Loch Valley

Loch Valley lies in Galloway Forest Park, east of Buchan Hill and southwest of Craignaw. It drains through Gairland Burn into Loch Trool. The loch sits entirely on Loch Doon granite and is oligotrophic. Since the mid-19th century it has suffered gradual acidification. Brown Trout once lived here but disappeared as the water grew more acidic. The loch’s pH rose slowly from about 4.4 in 1978 to 5.2 in 2003. Between 1983 and 2003 dissolved organic carbon levels increased. From 1850 to 1975 sediment built up at roughly 0.01 grams per square centimetre each year. These changes show how the loch’s chemistry has shifted over time. Visitors find a quiet upland loch surrounded by conifer plantations. The granite bedrock gives the water a clear, pale look. Walkers can follow paths from Buchan Hill down to the loch’s edge. The area offers views across the forest park and distant hills. Loch Trool lies downstream, adding to the landscape’s variety.