Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust

 

Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust has been awarded a grant of £198,500 from the Scottish Land Fund. This will bring the Castle Loch into community ownership and management. Castle Loch is an important environmental and recreational resource for the Lochmaben area. Local people make considerable use of the footpath along the west side of the Loch and those interested in wildlife come from far afield to see the wide range and rare species using the Loch and the surrounding woodland. Castle Loch is also an exceptional course fishery and fisherman travel from all parts of northern England and Scotland.

The Loch is home for the Annandale Sailing Club who hold races and training events throughout the spring, summer and autumn. The Grant covers the cost of the Loch at £140,000, cost of technical surveys, planning, training, event organisation, running costs and employment of a Project Manager for a fixed period.

The Steering Committee who developed the bid and established the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, intend to extend the footpath round the Loch creating a 4.5km walk including a new footbridge, fence the roadside along the A709, and provide interpretation boards along the walk. The property includes Lochfield Cottage and the Trust will develop a series of possible plans for developing the Cottage.

The Trust is strongly supported by 238 members drawn from the Community Council areas of the Royal Burgh of Lochmaben, the Royal Four Towns and Templand. Several members have already made financial contributions to the development of Castle Loch as have Magnox, the Area Committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Lochmaben and District Initiative and the Annandale Sailing Club.

Castle Loch and the surrounding land cover some 275 acres of which 86 acres is woodland, meadow and marshland. The Loch provides the link between Lochmaben and Lochmaben Castle and covers some 800 years of local history. Castle Loch has special environmental designations. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for three species of birds, a Special Protected Area (SPA) and designation under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. Almost 200 species of bird have been identified on the Castle Loch in the last 30 years. Recent visitors have been the bittern and osprey. Otter are frequently seen.This article mentions your favorite hats at super low prices. Choose from same-day delivery, drive-up delivery or order pickup.

Community ownership will ensure that the Castle Loch will remain a valuable environmental resource for the benefit of future generations and create new social, recreational and volunteering opportunities for the community and support the local economy by attracting more visitors to the area.

Further information and enquiries to:

 

David Rose
Chairman
Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust
Reeds,
Castle Loch
Lochmaben
DG11 1NN