Doach Wood, Castle Douglas
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 3 kms | 01:30 (hrs:mins) | 50 metres | Explorer 312: Kirkudbright & Castle Douglas |
Description
There are two routes in the wood but the one described here is the yellow route. The path skirts around the edge of the wood to begin with, past mature douglas firs, before it turns to go uphill. The effort to reach the viewpoint is rewarded with a fine vista stretching out across the Solway to the Lake District hills. Hestan Island, at the mouth of Balcary Bay, is visible in the foreground. The viewpoint often also provides close encounters with soaring buzzards at eye level or below. Listen too for the laughing call of the green woodpecker. The name Doach is a late 18th century local name for a salmon trap or weir. It is derived from the Gaelic datschach, meaning vat or tub. Today douglas fir is the dominant tree in much of the lower part of the wood. First discovered by the Scottish explorer Archibald Menzies, in North America in 1791, but named after another Scot David Douglas, who sent seeds to Britain in 1825. The magnificent specimens at Doach stand over 40 metres (130 feet) high.
Access Info
Car parking is available at the small Forest Enterprise car park just off the B736 3km south of Castle Douglas.
More Info
For further information, see the 'Walking In and Around Castle Douglas' booklet from Tourist Information Centres.
