Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve

Just on the edge of Dinnet village, there’s a place where you can stroll through some of Deeside's most picturesque woodlands and enjoy a peaceful picnic beside a loch adorned with water lilies. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even scramble into a granite cauldron, just as Queen Victoria once did!Muir of Dinnet offers a blend of woodland, heath, open water, and impressive natural sculptures—all in one stunning location. Visit the Burn O'Vat and feel the rock walls close in on you, creating a damp, secluded embrace that cuts you off from the outside world. Elsewhere, wander through birch woodlands, catch the flash of a damselfly's wings, or savor the tranquility of a summer reflection in the crystal-clear waters of the lochs.Lying within Cairngorms National Park, Muir of Dinnet offers a range of enchanting walks through the woods and around the water-filled kettle hole that forms Loch Kinord. There are four waymarked paths starting from the visitor center. These paths range from just under a mile to the Burn O'Vat and up to nearly four miles on the Loch Kinord circular path. Take your time to explore the woodland, keeping an eye out for birds, animals, and delicate wildflowers along the way.The visitor center tells the story of how the different elements of the reserve evolved and what you’re likely to see during your visit. Learn how glaciers shaped the landscape, how the lochs and bogs formed, and why the woodland is thriving. The center has earned a Gold rating as part of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.The best times to visit are in spring and winter for birdwatching, and year-round for a visit to the Burn O'Vat.Facilities include toilets a short distance beyond the visitor center, open year-round, with one accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. The main car park is located at the Burn O'Vat Visitor Centre, with paths leading to the Burn O'Vat, Parkin's Moss, around Loch Kinord, from Dinnet village, and between Lochs Kinord and Davan.