GLASGOW AND WEST SCOTLAND

Culzean Castle and Country Park
Scotland's first Country Park, created in 1969 and consisting of 228 ha, contains a wealth of interest from shoreline through the Deer Park, Gas Court, Fountain Court and Swan Pond, to mature parklands and gardens.

Location: 12m south of Ayr, on A719, 4m west of Maybole, off A77.

Animals: Cliff and shoreline - gannets, basking sharks, variety of rockpool sealife. Woodland - roe deer, red squirrels, warblers. Swampland - water fowl, otters.

Opening Times: Visitor Centre, 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 9am-5.30pm; 1 Nov to 31 Mar, Sat/Sun 11am-4pm. Country Park, all year, daily 9.30am-sunset.

Facilities: Ranger tours, wildlife cameras, children's fun mornings. Good pathways, including disabled facilities. Licensed restaurant in Visitor Centre, open 10.30-5.30; Old Stables restaurant also licensed; two further snack bars in the Country Park offering refreshments, three shops. Toilets. Parking.

Contact: Culzean Castle and Country Park, Maybole, Ayrshire, KA17 8LE. Tel: (01655) 884455.

Brodick Castle and Country Park
The country park has waymarked trails, woodlands, waterfalls, gorges, wildlife ponds, a nature room and wildlife garden.

Location: Brodick Castle and Country Park, Isle of Arran.

Opening times: All year, daily 9.30-sunset.

Facilities: Restaurant and shop at castle. Parking. Toilets. One woodland trail has been specially designed for use by wheelchairs.

Contact: Brodick Castle and Country Park, Isle of Arran, KA27 8HY. Tel: (01770) 302462.

Falls Of Clyde
The Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve covers 59 hectares, comprising areas of ancient woodland along both sides of the gorge of the River Clyde. The Clyde flows through the gorge and over a series of four spectacular waterfalls from which the reserve takes its name. The Scottish Wildlife Trust manages the ancient woodlands and river banks with nature conservation in mind, and is gradually replacing conifer plantations with deciduous trees such as birch, oak and ash.

Location: The reserve lies approximately 1 mile south of the town of Lanark, and is reached through the historic village of New Lanark which is signposted from all major routes.

Animals: roe deer, otters, herons, kingfishers, warblers, tits, wrens, roe deer, peregrine falcons, tawny owl, barn owl and sparrowhawk.

Opening times: The visitor centre is open 11am-5pm, seven days a week all year round (Except January-February, 12pm-4pm). Closed 25th December, 26th December and 1st & 2nd January. The reserve itself is open during daylight hours throughout the winter, and from 8:00am until 8:00pm in the summer months.

Facilities: Visitor centre at New Lanark, refreshments. Toilets. Parking. Ranger service.

Contact: The Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre, The Falls of Clyde reserve, New Lanark, Lanarkshire, ML11 9DB. Tel: 01555 665262.

Glencoe and Dalness
This is an area of international botanical importance, particularly for the woodlands and arctic alpine flora. The A82 Glasgow to Fort William road runs through this spectacular glen and the visitor centre is a perfect stopping place for the traveller going north or south. There is a display on the history of mountaineering in Glen Coe, a video programme on the history of the glen (featuring the massacre), and information on walks (some guided by Trust rangers) in the glen.

Location: Off A82, 17m south of Fort William

Animals: red deer, golden eagle, wildcat.

Opening times: All year, daily. Visitor centre, shop and café, 1 to 31 Mar, daily 10am -4pm; 1 Apr to 31 Aug, daily 9.30am-5.30pm; 1 Sep to 31 Oct, daily 10am-5pm; 1 Nov to 28 Feb, Fri-Mon 10am-4pm.

Facilities: Snack bar with seating inside and picnic benches outside, shop. Toilets. Parking. Disabled facilities.

Contact: Glencoe, Ballachulish, PA39 4HX. Tel: (01855) 811 307


Lochwinnoch
Situated within the Clyde-Muirshiel Regional Park, Lochwinnoch is one of the few remaining wetland sites in west Scotland. The visitor centre, with its viewing tower and telescopes, gives good views over the marshland and loch, where in the winter you may see a wide variety of wildfowl and goosanders. In the spring, great crested grebes and lapwings can be seen displaying and sedge warblers can be heard singing in the marshland. The reserve is ideal for all the family, as the trails, birdwatching hides and visitor centre are easily accessible.

Location: 18 miles south-west of Glasgow between Paisley and Largs on the A760 near Lochwinnoch.

Opening times: Reserve open at all times; visitor centre open daily 10 am - 5 pm (closed 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January).

Facilities: Nature trails, Visitor centre, shop. Bicycle rack. Toilets
Disabled facilities. Ranger Service.

Contact: RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, PA12 4JF. Tel: (01505) 842663.