Castle Loch Lochmaben

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Project Overview

Project name: Castle Loch circular path and boardwalk improvements
Organisation/group: Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust
Location: Castle Loch, Lochmabe, Annandale
Grant awarded: £20,000 (Feb 2022) tbc
Project delivery period: Completed Spring 2024 tbc
Theme/priority area: Community facilities, accessibility and wellbeing

The community need

Castle Loch’s 5km circular walk is one of Lochmaben’s most valued outdoor assets. The route passes through wet woodland at the south end of the loch and crosses the Valison Burn via a 226m timber boardwalk and bridge.

Over time, the ageing infrastructure had reached the end of its natural life. Without the boardwalk, the woodland stretch would become impassable, preventing people from completing the full circuit. Growing footfall — particularly during and after the pandemic — had also accelerated wear and tear on paths and bridges.

Local residents of all ages rely on the walk for exercise, mental well-being, and connection with nature. With increasing visitor numbers and rising demand for accessible outdoor spaces, replacing and upgrading the infrastructure became an urgent priority.

The project

With support from the Fund, the Trust delivered significant improvements to future-proof the route:

  • Replaced 230m of boardwalk with a wider, more accessible timber structure including passing places and gentler ramps
  • Created 89m of new footpath to avoid a rutted farm track
  • Upgraded 457m of worn and overgrown path
  • Replaced two bridges with wider, step-free designs

Following a full tender process, the project was carried out by GroundsCo and supported by six volunteer work parties.

The project required careful environmental management due to the loch’s protected status. All works were completed outside the bird breeding season, with surveys for protected species undertaken in advance.

Despite challenges, including a particularly wet winter and the need to install deeper 12ft posts where ground conditions had changed, the project was successfully completed through close collaboration between the contractor and the Trust.

Outcomes and impact – the difference it made

The improvements ensure the circular walk remains open, safe and accessible for many years to come.

More than 25,000 circuits of the loch are recorded annually, completed by people of all ages and abilities. The upgraded boardwalk now meets modern accessibility standards, widening participation for people with mobility difficulties (and indeed anyone accessing the route with wheels such as wheelchairs and buggies) and removing barriers such as uneven surfaces and steps.

Short-term outcomes include:

  • Safer, more inclusive access
  • Reduced maintenance burden
  • Improved visitor experience

Longer-term impact includes sustained health and well-being benefits, continued tourism appeal, and protection of a valued natural asset for future generations.

Voices from the community

Helen Keen, former secretary at Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust, said: “The funding from ANCBC was absolutely critical to the delivery of the project. We face significant pressures on our funds to deliver basic maintenance around Castle Loch, such as annual tree management programmes to maintain the areas around the loch, which is a particular issue following stormy weather. Access to these additional funds enables us to prioritise projects that help safeguard our wonderful countryside for the future.

“The circular walk means so much to local people, and it’s brilliant news that we have been able to make it more accessible to our wider community for many years to come.”

Looking ahead

The Trust continues to enhance accessibility across the site. A second award of £3,328 (October 2025) has supported the purchase of wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and benches made from recycled materials, improving facilities around Lochfield Cottage and supporting outdoor learning. Installation of the picnic tables is due to be completed in Spring 2026.

Plans are also underway to implement further infrastructure improvements, including the recent repair of two accessible jetties. The funding has strengthened the Trust’s confidence in delivering larger-scale capital projects and leveraging additional match funding.

Why Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Fund matters

Community benefit funding has enabled the Trust to protect and enhance one of Lochmaben’s most treasured outdoor spaces. Without this support, essential infrastructure replacement would not have been possible at this scale.

The Fund ensures that local communities directly benefit from investment in their area — supporting health, inclusion and environmental stewardship.

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