Lamb Island and Threave Estate, Castle Douglas

Summary

This walk explores the countryside of the Threave Estate, owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It winds a varied route through the pleasant landscape, and visits a bird hide on Lamb Island in the middle of the River Dee. The walk can be extended - and should be - by following the Threave Castle circuit.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths, tracks and minor roads. Can be muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Threave Castle car park.

Public Transport

None to start - nearest bus Rhonehouse Road End junction 1km from start .

Start Grid Ref

NX745616

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 43m (Profile)

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Explorer 312 - Kirkcudbright

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Threave Castle car park is well signed from the roundabout on the A75 just west of Castle Douglas. The parking area is at the end of the tarmac drive, near the fine white farmhouse. This route makes a good combination with the Threave Castle circuit which starts from this same car park. For the Estate circular, however, take the path that runs parallel to the entrance road; after a short distance it switches to the other side before reaching a t-junction with the path along the line of the former Castle Douglas - Kirkcudbright railway.

Stage 2

Turn right along the old railway track. This pleasant grassy route leads through several gates and over a bridge before emerging at a minor road. The route continues to the left along this road, but first go straight ahead under an old bridge to head for Lamb Island and its bird hide. The track leads across a bridge onto the island in the middle of the often-foaming River Dee. Once on the island turn right down steps to reach the hide which offers a great outlook upriver. This is a wonderful spot to watch waterfowl.

Stage 3

Return to the minor road already mentioned and turn right (when looking from this direction) along it. At a pair of whitewashed cottages the road bends left; go straight ahead onto a rougher track which climbs up to cross a bridge over the A75. On the far side continue to the trees, where there is a path junction. Turn left here, down a path that soon runs between fences and then crosses a footbridge before emerging onto a minor road.

Stage 4

Go straight across the road onto the path which continues opposite. It climbs and then descends, crossing another footbridge, before arriving on a second minor road. Go straight across again, then turn left along the path that runs parallel to the road. Continue, passing through several gates and across a track, until Hightae cottage is seen across the road. Turn left here to head past the cottage and through the pedestrian gate to follow a path that runs through the trees parallel to a grassy lane.

Stage 5

The path heads through two gates - crossing a muddy farm track between - and after a couple of further gates reaches a group of cottages. Pass these and follow the tarred lane to the right, but just before it meets the B736 head right onto a footpath that runs along the top of the bank. This soon drops down to the road - carefully cross and head up the farm track opposite. This leads across a bridge over the main A75; on the far side bear very slightly right and head through the pedestrian gate to the right of a farm gate. This path leads round the side of a wooded hill before meeting the old railway line. Turn left along this and follow it briefly until a right turn rejoins the outward route back to the car park at the start of the walk.

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