Wildlife Watching

Free for guests

A holiday at Kirkwood - Real Farms promises a delightful wildlife experience, with an abundance of fascinating animals and birds to observe. Don't forget to bring your camera and binoculars for a self-guided safari, as our guests often spot unique creatures for the first time during their stay.

The safaris take three forms – mostly people “self safari” where, after advice from the Kirkwood team, the holiday maker will walk to the suggested spot or hide, and wait patiently for the otter or badger to emerge. This can be the most successful method because a group of people is a deterrent to wild elusive creatures like otters. Too many humans is always bad news for wildlife so numbers are strictly limited at Kirkwood. However the team here will take guests around the farm on “guided safaris” at times – and in Autumn for example, a fungi expert will teach holiday makers all about mushrooms. See MushroomSchool. Finally there’s the “driven safari” option where guests can be guided by the Kirkwood team in a 4×4 vehicle or quad bikes but obviously this disturbs the shy wildlife and it tends to be the sheep and cattle that become the major attraction – or hares, pheasants and woodpeckers that have got used to quads or 4x4s.

Deriving an income from wildlife has meant that the Steel family can re-invest back into wildlife without replying on Government help. We have for example steadfastly kept grey squirrels out of the farm – greys do invade annually but we have a culling programme and a major feeding programme for the red squirrels that are threatened by the greys. Gradually it appears the red squirrels are building up immunity to the squirrel pox that the greys bring in and the population of the reds gets stronger and stronger. Each year, for example, we will trap and cull half a dozen greys while trapping and releasing well over 100 reds on the 600 acre estate. It’s a great success story, and unlike other farms we claim no financial help from the Government for the squirrel programme. You, the holidaymakers pay for it all – it’s part of the package of a real farm holiday at Kirkwood.

Nearby, at Caerlaverock, is the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust reserve is where 12,000 barnacle geese winter each year along with duck, waders and swans. There is also an RSPB reserve at Mersehead near New Abbey on the Solway Coast.

Safari Video

Badger Cub Video

Other Experiences

Wanting to immerse yourself in real life farming experiences?

Hire the sports field

POA

Our cricket/sports field is available to hire, whether for a fun family game of rounders or for a team sports residential training session.

Country Sports

POA

At Kirkwood – Real Farms, we welcome shooters, stalkers and wildfowlers because this part of Scotland naturally suits the genuine sportsman offering variety, wilderness and much quarry. All shooters must have proper insurance via BASC or Countryside Alliance and legal gun certificates. Have a look at what we can offer our guests staying in our cottages

Fishing

Price Depending on Season – Residents only

Fishing is our passion here at Kirkwood – Real Farms, and we’re renowned for fishing holidays. We proudly offer access to two exceptional beats on the River Annan. Our own beat, known as Kirkwood, as well as the Jardine Hall beat located approximately 8 miles upstream. We also have some extra trout fishing.

Shear-a-Sheep

Demonstration £50 plus £35 per person – Minimum 2 people – Residents only

Have you ever fancied shearing a sheep? If you have—or if you’re considering it now—this is a fantastic real farm experience to enjoy with us. To ensure everything runs smoothly, we’ll need to agree on a date in advance to ensure an instructor is available and that the sheep are dry for you!

Feed the Hens and Collect Eggs

£25 per session plus 6 eggs – Residents only

At Kirkwood – Real Farms, we take pride in our excellent chickens that lay eggs all year round (although there may be fewer in the winter). As part of your experience, we offer guests the opportunity to feed the hens and collect their own eggs at any time of year.

Feed the Lambs

£25 per session – Residents only

Each year after lambing (generally May to August), we often have a few orphaned or rejected lambs in need of bottle feeding, and we invite our guests to lend a hand! This interactive experience is not only fun for younger guests, but many older ones also love to join in. It’s a wonderful opportunity for real farm interaction.

Wildlife Watching

Other Experiences

Real Farms

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