Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve
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Overview
The Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR, close to the Galloway Forest Park near Newton Stewart, is one of the wildest places in southwest Scotland, yet surprisingly accessible. There are wide-ranging views of the mountains of the Southern Uplands, and a self-guided trail and the track of a former railway will take you to most of the many special features of this beautiful reserve. You may hear the eerie cries of peregrines, the harsh croak of ravens or the onomatopoeic sound of stonechats on a summer visit. Roe deer live in the woodland fringes and red deer on the higher hills, while delicate dragonflies and damselflies dart around the pond areas and orchids bloom on the heath. The bronze of the bracken and the purple of the heather provide a stunning autumnal backdrop of colour for the rutting red deer stags in the main area of the reserve.
Ratings & awards
Green Tourism Gold
Location
GATEHOUSE OF FLEET, DG7 2BP
About the area
Dumfries and Galloway is a wonderfully undiscovered corner of Scotland – a romantic land of wooded glens, high hills and exposed moorland, haunted by its colourful past and the ghosts of those who fell in fierce and bloody battles. Heading west from Gretna Green you soon reach Dumfries, straddling the River Nith, where you may see red-breasted mergansers in summer.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Nearby places to stay
Anwoth Holiday Park
A very high quality park in a peaceful sheltered setting within easy walking distance of the village, ideally placed for exploring the scenic hills, valleys and coastline. Grass, hardst...
The Murray Arms
The Murray Arms is a long established inn set in the town of Gatehouse of Fleet, a perfect base for touring Dumfries and Galloway. It has a Burns Room, dedicated to the Scottish poet wh...
Creetown Caravan Park
Small, traditional caravan park overlooking the River Cree on the edge of Creetown on the northern shore of Wigtown Bay. This static-only park has six holiday hire caravans among the pr...
Auchenlarie Holiday Park
A well-organised family park set on cliffs overlooking Wigtown Bay, with its own sandy beach. The tenting area, on sloping grassland surrounded by mature trees, has its own sanitary fac...
Seaward Holiday Park
An attractive park with outstanding views over Kirkcudbright Bay which forms part of the Dee Estuary. Access to a sandy cove with rock pools is just across the road. Facilities are well...
Clachan Inn
The Clachan Inn enjoys a wonderful location in St Johns Town of Dalry, half way along the Southern Upland Way and on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. This small cosy inn offers a w...
Brighouse Bay Holiday Park
Brighouse Bay is a top class site with a country park feel that enjoys a marvellous coastal setting adjacent to the beach with superb views. The pitches have been imaginatively sculpted...
Solway View Holidays
Solway View is a site where you can enjoy the great outdoors and there are walks around the farm, adjoining woodland and local area. Grass and/or a hardstanding pitches are offered, and...
