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Have a wonderful time and come back soon! back come and time wonderful a Have companions can find! find! can companions extinct in the UK. the in extinct trail on walks, viewpoints and in local businesses. local in and viewpoints walks, on trail of the six wood carving rubbings your young young your rubbings carving wood six the of Galloway Kite Trail information boards along the the along boards information Trail Kite Galloway the 20th century they were almost almost were they century 20th the and see how many many how see and Quest Kite Kids’ special For more information about the kites look out for for out look kites the about information more For If you’re visiting with children look out for the the for out look children with visiting you’re If them. It’s incredible to think that in in that think to incredible It’s them. to sites like this every year to see see to year every this like sites to eat, shop and stay while you are here. are you while stay and shop eat, a flying circus) to roost at dusk. at roost to circus) flying a This guide gives you details of many places to to places many of details you gives guide This Tens of thousands of people travel travel people of thousands of Tens in (sometimes gather they when trail, the 3 on woods over circling kites red Admire and make an awesome spectacle. spectacle. awesome an make and scenery in south-west Scotland. Scotland. south-west in scenery attractions and some of the most magnificent magnificent most the of some and attractions Red kites are social birds of prey prey of birds social are kites Red River Dee, on the Parton Heritage Trail. Heritage Parton the on Dee, River The area is teeming with wildlife, historical historical wildlife, with teeming is area The viewpoints overlooking Loch Ken and the the and Ken Loch overlooking viewpoints 2 Watch kites riding the sky as you walk to to walk you as sky the riding kites Watch is an experience not to be missed. missed. be to not experience an is during afternoon feeds at 2 pm. pm. 2 at feeds afternoon during birds, a stop at the feeding station station feeding the at stop a birds, hundred red kites at Bellymack Hill Farm, Farm, Hill Bellymack at kites red hundred 1 Be amazed at the feeding frenzy of over a a over of frenzy feeding the at amazed Be encounter with these spectacular spectacular these with encounter summer. If you’re after a closer closer a after you’re If summer. in chillier months. chillier in through Galloway Forest Park in in Park Forest Galloway through Kite behaviour not to be missed missed be to not behaviour Kite way, with an extra 14-mile route route 14-mile extra an with way, Autumn/winter Ken with viewing points along the the along points viewing with Ken 24-mile trail circles beautiful Loch Loch beautiful circles trail 24-mile Forest Park. Forest The overhead. soar and glide kites were first released into the Galloway Galloway the into released first were kites Galloway Kite Trail as red kites kites red as Trail Kite Galloway 3 Explore the Secret Cages, where red red where Cages, Secret the Explore Come on an adventure along the the along adventure an on Come hunt small creatures found in the fields. fields. the in found creatures small hunt cut silage or hay, as they will scavenge or or scavenge will they as hay, or silage cut Welcome 2 Search for kites gathering when farmers farmers when gathering kites for Search back to their nests. their to back as they may be carrying all sorts of things things of sorts all carrying be may they as 1 Take a close look at kites flying overhead, overhead, flying kites at look close a Take nesting and raising young. raising and nesting Kim, Lichfield Kim, A busy time for red kites, with with kites, red for time busy A it makes me smile! smile! me makes it Spring/summer Lakes? It’s simple really... really... simple It’s Lakes? Why do I visit Middleton Middleton visit I do Why spotters’ guide spotters’ Kites Red Other things to do The kite’s story In the Middle Ages, kites were a common sight in Spring/summer towns and countryside, mainly feeding on scraps A busy time for nature and a and carrion. However, in the 16th century, laws were passed encouraging people to kill red kites great time for you to explore. and other birds of prey. By 1880, only a few kites were left in remote Welsh valleys. 1 Rest at Bruce’s Stone, near Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre and stop to admire the view to The kite’s return The Galloway the hills seen by a fugitive king after battle. With the spread of more enlightened attitudes, and 2 Catch the scolding calls of rare willow tits or the huge growth of public interest in wildlife, things spot woodpeckers and nuthatches in the damp turned around for red kites in the UK. In 1989, Kite Trail woods at RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve. the RSPB and government agencies, working in partnership with landowners, raptor workers and 3 Stroll amongst colourful wildflower meadows, farmers, launched a reintroduction programme. as grasshoppers sing and butterflies flutter to and fro on the Mossdale Walk. Between 2001 and 2005, 104 young kites were released into Galloway from elsewhere in the UK 4 Discover wildlife on the forest drive along and Germany. They have bred since 2003 and Raiders’ Road, stopping at the Otter Pool continue to spread across the region. or Loch Stroan for a picnic with a view. Autumn/winter For more information, contact RSPB Dumfries & Galloway Office, The Old School, Things not to miss during Crossmichael, Castle Douglas DG7 3AP Tel: 01556 670464 the chillier months. gallowaykitetrail.com 1 In October, pop up to the Red Deer Range in Please note that the Galloway Kite Trail Partnership cannot be Galloway Forest Park, for a close view of the held responsible for any changes in the quality or nature of facilities listed around the trail. largest land mammals in the UK, during the rut. The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, 2 Take a drive around the largest freshwater inspiring everyone to give nature a home. loch in Dumfries & Galloway, while nearby woodland colours change with autumn. Working together to give nature a home A red kite adventure in 3 Discover red squirrels chasing each other, as the heart of Galloway they visit feeding areas near viewing hides at RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve. 4 Search for Icelandic greylags and scarce Explore the Wonder at Admire the Greenland white-fronted geese, as they feed in trails to the amazing red kites fields by Loch Ken and the River Dee. The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, see soaring sights at gathering to in Scotland SC037654. Front cover by Chris Gomersall, red kites by Ben Hall, red kite red kites the feeding roost in winter by Ben Andrew (all images rspb-images.com) 740-0462-16-17 station The Galloway Kite Trail The following businesses 3 Airds Farmhouse B&B 7 The CatStrand Arts 11 Mossdale Shop provide support and information Crossmichael, and Visitor Centre Mossdale, on the red kite project as well Castle Douglas DG7 3BG High Street, New Galloway, Castle Douglas DG7 2NF as offering a variety of services 01556 670418 Castle Douglas DG7 3RN 01644 450281 in the area. airds.com 01644 420374 catstrand.com 12 The Gallery at Laurieston 15 Brookford B&B Bellymack Hill Farm 4 Loch Ken Holiday Park Woodbank House, Laurieston, 4 St John’s Way, Kite Feeding Station Parton, Castle Douglas DG7 3NE 8 The Smithy Tearoom Castle Douglas DG7 2PW St John’s Town of Dalry DG7 3UQ Laurieston, Castle Douglas DG7 2PJ 01644 470282 & Craft Shop 01644 450235 01644 430512 01644 450202 Open 1–4 pm lochkenholidaypark.co.uk High Street, New Galloway, pmcphotography.co.uk brookfordbandb.co.uk (kites fed at 2 pm) Castle Douglas DG7 3RN bellymackhillfarm.co.uk 5 Galloway Activity Centre 01644 420269 Open Mar–Oct 13 The Schoolhouse Longshot Holiday Cottage Loch Ken, Castle Douglas DG7 3NQ thesmithy-newgalloway.co.uk Restaurant c/o Craig Farm, Balmaclellan, 01556 502011 The Schoolhouse, Ringford, Castle Douglas DG7 3QS 1 Bengle Tree Shop lochken.co.uk 9 Castle Douglas DG7 2AL 01644 420636 141 King Street, The Clachan Inn 8–10 Main Street, St John’s Town 01557 820250 craigfarm.co.uk Castle Douglas DG7 1DX 6 of Dalry, Castle Douglas DG7 3UW 01556 504443 The Ken Bridge Hotel, 01644 430241 14 themagicbroomstick.com Campsite & Holiday Cottage NTS Countryside Centre The Selkirk Arms Hotel New Galloway, theclachaninn.co.uk Rangers Office, High Street, Castle Douglas DG7 3PR Threave House and Gardens, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JG 2 The Thistle Inn 01644 420211 10 Castle Douglas DG7 1RX 01557 330402 Main Street, Crossmichael, Clatteringshaws kenbridgehotel.co.uk 01556 503702 selkirkarmshotel.co.uk Castle Douglas DG7 3AU Visitor Centre Clatteringshaws, New Galloway, nts.org.uk/threave 01556 670203 Castle Douglas DG7 3SQ [email protected] 01644 420221 Open Mar–Oct (weekends Nov–Dec) 15 N 9 Key St John’s Town A762 of Dalry Water A713 W E GKT route (all year) Balmaclellan A712 GKT route (Apr–Oct)S Clatteringshaws 6 Walk trails Loch Bruce’s New Galloway Stone Town/village 10 A712 7 1 Service provider 8 (see adverts) HistoricalCorsock landmark Public toilets Car parking Ra id Good kite viewing e A762 r s ’ Bennan 5 R o Viewpoint Bellymack Hill Kite a d A713 Parton Feeding Station (to l le Heritage d Trail GKT information shelter ) Loch Secret Ken Cages Mossdale Walk 4 Good kite viewing Loch Stroan 11 Parton N Parton Heritage Trail Opposite Loch Ken Holiday Park.