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Scottish Bluebell Woodland

Scottish Bluebell Woodland

What could be better than a dawn walk through a 'Scottish' bluebell woodland. Of course they are really wild hyacinths, but who cares?

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Red Squirrels

Red Squirrels

Red Squirrels

Dumfries and Galloway is a stronghold for red squirrels and the patient photographer should be able to find and photograph these beautiful animals

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Best Wildlife Sites

We are spoiled for choice when it comes to wild geese, either to see or photograph.  Various sites throughout the region

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Contact Us

Image taken from the movie "Shoot 'em up"

All you photographers out there, why not try photographing Red Kites in Dumfries and Galloway at Bellymack Hill Farm Laurieston near Castle Douglas.  Feeding time is at 2.00pm daily.

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Walking Routes

Walking Routes

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Dumfries and Galloway is a great place to walk, why not have a look at the Walks page and pick out a route.

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Best Wildlife Sites

Best Wildlife Sites

Image taken from the movie "The Kingdom"

There are some great places to go and view and photograph some of the local wildlife...

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This Month

This Month

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Look out for snowdrops and Scarlet Elf Cap emerging soon

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Doach Wood, near Castle Douglas

Rating: Easy/moderate

Distance/Time: 2 hours

Forest walks leading to a viewpoint.

Requirements: Walking boots or stout shoes
Restrictions: Open all year
 
Doach Wood is off the B736, 3 miles south-east of Castle Douglas

There are two main attractions on this short walk: the fine viewpoint along the Solway Coast from the highest point and the magnificent collection of Douglas firs, especially on the latter stages. All the ascents and descents are gradual, the route is easy to follow, and the tracks and paths are firm and well drained so there that there are few muddy stretches even after prolonged rain.

Park in the Forestry Commission Car Park. Facing the wood turn Left, passing a gate and take the steadily ascending track, following red-topped marker posts.

In a short while a waterfall is seen to the left. Follow the track around a sharp right bend and continue uphill.At the top turn Left onto a path, by a red and yellow-topped post, cross a parallel track and head upto the viewpoint.

A Solway View board indicates all the many places that can be seen on a clear day from here. These include: Hestan Island, Bengairn, Screel Hill and the mountains of the English Lake District.

Retrace your steps to the track and turn Left, now following yellow-topped posts for the remainder of the walk. Head gently downhill, later curving gradually to the right. The track narrows to a path which winds more steeply downhill, going around some sharp bends.

On this part of the walk the Douglas Firs are most impressive and there are views of the wooded slopes of Glenyerrock Hill across fields to the left as the path continues along the bottom inside edge of the wood.On joining the red and yellow trail again there is a particularly fine display of Douglas firs on the steep hillside to the right. The path leads directly back to the car park.

 


 
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Keith Kirk

These webs pages have been put together by Keith Kirk.  Keith is a semi pro natural history photographer and writer.  He is the wildlife feature writer for D&G Life magazine and also writes a monthly Nature Notes column for the Galloway News.  His day job is a countryside ranger with Dumfries and Galloway Council, something he has been doing for over 24 years.  Keith also has another web site which promotes him as a photographer, whilst this site is more about Dumfries and Galloway, an unknown part of Scotland. www.dumfriesandgallowaywildlife.co.uk

 

Also check out www.flickr.com/photos/keithkirk8 which he updates on almost a daily basis with his latest images.

 

Keith is also a photographer who has tested many types of photography kit for manufacturers . At the moment he is testing Bushnell and Spypoint wildlife/trail/stealth cameras. Checkout the link at the top of the page or go to www.scottcountry.co.uk for more info.  Also coming soon will be a report on a new outdoor clothing manufacturer (Ridgeline) that is producing good kit for Wildlife Photographers and Birdwatchers.........so watch this space.  Here's a quick preview.  

A clothing brand in New Zealand has now hit the shores of the UK. Featuring technical fabrics, and membranes that are ideal for photographers and birdwatchers in the changeable UK Climate. Life is about experience and choices, those between you and your environment, you and the gear you wear. Ridgeline's products are affordable, rugged, durable and comfortable, and allow you to get on with the task at hand whenever you need to and wherever you are.

DG Life

D and G Life

The best read in Dumfries and Galloway.

Out monthly