Morton Castle Meander - The Nature Trail.

Walk Details

Location - Morton Castle Nr. Thornhill.
Total Distance  - 2 miles approx.
Surface - grass and trail.
What did we see - Historic Ruin, beautiful blue damsel flies, cows, chickens, lots and lots of lovely wild flowers.
Susan's rating - a nice little walk round the nature trail, well signposted and easy going.  Would be a good hour or so out with the kids, they could explore the castle.  Just keep an eye on them because of the water.


I have been going to Morton Castle for as long as I can remember.  I think I first went there with my Dad back in the days when it was more wild and not quite so manicured.    I have included a link to Undiscovered Scotland which gives a good description and a potted history, there should also be much better directions of how to get there than I can give.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/thornhill/mortoncastle/


So on Tuesday 1st July, Marissa, Kona, Sally dog and I took advantage of the brilliant weather to take a stroll round the Nature Trail.  Not too long in the sunshine and with some water for Kona and Sally to have a cooling swim. Morton proved just a (almost) perfect hour of relaxation.  I say almost because we did not complete the nature trail as there were rather a lot of cows down by what I have decided to term the Swan pond.  Why, because it  had some swans on it.  Anyway we thought that because of the dogs, discretion was the better part of valour and we made a small detour.  Normally we wouldn't do this but I must admit I'm never very sure of cows. 

Pointing the way - you will see these all round the trail, just follow the arrows.

The Lowthers in the distance.

Kona and Sally having fun in the water.

The Swan Pond

From the Swan Pond we exited the field through the gate and  out onto a tarmac road  turned left and headed uphill past the cottage then past the farmyard road end, and past  a small pond on the left hand side and back to where we had parked the car just opposite the castle gate.

This is a very short walk but it can be extended by taking the trails through the woodland opposite the castle.  If you wanted a longer adventure you could park in the Kings Quarry and head up through the woods. Or if you are feeling energetic you can turn right before the swan pond and start the climb up the the Roman fort.  There are a couple of information boards on the way up the hill which break up the journey and allow you to take a little breather.  The views from the top are stunning you can see all the way to the Lowther Hills and beyone one way, Drumlanrig the other way and straight in front in the dip you have Kettleton Reservoir.