Other than the children’s writing competition, all events are currently suspended
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
March
- Sunday 1 March – 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
- Postponed – Tuesday 24 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 Freda Seddon about ‘Bats at the Loch’. If you would like to be part of the Board, email your interest via the website by 19th March.
April
- Sunday 5 April – Easter Eggstravaganza: Easter fun at Lochfield Cottage on the shore of Castle Loch organised by Fraser’s handy car wash – Lochmaben. Games, music, egg hunt, BBQ. Tickets £3 – limited spaces. https://www.facebook.com/events/606729126791335/
- Saturday 18th April – Moth Trapping: come along to Lochfield Cottage from 9.30 – 11am to see what moths the volunteers from Butterfly Conservation have found around the loch woodlands
- Running all spring and 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 – 2020_writing_competition_castle_loch
May
- 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.
- Sunday 31 May: Dumfries & Galloway Environment Fair: From 11:00 to 16:00. The Dumfries and Galloway Environment Fair is a free environmental based education and interactive fair for all ages. The Loch will have a stand at the event, so pop by and say hello, plus guess the bird song or make a caterpillar. Rutherford McCowan Building, Crichton Campus, Dumfries DG1 4ZL
- Running all spring and 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 – 2020_writing_competition_castle_loch
June
- Running all spring and 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 – 2020_writing_competition_castle_loch
July
- Running all spring and 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 – 2020_writing_competition_castle_loch
- tbc – Family fun treasure hunt at Castle Loch led by Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Active Schools and Community Sport Officer.
- tbc – Children’s creative Writing Workshop: 10am-12noon at Lochfield Cottage. As part of the Castle Loch Children’s Writing Competition, we’ve teamed up with writer Kerrie McKinnel to offer three fun, interactive workshops. Encourage their creativity and their connection with nature. Children aged 5-13 of all abilities are invited to attend on as many dates as they wish, with different activities each day.Booking essential. Includes a short nature walk with Darren, Castle Loch’s ranger (weather dependent) – please dress appropriately. To book a place: Message our Facebook page or contact darrenflint@castleloch.org.uk
- tbc – 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: TBC
August
- Running all spring and 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 – 2020_writing_competition_castle_loch
- tbc – Teddy Bears’ Picnic: If you go down to the woods on Saturday, tbc , 11am – 2pm… be sure to bring your favourite teddy and a picnic. Castle Loch, Lochmaben are holding their first ever Teddy Bear’s picnic to celebrate Community Land Week. Come and enjoy this lovely spot with some play, story time, a teddy bear treasure hunt, and dress your bear to impress (and maybe even win a prize). At Lochfield Cottage, next to Lockerbie road loch side car park – there is limited parking so why not wander down from Lochmaben?
September
- Running all spring and 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 – coming soon
October
- date TBC – 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.