Throughout the year we run a whole range of activities aimed at all ages, tastes, and abilities. From Easter Egg trails for the little ones, to social history lectures on curling on Castle Loch, and everything in between. Keep an eye on this page for regular updates.
As part of the Day of the Region we created a forest mural
Booking is advisable on all events. To book a place email darrenflint@castleloch.org.uk or telephone 07971790847
Monthly
- Volunteering on 1st Saturday and 3rd Thursday each month – meet at Lochfield Cottage, next to the main loch side car park on the A709. 10am – 1pm
January
- Tuesday, 17th January: Path Opening Event: From 10.30am – 12 noon. Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust would like to invite you to the official opening of a new section of footpath, which was cleared and created at the tail end of 2016. This stretch of path moves away from the roadside verge to now run across grassland and the edge of woodland, making it much more pleasant to walk the 3-mile circuit of the loch. The event starts from 10.30am and the official path opening is at 11am with ribbon cutting and unveiling of a finger post by local resident Hal McGhie. We will also be serving a cup of warming soup, sausage roll and glass of something fizzy to mark the occasion.Location & Parking: The new path runs through woods and across grassland between the Lochmaben castle approach lane and the B7020 Lochmaben to Hightae road. There are numerous parking lay-bys along the B7020, and car parks at the castle and Lochmaben (bowls club), a 15-20 minute pleasant walk away.This element of the project has been made possible by the hard work of the volunteers clearing the route, Murrays of Beattock (fencing), Clydesdale Community Initiative (path) and funding from Leader, Awards For All, George Hunter Trust and lots of individual donors. A big thank you to everyone involved.
March
- Saturday, 18 March: Dumfries & Galloway Environment Fair: From 10:00 to 15:30. The Dumfries and Galloway Environment Fair 2017 is a free environmental based education and interactive fair for all ages. The community nature reserve will have a stand at the event, so pop by and say hello, plus guess the bird song or make a dragonfly. Rutherford McCowan Building, Crichton Campus, Dumfries DG1 4ZL
- Tuesday 28 March- Castle Loch AGM: 7.30pm in the Church Hall on Prince’s Street – all Members are welcome to attend. Updates, refreshments and nominations and voting in of the Trust’s Board. Short talk from the Mostly Ghostly team. If you would like to be part of the Board, email your interest via the website.
April
- Sunday 9 April – Mostly Ghostly: Discover the dark character of this ancient stronghold with Legends & Lore at Castle Loch. Tickets available from Midsteeple, Dumfries or via http://www.mostlyghostly.org
May
- TBC: Archaeological dig at Lochmaben Castle
- Sunday 14 May – Lockerbie & District Rotary Sponsored Walk: Come along and enjoy a fun walk suitable for all the family. If you wish, you can also raise sponsorship monies before you walk for your favourite charity. More info: Walk Entry Form 2017
- Wednesday 31 May – Creative Writing Workshop: Join the Lockerbie Creative Writers at Castle Loch for a day of writing inspiration. Ideal for the beginner and those wanting to develop their writing confidence further. Refreshments will be provided. More info: 2017_creative_writing_outline_for_day
June
- Weekend afternoons from June to end of August – pop-up visitor centre at loch side cottage: Lochfield Cottage, the loch side cottage next to the Lockerbie road car park will be open during summer weekend afternoons for information, children’s activities, and refreshments. Please note we will only open during good weather.
July
- Weekend afternoons from June to end of August – pop-up visitor centre at loch side cottage: Lochfield Cottage, the loch side cottage next to the Lockerbie road car park will be open during summer weekend afternoons for information, children’s activities, and refreshments. Please note we will only open during good weather.
- Saturday 1st July – Castle Loch Painting Competition: 10am-3pm (registration from 9.30am). Come and spend a day painting the scenes of Castle Loch, be that sweeping views of water and hills or getting up close to the textures and forms of the flora and trees. Adult, teenager and children’s categories, plus children’s art activities. More info and registration forms: Castle Loch Painting Competition info and forms
August
- Weekend afternoons from June to end of August – pop-up visitor centre at loch side cottage: Lochfield Cottage, the loch side cottage next to the Lockerbie road car park will be open during summer weekend afternoons for information, children’s activities, and refreshments. Please note we will only open during good weather.
September
- Friday 20 September at 7.00pm – Bat walk: Meet at the castle car park, signposted from the B7020. Come and enjoy a short talk about the bats of Castle Loch, followed by a nocturnal walk around the castle area led by local bat expert, Freda Seddon. Come and learn about these secretive and often misunderstood little creatures. Be sure to wear suitable outdoor clothing. Cost: Free (donations to Castle Loch and D&G Bat Group welcome).
October
- Saturday, 7th October, 10am – 2.30pm (registration from 9.30am) – Castle Loch’s annual sponsored walk will leave from Lochfield Cottage: Come along and enjoy a fun walk suitable for all the family. 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: Castle_loch_walk_Entry Form