Getting There
Northbound route only
Leave the A74(M) at Junction 18 and take the turn right onto the B723 signed Lockerbie.
Bear left onto the B7076 and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit signed Dumfries B7076.
Turn right signed Lockerbie and at the T-junction turn right signed Lochmaben A709. Go over the traffic light controlled bridge.
Enter Lochmaben and turn left signed Dalton B7020 and Lochmaben Castle (brown sign). Turn left at the brown sign for Lochmaben Castle and park by the castle ruins at the end of an unmade track.
Return to A74(M) Northbound
Leave the castle and turn right at the end of the track. Enter Lochmaben and turn right at the T-junction, signed A709 Lockerbie.
Turn left, signed A74(M) and at the next roundabout turn right. Follow the signs to return to the A74(M) North.
Lochmaben Castle
After exploring the castle ruins take the grassy path running anti-clockwise around the lake. This is a tranquil area with plenty of space for dogs to run and sniff.
Close by the castle is a small ‘beach’, ideal for dog swimming, and also picnic tables.
Longer walks are also signed from the track to the castle, but these involve some road walking. The routes are well signed with green footpath pointers.
The castle here has seen a lot of action over the centuries between the Scots and the English. It was owned at one time by the powerful Brus family, ancestors of the famous spider-watcher. There is no access to the interior of the castle, but the outside view is very atmospheric.
Facilities
Free parking. Picnic tables.