Loch of Kinnordy – Hides over a Reedy Loch near Kirriemuir
The Loch of Kinnordy is a shallow, reedy loch in the farmland just west of Kirriemuir, and the RSPB looks after it as a nature reserve.
Beavers live on it, and otters and red squirrels are regulars too. The hides are only a few minutes from the car, and a longer path leads on to Kirriemuir for anyone who wants more of a walk.
- Time
- Half an hour to an hour for the hides, on a level path of 475 m. About two hours with the path to Kirriemuir and back, which is 2 km (1.25 miles) each way.
- The path
- A wide, level, surfaced path with small slopes. Gullery and Swamp hides are step-free; East hide is up steps with handrails. The path to Kirriemuir has two narrow footbridges and some steps at the second.
- Where to start
- The reserve's own gravel car park on the B951, a mile west of Kirriemuir: 12 spaces and one Blue Badge space. DD8 5HT.
- When to go
- All year in daylight. Ospreys in summer; geese and whooper swans in winter.
- Dogs
- Under close control, preferably on a short lead.
- Children
- Short, level and away from the road. The hides suit children who can sit quietly for a few minutes.
- Toilets
- None at the reserve: the nearest are in Kirriemuir, about two miles away.
- Before you set out
- No toilets, café or shop at the reserve. No barbecues.
The walk
The reserve is a mile west of Kirriemuir on the B951, the road to Glenisla, and it's on your right as you drive out of town. DD8 5HT is the postcode. The gravel car park has room for 12 cars and one Blue Badge space. The reserve is free to visit, with no staff on site and no opening hours, so go in daylight. A wide, level path of 475 metres links the car park and the hides. Gullery hide is only 50 metres from the car. Swamp hide is about 270 metres to the west, and East hide about 230 metres to the east.
Gullery and Swamp have step-free access, low windows and benches you can move. East hide is up steps, with handrails. Halfway between Gullery and East hides there's a feeding station that draws woodland birds. Beavers live on the loch, so look for a lodge and for chewed trees along the bank. Otters, red squirrels and deer are here all year, great spotted woodpeckers drum in the trees, and ospreys visit in summer. In winter greylag and pink-footed geese and whooper swans come to the loch. Take binoculars and sit quietly for a while.
For more of a walk, the path carries on to Kirriemuir, 2 km away, or a mile and a quarter. It's generally flat, with two narrow footbridges and a few steps at the second, and it reaches the town at the top of Kirriemuir Den, where Slade Road meets Cortachy Road. There and back, with the hides, takes about two hours. The reserve has no toilets, café or shop. The nearest are in Kirriemuir, about two miles away, so bring a flask. Keep dogs under close control, preferably on a short lead. Barbecues aren't allowed.
If it rains
The hides are roofed and the first of them is 50 metres from the car, so this is a good one for a wet day. Leave the longer path to Kirriemuir for dry weather.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Nàdair, 3 miles away. Sleeps 6; next free Fri 4 Dec to Sun 6 Dec.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Ian via Google