Southerness | |
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Southerness Lighthouse and Solway Firth |
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Southerness shown within Dumfries and Galloway | |
Population | 170 (2001 Census) |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Dumfries |
Postcode district | DG2 |
Dialling code | 01387 |
Police | Scottish |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
EU Parliament | Scotland |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
Southerness is a small coastal village in Dumfries and Galloway. Southerness is located approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) south of the A710 between Caulkerbush and Kirkbean. The town today is mainly a tourist village and has for many years had a large number of static caravans, some private and many rented to holiday makers. The local bus services to and from Dalbeattie and Dumfries are more frequent during the summer season.
One of the main landmarks is its lighthouse which was built in 1749 and is one of the oldest lighthouses in Scotland. The lighthouse stands approximately 56 feet (17 m) tall and was decommissioned in the 1930s. One of the two golf courses was redesigned in 1947 by course manager Mackenzie Ross.
The village has to the north a magnificent backdrop of the "marilyn" Criffel, and to the south the sandy bay of Gillfoot. There are good views on a clear day across the Solway Firth to the Lakeland fells.
LightHouse Leisure is a family run park with about 200 caravans. It also has the Mermaid Bar on site where bingo is offered most evenings during the season, and a swimming pool with tanning booth. LightHouse Leisure is about a 2-minute walk away from the beach and lighthouse of Southerness.
Southerness Holiday Park is owned by Parkdean Resorts. There is a new multi-purpose swimming pool, built in 2011, with flumes, a toddlers' pool, and a 25-metre swimming pool. The site also has a nature trail.