Muir of Dinnet

Walkable from Ballater, the Muir of Dinnet is one of 8 National Nature Reserves in the Cairngorms National Park. It includes Loch Kinord and Loch Davan as well as the famous Burn o’ Vat (or to some MacGregor’s Cave) – a very large barrel measuring 18 metres across and 13 metres high formed by melting ice 14,000 years ago!

The Visitor Centre at the Burn o’ Vat is open daily and as a guide there is a network of 4 paths to explore the Reserve.

The reserve extends 1163 hectares, from the River Dee to Culbean hill, encompassing a wide range of habitats. The Reserve was first declared in 1977 because of its value as a habitat for flora and fauna, and important geomorphological features. Muir of Dinnet NNR is owned by Dinnet Estate and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), who provide a visitor centre and a range of other facilities on the Reserve.