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Dumfries and Galloway

RSPB Wood of Cree

The largest ancient wood in southern Scotland, an RSPB reserve of oaks, waterfalls and bluebells near Newton Stewart, with summer birds from Africa.

Welcome

North of Newton Stewart, the Wood of Cree is the largest ancient wood in southern Scotland, cared for by the RSPB.

Its old oaks are green with moss, bluebells carpet the ground in spring and waterfalls tumble down through the trees.

In summer, pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers arrive from Africa to nest, while willow tits and owls live here all year. Up to eight kinds of bat hunt the woods, among them the rare Leisler's bat, and otters use the river. Beyond the trees lie moorland, grassland and wet floodplain.

The trails are steep and rough in places, so wear good boots. There are two free car parks, and dogs are welcome on short leads in spring and summer.

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Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A short drive awayGalloway DistilleryGin made from scratch at Newton Stewart, with fir from the hills and weed from the shore.19 min by roadSee itWhisky barrels line a gravel path beside a distillery's glass-fronted timber building
Before you go

Open at all times; two free car parks.

Where
Near Newton Stewart, DG8 6RD.
Woodland
The largest ancient wood in southern Scotland.
Summer
Pied flycatchers and redstarts.

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Where it is

On the minor road north of Newton Stewart; car parks at Barclye Wood, three miles out, and at the Wood of Cree, a mile further.

Close byGalloway.
  1. Bruce’s StoneBruce’s StoneBruce's victory at Glen Trool.9 miles 35 min by road
  2. Galloway Forest ParkGalloway Forest ParkBritain's largest forest park.10 miles 42 min by road
  3. The Old Bank BookshopThe Old Bank BookshopA secondhand bookshop of six rooms in Wigtown's old Custom House and bank on South Main Street, with a whole room of sheet music.10 miles as the crow flies
  4. Inside ReadingLasses: shelves of new books by women writers on one side, and the café counter on the other, with cakes under glass domes, a chandelier and bottles on a shelf above.ReadingLassesA bookshop and café on South Main Street in Wigtown, specialising in books by and about women, with homemade cakes.10 miles as the crow flies
  5. WigtownWigtownScotland's National Book Town.11 miles 28 min by road
Directions
Whisky barrels line a gravel path beside a distillery's glass-fronted timber buildingAttractionsGalloway Distillery5.1 miles
A woman with grey hair and glasses smiles beside a large tree trunk in woodland, wearing a green jacket with a round embroidered badge.AttractionsFreelance Ranger11 miles
An aerial view shows a stone obelisk monument standing on a misty hilltop, forest and hawthorn blossom surrounding its base.AttractionsMurray's Monument11 miles

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