General information on the activities of other ranger teams and organisations throughout the region.

Scottish Natural Heritage helps to fund the Ranger Service and various aspects of its work including the maintenance of the Southern Upland Way.

The Rangers are particularly involved at:

• Castle Loch (Lochmaben)
• Carlingwark Loch (Castle Douglas)
• Loch Ken (North of Castle Douglas)
• Wigtown Bay (between Creetown and Wigtown)
• Western section of the Southern Upland Way (between Portpatrick and Ettrick Head east of Moffat)

Castle and Hightae Lochs - Local Nature Reserve, Lochmaben

The Ranger Service makes regular visits to the loch, monitoring the wildlife and the condition of the LNR and its facilities. Information leaflets and interpretive panels maximise visitor interest while ensuring that the sensitive environments are protected.

The site has the following designations:

• Local Nature Reserve
• Site of Special Scientific Interest
• Special Protection Area
• Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance)

Castle Loch Volunteer Group

Occasionally, the Area Ranger for Annandale and Eskdale will call for volunteers. The Ranger Service at Castle Loch gladly accepts help from volunteers that are interested on carrying out single and group activities such as:

• Wildlife surveying
• Bird box maintenance
• Bat box maintenance
• Rhododendron control

If interested, please contact Ross Gemmell at ross.gemmell@dumgal.gov.uk to check for future activities.

Related Documents

•  Castle Loch Leaflet 2008 [891kb]
•  Castle Loch Sculpture Trail [712kb]
•  Castle and Hightae Lochs Wildlife Report 2008 [757kb]
•  Castle and Hightae Lochs Wildlife Report 2009 [1Mb]

Hard copies of the Wildlife Reports are available from all libraries within Annandale and Eskdale area. 

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Carlingwark Loch, Castle Douglas

 The Ranger Service makes regular visits to the loch, monitoring and maintaining the footpaths and produces an annual wildlife report. Information leaflets and interpretive panels maximise visitor interest while ensuring that the sensitive environments are protected.

The site has the following designations:

• Site of Special Scientific Interest

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Loch Ken and River Dee Marshes

The Ranger Service (and its patrol boats) monitors boating activities, making sure that the users of the loch abide by the zoning speed limits and other regulations. The service also implements the proposals for improving visitor facilities and conserving the wildlife interests of the loch. Loch Ken.

The site has the following designations:

• Site of Special Scientific Interest
• Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance)
• Nature Conservation Area

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Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve

The Ranger is heavily involved in the management and development of the Local Nature Reserve as a resource for visitors. They monitor wild fowling on the bay and have a programme of environmental education amongst the local schools. Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve.

The site has the following designations:

• Local Nature Reserve
• Site of Special Scientific Interest

Related Documents

•  Punt Gunning Registration Form [73kb]
•  Punt Gunning Application Form [68kb]
•  Wildfowling Application Form [65kb] 
•  Application form Seasonal Wildfowling Permit [66kb]
•  Wigtown Bay Wildfowling Guide [355kb]

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Southern Upland Way

The Ranger Service looks after the western section of the route (Portpatrick to Ettrick Head, east of Moffat) and can offer help and advice to walkers. Each year it produces an accommodation list covering the whole of the Southern Upland Way. The Southern Upland Way.

The site is designated as a Long distance footpath/national trail.

The Maintenance Ranger is responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of the 120-mile western section, ensuring that all bridges, stiles, signposts and information shelters are in a good state of repair.

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