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Home> Walks> Scotland> Dumfries & Galloway> Castle Kennedy Gardens

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Recommended by
Our view
"Discover the gardens around the ancient stronghold of a powerful family."
Walk directions

Walk to the A75 Euro Route, cross it and go through the main entrance to Castle Kennedy Gardens. This is part of the Southern Upland Way (SUW) and follows the main drive into the gardens. Go over a crossroads and follow the drive along the banks of the White Loch (or Loch of Inch).

Continue along the road, following the waymarkers, as the road passes the entrance to Castle Kennedy Gardens, for which there is an admission charge. From here turn right and head uphill to reach a T-junction. Turn left onto a country lane.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Estate roads and minor roads
  Landscape  - Estate woodlands, lochside and pastures
  Dog friendliness  - Dogs should be kept on leads
  Parking  - On-street parking in Castle Kennedy, opposite gardens
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Dumfries & Galloway
About the walk
There are remains from different periods of history along the length of this walk. It is the ancient parish of Inch, a burgh of Barony since the 17th century and once a major stronghold of the Kennedy family, from which both the ruined castle and the village take their names. The Kennedys of that...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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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.
Explore Dumfries & Galloway
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Aird Donald Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Historic Stranraer is just a 5 minute walk away...."
  • Launderette
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Caravan & Camping
Ryan Bay Caravan Park
★★★
award
"Full facility family park close to ferry port to Northern Ireland...."
  • Launderette
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Caravan & Camping
Sands of Luce Holiday Park
★★★★
award
"Superb on-site attractions and direct beach access...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • BBQ
Nearby places to stay
Aird Donald Caravan Park
Aird Donald Caravan Park is a spacious touring site set behind mature trees and within a five-minute walk of Stranraer town centre at the head of Loch Ryan. It is an ideal base to tour ...
★★★★    Rating
Ryan Bay Caravan Park
Ryan Bay Holiday Park occupies an enviable position on the shores of Ryan Bay, within easy reach of Stranraer and the ferry terminal at Cairnryan for a day trip to Northern Ireland. It ...
★★★    Rating
Sands of Luce Holiday Park
This is a large, well-managed holiday park overlooking Luce Bay. It has a private boat launch and direct access to a wide sandy beach, which proves popular with kite surfers. The Lighth...
★★★★    Rating
Knockinaam Lodge
Knockinaam Lodge is an extended Victorian house set in an idyllic cove with its own pebble beach, and sheltered by majestic cliffs and woodlands. Surrounded by 30 acres of delightful gr...
★★★★★    Rating
Glenapp Castle
A truly hidden treasure, Glenapp Castle is an enchanting hotel where you will feel 'at home' whether you're travelling on your own or with a party of friends. This luxury hotel provides...
★★★★★    Rating
Barrhill Holiday Park
A small, friendly park in a tranquil rural location, screened from the A714 by trees. The park is terraced and well landscaped, and the high-quality amenity block includes disabled faci...
★★★★    Rating
Kings Green Caravan Site
Located on the edge of Port William, with beautiful views across Luce Bay as far as the Isle of Man, this is a community run site which offers good facilities and large grass pitches, w...
★★★    Rating
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...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Knockinaam Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Knockinaam Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Restaurant at the Old Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkmichael Arms
Awaiting inspection
View all
Route details
3hrs 30min
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
6 miles (9.7kms)

Ascent:
49ft (15m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Dumfries & Galloway
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Castle Kennedy Gardens

Recommended by
Our view
"Discover the gardens around the ancient stronghold of a powerful family."
Walk details
3hrs 30min
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
6 miles (9.7kms)
Ascent:
49ft (15m)
Walk directions

Walk to the A75 Euro Route, cross it and go through the main entrance to Castle Kennedy Gardens. This is part of the Southern Upland Way (SUW) and follows the main drive into the gardens. Go over a crossroads and follow the drive along the banks of the White Loch (or Loch of Inch).
1 of 6

Continue along the road, following the waymarkers, as the road passes the entrance to Castle Kennedy Gardens, for which there is an admission charge. From here turn right and head uphill to reach a T-junction. Turn left onto a country lane.
2 of 6

Shortly, take the next left beside a lodge. Follow the estate road through woodland along the banks of the Black Loch (or Loch Crindil). To your left is a small wooded island shown on maps as Heron Isle. This is the crannog.
3 of 6

At a junction near the head of the loch turn left and cross a bridge. Immediately turn right along the loch and follow the road to a T-junction at a lodge. Leave the estate and turn left onto a country lane. After about mile turn left along a farm track to another T-junction with an estate road and turn right.
4 of 6

On the left is a graveyard and the remains of the old church of Inch, which is worthy of a closer look. The estate road ends at a T-junction with the A75 beside another lodge. Cross the A75 and continue along a minor road passing the modern Inch Church.
5 of 6

Look for a gap in the wall about 100yds (91m) before a railway bridge and turn left at a SUW waymarker. Continue on this footpath through the woods, parallel to the railway line, to an interpretation board on the edge of the village. Continue to the end of the path and go straight ahead at a road junction. Turn left at the next junction and return to the start.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Estate roads and minor roads
  Landscape - Estate woodlands, lochside and pastures
  Dog friendliness - Dogs should be kept on leads
  Parking - On-street parking in Castle Kennedy, opposite gardens
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Dumfries & Galloway
About the walk
There are remains from different periods of history along the length of this walk. It is the ancient parish of Inch, a burgh of Barony since the 17th century and once a major stronghold of the Kennedy family, from which both the ruined castle and the village take their names. The Kennedys of that...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Dumfries & Galloway
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.
Explore Dumfries & Galloway

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Aird Donald Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Historic Stranraer is just a 5 minute walk away...."
  • Launderette
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Caravan & Camping
Ryan Bay Caravan Park
★★★
award
"Full facility family park close to ferry port to Northern Ireland...."
  • Launderette
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Caravan & Camping
Sands of Luce Holiday Park
★★★★
award
"Superb on-site attractions and direct beach access...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • BBQ
Nearby places to stay
Aird Donald Caravan Park
Aird Donald Caravan Park is a spacious touring site set behind mature trees and within a five-minute walk of Stranraer town centre at the head of Loch Ryan. It is an ideal base to tour ...
★★★★    Rating
Ryan Bay Caravan Park
Ryan Bay Holiday Park occupies an enviable position on the shores of Ryan Bay, within easy reach of Stranraer and the ferry terminal at Cairnryan for a day trip to Northern Ireland. It ...
★★★    Rating
Sands of Luce Holiday Park
This is a large, well-managed holiday park overlooking Luce Bay. It has a private boat launch and direct access to a wide sandy beach, which proves popular with kite surfers. The Lighth...
★★★★    Rating
Knockinaam Lodge
Knockinaam Lodge is an extended Victorian house set in an idyllic cove with its own pebble beach, and sheltered by majestic cliffs and woodlands. Surrounded by 30 acres of delightful gr...
★★★★★    Rating
Glenapp Castle
A truly hidden treasure, Glenapp Castle is an enchanting hotel where you will feel 'at home' whether you're travelling on your own or with a party of friends. This luxury hotel provides...
★★★★★    Rating
Barrhill Holiday Park
A small, friendly park in a tranquil rural location, screened from the A714 by trees. The park is terraced and well landscaped, and the high-quality amenity block includes disabled faci...
★★★★    Rating
Kings Green Caravan Site
Located on the edge of Port William, with beautiful views across Luce Bay as far as the Isle of Man, this is a community run site which offers good facilities and large grass pitches, w...
★★★    Rating
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...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Knockinaam Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Knockinaam Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Glenapp Castle Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
Clachan Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Restaurant at the Old Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkmichael Arms
Awaiting inspection
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby