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Palacerigg Country Park
Palacerigg is situated on the southern
outskirts of Cumbernauld. The park was brought into being in the
1970's by the efforts of Cumbernauld Burgh Council and owes much
to the dedication of the first Director David Stephen, a world
famous naturalist. Over 40 hectares of what was once an upland
farm has been planted with thousands of native trees and shrubs.
This environment provides a sanctuary for thriving populations of roe
deer, badger, fox and hares as well as hawks and owls.
The Children's Farm area houses pygmy goats, zebu, wallabies, ornamental fowl. pot bellied and middle white pigs.
A children's favourite is the chipmunks
scrambling at high speed all round their cage.
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The Wildlife and Rare Breeds Collection
at Palacerigg is unique in Central Scotland providing a rare opportunity to see not only native Scottish and European animals but also numerous rare farm breeds. |
| The collection provides a home for more than two hundred individual animals including: Scottish wildcat and pine martin, seven species of owl, red, sika and fallow deer, Shetland, Herdwick and Ryland sheep, highland and white park cattle. |
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Visitors can walk a network of nature trails and footpaths and
watch herds of red deer and fallow deer as well as rare breeds of sheep
and goats.
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The Millenium Longhouses were
opened in 1998 and are the base for weekend training courses and
demonstrations on a variety of woodland and other country crafts such as Basket
Making, Weaving, Spinning and Paper making. |
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Climb to the
heights of the Tree Top
Walkway
for a birds eye view of buds,
branches and leaves as well as
providing an aerial view of the
roe deer and the rare sheep.
If you are quiet you may also
get a rare view of birds. |
There are picnic and barbeque
site scattered strategically all
over the park. There is a
coffee shop and gift shop in the
park centre. Golfers will
welcome the excellent 18 hole
course which wanders through
some lovely scenery.
| In
recent years a large
pond has been
constructed. The
water has not cleared as
yet but already the
ducks - mostly Mallards
and a pair of Black
Swans (from Australia)
have taken over and
staked their claim on
nesting areas. |
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Palacerigg's Animal
Keepers are on duty every
day of the year and every
effort is taken to maintain
individual species in a
manner promoting natural
behaviour and quality of
life.
For more information on
Palacerigg tel 01236 720047
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Leisure
