Caerlaverock NNR - Visiting the reserve
Visit Caerlaverock NNR to experience dramatic coastal scenery and spectacular birdlife.
Getting here
Caerlaverock NNR is on the north shore of the Solway Firth, south-east of Dumfries.
Public transport
"Bus route 6A from Dumfries (Gt King Street) to Glencaple, Bankend and Caerlaverock runs five times a day (Monday-Saturday), operated by Houston's Coaches. The bus drivers will normally set down and pick up on request at Shearington (for access to the WWT Caerlaverock); at the entrance to Caerlaverock Castle; and at Castle Corner for Castle Wood and the Merse path. Dumfries and Galloway Council also runs one daily service (early afternoon) from Dumfries to Glencaple, Caerlaverock, Bankend and back to Dumfries (Monday-Friday only). Up to date bus times are available on the Dumfries and Galloway Council website.
By bike
The Milton to Annan section of NCN Route 7 (Glasgow to Carlisle) passes the visitor centre and car park. A bike rack is available in the car park at Castle Corner.
By car
Take the B725 south from Dumfries to Glencaple/Bankend, following the east bank of the River Nith.
From Annan-Gretna, turn left along the A75 towards Clarencefield then right onto the B725 before Ruthwell.
The car parks at Hollands (DG1 4RS) and Castle Corner (DG1 4RU) are signposted Caerlaverock NNR and both have cycle racks. The car park at Castle Corner has a height restriction barrier.
Map
Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve
Click for a full description
Eight miles south of Dumfries on the Bankend Road.
For visitors
Visit Caerlaverock is a good introduction to the reserve.
Facilities
You can explore Caerlaverock from Castle Corner or Hollands Farm. Both offer viewing areas and routes to explore the reserve.
There is also a visitor centre at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust site next to the NNR. The centre has a cafe and toilets. A short walk takes you to excellent hides overlooking feeding areas and the merse in the NNR.
For further information and fees, see the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust website.
Toilets
There are toilets at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust visitor centre. There are also toilets at Caerlaverock Castle, which is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Wildlife hides
There are two wooden hides, one at the boardwalk accessed from the Hollands Park Farm car park and one at the edge of the woods accessed from Castle Corner car park.
Picnic areas
There are two picnic tables in the vicinity of Castle Corner, they are wheelchair accessible.
Need to know
Permitted wildfowling takes place within a designated area at dawn and dusk from Monday to Saturday between 1 October and 20 February each year. There is no wildfowling on Sundays.
Trails for all
All paths are liable to flooding during the highest tides of the year. Please check the local tide tables displayed on the reserve.
Woodland Wander
Starting at Castle Corner, this is a level path through Castle Wood. There are views through the trees of the merse and mudflats.
Reedbed Ramble
This trail takes you on a circuit through reedbeds to the edge of the merse.
Merse March
This trail connects the Woodland Wander and the Reedbed Ramble to create a longer walk. Wellies are recommended as it is often wet underfoot.
More trails
There are also connecting paths from the Woodland Wander to Caerlaverock Castle and from the Reedbed Ramble to the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust site.
You can find descriptions and a map of the routes in the Visit Caerlaverock leaflet.
Seasonal highlights
There is always something to see at Caerlaverock, but the winter months are best for wildfowl.
Spring
As the weather warms the geese are fattening up to fly home to their northern breeding grounds. The song of the male skylark, so evocative of spring, rises across the merse. In the reed beds the spring migrants start to arrive, with sedge and reed warblers calling as they claim their territories.
Rare and aromatic holy grass also flowers in spring. Holy grass was used to strew the floors of churches in days gone by.
Summer
On a sunny day the colours of the bog come to life. Rich reds, fuchsias and oranges sparkle in the sunlight. Marsh orchids provide rich dots of colour through the meadows. Dragonflies and damselflies add their sparking colours. Butterflies abound, with plentiful green-veined whites and meadow browns and the occasional northern arches. You can hear rutting roe deer in summer.
During warm summer evenings, you may also hear the occasional calls of the rare natterjack toad. This is their most northerly location in the UK, and they enjoy the shallow pools at the edge of the reserve.
Autumn
Autumn sees the return of the hordes as wintering geese start to make their appearance. Barnacle geese arrive from Svalbard in Arctic Norway, sometimes in small groups and sometimes in droves. Pink-footed geese and thousands of ducks and waders also fly in. Visit the reserve when incoming tides disturb birds’ feeding grounds to see their dramatic flight into more sheltered areas.
Winter
Winter is the best time for birdwatching at Caerlaverock. You can see the geese in their characteristic V-shaped skeins during morning and evening flights. The sight and sound of thousands of geese in the air at sunrise or sunset is unforgettable.
Make the most of the paths on the reserve for wonderful winter walks.
Trails for all
All paths are liable to flooding during the highest tides of the year. Please check the local tide tables displayed on the reserve.
There are also connecting paths from the Woodland Wander to Caerlaverock Castle and from the Reedbed Ramble to the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust site.
You can find descriptions and a map of the routes in the Visit Caerlaverock leaflet.
Woodland wander
Castle Corner is a great place to watch the sunset over the estuary of the river Nith, with the granite mass of Criffel hill in the background. Take a walk to the hexagonal shelter of Caerlaverock Estate and have a rest by the edge of the Reserve. On the way you will find nice views through the trees and bushes of the merse and mudflats. The path through Castle Wood will lead you to the Caerlaverock Castle path.
A mostly wide, occasionally narrow, firm gravel path. Generally flat with a couple of short fairly steep slopes. A little muddy in places. Several big tree roots sticking through the path surface which are slippy when wet.
Reedbed ramble
Follow the signs through the farmyard to reach this circuit. The boardwalk there will take you through reedbeds to the edge of the merse. Watch and listen for warblers that flit through the reeds in the summer. The bird hide on the south-east corner of the walk overlooks the merse where thousands of wading birds feed and roost during the winter high tides.
A flat path with sections on firm gravel that is grassy and uneven in places and can be wet, boardwalk and rough boggy grassland where the path is narrow. Two short steep slopes over a hummock to access the merse.
Merse march - note time and distance is each way.
Try this longer route that links Castle Corner with the Reedbed Ramble walk to get a real feel for wilderness. It follows the sea wall between the Flooders and the Merse. The route can be very wet at times, and even submerged during exceptional winter tides. Wellington boots are recommended.
A grassy, rough, boggy and wet, narrow path.
