A lovely walk exploring the edge of the Insh Marshes RSPB nature reserve with good views and varied countryside.
Summary
Clear paths with some steps and some rough sections.
Terrain
Insh Marshes/Invertromie RSPB reserve car park off B970, 0.5km east of Ruthven Barracks.
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. Start at the Insh Marshes RSPB reserve car park and walk away from the B970 to the rear of the parking area. At the start there is the option to detour 250m to the Gordonhall hide (pictured). The hide overlooks the floodplain and depending on the time of year it is possible to see ducks, geese, swans, lapwings, curlews, redshanks, buzzards and osprey from here to name but a few. To start the walk go up the steps to the right of the rear of the parking area. At the top, just to the left is a building housing an information viewpoint where you can view the marshes and information about the different plant, bird and animal species to be seen.
2. From the information point start along the trail heading east with good views over the marshes and woodland. The Insh Marshes are important for wildlife as they are the largest area of floodplain in Britain that has not been improved or drained meaning it supports a vast array of different species. It also means that as the marshes flood naturally several times a year the views are often different on each visit. Follow the trail as it passes next to a fence with the woodland on the left. Cross a small wooden bridge. Just afterwards there is a chance to detour 180m down steps to the Invertromie Hide which overlooks the wetland.
3. If continuing on the trail, go straight ahead at the junction for the hide and climb gently across grassland towards the woods. Pass through a small gate and continue on the narrow but clear path as it enters the woodland. Roe deer can often be seen in this area and in the autumn there are many types of fungi. Soon a sign is reached indicating another possible detour to a view point and picnic area.
4. From the sign turn right following the white arrow markers and continue on the path to a gate where you cross a track to pick up the path on the other side. The path follows a ridge with good views and lots of purple heather in late summer/autumn. Pass through another gate and into a lovely area of birch woodland. The trail then curves round to the left heading downhill and then turns right at the bottom.
5. The path follows a wall next to the River Tromie and passes through a kissing gate and then slopes downhill to emerge into Tromiebridge meadow. Here the path follows the riverbank where Tromie Mills can be seen on the far side. 150 different plant species have been identified in this meadow which is particular good for orchids and butterflies. Follow the riverbank path which then heads away from the river into the meadow. Here the path splits, the grassy track to the left leads to the gate with the B970 near Tromie Bridge, take the other path marked with a white arrow in a westerly direction to cross woodland.
6. Keep following the marked path as it crosses grazing land and then the track that was crossed further north earlier in the walk. The path then crosses another livestock field and emerges through a gate onto the path opposite the steps down to Invertromie Hide. Turn left here and follow the outward route back to the car park.
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