Wester Kames Castle
✦ Ancient woodland0 ha
Plan your visit
🌳Ancient✦Heritage🦉Wildlife
Dogs welcome0 ha
Getting here
55.86667, -5.09923
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- 🌳Ancient woodland is at its best in summer here
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
- 🌳Ancient woodland is at its best in summer here
- 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
Best for
4 activities🌳Ancient woodland
Strong match
Ancient woodland — continuous woodland since before 1600
🏡Historic gardens
Moderate match
Historic site
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km3 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
West Island WayWalking route48 km▾
Named routeLength 48 kmNational walking route
Bute Path NetworkWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
Bute Pilgrimage Route - St BlaneWalking route▾
A walking pathway with accompanying notes to aid Christian reflection
Named routeRef 1Local walking route
1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
Bute Cycle NetworkCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
Bute Cycle NetworkMountain bike route▾
Named routeRef www.tzcb.org.uk
Photos
19 photos from nearby open sources
Good to know
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Events & activities nearby
Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
Wildlife to spot
5,345 records from NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
5,345 records · NBN Atlas🐦Birds43 species
springsummer
2025Oystercatcher · Jackdaw · Chaffinch · Herring Gull · Carrion Crow
+38 more speciesHide species list
All 43 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta
- RedshankTringa totanus
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- Common GullLarus canus
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- EiderSomateria mollissima
- Great TitParus major
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
- Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2024
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos2024
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- CurlewNumenius arquata2024
- SwallowHirundo rustica2024
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2024
- Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2024
- House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
- RavenCorvus corax2024
- GannetMorus bassanus2024
- Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
- CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2024
- Mute SwanCygnus olor2024
- ShagGulosus aristotelis2024
- Stock DoveColumba oenas2024
- Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2024
Hedgehog · Brown Hare · Soprano Pipistrelle · Brown Long-eared Bat · Natterer's Bat
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 mammals recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
- Brown HareLepus europaeus2024
- Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2024
- Brown Long-eared BatPlecotus auritus2024
- Natterer's BatMyotis nattereri2024
Helophilus pendulus · Eupteryx aurata · Common Red Soldier Beetle · Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi · Potato Capsid
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
- Eupteryx aurataEupteryx aurata
- Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
- Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysiGrypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi
- Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
- Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula
🌿Plants83 species
springsummer
2023Heath Wood-rush · Wavy Hair-Grass · Round-leaved Sundew · Pill Sedge · Hare's-tail Cottongrass
+78 more speciesHide species list
All 83 plants recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Heath Wood-rushLuzula multiflora
- Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa
- Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
- Pill SedgeCarex pilulifera
- Hare's-tail CottongrassEriophorum vaginatum
- Trichophorum germanicum
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
5,345 records · NBN Atlas🐦Birds43 species
springsummer
2025Oystercatcher · Jackdaw · Chaffinch · Herring Gull · Carrion Crow
+38 more speciesHide species list
All 43 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- Herring GullLarus argentatus
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- Little EgretEgretta garzetta
- RedshankTringa totanus
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- Common GullLarus canus
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
- House SparrowPasser domesticus
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- EiderSomateria mollissima
- Great TitParus major
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
- Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2024
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos2024
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus
- GreenfinchChloris chloris
- CurlewNumenius arquata2024
- SwallowHirundo rustica2024
- Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2024
- Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2024
- House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
- RavenCorvus corax2024
- GannetMorus bassanus2024
- Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
- CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2024
- Mute SwanCygnus olor2024
- ShagGulosus aristotelis2024
- Stock DoveColumba oenas2024
- Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2024
Hedgehog · Brown Hare · Soprano Pipistrelle · Brown Long-eared Bat · Natterer's Bat
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 mammals recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
- Brown HareLepus europaeus2024
- Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2024
- Brown Long-eared BatPlecotus auritus2024
- Natterer's BatMyotis nattereri2024
Helophilus pendulus · Eupteryx aurata · Common Red Soldier Beetle · Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi · Potato Capsid
+1 more speciesHide species list
All 6 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
- Eupteryx aurataEupteryx aurata
- Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
- Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysiGrypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi
- Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
- Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula
🌿Plants83 species
springsummer
2023Heath Wood-rush · Wavy Hair-Grass · Round-leaved Sundew · Pill Sedge · Hare's-tail Cottongrass
+78 more speciesHide species list
All 83 plants recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
- Heath Wood-rushLuzula multiflora
- Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa
- Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
- Pill SedgeCarex pilulifera
- Hare's-tail CottongrassEriophorum vaginatum
- Trichophorum germanicum
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Common Pipistrelle
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus2024
Pipistrellus pipistrellus2024
2023
2023
Trichophorum germanicum
Trichophorum germanicum
Mat-grassNardus strictaMat-grassNardus strictaStar SedgeCarex echinataStar SedgeCarex echinataGarden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollisGarden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollisCommon ButterwortPinguicula vulgarisCommon ButterwortPinguicula vulgarisMarsh Hawk's-beardCrepis paludosaMarsh Hawk's-beardCrepis paludosaFicaria verna subsp. fertilisFicaria verna subsp. fertilisFicaria verna subsp. fertilisFicaria verna subsp. fertilisOval SedgeCarex leporinaOval SedgeCarex leporinaEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaEnchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetianaMarsh FoxtailAlopecurus geniculatusMarsh FoxtailAlopecurus geniculatusMarsh VioletViola palustrisMarsh VioletViola palustrisCommon Yellow-sedgeCarex demissaCommon Yellow-sedgeCarex demissaMarsh WillowherbEpilobium palustreMarsh WillowherbEpilobium palustreHeath Spotted-orchidDactylorhiza maculataHeath Spotted-orchidDactylorhiza maculataPerennial Rye-grassLolium perennePerennial Rye-grassLolium perenneFlea SedgeCarex pulicarisFlea SedgeCarex pulicarisGreat WillowherbEpilobium hirsutumGreat WillowherbEpilobium hirsutumSweet CicelyMyrrhis odorataSweet CicelyMyrrhis odorataMarsh PennywortHydrocotyle vulgarisMarsh PennywortHydrocotyle vulgarisMeadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensisMeadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensisBush VetchVicia sepiumBush VetchVicia sepiumBulbous RushJuncus bulbosusBulbous RushJuncus bulbosusWood AnemoneAnemone nemorosaWood AnemoneAnemone nemorosaBottle SedgeCarex rostrataBottle SedgeCarex rostrataBog-myrtleMyrica galeBog-myrtleMyrica galeWych ElmUlmus glabraWych ElmUlmus glabraWhite SedgeCarex canescensWhite SedgeCarex canescensBogbeanMenyanthes trifoliataBogbeanMenyanthes trifoliataSmooth Lady's-mantleAlchemilla glabraSmooth Lady's-mantleAlchemilla glabraColtsfootTussilago farfaraColtsfootTussilago farfaraWhorled CarawayTrocdaris verticillataWhorled CarawayTrocdaris verticillataCranberryVaccinium oxycoccosCranberryVaccinium oxycoccosPerennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensisPerennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensisCreeping Soft-grassHolcus mollisCreeping Soft-grassHolcus mollisBog PondweedPotamogeton polygonifoliusBog PondweedPotamogeton polygonifoliusThale CressArabidopsis thalianaThale CressArabidopsis thalianaLesser TrefoilTrifolium dubiumLesser TrefoilTrifolium dubiumAmphibious BistortPersicaria amphibiaAmphibious BistortPersicaria amphibiaGlaucous SedgeCarex flaccaGlaucous SedgeCarex flaccaMarsh WoundwortStachys palustrisMarsh WoundwortStachys palustrisCreeping Forget-me-notMyosotis secundaCreeping Forget-me-notMyosotis secundaSpreading Meadow-grassPoa humilisSpreading Meadow-grassPoa humilisTufted VetchVicia craccaTufted VetchVicia craccaSoft-bromeBromus hordeaceusSoft-bromeBromus hordeaceusFaeroes DandelionTaraxacum faeroenseFaeroes DandelionTaraxacum faeroenseCommon Cow-wheatMelampyrum pratenseCommon Cow-wheatMelampyrum pratenseCompact RushJuncus conglomeratusCompact RushJuncus conglomeratusNarrow Buckler-fernDryopteris carthusianaNarrow Buckler-fernDryopteris carthusianaBuck's-horn PlantainPlantago coronopusBuck's-horn PlantainPlantago coronopusTawny SedgeCarex hostianaTawny SedgeCarex hostianaRough Meadow-grassPoa trivialisRough Meadow-grassPoa trivialisCommon FigwortScrophularia nodosaCommon FigwortScrophularia nodosaField HorsetailEquisetum arvenseField HorsetailEquisetum arvenseFestuca rubraFestuca rubraFestuca rubraFestuca rubraDioecious SedgeCarex dioicaDioecious SedgeCarex dioicaLesser ClubmossSelaginella selaginoidesLesser ClubmossSelaginella selaginoidesFalse Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatiusFalse Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatiusMeadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensisMeadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensisCommon CottongrassEriophorum angustifoliumCommon CottongrassEriophorum angustifoliumCrowberry agg.Empetrum nigrumCrowberry agg.Empetrum nigrumSheep's Fescue agg.Festuca ovinaSheep's Fescue agg.Festuca ovinaMarsh-bedstrawGalium palustreMarsh-bedstrawGalium palustreBeech FernPhegopteris connectilisBeech FernPhegopteris connectilisHeath RushJuncus squarrosusHeath RushJuncus squarrosusSherard's Downy-roseRosa sherardiiSherard's Downy-roseRosa sherardiiSmooth-stalked SedgeCarex laevigataSmooth-stalked SedgeCarex laevigataGoldenrodSolidago virgaureaGoldenrodSolidago virgaureaCommon SedgeCarex nigraCommon SedgeCarex nigraLousewortPedicularis sylvaticaLousewortPedicularis sylvaticaWater AvensGeum rivaleWater AvensGeum rivaleNew Zealand WillowherbEpilobium brunnescensNew Zealand WillowherbEpilobium brunnescensField Wood-rushLuzula campestrisField Wood-rushLuzula campestrisBog AsphodelNarthecium ossifragumBog AsphodelNarthecium ossifragumMarsh RagwortJacobaea aquaticaMarsh RagwortJacobaea aquaticaCross-leaved HeathErica tetralixCross-leaved HeathErica tetralixSweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratumSweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratumGreen-ribbed SedgeCarex binervisGreen-ribbed SedgeCarex binervisWestern Balsam-poplarPopulus trichocarpaWestern Balsam-poplarPopulus trichocarpa