The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pack up a picnic
Covering more than 4,000 square kilometres of unspoilt countryside, the Cairngorms National Park is just a short drive from Courier Country. So why not enjoy a picnic in one of our country’s biggest parks? Caroline Lindsay lists some top spots
Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus, Aviemore Voted Britain’s best picnic spot a couple of years ago, Loch an Eilein is a great location for outdoor eating. The loch, complete with its mysterious castle, is surrounded ancient Scots pines, and you can walk right round the loch.
Glen Tilt, Blair Atholl The Glen Tilt Trail, which begins in the Glen Tilt car park, is a 10-mile low-level walk following the spectacular River Tilt with potential picnic places all along the glen.
Glen Doll, Glen Clova, by Kirriemuir Hidden away at the top of Glen Clova, Glen Doll car park is the ideal location for a drive-to picnic. As well as picnic tables along the riverside, next to the car park, the Ranger Base provides information about the landscape and wildlife of the hills and glens.
Loch Lee, Glen Esk, by Edzell After parking at Invermark at the head of Glen Esk, half an hour’s gentle walking is rewarded with the idyllic sight of Loch Lee. The ruined church adds to the tranquillity of the loch’s surroundings, home to a diverse range of wildlife.
Blair Castle Gardens, Blair Atholl The entrance fee of £13.50 for a family day ticket to the castle’s
extensive gardens offers good value as there’s so much to do. Exploring the walled garden (complete with a lifesize statue of Hercules), the woodland children’s adventure playground, the gothic folly and the sculpture trail will certainly work up an appetite! Loch Insh, Kincraig If you’re looking for a picnic spot with the added bonus of canoeing, rowing and windsurfing, Loch Insh is perfect. Or, if you prefer a quieter spot where you can watch waterbirds drifting around on quiet, still waters, opt for the quieter end of the loch, near the village of Kincraig.
Abernethy National Nature Reserve, Nethybridge Ospreys are the potential star attraction of a picnic lunch at Abernethy National Nature Reserve, home of the Loch Garten ospreys, as well as dragonflies, red squirrels
and several species of rare birds. Find out more at the RSPB’s Osprey Centre (family ticket £8), which also has toilets, baby changing facilities and refreshments. Toilets are also available at the nearby Explore Abernethy Visitor Centre.
Old Bridge of Avon, Glen Livet Picnic tables on a grassy riverbank, nearby parking and wheelchair access make this a very accessible picnic spot — with a stunning view of the Old Bridge of Avon, built way back in 1754 and recently renovated.
Bellabeg, Strathdon The picnic area in the small village of Bellabeg is well worth a visit — and there’s the added attraction of searching for the signpost pointing to the hamlet of Lost! And, if you plan your picnic at Bellabeg for August 24, you’ll catch the ever-popular Lonach Gathering.