23 December 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> for the naturalist, the [[National Museum of Costume]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Museum of Costume web site |url=http://www.museumofcostume.co.uk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106115131/http://www.museumofcostume.co.uk/ |archive-date=6 January 2010 |access-date=23 December 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> just outside [[New Abbey]] and [[Sweetheart Abbey]] within the village. [[Criffel]] (569&nbsp;metres) offers the hill walker a reasonably modest walk with views across the Solway to the [[Lake District]]. The house of [[John Paul Jones]] founder of the [[American Navy]] is also open to visitors near [[Kirkbean]].
* [[Rough Firth|East Stewartry Coast]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkscotland.plus.com/otherwalks/stew_s_area/homepage.htm|title=East Stewartry National Scenic Area Map, and Introduction to Coastal Walks in the Area|website=www.walkscotland.plus.com}}</ref> this takes in the coast line from Balcary Point<ref>{{Cite web |title=Auchencairn Initiative walk from Balcary to Rascarrel |url=http://www.auchencairn.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=49 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217015320/http://www.auchencairn.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=49 |archive-date=17 December 2009 |access-date=23 December 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> eastward across Auchencairn Bay and the [[Rough Firth]] past [[Sandyhills]] to Mersehead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/mersehead|title=Mersehead Nature Reserve, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland|website=The RSPB}}</ref> There are several coastal villages within this area – [[Auchencairn]], [[Kippford]], Colvend, [[Rockcliffe, Dumfries and Galloway|Rockcliffe]], and Portling. There is also a round tower at [[Orchardton Tower|Orchardton]] and the islands of Hestan Isle and [[Rough Island, Scotland|Rough Island]] can be reached at low tide outside the breeding season for birds. Mersehead is a wildfowl reserve. The area has a number of coastal paths.
* [[Water of Fleet|Fleet Valley]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkscotland.plus.com/otherwalks/fleet_s_area/fleet_index.htm|title=Fleet Valley National Scenic Area|website=www.walkscotland.plus.com}}</ref> this area takes in Fleet Bay with its holiday destinations of Auchenlarie, Mossyard Bay, Cardoness, Sandgreen and Carrick Shore. The area also includes the town of [[Gatehouse of Fleet]] and the historic villages of Anworth and Girthon – there is a castle at [[Cardoness Castle|Cardoness]] in the care of [[Historic Scotland]].