Castle Loch Sculpture Trail

7 9 Sculpture 10 can be found in the wood just The remains of an Iron Age log boat, off the road to Lochmaben Castle. You will similar to this reconstruction, were found These Nymphs hatch out of eggs laid in recognise it from the front page. Castle Loch in the loch during the 19th century and still freshwater, and live in the sediment more recently near this spot in 1946 by on the bed of the loch. They move around Robert the Bruce was a great Scottish a local boy. These are now in Dumfries by squirting water out of their abdomen leader whose family were given lands in Museum. The boat would have been used and feed off water boatmen, snail eggs, Annandale in the 1100’s by the Scottish Sculpture for fishing and hunting in the loch. shrimps and fish. They only come out of King David I. The politics of his time were the water when they are ready to emerge complicated and Bruce started off on the But where did the locals live as adults. Then on a sunny day they’ll crawl side of the English king before changing up a reed stem where they’ll emerge out of sides to lead the Scots to victory. After an Tra i l 2000 years ago ? their old skin as… ? early defeat he was hiding from the English in a cave when something persuaded him What does a nymph change that he should never give up. into ? What was it that persuaded him to fight on ? www.lochmaben.org.uk 6 8 10 The Lochmaben One of the signs of a healthy woodland Vendace were a is the presence of standing dead wood. distinct species This provides a home for a whole variety only known to have of insects and fungi. When food is occurred in Castle and Mill Loch.They lived scarce, squirrels will eat the fungi whilst mainly in shoals, occupying deep water and Woodpeckers will hollow out nesting holes rising at dusk to feed near the surface. in the trunks of the dead trees and feed off the insects. In the 19th century, local Vendace fishing clubs were formed. They held an annual fair with fishing followed by “foot racing, What insects will the leaping, wrestling and putting the stone by grown up girls and even stout dames”. (The woodpecker find ? Scotsman 1855) The finale was a dinner of Vendace in the local inn. But what was the best way to catch Vendace ? The Tawny Owl is Britain’s most common 1 Surprisingly for such big birds, herons 3 5 Woodland owls. However they are elcome to the Castle Loch always nest in trees, normally forming a sometimes called Woodland Owls or Brown Sculpture Trail, created with heronry with other herons. Herons can W Owls. often be seen standing motionless, poised help from Peter Bowsher, five times They hunt by sitting on their perch before to strike in shallow burns and lochs. World Champion Chainsaw Carver. dropping onto their prey. As they are mostly nocturnal you will rarely Starting in the bowling green What’s the heron’s favourite see them during the day however you car park, look out for the first do have a good chance of hearing their food ? tu-whit: tu-whoo call. sculpture on the ‘Flying Goose’ seat which is sited just above the But what does Britain’s car park, beside the tennis court. Your challenge is to follow the trail most common owl eat ? through the woods to Lochmaben Castle, finding each of the other nine sculptures and completing the quiz as you go. If you do not know the answers, each sculpture has a plaque with more clues on it and a pencil 2 4 From October to April, large flocks of Otters can be found using many lochs, rubbing that you can do in the Pink footed geese come to Dumfries and rivers and streams throughout Scotland. numbered blank spaces. Galloway. Many of them roost on Castle Beech trees can grow to over 45m tall, but, Dumfries and Galloway has a very healthy Loch at night and graze in the surrounding because they are often shallow rooted, can population of otters. Their territory can fields by day. be susceptible to strong winds as happened extend over several kilometres. here. In spring they grow flowers which by autumn have turned into spiny fruits that Where do the pink footed may be eaten by squirrels. What does an otter foot geese go in summer ? print look like ? What are the fruits called and can you find any ? www.lochmaben.org.uk www.lochmaben.org.uk.

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