Water of Fleet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fleet Valley National Scenic Area |
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Footbridge over the Water of Fleet
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 Fleet Valley National Scenic Area
Location in Dumfries and Galloway
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| Location | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland |
| Area | 59 km2 (23 sq mi) |
| Established | 1981 |
| Governing body | NatureScot |
The Water of Fleet is a river in Scotland. It flows into Fleet Bay which is part of the Solway Firth. This river has two main branches, called tributaries. They are the Big Water of Fleet and the Little Water of Fleet. The Big Water of Fleet starts near a place called Loch Grannoch. The river then flows through the town of Gatehouse of Fleet before reaching the sea.
The area around the lower part of the Water of Fleet is known as the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area. This is one of 40 such special places in Scotland. These areas are chosen because they have amazing scenery. They are protected to make sure they stay beautiful.
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Exploring the Water of Fleet
The Water of Fleet begins high up on the slopes of Cairnsmore of Fleet. This is a hill that is 710 meters tall. Cairnsmore of Fleet is a National Nature Reserve. This means it's a special place where nature is protected.
Special Trees and Woods
Further down the valley, you can find some of the best oakwoods in Kirkcudbrightshire. These are forests filled with oak trees. Two of these woods, Killiegowan Wood and Carstramon Wood, are even more special. They are called Special Areas of Conservation. This means they are important places for nature in Europe.
What is a National Scenic Area?
The Fleet Valley National Scenic Area (NSA) covers a large space. It is about 5,854 hectares in total. Most of this area is on land, but some of it is also in the sea. The coastal part of the NSA includes the shoreline, islands, and the sea around Fleet Bay. This area stretches between Barlocco Isle and Ringdoo Point.
Inland, the NSA includes the town of Gatehouse of Fleet. It also covers land on both sides of the River Fleet for about 10 kilometers north. This area is like a mini-Scotland. It has beautiful coastal views in the south. In the north, you find wilder hills and open moors. In between, the landscape slowly changes. You will see farmland, fields, and many drystane dykes. These are walls made without mortar. There are also lots of open woodlands.
The shoreline of Fleet Bay was a favorite spot for artists. These artists were part of the Kirkcudbright Artists' Colony. They loved to paint the beautiful views here.
Historic Spots Along the Fleet
There are some interesting historical places to see along the Water of Fleet.
The Old Railway Viaduct
The Big Water of Fleet is crossed by a long bridge called a viaduct. This viaduct has twenty arches. It was once part of the Portpatrick Railway route. This railway used to carry trains.
Cardoness Castle
Cardoness Castle is a very old castle. It is a well-preserved 15th-century tower house. You can find it just below Gatehouse of Fleet. It is close to where the river starts to get wider towards Fleet Bay.
The castle was first owned by the MacCullochs of Myreton family. They left the castle in the late 1600s. This happened after one of their family members, Sir Godfrey McCulloch, had trouble with the law. The castle is now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. It is a scheduled monument, which means it's a very important historical site.
