Castle Douglas - Lochside Park & Streets

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Castle Douglas: Lochside Park & Streets, with Explorers sent by The Exploration Society to follow a tattered old map linked to Clan Luce's buried treasure and uncover Bob the Luce's long-lost booty.

The quest covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start at the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre just off the A713 on King Street, explore Castle Douglas's streets, pass shops, cafes, restaurants, parks, the churchyard and the clock tower, follow the lochside path beside Carlingwark Loch, then finish back at the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre.

This Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The route is on level pavements throughout and is described as ideal for pushchairs and wheelchairs. There is one step onto the path that leads up to the library, but there is also alternative access from the car park just beyond.

Take care when crossing roads in town, including Queen Street, Academy Street, St Andrew Street and King Street. Watch out for vehicles moving around the car park behind the library, and keep Mini Explorers close on pavements beside the road.

Getting There

By car: Start your quest at the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre just off the A713, King Street (DG7 1BE). Park in the large, free car park at the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre - your quest starts and finishes here too.

By public transport: Make your way to the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre just off the A713 on King Street to begin the treasure hunt. The circular route finishes back at the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre.

Need the Loo?

Handy news for treasure-hunting teams: public toilets are available at the start and end in the car park.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the adventure 🐾

The route follows level town pavements and passes along roads, around a car park behind the library and beside the loch, so keep canine companions close around traffic, moving vehicles and the water.

Food & Drink Stops

Castle Douglas is described as Scotland's Food Town, so peckish Explorers are in a strong position.

There are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks along the way, with the Trail passing parks, shops, cafes and restaurants. If you prefer to bring your own provisions, pack supplies and enjoy a picnic by Clue 10 beside the loch.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Carlingwark Loch

The lochside stretch is a brilliant place to linger once the treasure map is no longer demanding all your attention. Carlingwark Loch is full of historical secrets: when it was drained in 1765, two artificial islands were found, along with two dugout canoes, a dam and a planking floor. Bronze finds have also been made here, including a cauldron, pan and sword.

Castle Douglas Town Centre

The town centre gives Explorers plenty to enjoy beyond the clues. Castle Douglas is just over 200 years old and was planned in 1789 by Sir William Douglas as a 'cotton town'. An agricultural revolution helped it prosper as a market and commercial centre throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Castle Douglas Clock Tower

Keep an eye out for the large octagonal clock tower as you explore. It was once the location of the original Town Hall, but the original tower was destroyed by fire in 1892. A new one later met the same fate forty years after that, and the present tower was donated to Castle Douglas in May 1935.

Castle Douglas Parish Church

The quest takes you through the church gateway and into the churchyard, with the church building itself sitting right on the route. It's a quieter corner for Explorers to pause, regroup and take in another piece of the town before pressing on after Bob the Luce's booty.

Stewartry Agricultural Show

If your visit lines up with August, the annual Stewartry Agricultural Show is held nearby and celebrates the region's agricultural prowess and community spirit. It's a proper local extra for Explorers who like their treasure hunts with a side of show-day buzz.