WE’RE all in lockdown in an effort to beat coronavirus but one community in South West Scotland has been on the verge of Loch Doon for centuries.
The freshwater loch in Carrick, Ayrshire, is the largest in Southern Scotland, at roughly seven miles long, and is surrounded by stunning fairytale forests and rugged rolling hills.
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Loch Doon is on lockdown like everywhere else in the UK.
But when this terrible time is over, it will be well worth adding this Scottish beauty to your travel plans.
Visit South West Scotland chairman Ian McAndrew says: “Loch Doon is an idyllic spot and we hope that once this crisis is over, people will come and visit.
“Walkers will love the riverside walk at Ness Glen to the north of the loch, birdwatchers can spot the ospreys and history lovers can visit the ruins of Loch Doon Castle.”
It is thought the castle was probably built in the late 1200s by an earl of Carrick — either Robert the Bruce or his father, also called Robert.
Originally it stood on an island in Loch Doon but the entire castle was taken down stone by stone and rebuilt in 1935 on the south bank of the loch to save it from rising water levels.
History buffs might want to make the hour-long drive south west to the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, which houses artefacts and memorabilia from the two world wars.
Its prize exhibit is a Supermarine Spitfire recovered from the waters of Loch Doon.
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Landscape inspired Burns’s poetry
Three miles from Loch Doon the former mining town Dalmellington was also known for its textiles and ironworks.
The Doon Valley Museum was built in 1744 and explores the industrial heritage of the area and is also an art gallery.
The mountains here aren’t as high as in the Highlands.
But there’s plenty of room to roam. Walk into the stunning Ness Glen, a magical wooded gorge that follows the River Doon from the north of Loch Doon.
A long, hilly cycle path stretches through Galloway Forest Park between the village of Barr and Loch Doon.
This breathtaking landscape was the inspiration for Robert Burns in the 1700s, the revered poet celebrated each year on Burns Night.
Along the way you’ll pass a quaint pub and a hotel serving up hot meals and cheer.
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The route draws to a natural close with a gentle freewheel down towards Loch Doon Castle.
The bike hire shop here doubles up as a tea room and sells local crafts.
The Round House Café sits at the northern end of the loch.
Here you can use telescopes for bird watching or to admire views of the distant Rhinns of Kells mountain range.
The cafe’s roof is home to a pair of osprey that have frequented Loch Doon for a few years.
They had their first chicks there in 2014 and return every year to nest.
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Looking skywards from the loch you’ll see the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory on a hilltop overlooking the Craigengillan Estate and Dalmellington.
The observatory opened in 2012 in the only dark sky park in the UK.
The night skies here are some of the best — the Milky Way, shooting stars and the Northern Lights are all visible.
The Craigengillan Estate unfolds nearby over 3,000 acres of native woodland, wetlands and lochs.
It’s open to the public for pony trekking, mountain biking, fishing and canoeing on the River Doon and has comfy holiday cottages on site.
Loch Doon is a few miles off the new South West Coastal 300, a driving route that takes in stunning scenery and key attractions.
When we can take to the open road again the only way is up from Loch Doon.
GO: Loch Doon
STAYING THERE: There are two holiday cottages, B&B rooms in the mansion house and new for summer 2020 glamping pods on the Craigengillan Estate. For pricing, call 01292 551818 or visit craigengillan.com.
OUT & ABOUT: See scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk; openroadscotland.com.
MORE INFO: See visitsouthwestscotland.com and visitscotland.com.
