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17 September 2014
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Walking Country| Galloway Forest Park

Galloway Forest (Image: Map)

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Galloway Forest Park in the Scottish Borders is huge with 300 square miles of mountain, forest, lochs and rivers.

It's the biggest forest park in the UK, and the scenery is so rugged and dramatic, it's known as the 'Highlands of the Lowlands'.

Walking Index (Image: Bird of prey c/o RSPB Images/Gomersall)

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Our country houses and estates are great places for nature. Find out how you can get really close to some fantastic animals.

Estate activities (Image: Red Squirrrel)

Woodland Activities

  • Estates and parks offer great wildlife watching opportunities in the autumn including birds and squirrels.

Galloway Forest Park - Visitor Guide

Address:

Galloway Forest Park, Dalry St Johns Town, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

Bellymack Hill Farm and Feeding Station, near Laurieston, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

Postcode Forest Park - DG7 3
Bellymack Hill Farm - DG7 2
Telephone:Recreation Ranger - 01671 402420
Visitor Centre on 01644 420 285
Red Kite information - the Red Kite officer - RSPB Crossmichael - 01556 670464
e-mail lucy.hadley@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Map:

and

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Ordnance Survey:Grid Reference: NX 552 764
Key attractions:Birds of prey. Red Deer.
Essential kit:Sensible footwear, tree guide.
Nature watching:

Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre is a good place to start your visit - it is located on the shores of Clatteringshaws Loch.

The Polmaddy burn and surrounding the woodland opens up to offer good views of the countryside.

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Deer watching. The Forestry Commission Scotland, who manage the park, run an annual red deer rutting event, which almost guarantees that two stags will fight. They remove the dominant stag a few days earlier and keep him in a smaller enclosure. On the event day they release him. If this is a bit too stage-managed for your taste, then put aside some time to watch the herd. If you try the first two weeks in October, your chances of seeing the rut are good.

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Galloway Red Kite Trail along Loch Ken - a good spot for bird of preys riding the thermals.

Red Kite feeding: Farmer Ann Johnstone feeds the kites at 2pm every day at Bellymach Hill Farm near Laurieston. They'll continue to feed on and off for a few hours.

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Bird watching - moorland specialists including Red Grouse.

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Activities: Horse riding - open access on all forest roads in Galloway Forest Park. Cycling - loch cycle route. Hiking and walks - numerous trails.

Facilities:Visitor centre. , toilets, visitor centre and cafe.
Education facilities and events.
Access:

Disabled access to parking, toilets and Visitor Centre.

Getting there:

The nearest towns are Dalry St Johns Town and Carsphairn. Take the A712 from Newton Stewart signposted to New Galloway. Then take the A713 towards Carsphairn. Or follow the A712 to Newton Stewart.

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Parking.

Opening times:

Bellymack Hill Farm and Feeding Station, near Laurieston - the hide is open 8am - 4pm in summer and 10am - 4pm in winter.

Charges:

Bellymack Hill Farm and Feeding Station, near Laurieston - £2.50 for use of the car park and hide.

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