WWT Caerlaverock - Dumfries

Alan B.

This is an amazing place to see over wintering wildfowl, including Whooper Swans and Barnacle Geese. There isn't a cafe, but they have a machine and some cakes for sale. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. A couple of things to be aware of. It's expensive to get in, so worth a longer visit. They feed the swans at 1pm and one of the keepers gives a talk before doing so. Kids love this and there are great opportunities to record video and take pictures. There are a number of hides and other sites with a range of habitats, so brilliant for birdwatching. You can visit the national nature reserve via a different car park and a walk through muddy paths and fields. This reserve is free and has wooden paths you can use through the reeds. There are also hides on the free reserve. Directions and helpful signs just aren't there which is unhelpful and disappointing when very cheap low tech signage could have made a difference. Overall, the Solway Firth is an incredible, beautiful place to visit, and largely unspoilt.

Willow T.

A fabulous day out on the reserve as a celebration treat. I've been a few times before when visiting from down south. Now I live up north, and I need to make more of an effort.

The centre is signposted from the A75 to Dumfries. The roads do get narrower and windier as you get closer and don't panic. You've not driven into a dairy. Keep going and hang a left once through the centre gateway to the car park.
The weather here can be wild as it's literally on the Scottish side of the Solway Coast. So before you're out of the car, you might wanna be getting the waterproofs and boots on, even in the summer. We do get sunshine occasionally mind.
Out of the many WWT Centres I've been to, I would describe Caerlaverock as primitive in its facilities, like the one at Welney back in the day. Don't let the fact that there's not a swanky café/restaurant deter you, pack your flask and sarnies!!! There's a lovely indoor area to sit and eat them, along with an outdoor space with reserve viewing. There are accessible facilities here, and the Peter Scott Observatory has a lift to the upper floor. Super helpful staff, too

The weather was totally northern, wet, windy, and grey, although not particularly cold on our early October visit. Boots and waterproofs on, obligatory stop to use the facilities. Entrance of £4.50 per adult paid, site map in hand, sightings board checked, advised about ongoing works, and we're off.
Straight to the Avenue Tower. We spent quite a bit of time here watching various groups of deer, including a lone stag and a doe with fawn. We worked our way back towards the Saltcot Merse Observatory, then towards the Peter Scott Observatory, then towards the Folly Pond Hide before finishing at the Farmhouse Tower. Caerlaverock is famous for its winter migratory Geese. If you can’t see them, you'll definitely hear them.
The weather was well worth persevering with for 4.5 hours as our best sightings were Great White Egrets, a pair of Stonechat, Snow Geese, a leucistic goose, Perigrine Falcon, and a stunning male Hen Harrier.

As a bonus for one of us, there are a few Pokemon Gyms here, and amongst the haul, we bagged a Psyduck in my honour.

A thoroughly enjoyable and peaceful day reconnecting with nature. My soul is replenished.

Emilia M.

Amazing place, love it. Always see my favourite uncommon birds species. Great place to look for freshwater invertebrates and plants too. Wish I could visit more!

Andrew W.

Went in April on a week day and apart from one chap photographing birds we were the only ones there. Great place for bird watching, great views. Probably best to use satnav to get there as you could be left puzzled as to if you’re on the right road the signs are so far apart once you’re off the B724 and onto the B725.

M&C R.

Beautiful wetland environment for migrating geese and swans who overwinter on the Solway coast. Quieter in the summer months but sightings of osprey, barn owls and waders amongst others. Great selection of bird hides and towers. Small café and visitor centre with friendly staff. Peaceful and thoughtfully managed nature reserve.

My S.

Popped in for a visit while on a short break. 12th Oct 23. The wee lady at the reception was really lovely, so helpful and informative a real asset to the reserve. I've mobility issues and she offered loads of help and advice. Fantastic knowledge of the wildlife today too. Great place to visit. Awesome views of a ring tail, whoopers, barnies, shoveler teal etc.

Emma T.

Visited at the beginning on November, the reserve has lots of hides for dodging the great Scottish weather. When we visited there were 100s of swans and 1000s of geese which you could view in comfort from the viewing towers and hides. Swan feeding and talk at 1pm and the staff were lovely, there's a little cafe for hot drinks, soup and cake as well as a covered picnic area. We'll be back in another season to see what else the reserve has to offer.

Peter H.

Arrived at 10.15am for an Introductory Talk

Visited various Observation Towers and hides

Saw the Swans being Fed @ 1 O'clock

Unfortunatelty Centre Closed at 2.30pm

50 mph winds and heavy rain during visit

Very Interesting and Informative