New Galloway to Dalry

A long linear riverside walk. 18km/11 miles (return), allow 6 hours to complete. Covers hard surface and grass paths and roadside verge.

Gates and Stiles. Stout shoes or boots recommended

Parking is available at the car park in the centre of New Galloway. Start from the car park, a signpost indicates the start of the walk. Follow the waymarked route to Dalry. Either catch a bus or retrace your steps to New Galloway.

Follow the flood embankment through willows and gorse. Part of the Ken-Dee marshes, this is an important site for wildfowl, with teal and whooper swans visiting regularly in winter. In addition, the harvest mouse, though rare in Scotland, is found here and manages to survive the regular floods. Through the trees, Kenmure Castle stands out. The present castle is now ruinous but there has been a long history of habitation here, dating back to medieval times.

Continue along the embankment to reach Ken Bridge. This impressive granite bridge was built in 1822 and spans the Water of Ken. Cross it to regain the footpath on the other side. Note the Standing Stone of Dalarran, a prominent feature in the field. Dating from the Bronze Age around 4000 years ago, it is very likely to have some religious significance. Locally, it is thought to mark the site of a battle and weapons have been found in the surrounding area.

The path heads through attractive riverside woodland and follows the Water of Ken upstream. Along the banks of the river, look out for common sandpiper in summer and the familiar mallard all year round. As you approach Dalry you are rewarded with good views to the Galloway hills. Dalry itself is surrounded by smaller hills and routes over some of these are described in this guide.