Estate Walks

Here on the Dumfries House Estate, the House itself may be the heart, but it is the Estate that is the soul. Beautifully landscaped in places, breathtakingly rugged and open in others, a walk around the Estate is a balm, and in the companionship of others, also enormous fun and wonderfully informative.

Lead by our Environmental Officer, Bill Russell, you will take a walk not only through pristine Scottish countryside, but also through more than 250 years of history. There are four different routes, taking in key points around the 2,000 acre estate, and lasting between two and four hours, depending on the route and weather conditions.

Join us on one of our walks and you could find out about the trees planted as 19th Century status symbols; you may learn about the use of sticky-tape and peanut butter to measure numbers of red squirrels on the estate; and then marvel at the various buildings, gardens and architectural wonders that are being lovingly and painstakingly restored.

The flora and fauna on the Estate will fascinate you, from the Large White, Orange Tip and Painted Lady butterflies attracted to the dizzying array of wild flowers growing here, to the banks and swathes of Scottish bluebells and their wonderful perfume. You will also get to see how our student volunteer project and our Future Jobs Fund trainees are transforming parts of the Estate and helping us manage it in sustainable ways, which is not only fantastically rewarding for them, but also fantastically rewarding for our visitors, who get to see the Estate at its very best.

Each walk will last no more than half a day, and many areas will be wet underfoot, so stout footwear, warm clothing and a packed lunch will see you through, and we shall provide you with a warming cup of tea or coffee.

So what’s keeping you? “Come along, come along, let us foot it out together” Book a guided walk today, places are limited!

Venue

Dumfries House, please enter via the B7036 Barony Road, use the Walker's Car Park located at the cattle sheds.

Which Walk?

Walk 1, also known as ‘Lord Bute’s Walk’ because it was one of his favourite routes around the estate, follows farm track and woodland paths, and is usually muddy in places, with some steep, uneven sections. Although only 2km in length, the climbs and talking points extend the time taken on this walk.

Walk 2 follows gravel and woodland paths, but can be extended by almost double its length if the Burn Garden and Woodland are to be included. So this walk can be anything from 2 to 4km in length depending on requirements on the day.

Walk 3 follows gravel and woodland paths, getting rather muddy in wetter conditions, with a steep section of the walk to the top of Barony Bing, with a section of the walk including a path alongside the B7036 Barony Road. This walk is 5.5km in length, and so to keep to time, is a little more strenuous.

Walk 4 follows gravel and woodland paths, 5.5km (2hrs) route includes path alongside B7036 Barony Road. Please note that the route hugs the edge of a wetland area. There is also a ‘kissing gate’ en route, however, don’t worry – the 'hugs and kissing' sections of the walk are not to be taken literally, unless, of course, all parties are sufficiently friendly with each other!

Time

All Walks will start promptly at 10.00am and last between 2 and 4 hours. Walks will begin and end at the car park.

Cost

Each of the walks are priced as follows:

Walk 1: £4

Walk 2: £5

Walk 3: £8

Walk 4: £8

Fees are payable on the morning of the walk. Please bring a packed lunch. Tea & coffee included.

Booking

Places are limited to a maximum of 15. Please book at least 2 days in advance, call 01290 425959 to book your place. Walkers who have not booked prior to the walk will not be able to join the group.

The ground will be very wet, please wear suitable footwear