| Start from the small car park beside the Galloway House Gardens with an information board and honesty box, which I would encourage you to use.
There are various walks in this area, but for Cruggleton Castle follow signs for the shore; this will take you past the walled garden and on to the picnic site at Rigg Bay. The structure out in the bay in front of you is part of the prefabricated ‘Mulberry Harbour’, which was tested here prior to being used by the Allied Armies at the D-Day landings in Normandy during world War Two.
Turn right and follow the signs for Cruggleton Castle. If they are not visible just follow the coastal path on your right as it meanders and climbs slightly through a delightful strip of broad-leaved woodland. This section changes with the seasons with an under storey of dog’s mercury, wild garlic, bluebells and fungi, it just depends when you visit.
After rounding Sliddery Point the route takes on a magical feel passing through twisted and gnarled oaks, beech and ash trees before reaching a run-down lodge beside a high boundary wall. Just before you reach the lodge there is a small viewpoint looking out to sea and along the cliffs to the right. Here during the breeding season (April to July) you will have the opportunity to watch various seabirds at close quarters including fulmar and cormorant. At the lodge pass through the old iron gates and on to the cliff path. The solitary arch of Cruggleton Castle in the distance is your target.
At the first ladder stile climb into the field and follow the boundary wall. Climb two more stiles and follow the finger-post around the last field boundary to reach the castle enclosure.
Return to the car park by retracing your steps.
For a map of the area click to view agree conditions on first page, on the second page in the top left box and type in NX4745 for the start point.
|
