Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve and Burn o' Vat
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 7 kms | 02:00 (hrs:mins) | 50 metres | Explorer 405 - Aboyne, Alford & Strathdon |
Description
There are two stages to this walk, the first is a short circular route to the Burn o' Vat, and the latter is a longer route by Loch Davan and Loch Kinord.
From the car park follow the path past the Visitor Centre. Both walks are well sign posted along the way with wooden pillars. Continue over the first footbridge and along the gravel path. You will soon reach a second footbridge, do not cross this but continue past it. Here you will discover a large rock face with a large vertical crack facing you, this is the entrance to Burn o' Vat. Use the rocks underfoot as stepping-stones to aid your entry. The opening is approx 50cm (1.5 ft) at its narrowest and makes an exciting entrance for children and dextrous adults. The burn runs through the crack so be sure not to slip or you'll get wet feet! As you clamber through, you will hear the waterfall at the far side of the vat and soon be faced with a huge chasm opening to the sky.
Retrace your steps back through the crack to rejoin the path and the footbridge. Cross over the water and continue up the hill. This is stepped to ease the climb and soon begins to level out. At the path junction turn right towards the viewing point. Through the trees on your right, you will catch glimpses of Loch Kinord. From the wooden viewing platform, continue down the path to return to the car park.
For the second stage of the walk, come out of the car park entrance and cross the road onto the footpath. Turn left here and follow the undulating path, which runs parallel with the road on your left. This pleasant walk leads onto a land rover track and through a small parking area.
Continue following the signs and catch further glimpses of Loch Kinord through the silver birch wood to your right. You will pass through another small parking area by a large granite stone commemorating the opening of the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve in 1977. Loch Davan will now be visible through the trees on your left.
Eventually you will emerge from the woodland and encounter a fork in the path. Turn left, past the ruins of old Kinord Farm on your right. Pass through a red gate into the birch wood beyond. Presently the path will lead you out of the wood and you will see a less distinct path leading away from the main track to the right. This path is signposted but could be missed amongst the bracken.
This will lead you up a slight incline through further stunning birch woods and by an opening to the left. Here you will see what appears to be five large, circular stone ringed dimples on the felled hillside. These are the remnants of an Iron Age settlement.
Leaving the settlement, continue along the path until it reaches a tar macadam road. Turn right here and proceed down past the stone house on your left. Walking through the gate beyond the buildings will lead you onto a land rover track, from which you have clear views of Loch Kinord over open grassland. A rough track to your left will escort you down towards the loch side. Once again this is signposted but the long grass may obscure the post from direct vision.
The rough loch-side path will turn sharply to the right and quickly rise away from the loch towards a tall Pictish Stone believed to be from the 9th Century. From the stone the path runs alongside a field, towards Loch Davan. It passes the old farm ruins, linking up with the fork taken earlier. Turn left (signposted for the vat) at the fork and retrace your steps back towards the Burn o' Vat Visitor Centre.
Access Info
By car on the A93 or by bus on the Aberdeen to Braemar route No. 201. Parking is available at the Burn O'Vat Visitor Centre which is the starting point for this walk.
Additional Info
The Burn o' Vat Visitor Centre displays natural history, geology and archaeology (open mid-May to September 10.00-18.00, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Tel. 013398 81667.
Toilets (seasonal) & picnic site.
Burn o' Vat and Dinnet car park; no charge, open all year round.
For accomodation travel south along the B9119 until reaching the A93. From here you will find a hotel a short distance west and another if you travel north east along the A93.
