Camping At Loch Trool "Galloway Forest"

[Sleeve]

Hello All,

This is my first post, so please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Steve, I'm originally from East Tennessee and have lived in the UK for the past 11 years. I'm planning my first, albeit long overdue wild camp at Loch Trool in Galloway Forest, to be exact. Having grown up in the mountains of Tennessee, I'm well experienced in wild camping or back "country camping" as it is referred to in the States. My question is this. When planning to camp at this location, can I expect to find enough firewood e.g. deadfall etc. for 3 to 4 nights camping, or should I bring some with me? Keeping in mind I will be using the campfire not only for keeping warm, but for cooking also. I should also state that I will be setting up camp within a 15 to 20 minute hike from where I plan on parking, as my wife and young daughter will be me. Therefore bringing firewood, if needed, wouldn't be too much of an issue, just a couple of extra trips to the car. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this post, I look forward to all of your replies.

Regards,
Steve

 

[rorymax]

Welcome Steve

With wife and young daughter for 3-4 days and possibly unpredictable weather, I would bring firewood along, it wont go to waste if you don't use it .

rorymax

 

[adestu]

Me and the missus have just been there wildcamping for a few days.
Pm me and we'll tell you about it

 

[Sleeve]

Welcome Steve

With wife and young daughter for 3-4 days and possibly unpredictable weather, I would bring firewood along, it wont go to waste if you don't use it .

rorymax

Yeah, I figured I would anyway. Was just wondering, thanks for the reply.

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[GGTBod]

I am regular wild camper up in the Galloway FP and Loch Trool is a nice place and with a bit of searching you can find some great isolated camping spots, google image search Loch Trool and you will see loads of my images from that area, plenty of wood to be had but it never hurts to take some as it saves on the gathering work, make sure you take good midge defence/repellants

 

[Sleeve]

I am regular wild camper up in the Galloway FP and Loch Trool is a nice place and with a bit of searching you can find some great isolated camping spots, google image search Loch Trool and you will see loads of my images from that area, plenty of wood to be had but it never hurts to take some as it saves on the gathering work, make sure you take good midge defence/repellants

Thanks GGT, I've read alot about the midge problems. Got the three of us some face nets. Just hope my old Tennessee homemade mosquito repellent works over here.

 

[adestu]

We parked less than 5 minutes from the car.pitched up the hammocks just off the trail.filtered water collected and proccessed firewood and had a great couple of days.

 

[Dave]

Its been on my list for a while, but a friend, took his spaniel out into the woods, and was bit in the lip by an adder and died.
My lab gets his nose into everything, so it kinda puts me off going, as I know there are adders up there.

 

[rancid badger]

There are Adders all over the shop Dave: [video]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/highexplosive/SARG/08000-TheAnimals/SpeciesPages/NativeAnimals/Reptiles/Adder/Adder.html[/video]

Basically, if you're that worried by the risk of your dog being bitten by an Adder, your best bet is to stay away from any of the pink bits on the map above.

I've seen Adders on military training areas a few times, usually in the hands of half witted recruits or trainees. Never bothered me to be honest and never known anyone or their dog harmed by them.


I'd be more concerned about ticks than Adders.


Steve

 

[GGTBod]

Like Badger said i've never seen an adder up there and never once worried about them but the ticks are as commonplace as the deer, the place is packed with deer and anytime the bracken is up the ticks are rife, buy a bottle of smidge it repels the midges and the ticks, it smells nice and is safe to use on kids n pets and plastics, hopefully your home made mossie stuff does a good job but if i were you i'd grab a bottle of smidge as it will save your misses and the bairns from being plagued if your home made stuff doesn't affect the hardy Scottish midge, also highly advisable to have a tom o tick remover tool kit especially if you are taking a hound and kids as they will get ticks on them unless they avoid all undergrowth, don't get me wrong for a second here neither the ticks nor the midges and chance of constant rain spoil the GFP for me one little bit you just go prepared for them and it's no bother

 

[Sleeve]

Thanks for the information, it's much appreciated.

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[GGTBod]

No probs glad to share good info, here is my trip report from my last wild camping trip up that way

 

[Sleeve]

I'll get some smidge, in case the homemade stuff doesn't work. If it does work, I'll post a how to for others to try.

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[Dave]

Yeh, but a lab, whos basically a sniffer dog, and very inquisitive, would find them i think. I'll probably take him anyway.

 

[adestu]

Regards the midges.wr didn't get many.the fire smoke sorted those that did brave it

 

[adestu]

Thanks to ggtbod for his help with our trip.

 

[GGTBod]

Hatsoff to you good sir

 

[spader]

I have seen Adders around the lake in Stirling univ, when studying there. They were small and didnt seem harmful to people.