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Castle and Hightae Lochs

137 ha

📷 M J Richardson · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome137 ha

Getting here

55.11912, -3.43092

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking nearby — easy to reach by car

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking

Best for

8 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron +84 more · last seen 2026; Nature reserve

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — nature reserve

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly +24 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly +24 more · last seen 2025

Free

Forest walks

Nature reserve

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Annandale WayWalking route88 km
Named routeLength 88 kmNational walking route
🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
National Byway (SW Scotland)Cycling route

National Byway in the Solway Firth area

Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route

About this nature reserve

Castle and Hightae Lochs is a 137-hectare Local Nature Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway, South Scotland. This reserve features a mixture of lochs and woodlands, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts interested in flora and fauna typical of the region.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Lochmaben and its lochs

📷 M J Richardson · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Lochmaben and its lochs

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Grummel ParkUrban park1.2 km→🌱McJerrow Public ParkUrban park4.7 km→🌱Victory ParkUrban park900 m→🌱Victory ParkUrban park900 m→🌱McJerrow Public ParkUrban park4.7 km→✦Robert Bruce StatueHistoric site1.3 km→

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