|
Continue along the road to T junction where the sign for Castramont Wood is straight ahead. Turn right and the entrance to the wood is on your left. An interpretation board at the entrance shows the network of paths within, To do a short loop, bear left at the first waymarker then right at the next three. Continue downhill past the next waymarker and back to the start. In the past, charcoal burning platforms in Castramont Wood converted oak to charcoal for the smelting of iron, brass and copper. Timber was also used to supply a bobbin mill in Gatehouse until 1931.
In 1990, Castramont Wood was gifted to the Scottish Wildlife Trust by the late Mrs Murray Usher and is now being managed as a nature reserve. Roe deer are plentiful and keep your eyes open for pied flycatchers and wood warblers. The woods are particularly beautiful in spring with masses of bluebells covering the ground.
As you exit the wood, turn left onto the road and follow for about 2.5km/1½ miles until you reach a sign on your right for the EMU Walk named after Elizabeth Murray Usher. Follow the path through several kissing gates, past the cemetery and back on to the High Street.
|
