Galloway's remarkable fish larder

Fans of fish can see in Galloway one of the most remarkable conservation facilities in the world– the Logan Fish Pond.

This is a personal fish larder created by the owner of a nearby estate to make sure that there would always be fresh fish for his table. The pond still flourishes today under the careful management of Ruth Daynes who has been devoted to the unique place for many years. However, the focus is firmly on conservation these days. The pond , in fact the only one in the world, was created by Andrew McDouall, who was fanatical about his fresh fish. He excavated a natural pool in the rock and improved the flow of water with each tide from the sea. The work started in 1788 and it was finished in 1800. The pool is about 22 feet across, eight feet deep and contains 48,000 gallons of seawater.

Visitors today can see a fascinating variety of wild sea fish living happily in the pond. They swim up to the side when they see anyone standing there, in the hope of receiving food. If the fish are not in danger of getting too fat, then pellets are available to feed them. The flat fish are particularly inquisitive and lie looking up with both curious eyes at the visitor. The cod are just as nosey. Today the pond can contain dab, flounder, plaice, turbot, grey mullet, cod, coley, pollack, cuckoo wrasse, sea scorpions, tub and red gurnard and conger eel. Information boards give details of the residents of the pond and in the slash in the rock through which the seawater enters there are little open tanks where a close up look can be had of the marine life.

The pond is reached by going down a flight of steps that were carved into the rock. Nearby there is an old sea swimming pool and changing house. Ruth first visited the fish pond as a girl and loved it so much that she immediately asked her father if they could buy it. He said no but Ruth is a determined lady and many years later she managed to buy the fascinating pond herself.

Logan Fish Pond can be found 14 miles south of Stranraer, off the B7065, one mile from the Logan Botanic Gardens, which are also well worth a visit. The pond is open every day from May 1 to September 30, from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4.30pm. During October it is closed on Mondays. From November 1 to February it is closed to the public. From February to May it is open six days a week but closed on Monday. Entrance charge, £3.50 adults, OAPs £2.50, children 3-16 £1.25. Family £7.50 (2 adults and 2 children with extra children at £1.25 each. Telephone 01776 860 300. www.loganfishpond.org; www.loganfishpond.co.uk; www.myspace.com/loganfishpond; email: loganfishpond@hotmail.com. Also on Facebook.