Douglas Explorer, Douglas

Douglas, set just off the A74(M) on the northern flanks of the Lowther Hills, has a rich history. This walk explores both the village and the parkland and woods around it.

Terrain

Tracks and forest paths; woodland section is muddy

Public Transport

Bus to Douglas.

Start

Douglas. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a small car park on the south side of the A70 in the village, on the corner with Nursery Avenue. Begin the walk by heading left along the A70 Ayr Road from the car park, and then turning right down Main Street. Look out for a memorial on the right that marks a grim incident from history. Here stood the house of the tailor, James Gavin. He was a supporter of the convenanters who wanted the church to have independence from the crown. For this, John Graham of Claverhouse severed James' ears using his own tailoring shears. Turn right at the Newsagents and follow the road past the old buildings at the core of Douglas, including the Cross Keys and the former Sun Inn on the right, and the ruins of the ancient Church of St Brides on the right.

Stage 2

The octagonal bell tower contains a clock donat4ed to the village by Mary Queen of Scots - it is thought to the be oldest working church clock in Scotland. Continue along the road, following the signs for the Cameronian's Monument and Castle Dangerous.

Stage 3

The road passes a gatehouse and becomes a track into the estate ground surrounding the old castle site. Keep ahead on the main track, eventually with views of Stable Lake on the left. After passing the lake, look out for a memorial over to the left that commemorates the disbanding of the Cameronian Regiment in 1968. A short distance further along the track is a fork - the walk goes left here, but note the old tower ahead. This is Castle Dangerous - formerly Castle Douglas but renamed by Sir Walter Scott for his novel of the same name. Only a single tower remains.

Stage 4

Back on the track, continue across an iron bridge. The track now leads to a brick cottage on the fringes of woodland, and here bends to the right. A short distance further on fork left at a gate to take a smaller track that climbs up through the trees. Once near the top, turn left onto a wider track. Eventually it swings sharp right, but a path continues straight ahead through a dense and dark plantation before emerging on another track - turn left here.

Stage 5

Keep left at a fork to pass through a cutting a slight cutting and reach the edge of the wood. Here a path bears slightly right then left to head downhill, keeping the fence on your left side, and then leaves the trees at a kissing date. Continue ahead by the fence to eventually reach and cross a blue bridge. Go ahead through the grassy field and then right at the far corner to follow the edge of the woods round and emerge at Castle Douglas behind the church.

Stage 6

Turn right on the tarred walkway behind the church. As it bends left note the striking statue ahead. This represents the Earl of Angus, and commemorates the founding of the Cameronian regiment whose disbanding you found out about earlier! Back on the roadway, follow it round as it curves left - passing the entrance to the Douglas Heritage Museum - to return to the bend in the High Street near the Newsagents. Bear right up the High Street here to retrace your steps to the start.

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