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Enjoy Nature around Dalbeattie

We have all enjoyed the pleasures and benefits of having Dalbeattie Forest on our doorstep, but now we are also able to experience and enjoy an exciting new development in Dalbeattie. The Wildlife Trail around Dalbeattie is an attraction to complement the restoration of Dalbeattie's Port . 

With an abundance of nature on our doorstep, the trail, which starts at the Town Hall, follows the Dalbeattie Burn to the Old Port before cutting up into Dalbeattie Forest and following the Red Squirrel Trail back into the town. Park.  A trail guide has been prepared for the 4 mile round walk highlighting some of the birds, animals, plants butterflies and other wildlife to be found on route.  These will include the Heron, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Otter, Red Squirrel, Nuthatch, Burnet Moth, Peacock Butterfly as well as wildflowers and fungi. This guide is available at the Visitor Information Point at Dalbeattie Initiative Office, 71 High Street.

The port restoration and wildlife trail projects have been developed simultaneously, with  support from the Dalbeattie Museum Trust and with funding provided by Scottish Natural Heritage, Shanks and Solway Heritage through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, Armstrong Waste Management and S.W.E.A.T through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, The Scottish Community Foundation and the Scottish Executive’s Quality of Life Fund administered through Dumfries & Galloway Council. 

These projects form part of the long term aim of Dalbeattie Community Initiative to assist with the economic regeneration of Dalbeattie and surrounding area.  With a lack of major industry and employment in the area, tourism is one of the main opportunities for economic development.  Dalbeattie and the Colvend Coast are already popular with visitors who come here each year to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, its rocky coastline, forests and hills, its heritage and wildlife.

Dalbeattie Initiative commented “Dalbeattie has always been a centre for touring the area for visitors.  By developing attractions and walks in the town itself we are hoping to retain many of these visitors to enjoy the town and its services as well as the surrounding area.  We have already developed walks locally, in Rounall Wood and the Town Heritage Trail.  The Wildlife Trail will be longer and a very interesting and educational experience, encouraging visitors and local residents to take a much closer look at the wildlife that is all around us and to remind us how fortunate we are to live in such a lovely environment".