Eskrigg Nature Reserve is maintained by a local charity on the site of an old curling pond. This walk begins from the town centre of Lockerbie, heading out to the reserve and returning via the Garden of Remembrance for victims of the Lockerbie bombing.
Bog Factor
Minor roads, tracks, grassy field and woodland paths.
Lockerbie.
Bus or train to Lockerbie.
NY136816
There is a car park in the centre of Lockerbie, up a narrow lane opposite the impressive Town Hall. Begin by returning to the High Street and turning right (south) along it. Keep straight ahead at the traffic lights with the Dumfries road. Continue ahead for another 0.5km or more, then turn right onto Quaas Loaning, signposted for 'Turnmuir Walks'.
When the road swings left keep straight ahead on a track descending through trees. This soon emerges on the B7076; cross carefully and then head up the steps onto the footbridge over the A74(M) motorway. Descend the steps beyond and then continue ahead in the same direction, passing to the right of the electricity substation and following a grassy track with bungalows on the right hand side. Ignore a footpath off to the left and continue until the track reaches a t-junction. Turn left here, following another track.
Ignore a parking area (can be used by those wishing to shorten the walk) and footpath off right. Continue ahead instead to reach Eskrigg Farm; pass through the gate here onto a grassy track and then keep straight ahead through another gate to head along the edge of a field with a fence on your left (cattle often present). Keep ahead until woodland is reached at a gate; pass through the gate and then turn right, following a footpath between the woods and the field fence.
When the conifer plantations are reached at a 4-way junction, keep straight ahead into the forestry. This part of the walk follows part of the route of the Annandale Way. Keep ahead, ignoring a well-made path off right, to reach a wooden bench at a junction with a signpost almost hidden in the trees. Turn right here. When a junction is reached turn right again, soon reaching the visitor centre and hide on the Eskrigg Nature Reserve. The centre overlooks the former curling pond whilst bird-feeders ensure a variety of visitors.
Turn left at the centre along a gravelled path. A turning on the right permits a detour to a hide perfectly placed for watching red squirrels visiting the feeders. Back on the path, the path passes a picnic area (off right) and a wooden shelter (on your left). The path turns left at the shelter; a short distance beyond fork left over a wooden bridge onto another path which runs parallel at first. The path soon bends left to stay within the wood.
The path curves along the edge of the wood and then continues straight ahead. When a track is reached turn right along it, soon reaching the A709. Cross this carefully; on the far side is the Dryfesdale Lodge.
This is open to visitors, giving local information and history about the area. If you continue through the cemetery the garden of remembrance is soon reached, in memory of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing which claimed 270 lives in 1988. To return to Lockerbie, head east along the A709; there is a pavement. This soon crosses the motorway and rejoins the outward route at the traffic lights; turn left at the lights to return to the start.
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