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Glentrool Visitor Centre

(Average user rating 5 unrated

4.3/5)

About Glentrool Visitor Centre

Glentrool Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Galloway hills, where you can pick up maps and information on the hill ranges. The Merrick, South Scotland's highest mountain at nearly 2,800ft can be climbed from Bruce's Stone.

Please note that there is a Diversion on the 7stanes Big Country route. Riders come out onto the main road at Craigdews, follow single track road on the left before the dam. Follow road to Loch Dee then on to Glentrool.

Visitor centre opening times

30th March - 28th October 2012, 10.30am - 4.30pm.

6th July - 2nd September 2012, 10.30am 5.30pm.

Open all bank holiday weekends 10.30am - 5.30pm Saturday - Monday inclusive.

Parking charges

Up to 1 hour, all vehicles: £1.00
Car up to 3 hours: £2.00
Car day tariff (expires midnight): £3.00
Minibus and coach day tariff (expires midnight) £12.00

The Highlands of the Lowlands

Come and sample the Highlands of the Lowlands and sit by the stunning water of Minnoch and falls, beside our tea room which offers information, refreshments and gift shop.

There are waymarked trails, cycle routes and picnic areas. Don't miss Loch Trool and Bruce's Stone which over looks the scene of a battle between Robert the Bruce and the English, just 3 miles past the Visitor Centre.

Trail closures

There is currently a trail closure at Glentrool, For up to date information please see our updates page.

How to get there:

Glentrool Visitor Centre is in Galloway Forest Park.

From Newton Stewart take A714 signposted to Girvan for eight miles. Take right turn at Bargrennan signposted Galloway Forest Park. Take next right turn just past Glentrool village signpost to Glentrool Visitor Centre.

By Bus: 359, goes from Newton Stewart to Ayr, stopping at Glentrool Village

Newton Stewart is the nearest town or village.

OS Grid Reference: NX372786
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com

Other places to go in Galloway Forest Park

What's on in Galloway Forest Park

June

Nightjars
Wednesday 27 June 2012
Wednesday 20 June 2012
Meet the Deer
Thursday 21 June 2012
Thursday 28 June 2012
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Monday 2 July 2012 to Thursday 5 July 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012 to Thursday 12 July 2012
Sunday 15 July 2012 to Thursday 19 July 2012
Sunday 22 July 2012 to Thursday 26 July 2012
Sunday 29 July 2012 to Thursday 2 August 2012
Sunday 5 August 2012 to Thursday 9 August 2012
Sunday 12 August 2012 to Thursday 16 August 2012
Sunday 19 August 2012 to Thursday 23 August 2012
Sunday 26 August 2012 to Thursday 30 August 2012
Pondlife at Knockman
Friday 29 June 2012

July

Meet the Deer
Thursday 21 June 2012
Thursday 28 June 2012
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Monday 2 July 2012 to Thursday 5 July 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012 to Thursday 12 July 2012
Sunday 15 July 2012 to Thursday 19 July 2012
Sunday 22 July 2012 to Thursday 26 July 2012
Sunday 29 July 2012 to Thursday 2 August 2012
Sunday 5 August 2012 to Thursday 9 August 2012
Sunday 12 August 2012 to Thursday 16 August 2012
Sunday 19 August 2012 to Thursday 23 August 2012
Sunday 26 August 2012 to Thursday 30 August 2012
Moths and Insects
Friday 13 July 2012
Fishing Day
Sunday 15 July 2012
Saturday 11 August 2012
Sunday 2 September 2012
Sunday 16 September 2012
Sunday 26 August 2012
Sunday 30 September 2012
Woodland Wednesday's
Wednesday 25 July 2012
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Roving Ranger
Friday 27 July 2012

View all events

Facilities:

	See events page for forthcoming activities
	Light meals, home baking and tea and coffee available
	Paid parking, toilet and access to visitor centre for disabled visitors. Please be aware that timber lorries are operating in this area, so take care when on forest roads.

Activities

	The Merrick Footpath Blue Trail Yellow Trail Bruce's stone Red Trail Green Trail
	There are cycling routes available starting at the visitor centre, including the Glentrool 58 km 7stanes trail. Palgowan cycle route
	There is open access for horse riding on all forest roads in Galloway Forest Park (except where roads may be closed for timber haulage etc)
	Extensive education service offered throughout Galloway Forest Park. Contact details below for more information
	Fishing permits are available for Loch Braden, Loch Dee, Black Loch, Loch of the Lowes, Lillies Loch, Spectacle Loch, Garwachie, Loch Eldrig, Stroan Loch, Linfern Loch and Palnure Burn. Permits can be purchased at any of the Visitor Centres.

Contact:

Galloway Forest District

01671 402420
e-mail: galloway@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

User Comments

2 Stars
I have always loved to drop into Glentrool visitors centre when I day trip down that direction, but I will not be doing this again after discovering the new parking charge system. I'd have no problem with a basic pound a day policy, but to meet the same high charges evident in town centres, when I park in a forest park, is simply absurd. I wonder how much was spent on these high tech ticket dispensers! Surely a false economy.

Drew, 14/May/2012

3 Stars
i am very disappointed at the unreasonable parking charges at Glen Trool its isn't even a proper car park, just a rough stone chip area. the toilet is basic and closed much of the time and the cafe will lose out because people will not want to pay to park while there eating in it, as for the so called trail improvements seem pointless and out of place its supposed to be a wild place not a city park.

Andrew, 21/Apr/2012

Thge parking charges are a small contribution to the maintenance of the recreation and leisure facilities to be found in our forests and will help us to maintain them at the level that all our visitors have come to expect.

Forestry Commission Response

Don't agree with the parking fees at Glentrool, especially as none of the facilites are open! that includes the toilets! I think the numbers of users will drop because of the parking, I know it is not popular amoung local people.

Anonymous, 17/Feb/2012

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