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
March
- Saturday, 10 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 27 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
- Sunday 13 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
June
- Saturday 2 June – Volunteer thank you lunchtime BBQ. If you are interested in knowing more about volunteering at the loch please do pop down.
- Saturday 16th June, 1.30-3.30pm – Plant Sale at Lochfield Cottage in aid of Castle Loch and Parkinsons. refreshments also available.
- Running all summer until 2nd September – Children’s Short Story Writing Competition – Write a story about Castle Loch of no more than 500 words. Download all the guidelines and entry form here – Writing Competition Entry Form and Guidelines
July
- Running all summer until 2nd September – Children’s Short Story Writing Competition – Write a story about Castle Loch of no more than 500 words. Download all the guidelines and entry form here – Writing Competition Entry Form and Guidelines
- Saturday 21st 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: Painting Competition Info
- Monday 23rd July to Sunday 5th August: Historic Environment Scotland are coming to explore Lochmaben Castle with five trenches being dug to evaluate the peel area in front of the main castle walls. So come along to one of the public events on the following dates:Adult Sessions: Thursday 26th July (10am-noon) & Monday 30 July (1.30pm – 3.30pm)
Family/Children’s sessions: Friday 27 July (10am-noon) & Wednesday 1 August (1.30pm – 3.30pm)
If any volunteers are keen to donate a day or more to assist with the actual dig they should make contact with Adrian Cox at adrian.cox@hes.scot
August
- Running all summer until 2nd September – Children’s Short Story Writing Competition – Write a story about Castle Loch of no more than 500 words. Download all the guidelines and entry form here – Writing Competition Entry Form and Guidelines
- tbc – end of July/early August: Archaeological dig at Lochmaben Castle
September
- Sunday 2nd September, 10.30am at bowls Club car park: Dumfries Botany group surveying Castle Loch aquatic plants.
October
- Friday 19th & Saturday 20th October – Children in Need Ramble (registration from 9.30am – 10.30am) – Walk round Castle Loch, Lochmaben in aid of Children in Need. Register and Start at Lochfield Cottage (next to Lockerbie road car park) from 9.30am to 10.30am. Suggested donation £5 per adult. Families and dogs welcome. Refreshments on return to the cottage. Be sure to wear suitable outdoor clothing and shoes.