Barhill Wood

Circular forest walk. 3.5km/2miles. Allow 1 hour. Roadside pavement, beaten earth and hard surface paths.

Stout shoes or boots recommended. Parking is available at the Harbour Square car park in the centre of Kirkcudbright. There is also limited parking available at the entrance to Barhill Wood, just off the B727.

Start from the car park. Leave the entrance opposite the Post Office and turn right then left. On reaching St Mary Street, go straight across and follow the road uphill. The road bears left then takes you out of town until you reach a very sharp corner where the road goes left to Gelston. Go straight ahead here and the entrance to the woods is first on your right. There are three routes through the wood. The one described here is called the Viewpoint Walk and is waymarked throughout as yellow.

From the car park, take the right hand path. Barhill is an ancient woodland site and has a mix of trees including oak, beech, larch, holly and sycamore. There is also plenty of undergrowth and you will probably hear the rustlings of blackbirds and song thrushes as they search for worms. Also listen out for the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker. The less obvious inhabitants of the wood include voles, mice, squirrels and an abundance of moths, beetles and other insects. Soon you will reach a viewpoint with a picnic bench. Here you can enjoy views over Kirkcudbright Bay and the Galloway Hills beyond. To continue, follow the yellow waymarkers. These take you through the wood where there are further glimpses over the town and across the Bay. Barhill sits high above Kirkcudbright, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy town. The walk is peaceful and relaxing, with only birdcalls to interrupt the quiet.