Clatteringshaws

Clatteringshaws is a remote area in the Galloway Forest Park, next to the A712 road that runs between the towns of New Galloway and Newton Stewart, southwest Scotland, in the county of Dumfries & Galloway, 40 miles southeast of Ayr. This road is known as The Queen's Way.

The park has a number of walking and hiking routes, monuments, deer park, goat park, and a bike trail that runs from here to Loch Trool, about 10 miles west.

The image below is of the main car park at Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre.

The car park area here gives information on the dam and the areas attractions. Also the skies, as this area is so remote, it is classed as a dark skies area, ideal for viewing the stars.

The image below is of a large plague at the visitor centre car park giving information on the dam. The dam at Clatteringshaws Loch was built between 1929 and 1935 over the Black Water of Dee, to create a power source for the Glenlee Power Station. There is tunnel from here to the Glenlee Power Station, that is three and a half miles to the east. The tunnel leads off from the opposite end of the loch from the dam.

This is the largest hydro power set up in the area. I have calculated the 12 MegaWatt Glenlee Power Station creates enough power for the National Grid to power about 12,000 homes. It can be turned on and off when needed.

The image below is of the plaque at the Visitor Centre. The plaque gives information of trails, monuments and visitor attractions in the area.

The image below shows the Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre that has a tea room, and many leaflets for the area. The Visitor Centre is open from the beginning of April to the end of October. This image was taken in November when the Visitor Centre was closed, but the area is still open to the public.

Visitor Centre Website

The image below is from the trail round to Bruce's Stone, about half of a mile east of the visitor centre via a woodland walk and path, in an area named Moss Raploch. The plaque gives information on a battle here in 1307, when Robert the Bruce was fighting to become king of an independent Scotland.

There is another Bruce's stone at Loch Trool 10 miles west, that marks the site of another battle in the same year.

The image below is of Clatteringshaws Dam, built between 1929 and 1935. This is the largest dam I have seen so far in southern Scotland. Had to hike up through a rough field to get a photo of it all.

There is a forest road that leads its way round the far side of the dam, as seen below, then round behind the hills in the image to Loch Trool. That road is used by many mountain bikers, about 10 miles between here and Loch Trool. The highest hill below is Millfore at 2,152 ft.

Large Image .

The image below is of the Raiders Road forest drive that runs from a few hundred yards southwest of the dam, down the A712. This road can be driven, walked or biked. It leads southeast to the area of Bennan on the west side of Loch Ken. About 3 miles down this road is the scenic Otter Pool Large Images.

The image below is of Murray's Monument by the A712, 5 miles southwest of Clatteringshaws Dam. There is a car park here for the trail to the monument, the Grey Mares Tail waterfalls, the hike up the rocky Craigdews Hill, the hike over to the Black Loch, and past the Black Loch to the 2,152 ft Millfore hill.

Murray’s Monument was erected in 1835 in memory of Alexander Murray, a local shepherd boy who later became Professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh University. The monument is on a 597 ft hill, a steeper hike than it looks. There is a trail that leads off into the forest close to the top, that trail leads north to the forest road to the Black Loch and Millfore.

Large Image

Black Loch and Millfore Hike Images.

The image below is from Murray's Monument looking south to the 1,975 ft Craignelder and 2,332 ft Cairnsmore of Fleet behind. There is a forest road that leads off the A712 a few hundred yards southwest of the monument, over to the foot of Craignelder, as seen below. There is a small car park across the road from the start of that forest road.

Graignelder Photo Tour

From that car park, you can also follow a trail through the woods, north to the Old Edinburgh Road. That old road leads to the Black Loch, and up onto Millfore.

The image below is of the 882 ft Craigdews from Murray's Monument. You can see the monument car park down there. The rocky Craigdews is an interesting hike with a trail leading up from the bridge at the car park. Follow the high fence up into the trees, then go through the trees for about 30 ft, then hop over the lower fence. Beware the cliffs at the summit.

Large Image . Image looking down from Craigdews summit.

Next to the Murray's Monument car park are the Grey Mares Tail waterfalls, as seen below.

The image below is of the Glen of the Bar view point 1 mile southwest of Murray's Monument on the A712.

The image below is of the Glen of the Bar viewing platform, a few hundred feet above the glen. There is something un-nerving about walking out over a steep drop, but the views are worth it.

The Map below shows the attractions along the A712 that is also known as The Queens Way. The map also shows the hiking routes onto the hills. Green and brown dots are rough sections, green and yellow fairly good trails.

Google Road Map . Change Newton Stewart to your town or postcode to get driving directions.

Hill Walking Guide Map

The Glentrool and Kirroughtree Visitor Centres for biking and hiking are connected by biking trails, although you may need an OS Map to find your way between the centres.