05-08-2025
Loch Ken Trust organising family fun day to raise water safety awareness
There will be lots to do for all ages including rescue demonstrations, water safety and nature activities and kids funfair rides.
The Loch Ken Family Water Safety Day will take place next week.
Loch Ken Trust is organising the event, in collaboration with the emergency services and other local organisations, to raise awareness of water safety.
It will take place in Parton in the field next to Loch Ken Holiday Park between 11am and 3pm on Tuesday, August 12.
A day of family fun is in store, as well as the chance to learn how to stay safe on and around the region's rivers, lochs and coast. There will be lots to do for all ages including rescue demonstrations, water safety and nature activities and kids funfair rides, with the chance to meet local branches of the emergency services and the community ranger service.
There will be free rafted water canoe trips and mini water safety sessions run by instructors at the Galloway Activity Centre – drop in on the day to sign up by the Galloway Activity Centre flag – and local wild swimming group, Swim Queens, will also be attending.
Loch Ken Trust manager, Lindsay Stewart, said: 'Following the success of last year's event, we are pleased to be working once again with the emergency services and many local organisations to highlight water safety and promote the Water Safety Code.
'There will be lots of fun activities for all the family, with important messages on how to enjoy water safely.'
The trust will be running a free return bus from Castle Douglas with Galloway Community Transport. Buses will leave Market Hill Castle Douglas at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm, returning at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. If the last bus is full there is also the 520 service which leaves Parton at 3.20pm and 4.12pm.
The trust was awarded the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Events Charter certificate for this event, by taking steps to be low carbon, nature positive, and to raise awareness of the region's UNESCO Biosphere designation.
Catering will be available on the day from local businesses including Ballards Butchers Catering, The Crepe Bar and Glen Urr Ice Cream.
