A former coaching inn dating from 1770 at the western entrance to the town. The Blue Bell is in a red sandstone building and is a busy, friendly pub offering up to four real ales. The pub is home to many community activities along with annual beer (late August Bank Holiday) and cider festivals. There are traditional features in the Blue Bell, notably the inter-war panelling on the walls and the bar counter. These are retained from its time as a State Management Scheme pub from 1917 to 1972 . The courtyard to the rear of the pub features the original stables and also provides a pleasant seated area. The Blue Bell has an on-site brewery called Mote & Bailey. The beer range varies and may include seasonal specials as well as one off brews. Mote & Bailey beers are only in the Blue Bell and are not supplied elsewhere but are not always available. Real or bottled cider may be available. CAMRA Dumfriesshire Area Pub of the Year 2024, 2023 Bus services connect Annan with Dumfries, Lockerbie, Gretna and Carlisle.

Enjoys an excellent reputation for its food. A world-class view overlooking the Nith Estuary and Solway Firth. On a clear day the mountains of the North Lakes are clearly visible on the English side of the Firth. The view up the Nith is just as good. Carsethorn is a former fishing village that was once a major point of emigration. Not too far away is the birthplace of John Paul Jones, founder of the US Navy, as the RSPB Reserve at Mersehead. Bus service to either Dumfries or Dalbeattie.

The visitor centre for Sulwath Brewery acts as a showcase for the brewery's beers with four in cask conditioned form. At times there may be guest beers from elsewhere. One cider, usually from Westons is also available. Dried hop bines decorate the walls and old wooden casks of various sizes provide some of the furniture. Brewery tours are available Monday and Friday. Occasional Sunday opening for special events which are usually published on Facebook.

A 300 year old village inn run personally by the proprietors. It is a real village pub with a good atmosphere and service. The building has a small bar and lounge with a separate games room that also houses the village Post Office. 2019 CAMRA Dumfriesshire Area Pub of the Year. The bar has a cosy feel about it which is enhanced by a nice warming stove in winter. The inn is close to the Savings Bank Museum at Ruthwell and the 8th century Ruthwell Cross. Robert Burns visited this inn during his ill-fated attempt to recuperate at nearby Brow Well in July 1796. There is a regular bus service to Annan or Dumfries. Winter opening times may vary.

Winner of CAMRA Pub of the Year, Dumfries and Galloway Stewartry, 2024.

The Clachan has a reputation for excellent food, cosy, well-equipped bedrooms and a welcoming atmosphere.The menu is varied with excellent daily specials and the kitchen makes use of local produce including organic lamb and venison. The pub has an attractive traditional main bar, a relaxing lounge bar and a separate restaurant - both bars have wonderfully warming open log fires in winter. A handy stop for walkers on the Southern Upland Way. There is a limited daytime bus service to Castle Douglas from Monday to Saturday. Twice a day there is a connecting service to Ayr via Dalmellington. There is no bus service on Sunday. Winter opening hours may vary. CAMRA Stewartry Area Pub of the Year 2023.

Winner CAMRA Pub of the Year, Dumfries Town area, 2024.

Busy food-oriented pub that is popular with diners for its range of good-value meals. Drinkers are welcomed in the bar area but seating can be limited during food service times. Outside, accessed by stairs or from the Whitesands is an outdoor area including a covered “barn”. Guest ales are from a wide range of breweries, including some rarely seen in this locality. Serves five regular beers and three guests. CAMRA Local branch Pub of the Year 2022.

Always a popular venue. A traditional town centre bar with a warming fire in winter and a cosy snug. Recently refurbished. The choice of available beers, often from smaller less well known breweries, reflect the care taken by the Licensee to give real ale drinkers something different. This pub makes full use of Facebook to inform about its beer choices. Dumfries & Stewartry overall winner Pub of the Year 2023

The Globe dates from 1610 and is the oldest pub in Dumfries. It has a close association with Scotland's national Bard, Robert Burns, who was a frequent visitor. The pub is home to the world-famous 'Burns Howff Club' and holds lots of memorabilia associated with the Bard. Visitors can visit the rooms which were associated with Burns by arrangement. This is a busy town centre pub, situated up a short close off the High Street. It has a public bar with dining area and an adjoining small snug bar. It is steeped in tradition. Occasionally functions are held here so it advisable to check if it is open for general use before visiting.

The Riverside Bar is an established venue on the Dumfries real ale scene. Comfortable and friendly, it has seating on two levels and a large conservatory. Three outside seating areas include a terrace with open views over the Dock Park and access to walks both sides of the River Nith. The pub is accessible from the St Michaels area near Robert Burns Mausoleum or from Dock Park. Guest beers are sourced throughout the UK..

This former Methodist Church, sensitively converted by Wetherspoon in 2001, has a relaxed atmosphere and is a popular meeting place in the town centre. There is a pleasant outside seating area to the rear. The pub stands near the site where Robert the Bruce killed John Comyn in 1306 in an incident linked to Scotland’s fight for independence. The food menu offers a range of good value meals served all day, every day. Alcohol is served from 10am.Three changing beers are available. It was the Local CAMRA Dumfries and Stewartry Branch Cider Pub of the Year 2019.

A pleasant walk along the River Nith from the centre of Dumfries will bring you to the Swan which is beside the quay in Kingholm Quay.  A busy, food orientated family friendly pub which is renowned for its good honest pub food, served in a welcoming atmosphere.  The pubs renovation is a bright and modern look with a large dog friendly beer garden and play area for children.  Drinkers are welcomed and an area within the pub is set aside for this purpose. One real ale is on offer in this pub and is usually from Sulwath. There are two log burning stoves

Family run hotel in a listed building dating from 1730's, offering Bed and Breakfast accommodation, home-cooked meals and a varied selection of real ales. A major refurbishment programme has been implemented, with two real fires ensuring a cosy welcome. Ecclefechan is a picturesque village, visited by Robert Burns, and the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle. It is a convenient stop for travellers being close to Junction 19 of the M74.

Built by local Masons in 1785, the pub is situated just off the east end of the main street in Gatehouse of Fleet, a lovely traditional village in the heart of the Stewartry. Exposed beams are a feature in the comfortable bar area along with a real fire. Good, locally sourced food is served in the bar as well as the conservatory and restaurant. There are daily specials, a weekly curry night and a popular Sunday carvery. Winter food and opening times may vary., so you are advised to phone the pub in advance if you are planning a visit.

A welcoming family-run pub on the main street of this charming, quiet village in the scenic valley of the River Urr. It has a good village-pub atmosphere, enhanced on cold winter nights by the warming log fire in the bar. The pub is an important part of the local community and has a small number of events including a monthly Luncheon Club. Milk and newspapers are sold on a daily basis and the pub is used as a Post Office on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. CAMRA Stewartry Area Pub of the Year 2022.

Winter changing beers may only be 2 The pub is on the bus route between Dumfries, Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas. There is a regular service during the day, less frequent in the evening and very limited on Sunday. Natlonal Cycle Route Seven is 50 metres from the pub. The pub closes for a week in early January

On the main street in the heart of this popular sailing centre, this friendly inn has fine views over the Urr estuary. The small cosy bar is warmed by a lovely open log fire in winter. When the weather is warm and sunny there can be no greater pleasure in life than sitting at an outside table watching the world go by. Winter opening times may vary. One changing beer in winter, and winter hours may vary. Please check before visiting.

Currently has one hand pump.

Family run hotel in the centre of Kirkcudbright with a friendly traditional bar as well as a snug. There is a restaurant area within a purpose-built conservatory. Locally caught seafood features on the menu. There is a seating area outside that also incorporates an external bar. Beers from Five Kingdom Brewery available all year round are enjoyed by a friendly clientele.

September 2024: "Our restaurant is currently closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays". See website or phone for updates.

Refurbished 18th-century hotel with a restaurant, bistro and lounge bar, renowned for locally sourced food. The large garden area with tables is popular in summer. Robert Burns wrote his famous Selkirk Grace at the hotel in 1794. Kirkcudbright is notable for its artistic heritage and houses a number of interesting galleries and museums. Two real ales are available, sometimes three in summer. The bar features a good selection of malt whiskies and gins. Booking for meals almost essential due to demand unless eating in the garden.

Douglas Hotel is a family run former coaching inn located on the High Street in the picturesque border town of Langholm. Langholm is known locally as ‘The Muckle Toon’ (muckle is a Scottish word meaning ‘large’) as historically, the town was a large woollen textile manufacturing centre. The cosy public bar, entered from the High Street, has a traditional feel with many original features. It can be very busy at weekends. Bus services connect Langholm with Canonbie, Carlisle and Longtown. This is route X95 which travels between Carlisle and the Border Towns. It is possible to get a 112 bus from Lockerbie to Eskdalemuir which connects with the 124 bus to Langholm. Service is limited and does not run on Sundays

The Crown is a small family run pub and hotel With accommodation, beer garden, food and regular entertainment

Cosy pub. Live music at weekend. Handy for the station.

Town Centre traditional hotel with lounge bar operation. Food offered all day with designated seating in rear with log burning fire. Pleasant garden area accessed from High Street . Bus services connect Moffat with Dumfries, Lockerbie, Glasgow and Edinburgh. There is a connection to West Coast Main Line train services at Lockerbie. There will be changing beer will be available at times of high demand.

This privately owned and family run hotel is one of the best meeting places in Moffat. Bistro bar/eating area downstairs, with a more formal restaurant upstairs. Bus services connect Moffat with Dumfries, Lockerbie, Glasgow and Edinburgh. There is a connection to West Coast Main Line train services at Lockerbie.

Operates as B&B only during winter months, no bar.

Please use the Submit Updates link at the top of this page if you have any other information, especially with regard to the availability of real ale or cider.

Update June 2023: One real ale available. Meals have a South African influence due to the owners origins. A meeting place for motor bike enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.

The Craigdarroch Arms Hotel has been at the heart of Moniaive's community for over a century. It attracts many outdoor enthusiasts, including cyclists, anglers and shooters. The village hosts regular music festivals with a varied range of major artistes performing to audiences in the Coach House in the huge hotel garden. It holds an annual beer festival. The restaurant serves excellent, freshly prepared meals using local produce. Children & dogs are welcome.

A friendly hotel in the square of the picturesque village of New Abbey, about 5 miles from Dumfries. The nearby Sweetheart Abbey was founded in 1273 by Lady Devorgilla of Galloway, in memory of her late husband, John Balliol. Opening hours can vary - contact pub if in doubt

As this pub is set in a rural location, the recommendation is to call before your visit to ensure that it is open and serving real ale.

CatStrand is an arts centre and licenced cafe funded by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust which is open 7 days a week during the day (except January and February when it is 5 days per week). Run by volunteers so check times before visiting on their frequently updated Facebook page. The bar is also open alongside the busy evening events programme and usually on Friday evenings until 10pm as an 'open bar'.

Real Ale is served in bottles with a good selection of Five Kingdoms and usually also from Sulwath.

A popular facility which is part of the well used Barend Holiday Village. On Wednesdays we do a pub quiz with proceeds to local charities and good causes. During winter we have a log burner and in warmer months we've done the courtyard up to be a pleasant outdoor space for drinking and eating. There is a large cover with heaters for cooler evenings.

A single-roomed village pub - this friendly, unpretentious local is slightly off the beaten track, although it is close to Gretna, wedding capital of the country. In the 18th and early 19th centuries marriages were conducted in the pub and wedding parties still celebrate here. Note that food is not served and the pub does not open on weekdays until 5 pm. There is a bus stop outside the pub with local service 382 going north to Ecclefechan and Lockerbie. The southbound service terminates 5 minutes away in Gretna where there are bus connections to Annan or Carlisle. Gretna Green railway station, with services to Carlisle, Annan and Dumfries, is a 15 minute walk from the pub.

Originally built by the Duke of Buccleuch in 1855, the hotel is now family-run. The building has been renovated to create a stylish country hotel in this scenic part of the Nith Valley. Thornhill is an ideal base for those interested in exploring the countryside or engaging in activities such as fishing.

Lovely relaxing friendly bar Opening times stated above are for the lounge bar, with the public bar opening at 5pm on weekdays and 12pm at weekends.

A former coaching inn, it is a busy, friendly establishment which is frequented by locals and visitors alike - much as a result of its reputation for good home-cooked food. The hotel is popular with the many visitors who visit Nithsdale for salmon angling, shooting and other outdoor sports.

Set in beautiful private grounds, only four miles from Dumfries and 8 miles from Lockerbie, this charming 200-year-old country house hotel serves good food. Torthorwald owes its name to the Vikings who raided the Solway coastline. Please note the venue is closed Mon-Tues during Jan - April Real ale not always available