📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Dean Castle Country Park covers over 200 acres, and is nestled in the heart of
Kilmarnock. The Country Park boasts beautiful woodland walks, an adventure playground, urban
farm, visitor centre, tearoom, shop and a fantastic 14th century castle housing world class
collections including historic weapons, armour and musical instruments. You can explore the
park using scenic paths and trails - each season brings with it ever changing plants and wildlife
that you might spy along the way. With over 80 hectares of countryside within a very urban area,
the park is a great place to get away from the stresses of everyday life and see some fantastic
wildlife. Volunteers will take part in environmental and conservation activities throughout the
park, depending on the needs of the park at that time.
💼 What the programme involves
We'll be creating a local nature reserve in Kilmarnock, a short walk every morning from Dean Castle. We'll do a variety of practical conservation tasks in the two weeks, including path work and planting, to make a haven for wildlife and people. We’ll also be creating a wildflower meadow to benefit bees, butterflies and birds and maintaining wildlife hedges and woodland around the park.
🏠 Accommodation on site
The volunteers will be housed at a new residential centre in the country park just along the main drive for the castle. There will be four to a room in bunk beds.There is sufficient space that men and women can sleep in different rooms. There is a kitchen with cooking equipment available for the volunteers to use at the centre as well as a recreational space. There is no need to bring sleeping bags.
📍 About the location
Dean Castle Country Park is in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire and featured as one of the filming locations for the famous Outlander series.There are plenty of tourist attractions within easy reach of Kilmarnock including Loch Lomond, Isle of Arran, Glasgow, Edinburgh or beautiful beaches of Troon and Ayr.
Local volunteers who are part of our Friends of Dean Castle Country Park group will join in the volunteers for a couple of days.
Last year we also brought a dance group in to do folk dancing with the volunteers and we would repeat this if there’s interest.
There are local pubs and cafes nearby. There is also a cinema in Kilmarnock.
⚠️ Requirements
A love of nature and the outdoors and willingness to work in all weathers.
ℹ️ Additional information
Sunshine is not guaranteed. Outdoor clothing that can get muddy, waterproofs, sturdy boots and/or wellies are essential.