Updates:
Cancelled: Tonight’s Bat Walk: Unfortunately the Met Office weather warning for wind and heavy rain has proved spot on and it is forecast to run through to about 10pm this evening. No good for bat watching! The forecast is better for Saturday evening and there is a bat walk at Moffat Community Nature Reserve at 7.15pm if anyone would like to come along. Sorry for cancelling – the bats won’t be coming out in this weather.
Funding for new footpath/fencing: We are pleased to announce that we now have the funding in place to reroute a short section of footpath away from the edge of the Dalton road, plus renew sections of fencing (particularly along the B7020 and near the children’s forest schools. The tendering documents, for potential contractors to pitch for the work, are now ready to download – http://www.castleloch.org.uk/the-trust/documents/
Castle Loch on ITV’s Border Life: Just in case you missed the ITV Border Life feature on Castle Loch, here is the link to watch online. Castle Loch is the first item and I think we all came across really well. Thanks to everyone for their help on the day of filming. http://www.itv.com/…/u…/2016-07-11/watch-border-life-online/
Event News: Lots happening during September including a bat walk, geophysics survey of Lochmaben castle, Day of the Region celebrations and guided walk of the loch. More details: http://www.castleloch.org.uk/events-activities/events/
Castle Loch’s annual sponsored walk – Saturday 8th October, 10am – 12.30pm (registration from 9.30am) at Lochfield Cottage: Come along and enjoy a fun walk suitable for all the family around Lochmaben’s Castle Loch. If you wish, you can also CONTRIBUTE by raising sponsorship monies before you walk. All monies raised will be used for the ongoing upkeep and development of this community project. 1 circuit = 3 miles, 2 circuits = 6 miles or a the family woodland trail. Be sure to wear suitable outdoor clothing and shoes. Refreshments will be available. More info: Sponsored Walk Info Registration and Sponsorship
Posted 6 Sept. – The full 3 mile circuit of the loch path and boardwalk is fully open and pretty dry throughout.
Volunteering activities: Volunteering events occur on the 1st Saturday and 3rd Thursday of the month. the next session is Thursday 15th September – meet at 4th lay-by along Dalton road side of loch. We will be clearing the roadside hedge ready for new fencing going in during October.
——————————————————————————————-
Winner of RSPB Nature of Scotland Community Initiative 2015
Winner of DG Life ‘People of the Year’ Award 2014
Welcome to Castle Loch, the largest and shallowest of the lochs in Lochmaben, Dumfries & Galloway. The site is one of the earliest Local Nature Reserves (LNR) and also a site of national and international importance for its birdlife with a whole list of designations, including Site of Scientific Interest, Ramsar Site and Special Protected Area. The loch is a fine location to visit at any time of the year, offering fine opportunities to see bird and wildlife, take walk, fish or take to the waters under sail. The site offers the chance to see breeding Willow Tit at their northern reaches, however it comes into its own during the winter season with the migration of Pink-footed Geese from Iceland and Greenland, along with Greylag Geese and Goosanders.
The ruins of Lochmaben Castle are found on promontory at the south end of the loch and offer an added attraction to experience first-hand the important historical connections of the area. The castle is a former stronghold of the Bruce family and is reckoned to be the best example of an Edwardian (Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots) Peel left in Scotland.
In 2013 the Castle Loch was put up for sale. The Castle Loch Advisory Committee provided the basis of a local Community Trust whose aim was to purchase the Castle Loch and its environs for the Community. The steering committee successfully raised the funds needed and Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust (CLLCT) took ownership of the site in January 2014.
Other recreational facilities located on the edge of the loch are the beautiful Victory Park, a bowling green and all weather tennis courts. There is an attractive path round most of the loch, which passes Lochmaben Castle and a Bird Hide, returning to the town on a quiet lane with fine views over the water and hills. Numerous fishing piers are found along the Lochmaben to Dalton road side of the loch, while a gently sloping path down to the lochside fishing pier, enabling wheelchair users to fish at the loch, is at the A709 car park. Annandale Sailing Club is a small friendly club and the loch can provide both sheltered waters for the nervous beginner or an interesting test for those who appreciate the subtleties of inland racing. Please note that the only motorised craft allowed on the loch are those of the Sailing Club rescue boats and Water Bailiff.
