Family History and Heritage Tours

Family History and Heritage Tours

Bespoke family history and genealogy tour

We provide tailor-made history and family heritage tours of Dumfries and Galloway. We work with local experts, family history centres, and reference libraries to design a geaneology tour unique to you and your family. While on your tour, we can include visits to a variety of important historical sites in the region. 

As you follow in the footsteps of your ancestors, you get to take in the amazing scenery this beautiful area of Scotland has to offer.

Let us prepare an itinerary and guide you round your ancestral home. We will bring your family's heritage to life showing you where and how your ancestors lived, allowing you to share this knowledge with other family members back home. 

As part of our service, we will pick you up from, and return you to, your accommodation. We can also collect you from an airport or train station. If required, we can also recommend appropriate accommodation in the region based on your personal requirements. 

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Who are you? - Your tour guides are Mark and Joyce. Dumfries born and bred. Mark did work away from home in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Manchester for a number of years. He often brought friends to the region and showed them round. They were amazed by the stunning scenery and the rich history of the area. Mark moved back to Dumfries several years ago to reconnect more fully with nature, history, and the varied landscape of Dumfries and Galloway. We hope to share our passion for this region with you on one of our tours.

How much does the tour cost? - We offer 1 day to 7 day tours. Each tour is tailor-made to match your interests and requirements. After you make contact, we will draw up an itinerary and quote you a price.

Should we contact you pre-arrival to discuss our options? – Absolutely. Please contact us before booking so we can discuss your interests, requirements, and expectations. We can adapt your tour as required. Contact can be made by emailing Mark@dumfriestours.co.uk or by calling or messaging  +44 7732224011. 

How long have you been operating the business? - We started our business in 2022; successfully running tours that year, 2023 and 2024. The business has flourished and become more successful each year. We are looking forward to bookings for 2025.   

Where are you based and how do we get there? - We are based in Dumfries which is about 14 miles west of Lockerbie. It's only an hour to Lockerbie by train from either Glasgow or Edinburgh, two hours from Manchester, and just over four hours from London. You can also travel Dumfries by train from Glasgow or Edinburgh. We can pick you up from Lockerbie or Dumfries to begin your tour. We can also arrange pick up from Glasgow or Edinburgh (including airports) if required. 

On what day do the tours start? - Depending on our availability, your tour can start and end on any day of the week. You decide. 

How long do the tours last? - They are full days. We usually start at 9am and aim to get you back to your accommodation by 5.30pm - 6pm each day. We recommend three day tours (or more) so you can fully immerse yourself in the history, culture, and scenery of the region. However, if available, can also offer one or two day tours. 

What’s included? – Pickup from and return to Lockerbie or Dumfries railway stations. If you need picked up from Edinburgh or Glasgow we will incorporate this in our price quote. You will have the exclusive services of your very own an expert local tour guide and driver throughout your stay, with transport between all locations. These are exclusive tours; no sharing with any other parties. Ideal for couples and/or friends.

What's not included? – Does not include accommodation, meals or entry to visitor sights and attractions. 

How many people are on your tours? - We can accommodate up to four people from the same booking party. 

What about bigger groups in the same booking, can you accommodate all of us on your tours? - Yes. We work with a very reputable local coach company who provide us with a coach and driver. Mark will draw up the itinerary and be your guide on the day/s. Contact us for a quote. 

What about accommodation? – We can recommend the best, well located, family run guesthouses and hotels in the region. If you have already arranged your own place to stay, we can pick you up from your lodgings and begin, and end, your tour from there. 

What about food and drink? – We know the best tea rooms, coffee shops, farmhouse cafes, restaurants and bars in the area. With this local knowledge, we make appropriate stops on route to ensure you are suitably refreshed throughout the day while enjoying fine home-made, and locally sourced produce.