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Loch of Lintrathen from above in late summer, the water low along its shores, conifers on the points and the Angus hills beyond under a blue sky with cloud.
Angus

Loch of Lintrathen

A Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve on a reservoir loch in Angus, with two hides for watching the birds.

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Welcome

Loch of Lintrathen is a peaceful stretch of water, and a lovely place to spend an hour with a pair of binoculars.

Dundee has drawn its water from here since 1875, and the loch is topped up by the Backwater Reservoir a few kilometres to the north. From October to March wildfowl spend the winter on the water, and greylag geese are the ones to look out for. In spring and summer it's the songbirds' turn, nesting round the reserve from March to August, and with luck you might see an osprey, an otter or a red squirrel too. The view across the loch is lovely in every season. If you've brought bikes, the Cateran Ecomuseum has a road route from Alyth that takes you right round it. Bring a flask, or finish with a coffee at Peel Farm or The Wandering Bear Cafe, both a few minutes along the road.

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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 short drive awayPeel FarmA working family farm near Lintrathen with a coffee shop, a farm shop of its own Highland beef and lamb, a gift and antiques barn, ice cream and a nature trail.3 min by roadSee itFarm café with beamed ceiling, mismatched chairs and cakes under glass domes
Before you go

Each hide has its own way in.

West hide
Leave the car at the roadside on the little road west of the loch and walk in on the forest track.
East hide
A lay-by with space for two cars on the little road east of the loch, and the path starts opposite. This hide takes a wheelchair.
Fishing
Scottish Water, which owns the loch, lets the fly-fishing to Lintrathen Angling Club, who fish from boats from April to October.

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Where it is

At Bridgend of Lintrathen, off the B951 seven miles west of Kirriemuir.

Close byGlen Isla, Alyth and Kirriemuir.
  1. Glass cake stands display Crunchie Tiffin, Raspberry Brownie and Summer Berry Victoria Sponge on a farm shop counterThe Wandering Bear CafeA cafe, lodge and farm shop by Loch of Lintrathen in the Angus glens, run by Lauren and Calum and their family. It was once the Wee Bear.2 miles 6 min by road
  2. The Reekie Linn pouring white into its gorge among autumn trees.Reekie LinnA waterfall on the River Isla north of Alyth, the smoky linn, where the river drops into a deep gorge in two falls that join into one when in spate.2 miles 5 min by road
  3. A beaver dam of peeled sticks holding back a pond at Bamff in early spring, a ruined steading and a timber-clad barn beyond.Bamff WildlandA rewilding estate on the Highland edge, three miles north-west of Alyth, where beavers have lived since 2002.6 miles 19 min by road
  4. The Alyth Burn running through the town between stone walls.AlythAn old market town at the foot of the hills north of Meigle, with the Alyth Burn running through it, a packhorse bridge of the 1500s and the ruined Arches of its first church.7 miles 13 min by road
  5. A verdigris statue overlooks a walled garden and sandstone houseJ.M. Barrie's BirthplaceThe whitewashed cottage in Kirriemuir where J.M. Barrie was born, with the wash house where he put on his first play, and a garden with a crocodile.8 miles 13 min by road
  6. Sandstone tower on a hilltop, surrounded by heather and forestry belowKirriemuirThe Wee Red Toon of Angus, built of red sandstone, the birthplace of J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, and a gateway to the Angus glens.8 miles 14 min by road
  7. The round dry-stone shelter on the top of Mount Blair, a steel viewpoint indicator ringing its rim, with snow-streaked hills across the glens beyond.Mount BlairA 744-metre hill on the Perthshire and Angus boundary, between Glen Shee and Glen Isla, with a track to the top.9 miles 20 min by road
Directions
Farm café with beamed ceiling, mismatched chairs and cakes under glass domesCafePeel Farm1.3 miles
Nàdair, AngusKirriemuirNàdairSleeps 6 · 3.5 miles
The Alyth Burn rushing over stones between autumn beeches in the Den o' Alyth.WalksDen o' Alyth6.9 miles
Red box of assorted sweets from Star Rock Shop, including humbugs, tablet and candy canesShoppingThe Star Rock Shop8.2 miles
Uniforms and helmets along a corridor in the Tayside Police Museum.AttractionsTayside Police Museum8.2 miles
A bowl of orange soup with a cheese scone and a cappuccino on a red-checked tablecloth at The Joinery in Meigle.CafeThe Joinery Coffee Shop9.3 miles
The great carved cross-slab standing in the hall of the Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum.AttractionsMeigle Pictish Stones9.4 miles
AttractionsBlairgowrie12 miles
The whole of Larch House across its meadow: the larch-clad gable and long roof with roof lights, the lower wing beside it, a ring of river stones in the grass and oaks behind.BlairgowrieLarch HouseSleeps 6 · 12 miles

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Stay nearby

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

Nàdair, AngusNàdair
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Kirriemuir
  • 2 miles from Loch of Lintrathen
Free 4–7 DecThe whole of Larch House across its meadow: the larch-clad gable and long roof with roof lights, the lower wing beside it, a ring of river stones in the grass and oaks behind.Larch House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Blairgowrie
  • 10 miles from Loch of Lintrathen
Check datesA stone cottage with a green door and three chimneys sits behind a lawn bordered by shrubs and flowerbeds.Fairygreen Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Kinrossie
  • 14 miles from Loch of Lintrathen
Check datesAn aerial view shows a black timber cabin with a pitched roof set on a deck in an open field, a bath and seating area visible outside.The Cabin at Fairygreen
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Angus
  • 15 miles from Loch of Lintrathen
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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