Muir of Dinnet NNR - Visiting the reserve

Welcome to Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve one of Scotland’s best wildlife sites. The reserve blends, woodland, heath, open water and an impressive example of natures 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 tranquility of a summer reflection in the clear water of the lochs. Or explore the reserves history by visiting the Kinnord Cross, a carved Pictish stone or search for the traces of the Iron Age village.

You can find out more about visiting below or our Muir of Dinnet leaflet is a good introduction to the reserve.

Local Access Guidance for Water Users

Loch Kinord: Do not take water-borne access (paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, inflatables) on Loch Kinord between 1 March and 31 August.  

Loch Davan: Please do not take any water access onto the loch, it is too small to access without disturbing wildlife.

For more information on responsible outdoor access in Scotland, go to the website.

Check, clean & dry - Non-native species may be spread by kayaks and other equipment, and are a threat to our native wildlife. Please help to keep Loch Kinnord pristine and prevent species spreading by following this simple check clean & dry guidance. You can find out more about invasive non-native species on the Scottish Canoe Association website. 

Facilities

Visitor centre

The visitor centre is open everyday from 10am - 4 pm - Easter to October. Hours change in the winter. 

Here you’ll find panels telling the story of how the different elements of the reserve evolved, and what you’re likely to see. Find out how glaciers carved the landscape. You’ll also learn how the lochs and bogs formed, how well the woodland is doing and why the reserve is so special.

To help you explore, a model of the reserve shows you the main habitats, places to visit and where the paths go. Touch tables and displays show items found around the reserve.

You’ll also find information on events at Muir of Dinnet and the latest sightings around the reserve.

Telephone: 01339 881667

Toilets

The toilets are open all year round and are a short distance from the visitor centre.

Picnic areas

There are two picnic benches near the visitor centre. Both are wheelchair accessible and reached by a surfaced track.

Rest areas

There are three recycled plastic benches with backrests around the visitor centre and car park. The benches are low and all are set on uneven grass with no surfaced access.

There is informal perch seating on the Vat Trail and the Little Ord Trail.

Stay The Night - motorhomes and campervans

Motorhomes and campervans that are self-contained and have their own internal toilet facilities can stay overnight at the visitor centre car park. This is a nature reserve, please respect the wildlife, other visitors and our neighbours. 

There is currently no charge for using our sites overnight but we suggest a donation of £10 per vehicle towards the upkeep of our reserves. You can donate online at My Park Scotland. 

Please visit our NNR FAQ page for further Stay The Night information, best practice and our terms and conditions of use.

 To help plan your stay, please see the details below:

• Height barrier or restriction – No
• No vehicles over 6m in length. 
• Motorhome capacity – 6
• Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – No
• Access notes – overnight stays are only available at the visitor centre car park. 
  • You can overnight at the nearby Clarach car park on the edge of Dinnet Village. The car park is managed by Dinnet and Kinord Estates; you will need to pay for a ticket at the machine. 
• Parking notes – car park is level and a hard compact surface. Please use marked bays and leave a 4m gap from other motorhomes.
• Litter – please take all rubbish home. 
• Campervan waste - this site has waste disposal for chemical toilets - suggested donation £5. It is beside the toilet block, 200 metres from the car park with no vehicular access. There is no grey waste disposal. 
• Electricity/water are not available.

Please bear in mind that this is a working NNR and staff occasionally may be carrying out tasks at anti-social hours.

Getting here

By public transport

The nearest bus stop is in Dinnet. Bluebird buses will often stop on request at the junction between the B9119 and the A93, 2.5 kilometres from Burn O’Vat. There is no roadside pavement along the B9119.

The nearest railway station is Insch (34 kilometres from Dinnet) on the Inverness to Aberdeen line.

By bike

The nearest cycleway is the Dinnet to Ballater section of the Deeside Way.

There are cycle racks at the visitor centre for the reserve.

Cycle racks are also available in the Clarack car park half a mile west of the village of Dinnet on the A93 Aberdeen to Ballater road.

By car

From Aberdeen, follow the A93 Aberdeen to Ballater road, which passes through Dinnet. The main car park is at the Burn O’Vat visitor centre, 6 kilometres from Dinnet. Head south-west on the A93 for 4 kilometres, then turn onto the B9119. There are no width or height restrictions at the car park, and there are dedicated disabled bays.

AB34 5NB is the nearest postcode.

Parking is also available at:

Clarack car park

• Half a mile west of the village of Dinnet on the A93 Aberdeen to Ballater road. Car and cycle parking. Pay and display charges.
• Dinnet and Kinord Estate manage the car park (queries about parking contact Capital Car Park Control)

Dinnet village 

• Centre of village on the A93 Aberdeen to Ballater Road. Pay and display charges.
• Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland manages this car park - [email protected]

Location map

Seasonal highlights

The Vat is impressive at any time of year. Spring and winter are best for birds.

Spring

Spring spreads a pale green mantle of new leaves on the birch and aspen woodland. Delicate celandine and wood anemone carpet the ground. Resident birds are beginning to breed and summer visitors, such as swallows and willow warblers, are arriving back from Africa.

Summer

Honey-scented heather covers the heath and you can catch glimpses of young birds and animals. You may even see ospreys feeding on the lochs. As you walk through wet areas, listen for the tell-tale whirr of dragonflies and damselflies. There are several species here, including common hawker, black darter and the impressive golden-ringed dragonfly.

Autumn

The reserve turns gold in autumn, with the leaves falling In a blaze of glory. Wintering birds return to the lochs and fungi flourish in the woodland, including the spectacular bright red fly agaric.

Winter

In the depths of winter, Muir of Dinnet is a winter wonderland. Stunning scenery combined with a wealth of winter birds makes it perfect for a walk in the woodlands or along the shore of the loch. There are often huge icicles in the Vat. You may see flocks of finches and possibly even the occasional otter.       

Trails

Explore the reserve on one of four signposted trails. Choose from a shorter 45 minute walk, a walk round Loch Kinord or something in between. The trails all start from the visitor centre. You can also explore the reserve from Dinnet village or connect to the trails at Cambus o'May for a longer day out. You can find a map of the trails in our reserve leaflet.

Many birds breed and raise their young on the lochs. If you bring a dog between April and July, please keep it on a short lead or under close control.