Crombie Country Park was opened in 1983, a mix of broadleaf and conifer woodland around Crombie Loch, a reservoir which once supplied water to Dundee. This easy walk encircles the reservoir and visits a couple of wildlife hides along the way.
Bog Factor
Good woodland paths, level.
Crombie Country Park car park.
None to start.
NO528401
The walk begins at the Crombie Country Park car park, which is well signed; there is a charge for parking from April to September. Begin the walk by following the surfaced path which starts to the right of the little information hut, and keep straight ahead when an unsurfaced path goes off to the left. The trail passes an oak leaf sculpture and comes alongside the outflow of the Crombie Loch by an upright stone column.
Head up to the bridge over the outflow and turn right across it, with good views across the Crombie Loch reservoir. When the path forks, keep left, passing through some fine woodland, and keep left again after crossing a wide wooden bridge. The yellow thistle logos indicate short diversions from the trail to reveal interpretative boards. Continue on the main path, with glimpses of the water through the trees. At one point the path is heading away from the loch in a straight line - take the next left turning, still on a good path. This leads past a wildlife hide accessed via steps - a good place to watch for the resident roe deer or red squirrels. Further on, turn left as the main trail is rejoined.
The path passes through a clearing and then through a gap in a drystone dyke (or wall). There follows a very attractive section with benches overlooking the uppermost part of the loch. A short horseshoe detour on the right reveals the site of a cist - a stone burial chamber built by the Beaker people around 4,000 years ago. Rejoining the main route, cross a wooden footbridge; this is the furthest point on the loch. The route turns sharp left here to begin back down the other side of the loch, but have a quick look at the old farm equipment displayed by Hairy Nicol's cottage first.
Look out for a sign indicating a narrow path through the plantation on the left - this short detour leads to the grebe hide, which is an excellent place from which to watch the waterfowl on the loch. Back on the path, continue to reach the fine stone building which now houses the Rangers' Visitor Centre. Inside is a wealth of information and there are plenty of tables in this area for picnics.
The route now continues along the tarmac drive; the grassy bank on the left is the dam of the reservoir. Work on it was begun in 1866 and took until 1868, but within just a few years the supply was inadequate for the rapid expansion of Dundee and further reservoirs were built elsewhere in Angus. Crombie ceased to supply its last drinking water - to Carnoustie - in 1981. The road soon leads past the bridge over the outflow near the start of the walk; you can either retrace the outward path or continue along the road to return to the car park.
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