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Aberdeenshire

Glen Tanar Pinewoods Walk

Waymarked paths through the old Scots pines of Glen Tanar from the Braeloine car park, along the Water of Tanar and out among the open glades of the pinewood.

Welcome

The best way into Glen Tanar is on foot.

From the Braeloine car park, a short way up the glen from Bridge o' Ess near Aboyne, the rangers' waymarked paths set off across the Water of Tanar and into the pinewood, and within minutes the only sounds are the wind in the tops of the trees and the river over its stones.

This is old Caledonian forest, among the largest left in Scotland: Scots pines of every age, some tall and straight, others broad and twisted, with open glades of heather and bright yellow broom between them. Red squirrels live in the pines, and salmon run the river.

The routes range from a gentle loop by the water to longer walks deep into the glen, on good tracks that are easy to follow. The information centre by the car park, with its toilets, is the place to pick a route and find out what has been seen lately.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A little further outKnock Castle22 min by roadSee itKnock Castle
Before you go

Free, at any time.

The walks start from the Braeloine car park and information centre, with toilets, up the glen road from Bridge o' Ess near Aboyne.

Start
Braeloine car park, Glen Tanar.
Paths
Waymarked, from short loops to longer walks.

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Where it is

In Glen Tanar, south-west of Aboyne, from the Braeloine car park up the glen road from Bridge o' Ess.

Close byAboyne.
  1. Highland cow with long horns standing in a grassy woodland clearingGlen TanarA nature reserve of old Caledonian pine forest.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Loch KinordLoch Kinord6 miles 13 min by road
  3. Two white gliders on the grass of Aboyne airfield, the Deeside hills beyond.Deeside Gliding ClubSilent flight over Royal Deeside in a two-seat glider, from the club that set the UK height record.7 miles 12 min by road
  4. Cambus o’ May Suspension BridgeCambus o’ May Suspension Bridge7 miles 13 min by road
  5. Shelves of floury sourdough loaves at Courie Courie.Courie Courie BakeryA sourdough bakery and café on Station Square in Aboyne.9 miles 16 min by road
  6. Aerial view of a golf course with fairways, bunkers and a river beyondAboyne Golf ClubAn eighteen-hole course beside the Loch of Aboyne.10 miles 20 min by road
Directions
Glen TanarWoodendSleeps 4 · A step away
Glen TanarWest MillfieldSleeps 5 · A step away
A stone gate lodge with steep gables and green-framed windows sits beside a stone boundary wall, a planter of flowers by the green door.AboyneJoiner’s CottageSleeps 4 · A step away
A round metal garden table with two chairs stands on a lawn beside a bottle of wine and glasses, pink flowering shrubs and a green-framed conservatory behind.Glen TanarGarden CottageSleeps 4 · A step away
A sitting room with two sofas and armchairs arranged around a low table, framed prints on the wall and a lamp lit in the corner.Glen TanarButler's LodgeSleeps 6 · A step away
A stone cottage with a red tiled roof and green-framed windows sits beside a gravel patio, a hammock and table set among shrubs.AboyneRowan CottageSleeps 2 · A step away
Stone tower with turret roof surrounded by pine trees at duskAboyneTower O'EssSleeps 2 · 1.5 miles
The Boat Inn, AboyneRestaurantsThe Boat Inn2.4 miles as the crow flies
Espresso streams into an orange cup on a chrome machineCafeSpider on a Bicycle Cafe2.9 miles as the crow flies

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Stay nearby

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

Woodend
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glen Tanar
  • Under a mile from the pinewoods walk
Free 11–14 NovWest Millfield
  • Sleeps 5
  • In Glen Tanar
  • Under a mile from the pinewoods walk
Free 1–4 NovA stone gate lodge with steep gables and green-framed windows sits beside a stone boundary wall, a planter of flowers by the green door.Joiner’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Aboyne
  • Under a mile from the pinewoods walk
Free 11–14 NovA round metal garden table with two chairs stands on a lawn beside a bottle of wine and glasses, pink flowering shrubs and a green-framed conservatory behind.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glen Tanar
  • Under a mile from the pinewoods walk
Free 10–13 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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