Walk 3-5: Salmon conservation on the Penkiln

This is a walk with a difference as the highlight is a visit to the salmon hatchery on the Penkiln Burn where we will learn about the work under way to improve salmon stocks on the local river system. After the visit we will enjoy a short walk meandering down into Newton Stewart.

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Our day will start with a tour of the hatchery, and a talk by hatchery staff on their work. We will see a demonstration of surveying the river by electrofishing as well as learn more about the life cycle of a salmon. We will hear and see the process used to develop the fish stocks in the river and hear about the work of the hatchery volunteers to keep the river banks and small tributary burns clear to allow salmon up to lay their eggs in peace and safety.

After the visit to the hatchery we will use quiet back roads and burnside paths to walk back to Newton Stewart via Old Minnigaff. The route followed promises plenty of bluebells, primroses, and spring lambs, as well as the possibility of sighting deer and red squirrels.