Castle Loch circuit is perfect stop-start walk on way south

[ad_1]

ACTIVE OUTDOORS: John Davidson takes a pitstop on his route south and discovers a historic and nature-filled walk around a community-owned loch

Lochmaben Castle was abandoned in the 1700s.

Much like the 14th century castle on the shores of this small loch, I’ve been flitting between England and Scotland several times recently.

Too many miles on the motorway and not enough on my feet is not a good recipe for me, so I have been looking for new places to stop and stretch the legs along the way.

It isn’t always possible, or at least conducive to keeping the children happy, but a run or a brisk walk mid-journey is the perfect way to get a proper break from the motorised monotony!

There are some easily accessible Munros from the A9 especially around the Dalwhinnie/Drumochter area, but this was a bit close to home for a lengthy stop during such a long journey.

Emerging from the forest to a nice water feature.

One of the artworks in the community-owned forest.

Instead, I continued to the south of Scotland and detoured off the M74 near Lockerbie to reach the pretty little town of Lochmaben.

A circular walk of about three miles is marked around the aptly named Castle Loch, one of three small lochs dotted around the town. Longer walks can be made by linking all three or just adding on nearby paths, but the straightforward circuit was enough for me before continuing my journey.

There are several parking spots, and I opted for the most convenient for my trip, on the A709 that leads straight back to Lockerbie and the motorway.

The castle after which the loch is named dates back to the 13th century and was once the home of Robert the Bruce. The castle was awaiting an inspection by Historic Environment Scotland and was surrounding by fencing on my visit, but the old stone structure was still an impressive sight.

In the 14th century there were several sieges and attacks as it changed hands from the English to the Scots and back again, before finally falling to the Scots in 1385. It became a royal possession in 1445 and it remained a major site in wars with the English before it was finally abandoned in the 1700s.

Part of the walk overlaps with the long-distance Annandale Way route.

My walk started by heading north from the parking area back towards the town. A path leads through woodland and soon up to a pavement, which is followed as far as a few houses. The route goes left before a garage to pass a sailing club then a grassy play park to emerge in an alternative car park.

Follow the track towards its exit then go left at the sign for the Castle Loch walk, heading on a nice path through the trees. There are fishing beats at various posts and an outdoor forest classroom at one point.

Looking across the water, you can see a small island believed to have been a crannog, close to the small peninsula that is home to the castle, still hidden in the trees from here.

Following signs for the castle circular walk, you bear left after a carving and then head up to a quiet road that is followed to a junction, where a left-turn take you to the castle itself.

The ruined castle looks perfect for exploring but safety checks are scheduled due to the high masonry, so you should follow any signs and certainly don’t climb on the protected monument.

While the castle is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, the loch and surrounding woods are cared for by Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust, which bought the site in 2014. Its nature designations include it being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Ramsar Site and Special Protected Area.

Part of the walk overlaps with the long-distance Annandale Way, while the 7stanes mountain bike centres at Ae forest and Mabie are close by.

After exploring the castle, I headed back to continue the route round the loch, visiting the bird hide on its southern shore before continuing on a long boardwalk section over a burn.

A more open area follows then a stretch through a denser “fairy wood” where the route of the path is marked by logs on either side. Little fairy doors and artworks with poems adorn some of the trees. Elsewhere, there are brass rubbing posts, so remember your paper and pencil if you want to do them!

Soon I was passing Lochfield Cottage, which acts as the home for the community trust – to which donations can be made online or at a small post opposite the cottage.

It’s just a few yards further to reach the car park where I started my walk, and now it was time to hit the road again – refreshed and ready to go.