Sulwath Connections
Celebrating and enhancing the Scottish Solway Coast and river valleys
Castle and Hightae Lochs
Partners:
Castle Loch is a fantastic site located on the edge of the village of Lochmaben between Dumfries and Lockerbie. It is the largest loch in Dumfriesshire and has high levels of biodiversity interest. It is designated as a Special Protection Area, Site of Special Scientific Interest and Ramsar Site. Wintering wildfowl includes internationally important numbers of Pink-footed Geese and nationally important numbers of Greylag Geese and Goosanders. Mallard, Tufted Ducks, Wigeon, Goldeneye and Pochard occur regularly and Smew and Garganey occur occasionally. It is also the home to the very successful Lochmaben sailing club, holds records for course fishing, has a wonderful woodland walk and is a great place to go bird watching.
The Sulwath Connections project has been working to increase and sustain the variety and abundance of wildlife found here through proactive habitat management, we have also carried out a wide range of improvements for visitors.
Woodland Management: The woodland around Castle Loch has been heavily thinned to favour native broad leaved species such as oak, birch, alder and hazel. This has seen the removal of the spruce plantation that used to be on the eastern shore, and a reduction in the number of non native sycamore and beech trees, leading to a significant thinning of the beech plantation alongside the Dalton road. However we haven't been to purist recognising that sycamore can support a good invertebrate populations and that mature old beech trees can have tremendous landscape value.
In areas with low public access timber has been felled and left lying and other trees ring barked to increase the dead wood indices. This will create much needed new habitat that will benefit the ecology of the whole site. Due to the sensitivities of the site my much of the timber was extracted by horses which created an interesting diversion for the local school children.
Improved public access: A comprehensive upgrade of public access has taken place with a 1km long multi use pathway created through the woodlands enabling all users to enjoy the woodland throughout the year. A children's interpretative trail, complete with chainsaw sculptures designed by the World Champion Chainsaw Carver Peter Bowsher, lines the route adding to the opportunity for visitors to develop their knowledge and understanding of the conservation and cultural history of the site. And a new 12m long bridge has been installed to replace the old structure across the Valison Burn.
Lochmaben Castle: With the support of Historic Scotland trees have been removed from the earthworks at the castle helping to prevent damage from wind blow and enabling greater understanding and appreciation of the scale of the old castle grounds. New interpretations installed to helps explain how the castle used to operate.
Fishing Piers: The existing wooden fishing piers are reaching the end of their life and are due to be replaced in the next 12 months with new sturdier timbers structures that will help enhance the fishing at Castle Loch.
Much of the work that has taken place has only been possible thanks to the enthusiastic support and active involvement of Dumfries and Galloway ranger Service and the Castle Loch volunteers, who have toiled in all weathers to cut back rhododendron, planted hedges and done bits of fencing.
