Hides and trailsat WWT Caerlaverock

Our hides and trails criss-cross the site, bringing you closer to wetland wildlife of all types, in all seasons.

Whether you're winding your way along the Lochar water on the summer meadow trail, or cosying up in the heated Sir Peter Scott Observatory for a winter swan feed, there's a place for you at Caerlaverock.

Hides

Our hides provide a great variety of places to settle down and get close to nature. Whether you're waiting for a kingfisher at the Back Pond Hide or listening to the cascading song of our many skylarks in the Salcot Merse Observatory, there is a hide for all seasons.

Farmhouse Tower

From the top of this three-storey tower, take in the best panoramic view over the whole 1400 acres of the WWT Caerlaverock holding, equivalent to 900 football pitches! The largest binoculars in Scotland allow you to see what is going on all over the reserve. Look down on the Folly Pond where hundreds of whooper swans roost overnight in winter. In summer, watch house martins dart into their nests clinging onto the tower eaves.

Folly Pond Hide

This large log hide with a turf roof gives a great low level, close up view of the Folly Pond. It is often the hot spot for rare waders and ducks on the reserve.

Scottish Water Hide

This hide gives a different aspect over the Folly Pond, with shovelers, teal and wigeon directly in front.

Sir Peter Scott Observatory

This heated observatory has large picture windows and looks out over the Whooper Pond. It is approximately 150 metres from the Visitor Centre. In winter, it is the scene of the wild swan feeds where up to 200 whooper swans fly in to feed right in front of the windows. The swans are fed grain along the front of the building daily from October to March. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the amazing journeys these swans have undertaken to and from Iceland. Seeing a swan feed is a must when visiting Caerlaverock. It is unique in Scotland and you can get closer to wild whooper swans than anywhere else in the country. Mute swans, wigeon, mallards, tufted ducks, shoveler, teal, greylag geese and the occasional scaup or Bewick's swan may also be seen. There is a tower attached to this observatory which gives great views over the Whooper Pond, meadow and Corner Field. The tower is accessible by a lift or stairs.

Saltcot Merse Observatory

The Saltcot Merse Observatory provides excellent views over the reserve and south over the vast saltmarshes to the Solway and the Lake District fells beyond. This is an ideal spot to watch thousands of waders pushed in at high tide, as well as peregrine falcons, hen harriers and marsh harriers hunting over the merse. It is approximately half a mile from the Visitor Centre

Glengoyne Hide

Another log hide looks east over the Corner Field. It is a favourite for barnacle geese, especially in the mornings and in summer it can be covered in lapwings and golden plovers."

Avenue Tower

Another three-storey tower at the end of the Avenue looks over the eastern end of the reserve. The floodground can be full of ducks and waders and it overlooks some of the best barnacle goose grazing fields on the Solway, right below the tower. It is approximately half a mile from the Visitor Centre.

Campbell Hide

There is a third log hide which looks north over the floodground. With the sun behind you, it can be the best place to look for waders and ducks.

Teal Pond Hide

This is a small hide that looks over the Teal Pond. In spring, watch as the mute swans sit on their nest waiting for their cygents to arrive. Little egrets are sometimes hunting from here too. IN winter, watch teal and wigeon bob around each other or a roe deer trot past.

Viewpoints and trails

Whether it's our flower-filled meadows, wandering the wilds of the meadow walkway or pausing at a willow screen, there are many different ways to soak up the magic of Caerlaverock.

Sharp's Lookout

This viewpoint looks towards the back of the Folly Pond, where curlews and barnacle geese like to feed in winter. It gives a nice view towards Criffel.

Screens

We have 3 small hides set into the screen banks of the Avenue and Saltcot Loaning looking out over the borrow pit pools and fields. These intimate one, two or four person screens allow you to get away from it all and enjoy a bit of wildlife watching in solitude.

Sir Peter Scott Trail

This short walk meanders round the wet woodland and has two hides and a screened viewing area. The Newfield Hide looks north over the wet fields and the Back Pond Hide faces east along the pond with the chance of seeing a kingfisher perching and fishing. There is also a large viewing screen looking over the wild bird feeding station getting you close to the small birds that flock to the feeders, including tree sparrows. In winter, water rail are often seen under the feeders too.

Walk on the Wild Side

Sweep through flower-filled meadows, past wild orchids and orange-tipped butterflies on our magical wildflower meadow walk (open May-August). Follow the muddy banks of the Lochar Water, looking out for roe deer tracks or a glimpse of the elusive otters who live here.

Wildlife Garden

In our garden, you can watch butterflies and bumblebess busy themselves amongst the flowers. This space has been created to demonstrate some of the many things you can do in your outdoor space to help wildlife.