Hidden Scotland
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Crombie reservoir at sunset, trees reflected in the still water.
Angus

Crombie Country Park

Woods and trails around a Victorian reservoir of 1868 near Monikie, with bird hides, a squirrel feeding area and a mountain bike track.

Welcome

In the rolling farmland north of Carnoustie, a long loch lies hidden in woods of pine, larch and beech.

Crombie was dug between 1866 and 1868, one of the reservoirs built to bring clean water to Dundee after the city's outbreaks of cholera and typhoid, and it supplied water until 1981. Two years later the woods around it became a country park.

Trails wind round the shore and through the trees, with a discovery trail telling the history of the place, ponds and bird hides looking over the water, and a feeding area where red squirrels come down from the pines. Woodpeckers, roe deer and waterfowl are all about, and there is a small track for young mountain bikers.

The park is free and open at any time, and on a still evening the loch holds the sunset in its water.

A short drive awayEast Scryne FruitA fruit farm near Carnoustie with a summer farm shop, a vintage tea room, strawberry tarts, fruit ice cream and a play park with goats.13 min by roadSee itThe painted sign of the East Scryne Fruit farm shop and tea room.
Before you go

Free, at any time.

Trails lead round the loch and through the woods from the car park.

Where
Off the B961 between Monikie and Carmyllie, DD5 3QL.
Run by
ANGUSalive.
Where it is

In the countryside north of Carnoustie, near Monikie.

Close byCarnoustie.
  1. Carnoustie Golf LinksCarnoustie Golf LinksThe Open Championship links in Angus, eight times host since 1931, with the Barry Burn winding through the famous finish.6 miles12 min by road
  2. Friends in towels with snacks after a sauna.Wild Scottish SaunaA wood-fired sauna beside a spring-fed loch at Forbes of Kingennie, near Dundee, with a cold dip in the water after.6 miles14 min by road
  3. The red-roofed kiln at Barry Mill in its wooded dell.Barry MillA working water mill of 1814 near Carnoustie.7 miles12 min by road
  4. Arbroath AbbeyArbroath AbbeyThe abbey where the Declaration of Arbroath was sealed in 1320.10 miles17 min by road
  5. Glamis CastleGlamis CastleThe castle of the Earls of Strathmore.14 miles25 min by road
Directions
The painted sign of the East Scryne Fruit farm shop and tea room.CafeEast Scryne Fruit6.3 miles
Stacked lobster creels and coiled rope sit on a harbour wall before a row of colourful sandstone townhouses, sailing boats moored alongside.AttractionsArbroath Harbour9.0 miles
Red bollards and creels on a cobbled harbour pier, lighthouse in the distanceAttractionsSignal Tower Museum9.0 miles
Wooden groyne posts line a sandy beach beyond dune grassesAttractionsBroughty Ferry9.0 miles
Broughty Ferry beach curving along the Tay under a big sky.AttractionsBroughty Ferry Beach9.1 miles
Gracie's On The Go window sign, takeaway and juice bar, striped awning aboveRestaurantsGracie’s9.1 miles
The navy corner front of the Port Kitchen on Keptie Street, Arbroath.RestaurantsThe Port Kitchen9.2 miles
Café worker serves a slice of cream cake with berry drizzleCafeVin-Tealicious9.2 miles
The row of sandstone cottages that house the St Vigeans stones.AttractionsSt Vigeans Museum9.2 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the park, and when each is next free.

The black timber cabin's exterior, with a chimney above the roofline and a freestanding bath standing on the decking below.Airdit
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Angus
  • 14 miles from Crombie
Free 25–27 OctNàdair, AngusNàdair
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Angus
  • 16 miles from Crombie
Free 4–6 DecGuests raise wine glasses at a long candlelit table in a stone barnGuardswell Farm
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Inchture
  • 19 miles from Crombie
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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