From hands-on Ranger activities to magical self-guided walks and outdoor yoga lessons, Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate has something for everyone this August.
Youngsters with a keen interest in wildlife and conservation can make the most of the last few weeks of the summer holidays at Junior Ranger workshops on Wednesdays in August from 10am-12pm. Suitable for kids aged 8-16 years old, the sessions are a great opportunity to learn and develop new skills while undertaking practical tasks such as bird box and outdoor furniture building, drystone dyking and tree planting.
The magical self-guided walks from 12pm-4pm daily around the picturesque grounds of Drumlanrig Castle and the woods of the Estate continue in August, with the themes of Smurfs, magic tricks and Prince and Princesses.
From Monday 7 to Sunday 13 August, pick up an activity sheet from the Castle shop for just 20p and voyage on a royal adventure to find all the characters and solve their puzzles. Then from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 explore the Hidden Village of Smurfs and find all the clues to spell out a potion to protect everyone’s favourite blue characters. Magical encounters is the theme from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 with an eye spy challenge to match pictures to the real thing hiding in the adventure playground from Monday 28 to Sunday 3 September.
Drumlanrig’s experienced Rangers will also lead walks and tours at the Estate including a bat walk on Saturday 26 and a ‘hidden gems of the countryside’ tour on Sunday 27 August. The evening bat walk, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm which costs £2 per person, will explore the feeding routes taken by the resident bats at Drumlanrig Castle following the Marr burn up to Druid’s Loch with bat detectors. Meanwhile the free hidden gems tour gives visitors the chance to ask the Rangers questions as they lead a group on a tour of their favourite natural spectacles of the Queensberry Estate.
Finally, for a more zen start to the day this summer, take part in Drumlanrig’s Vinyasa Flow yoga mixed-ability classes on Tuesday mornings in the tranquil surroundings of this Dumfriesshire castle. The one hour classes – run from 9.45am to 10.45am led by local teacher Jane Bailey – caters for all abilities and can improve physical flexibility, strength, posture and balance. In addition to the Tuesday morning sessions, there will also be a family class on Thursday 17 August from 10.30am to 11.30am.
Claire Oram, Castle Manager at Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate, said: “We have something for everyone at Drumlanrig so whether you want to get involved with Ranger activities, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the grounds of the Estate or take a tour of the Castle, we’ve got it covered.
“We look forward to welcoming families for fun filled days throughout the remaining summer holidays and the visitor season at Drumlanrig.”
To secure a place at any of the events at Drumlanrig this August call 01848 331555 or email [email protected].
The Estate is open to visitors from 10am – 5pm daily through to 30 September. The Castle will be open for tours from 1 July – 31 August.
Visit www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk for further information and keep track of what’s happening at Drumlanrig via the Facebook page @DrumlanrigCastle.