Kirkcudbright Training Centre, on the northern coastline of the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway occupies an exposed headland 5 km south of the town of Kirkcudbright.
Site Description
Kirkcudbright Training Centre provides opportunities for a wide variety of field fire and dry training exercises across 4,700 acres (1,900 hectares) of farmland.
The range has many rare plants including populations of Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea and Cowslips. The only known county records of six plants including Yellow Horned Poppy, Yellow Vetch and Pyramidal Orchids are from the range. Most of the rare plants flourish on the untrodden coastline and cliff face.
There is a danger from unexploded ordnance lying close to the surface of the ground in some parts of the range, and as a result, access is only permitted on four defined and waymarked routes which are located on hard surfaced paths and roads through safe parts of the training area. These routes can only be used when the training area is not active and red flags are not flying/lamps are not lit. Horse Riders are warned when using these routes that the area is used extensively, by both fast jets and helicopters, for low flying exercises. High visibility clothing should be worn by riders. Please see safety pages for more information.
The main linear Access path runs from West to East across the range area. It starts at Torrs Point, where the Dumfries & Galloway waymarked public footpath from Kirkcudbright stops at the Range boundary gate. The path is then marked by Dumfries & Galloway waymarker posts throughout its six and a half mile length to Abbey Burn Foot. Horse riders are advised to transit from Abbey Burn Foot, at the East end of the footpath, where there is an equestrian entry gate and parking for horse boxes.
There are also three shorter, circular routes on the training area.
Townhead Loop:
This circular walk starts near Balmae on the Western side of the training area and is approximately four and a half miles long.
Howwell Loop:
This circular walk also starts near Balmae and is approximately three and a quarter miles long
Netherlaw Loop:
This short circular walk takes in Netherlaw Glen at the Eastern side of the training area and is approximately 1 mile long
See "Related pages/documents" for the Kirkcudbright Public Access Routes information leaflet.
Further information
Further information can be gained from Tel: 0141 224 8501 (Range Officer) or 0141 224 8502 (Guard House).
OS Map References
Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas, Gatehouse of Fleet
OS Explorer Map, Sheet 312
Newton Stewart and Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet
OS Landranger Map, Sheet 83