Cairngorms visitor guide - Scottish Natural Heritage

Massive mountains
You’re never far from mountains in the Cairngorms, and the
NNRs have some of the best. Out on the heathery moorlands of
Glen Tanar, Abernethy, Invereshie & Inshriach, Creag Meagaidh
and Corrie Fee you might find you’re being watched by a
disapproving red deer, hear the laughing cackle of a red grouse
or even spot a golden eagle soaring overhead.
The dramatic cliffs of Corrie Fee and Creag Meagaidh have
fascinated botanists for generations, who come in search of
arctic-alpine plants clinging to the rocky ledges.
Experience
the Cairngorms
VISITOR
GUIDE
The Cairngorms National Park is the location
for some of the most spectacular landscapes in
Britain and is home to an incredible diversity of
wildlife and plants. The nine National Nature
Reserves (NNRs) in and around the Park are the
best places to experience the special natural
features of the Cairngorms, from wild mountain
plateaux and tumbling rivers to the quiet
seclusion of a Caledonian pine forest.
Harsher conditions prevail on Creag Meagaidh’s exposed
summits and the UK’s largest area of high mountain terrain – the
great Cairngorm plateau at the remote outer edges of
Abernethy. On this hostile plateau only lichens and mosses
can cling to the ground against howling winds, and
the hardiest birds, such as the snow bunting,
dotterel and ptarmigan, shelter amongst the
boulders; Craigellachie’s viewpoint trail
gives spectacular views across to the
arctic wilderness of the
Cairngorm plateau.
Spectacular geology
The Cairngorms is truly a landscape shaped by geology, and
the NNRs are no exception. The rounded mountain ridges and
plateaux of Abernethy and Invereshie & Inshriach are formed
of the pinky-red Cairngorms granite that has its origins as a
fiery mass of molten rock deep underground some 400 million
years ago.
The imprint of ice ages is visible everywhere. Glaciers carved
out spectacular armchair-shaped corries in Creag Meagaidh
and Corrie Fee, and the plunging depths of the Loch Avon
basin in Abernethy. At Muir of Dinnet, pebbles and boulders
swirling in fast-flowing meltwaters under the ice scoured
out the remarkable Vat – a giant open pothole that
you can clamber inside today.
National Nature Reserves
Cairngorms
The National Nature Reserves in and around the
Cairngorms National Park are managed by the
following organisations:
and Glen Tanar Estate.
Further information can be found at www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
and www.cairngorms.co.uk
For public transport information please visit
www.travelinescotland.com
Photography: Lorne Gill/SNH; Niall Benvie; Laurie Campbell; Colin Leslie; P&A
Macdonald/SNH; John MacPherson/SNH; Neil McIntyre; David Whitaker.
Map: © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2009. Reproduced by permission of
Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2009.
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey number 100040965 © Scottish Government. Whilst
every care has been taken in the creation of this map no responsibility can be taken
for error or omissions or for changes to the information given. National Nature Reserve
information © Crown Copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance
Survey Licence number SNH 100017908.
© Scottish Natural Heritage 2009
FSC
ISBN: 978-1-85397-598-1
WP30k1209
To request further copies of this
brochure please e-mail
pubs@snh.gov.uk
call 01738 444177
or visit www.snh.org.uk
This paper contains materials
sourced from responsibly managed
and sustainable forests, certified in
accordance with the FSC
(Forest Stewardship Council)
Great forests
At Abernethy, Glenmore and Invereshie & Inshriach you can visit
the shawl of ancient pinewood that’s draped around the
northwestern edges of the Cairngorm mountains, while the
tranquil woodlands of Glen Tanar are the most easterly remnants
of this ancient Caledonian forest.
In these Reserves listen out for the soft trilling of crested tit
balancing in the tops of Scots pines or catch a glimpse of shy
red squirrels leaping from branch to branch. You’ll almost
certainly see some heaps of pine needles on the forest floor, the
nests of industrious wood ants, among juniper bushes, cushions
of heather, blaeberry and cowberry, and flowers such as the
beautifully balanced twinflower or the tall spike of creeping
lady’s tresses.
Scots pines aren’t the only trees on offer. Craigellachie is
dominated by the feathery branches of silver birch trees, and at
Insh Marshes and Muir of Dinnet tall fluttery aspen trees rustle
their leaves in the faintest breeze.
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
Tranquil lochs and peaty pools
Rich human history
From the shores of Lochs Davan and Kinord at Muir of Dinnet,
you’ll see mute swans and goldeneye paddling calmly across
the water. Or visit the peaceful tree-fringed waters of Lochs
Garten and Mallachie at Abernethy and admire the reflections
of forest, mountain and sky.
Although many of the Reserves lie in remoter parts of the
Cairngorms, if you delve beneath the surface there is much
evidence of the activities of our forefathers. People have worked
the land at Muir of Dinnet for the last 8,000 years, mining,
clearing the trees and burning the heather. Today, you can see
some remarkable remains including a Pictish cross, hut circles
and the site of an old crannog in Loch Kinord.
The Insh Marshes is one of the most important natural
floodplains in Britain, where the magnificent River Spey spills
out onto the floodplain every year. Summer is a good time to
listen out for the mournful echo of a curlew or the persistent
pee-wit call of a lapwing.
Boggy areas and pools on the Reserves abound with buzzing
insect life – try looking for the brightly coloured northern
damselflies at Muir of Dinnet, Invereshie & Inshriach or
Abernethy, or the glittery flash of a large golden-ringed
dragonfly at Craigellachie, Glenmore or Creag Meagaidh.
Winter brings other visitors as flocks of majestic whooper swans
descend on Insh Marshes, and greylag geese fly in formation
back to the lochs at Muir of Dinnet.
Centuries later, over in Strathspey the crags of Craigellachie
held a special place in the hearts of the Clan Grant and it’s
easy to imagine the echo of their ancient battle cry, “Stand fast
Craigellachie!”, reverberating through the woodland.
Walking amongst the peaceful pinewoods of Abernethy,
Glenmore and Invereshie & Inshriach, you could almost
forget that they were once a hive of industry, echoing
to the shouts of lumberjacks as felled timber was
floated out to the River Spey.
Abernethy
Craigellachie
A perfect destination for a stroll from
Aviemore, the woodland of this Reserve
brings together the gentle motion of silver
birch trees with the constant activity of
countless insects in summer. The crags loom
above the woodland like sleeping grey
giants and provide a home for peregrine
falcons.
Home to some of Scotland’s most spectacular
wildlife, Abernethy is a mosaic of ancient
Caledonian pinewood, moorland, bog and
mountain plateau. Look out for some of the
pinewood residents, like the fast-moving red
squirrel or the restless flitting of a yellow siskin.
Or head for Loch Garten and watch the
imposing ospreys nesting high in the tree tops.
O.S. grid reference: NH978183
O.S. grid reference: NH891120
Best time to visit: All year round for panoramas of the Cairngorms,
March to May for woodland flowers, June to September for dragonflies
and butterflies.
Getting there: West of Aviemore within easy walking distance of
the village centre, bus stops and train station. Follow signs from
Aviemore Youth Hostel
to the Reserve
entrance, passing under the A9.
Northern
Isles map
Facilities: A series of paths for mixed abilities.
Further information: SNH, Achantoul, Aviemore, Inverness-shire
PH22 1QD. Tel: 01479 810477.
Best time to visit: April to September for birds, plants and insects.
October to December for a wide range of fungi in the forest.
Getting there: The two main access points to this large Reserve are
Loch Garten and Nethybridge. Loch Garten is two and a half miles from
Boat of Garten, and four miles from Nethybridge, and is linked to both
villages by minor roads and the Speyside Way. Bus service 34 runs from
Aviemore to both villages and in summer the Strathspey Steam Railway
stops at Boat of Garten and Broomhill, one mile north of Nethybridge.
Facilities: Explore Abernethy Information Centre, Nethybridge, open
Easter to October, Sat - Wed, 11am - 4pm. RSPB Loch Garten Osprey
Centre open daily April to end August, 10am - 6pm, last entry 5pm.
Good networks of paths around Nethybridge and Loch Garten.
Insh Marshes
One of Europe’s most important wetlands,
Insh Marshes is a popular spring nesting site
for goldeneyes. You’re also likely to see
lapwings, redshanks and curlews, as well
as oystercatchers, snipe and wigeon. The
marshes flood in winter and provide
roosting and feeding for flocks of whooper
swans and greylag geese.
O.S. grid reference: NH775008
Best time to visit: November to March to see over-wintering
swans, April to June to see breeding waders.
Getting there: Mile and a half from Kingussie on the B970.
Frequent rail and bus services from Inverness and Perth stop in
Kingussie, as do bus
services 35
andmap
38 from Aviemore.
Northern
Isles
Facilities: Parking, picnic area, information point, birdwatching hides
and three nature trails.
Further information: RSPB Insh Marshes Nature Reserve,
tel: 01540 661518 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
Further information: Explore Abernethy Information Centre,
Nethybridge, tel: 01479 821565. RSPB Abernethy/Loch Garten
Osprey Centre, tel: 01479 831476 (April to end August only) or visit
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland.
Creag Meagaidh
Creag Meagaidh feels like the Highlands
compressed into one nature reserve. Rare
mountain plants like woolly willow and
highland saxifrage battle against the
elements, whilst black grouse flourish in the
combination of woodland and open
moorland. With Munro summits, an
exposed whaleback ridge and ice-carved
gullies, Creag Meagaidh is the complete
mountain experience.
O.S. grid reference: NN483872
Best time to visit: All year round for scenery, wildlife and climbing.
Getting there: On the A86 between Newtonmore and Spean
Bridge, ten miles west of Laggan. Nearest train stations are at
Newtonmore and Tulloch.
Facilities: Car parking, interpretive panels and recreation areas.
Three mile path to Coire Lochan with first 900 metres suitable for
all-abilities. Circular all-abilities path through alderwood with picnic
tables and seating.
Further information: SNH, Creag Meagaidh NNR, Aberarder,
Kinlochlaggan, Newtonmore, Inverness-shire PH20 1BX.
Tel: 01528 544265.
Glen Tanar
Invereshie & Inshriach
Glenmore
Corrie Fee
Glen Tanar provides a great opportunity to
explore Scotland’s classic Caledonian pine
forest in search of its elusive wildlife. A
darting red squirrel or an acrobatic Scottish
crossbill might be above your head as you
wander through ancient trees or, from the
banks of the rushing river, you might see the
silvery flash of a salmon powering
upstream.
Perched on the edge of the Cairngorm
plateau, twisted and gnarled pines mark
your passage from peaceful pinewood
to exposed mountain. Red squirrel, pine
marten, crested tit and crossbill all make
this expanding wood their home, along
with buzzing insect life in the boggy areas.
Up on the plateau, battered by the wind
and snow, look for the resilient dotterel,
ptarmigan and mountain hare.
A haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts
alike, it’s no surprise that Glenmore translates
from the Gaelic as the ‘big glen’. Seek out
some of the small but beautiful plants which
are pinewood specialists, such as twinflower
and one-flowered wintergreen, or just savour
the fragrant carpet of needles beneath the
ancient granny pines. Red squirrels, crossbills
and crested tit can all be found and the forest
is often alive with the sound
of bird song.
This Reserve was sculpted thousands of
years ago by ice which left behind corries,
cliffs, moraines and a meandering river.
This breathtaking landscape is a haven
for scarce arctic-alpine plants, birds and
animals. Corrie Fee’s path is popular all year
round with hill walkers and the crags are
well known for winter climbing. Watch out
for beautiful alpine flowers, rare mountain
willows clinging to the crags, golden eagles
and peregrines.
Best time to visit: April to June for bird watching, July to September
to see the heather in flower.
Getting there: Three miles southwest of Aboyne, off the B976.
Bus services 201 and 210 stop in Aboyne.
Facilities: Visitor centre with Ranger service. Centre open 10am to 5pm,
Wed to Mon fromNorthern
April to September,
and Thurs to Mon from October
Isles map
to March. There’s a network of waymarked paths and tracks suitable for
walking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and pony trekking.
Further information: Glen Tanar Ranger Service, Braeloine Visitor
Centre, Glen Tanar, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 5EU.
Tel: 01339 886072. www.glentanar.co.uk
SNH, 16–17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1XE.
Tel: 01224 642863.
O.S. grid reference: NH851011
Best time to visit: All year round to see the pine forest through the
seasons. July to September to see the heather in flower.
Getting there: Bus services 35, 38 or M91 from Aviemore and
Inverness to Kincraig. From Kincraig, take the road opposite the
memorial stone in the middle of the village, which leads down to the
wooden bridge over the River Spey. Continue on this road for about
one mile to reach a T-junction. Turn left towards Feshiebridge. After
crossing the river in Feshiebridge turn right and follow the road towards
Achlean. There is a car park four miles along this road on the left.
Facilities: There are a series of tracks and old stalkers’ paths.
Further information: SNH, Achantoul, Aviemore, Inverness-shire
PH22 1QD. Tel: 01479 810477.
FCS, Inverness Forest District, Tower Road, Smithton, Inverness IV1 2NL.
Tel: 01463 791575.
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
Muir of Dinnet blends woodland, heath,
open water and an impressive example
of nature’s sculptural work, all on one site.
Visit the ‘Vat’, a giant pothole carved by
a huge meltwater stream during the last
Ice Age. Elsewhere, wander through
birch woodlands, watch for the flash of a
damselfly’s wings or savour the peace
and tranquillity of a summer reflection in
the clear waters of the lochs.
O.S. grid reference: NO429996
Best time to visit: Spring and winter for birds, all year round for
visits to the ‘Vat’.
Getting there: The Burn O’ Vat Visitor Centre is two and half miles
(one hour walk) from Dinnet Village and is signposted from both the
A93 Aberdeen to Ballater road and the B9119 at Milton of Logie.
Northern
Islesand
map
Stagecoach Bluebird
services 201
210 stop in Dinnet village. The
Reserve can be accessed via the footpath from the village car park.
Facilities: Visitor centre at Burn O’ Vat open at weekends or by
arrangement (closed for refurbishment during winter 2009/10). Toilets
open all year round at visitor centre. The main car park is located at
the Burn O’ Vat Visitor Centre. Paths to the ‘Vat’, onto Parkin’s Moss,
around Loch Kinord, from Dinnet village and between Lochs Kinord and
Davan. The paths are of varying standards.
Further information: SNH, 16–17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen
AB10 1XE. Tel: 01224 642863.
SNH, Achantoul, Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22 1QD.
Tel: 01479 810477.
O.S. grid reference: NO475950
Muir of Dinnet
O.S. grid reference: NH978098
Best time to visit: All year round to see the pine forest through the
seasons. April to June for bird life.
O.S. grid reference: NO283761
Getting there: Regular bus service 34 from Aviemore to Glenmore.
Take the B970 from Aviemore towards the Cairngorms and after six miles
you will be in Glenmore Forest Park. Go through Glenmore Village and
Northern
IslesRuigh-eunachan.
map
cross the bridge over
the Abhainn
The Allt Mor car park
is approximately three-quarters of a mile beyond the bridge on the
left-hand side of the road (a green FCS sign indicates the access point).
Getting there: Take the B955 from Kirriemuir to the Ranger Base in
Glen Doll at the head of Glen Clova (car park with a small charge).
Then walk two miles to the Reserve through Glen Doll forest.
Facilities: Glenmore provides opportunities for walking, cycling,
orienteering, cross-country skiing and bird watching in the Forest;
watersports, fishing and sailing on Loch Morlich; camping and
caravanning or simply relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the
pinewoods. Glenmore Visitor Centre, just outside the NNR, open daily
9am to 5pm (4.30pm in winter).
Further information: FCS, Glenmore Visitor Centre, Glenmore, By
Aviemore PH22 1QU. Tel: 01479 861220.
www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
Best time to visit: Mid June to mid August for alpine plants. All year
round for the breathtaking scenery.
Facilities: The Ranger Base in Glen Doll holds information on the
surrounding area, and the Rangers lead guided walks (contact them on
01575 550233). Public toilets (open 24 hours) and picnic benches.
Further information: SNH, West Lodge, Airlie, Kirriemuir DD8 5NP.
Tel: 01575 530333.