GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Clatteringshaws Loch

1 miles (1.5 km)

This large freshwater reservoir is part of the wider Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway.
At the eastern side of the loch you'll find good facilities with a visitor centre, cafe and car parking area. Here you can pick up some nice walking trails taking you along the water to the memorial stone and Bruce's Stone. The historical landmark is said to be the spot where Robert the Bruce once rested after battle. There's also lovely views over the water to the surrounding hills and some peaceful woodland trails to enjoy at the site. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of wildlife including deer and Red Kites.

Postcode

DG7 3SQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

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Clatteringshaws Loch OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Clatteringshaws Loch Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's a good on site cafe selling a range of meals and snacks.

Dog Walking

The loch and surrounded forest are ideal for a dog walk. The cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To the north of the water you can pick up the epic Southern Upland Way. The trail could be followed west along the River Dee to Loch Dee and Loch Trool.
Loch Doon is also positioned within the park. Here you'll find waterside trails and an interesting 14th century castle. Near Loch Doon there's also Loch Bradan, Loch Skelloch and the pretty Water of Girvan to explore. Loch Ken is located just to the east at New Galloway and includes a lovely RSPB Nature Reserve.
At the southern end of the loch you can pick up a shared cycling and walking trail and follow it south to visit Loch Grannoch and the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct. The viaduct is a local historic highlight and provides wonderful views over the area from the top. You can also explore the wonderful wild landscape of the Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve in this area.

Photos

Memorial Stone at Clatteringshaws Loch - geograph.org.uk - 540098

Memorial Stone at Clatteringshaws Loch. The plaque commemorates the building of the dam in the 1930's and gives a brief history of the area.

The track from Bruce's Stone to Clatteringshaws visitor centre - geograph.org.uk - 1575031

The track from Bruce's Stone to Clatteringshaws visitor centre

Clatteringshaws Iron Age Roundhouse reconstruction - geograph.org.uk - 888722

Iron Age Roundhouse reconstruction. The roundhouse is now missing the roof which was present several years ago.

Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre - geograph.org.uk - 824686

Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre. Galloway Forest Park Wildlife Visitor Centre; in the porch is a fine stained glass (‘Galloway Window’) by B Thomas, flanked by verses by R L Stevenson and Hugh MacDiarmid.

Bruce's Stone, Clatteringshaws - geograph.org.uk - 824672

Bruce’'s Stone. A small National Trust (Scotland) site. This stone standing on Moss Raploch is where King Robert the Bruce is said to have rested after defeating the English here in 1307. N.B. There is another Bruce’s Stone at Glen Trool that commemorates the Battle of Trool also in 1307. Here you can visit the splendid Loch Trool. Here you can enjoy a popular circular walk around the loch where you'll pass the stone. This is where Robert the Bruce with a few infantry let 1500 English soldiers with cavalry chase him up this south side of Glen Trool. At this point he had laid an ambush, the rest of his men rolled stones down this hillside to pitch men and horses into the loch, and followed up by attack with archers, so defeating the English.

Clatteringshaw Loch - geograph.org.uk - 225714

Clatteringshaw Loch view from near Bruce's Stone.

Clatteringshaws Dam - geograph.org.uk - 927672

Clatteringshaws Dam and pretty heather. The reservoir was created by damming the Galloway River Dee as part of the Galloway Hydro Electric Scheme during the 1930s.

Craignell, Clatteringshaws Loch - geograph.org.uk - 262771

Craignell. The Rhinns of Kells in the distance.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Clatteringshaws Loch.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Clatteringshaws Loch.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)