Threave Castle Nature Reserve: The Best of Galloway in a Short One-Hour Walk
The winter wind is whipping past my ears, and the rain clouds are coming in fast from the west. You can see the rain already falling from this distance. It will be upon me in a minute, like a soft, grey wall of fine rain. I, of course, do not mind; a little weather makes a walk far more enjoyable.
Something is making a noise ahead of me. I look up, and the silhouette of a peregrine falcon flies overhead at a tremendous speed towards Threave Castle.
This was the first time I had been to Threave Castle Nature Reserve near Castle Douglas, and I was very impressed to have seen a falcon.
About Threave Nature Reserve
Threave Nature Reserve is one of the finest examples of what Galloway has to offer. It’s a superb circular route that, in a couple of hours or less (depending on how much time you spend admiring the views or pottering about), gives you a wonderful taste of nature and a cracking look at a medieval castle.
And when the castle is open, you can hop on the little boat and explore it properly. The best way to describe the Threave Nature walk is as a mini-Galloway that highlights everything wonderful about living in Dumfries and Galloway in one short walk.
The Two Threaves
First things first: Threave Nature Reserve and Threave Castle are not the same as Threave House, although they’re all connected historically. The reserve sits just past Castle Douglas, which remains one of the south of Scotland’s best towns, in my view.
After turning off the A75 and heading towards the visitor centre, you’re on land that once formed Kelton Farm, owned by a former Provost of Dumfries. Today, it lies at the centre of a long-term nature restoration project.
Park up, go through the horse gate, and you’re straight onto the main track.
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The Walk
The walking route is extremely easy to follow. You genuinely cannot get lost. Whether you choose to go left or right at the start (we went left), the path is accessible for most people.
As you walk, Threave Castle gradually comes into view across the landscape. Bit by bit it grows larger until you reach the main viewpoint overlooking the island and the castle.
Whilst you are walking, you can hear the River Dee get louder and louder. When you finally come across the river and castle, you get a real appreciation for it.
A Castle on an Island
Threave Castle was built in the 1370s by Archibald the Grim as the seat of power for the Black Douglases. For twenty-one years, it was also home to Margaret of Galloway. Its most distinctive feature is its position, set on an island in the middle of the River Dee.
These days, you can only reach it via the small ferry that runs when the castle is open. In medieval times, a secret causeway supposedly connected the island to the mainland. Now, the only permanent residents are peregrine falcons and bats.
Thanks to its island location, the castle was a formidable defensive position. It was besieged twice and held out both times.
You can read more about the castle here.
Wildlife and the Restoration Project
Historically, the area was known as Tfrith, an old Gaelic word meaning homestead. Until relatively recently, it was farmed, but it now forms part of a fascinating 100-year nature restoration project.
The aim is to demonstrate how farming and conservation can work together. The project involves:
- Reducing high-intensity farming.
- Managing cattle grazing in more sustainable, controlled ways.
- Restoring grassland, marshland, and woodland.
- Helping the wider ecosystem recover and thrive.
Cattle still graze here, but are guided using modern technology so that specific areas are used at the right times.
Thirty-one old fields have effectively been reformed into three larger, more natural areas, almost reversing the enclosure during the Lowland Clearances — bringing nature and restorative farming together with beautiful views.
The Wildlife
During our walk, we saw a whole host of wildlife, including:
- Two or three species of geese
- Peregrine falcons
- A bird of prey (I believe it was an osprey)
- A tiny toad (it was fingernail-sized)
- Countless mushrooms
- A remarkable variety of birds, including nuthatches and robins
- And a pigeon
We stopped at one of the bird hides overlooking the River Dee, an excellent place for jam sandwiches and a moment of peace, even if occasionally interrupted by an inquisitive toddler.
Incidentally, the bird hide where we had our lunch had a stone dyke next to it that was halfway through a repair, and it was interesting to look at that half-finished (and highly skilled) job.
A little further on, the path leads into the restored wetlands. Raised duckboards take you right through the reeds beside the river. This area has two key aims:
- Reconnecting the River Dee with its floodplain to help reduce flooding downstream
- Encouraging more geese to visit the area
It does both very successfully. If you’ve ever been in Dumfries and Galloway in the autumn, you’ll know how special the sight and sound of the geese can be.
HONK HONK.
Hill Views and the Loop Back
Beyond the wetlands, the path rises gently into low hills. There are more hides up here, offering excellent views across the Dee Valley and back towards Archibald the Grim’s island fortress.
Here in these woods, we came across mushrooms, and we believe a nuthatch. The nuthatch was banging nuts right next to a high bird hide that gave excellent views across the Dee River valley.
Eventually, the path loops around and returns to the car park — or walk around again if you wish. Whilst getting close to the car park, I witnessed the peregrine falcon flying overhead.
How to Get There
Travelling from Dumfries along the A75, keep going past the first roundabout into Castle Douglas. At the second roundabout along the Castle Douglas bypass, take the third exit following the brown tourism signs for Threave Nature Reserve and Castle.
Nature Reserve Details
- Dog-friendly: Yes, just keep dogs under control and clean up after them.
- Toilets: Available at the visitor centre and car park.
- Café: No, bring a thermos or pop into Castle Douglas. Designs is worth a visit.
- Child-friendly: Absolutely — loads of wildlife and stamping in puddles.
- Wheelchair friendly: Possibly, with the right wheelchair; the route is navigable with assistance. However, the castle is not likely to be accessible.
- Bird watching: There are a number of huts available to watch the world go by, look for birds, or just eat lunch.
My Final Thoughts
Threave Castle Nature Reserve is a genuinely lovely walk. You get wildlife, wetlands, woodland, hills, and the striking sight of a medieval castle on an island, all within a mile-and-a-quarter walk.
Threave Nature Reserve is one of those places that makes Galloway special and (in my mind) is a great place to visit.
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