Dalbeattie Walking Festival – Only a few steps away

The annual walking festival organised by Dalbeattie Community Initiative is rapidly approaching. It will be held from Thursday 19th August to Sunday 22nd August. The walks and events held over the four days will allow both visitors and locals to take in some spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife and learn about the heritage and history of Dalbeattie and surrounding area. The growing number of people taking part in last year’s event along with the positive feedback received on previous walking festivals has given The Initiative the inspiration to develop and expand this festival into an annual event.

There are activities and walks for everyone in the family to enjoy. These include a trip to the Red Kite Trail and Feeding Station at Bellymack Farm graded easier; a morning full of fun and activities in Rounall Wood for the youngest members of the family and Howie Forest Products are also opening their doors for a unique tour to see the largest single site sawmill in the U.K. in operation.

For those who would like to be taken back in time, walk leaders from The Initiative will be on hand for a walk along a section of the Old Paddy Line. This is an opportunity to relive the age of the railway with a walk along the old Stranraer-Dumfries railway line to the former Southwick Station. This will also take in part of the World War II Munitions Factory at Edingham and some spectacular views over the countryside from Station Woods. A varied selection of guided walks around coastal routes and the East Stewartry Coast National Scenic Area which include a geological trail at Powillimount and Newbarns Archaeological Dig are also included. Members of Auchencairn Initiative will be leading walks to take in magnificent views of Bengairn and Screel from the top of Suie Hill, the magnificent Iron-Age hill fort.

As always there’s chance for everyone to catch a glimpse of some of the diverse wildlife in their natural habitat and learn how Dalbeattie Forest Community Partnership is improving the habitats at Woodhouse.

Events will continue into the evenings with a Batwalk, a tour of Dalbeattie cemetery to hear some stories of people who have contributed to the development of the town as well as talks and slideshows from Tommy Henderson of the Dalbeattie Museum Trust and Calum Murray, RSPB, on the successful re-introduction of the Red Kites to Galloway.

If you like treasure hunts and enjoy a challenge, then why not give ‘letterboxing’ a try. During the walking festival there will be a series of containers known as ‘letterboxes’ hidden in and around Dalbeattie. A sheet of clues will available to help find locations of the small water-tight boxes, just record your find using the rubber stamp but don’t forget to re-hide the letterboxes for others to complete the trail. The boxes will be out for the duration of the walking festival so the trail can be completed at any time. Information sheets with set of clues will be available from the Initiative Office.

A large number of local groups and organisations will be taking part and leading walks in this year’s walking festival. These include: Auchencairn Initiative, Dalbeattie Community Forest Partnership, Dalbeattie Community Council, Dalbeattie Museum Trust, Solway Heritage, Red Squirrels in South Scotland Project, Howie Forest Products, John Moran (Dalbeattie angling Association), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Forestry Commission Scotland, National Scenic Area Project, Newbarns Archaeological Dig, RSPB Red Kite Trail, Dumfries & Galloway Council Environment & Ranger Service, Stewartry Walking for Health Project, Mr & Mrs O’Donohue (Letterboxers).

Dalbeattie Community Initiative would also like to thank the Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ scheme which has funded the walking festival this year allowing the programme of walks to be developed. A walking festival brochure has been produced with full details of all the walks and evening events is available free of charge. To get your copy or for more information call into the Initiative Office, 72 High Street, Dalbeattie or Telephone Graham Platt, 01556 612518 or Susan McLellan, 01556 612436. Take this excellent opportunity to put on your walking boots capture the natural beauty, history and diverse wildlife of this scenic coastal area with local guides who can offer a wealth of knowledge.