Abernethy Two Lochs

Every now and again, you come across somewhere so special that you end up returning there again and again. This is one of them!

We have visited Nethy Bridge many times and whenever we have a spare hour or two at the end of the day, we come to this tranquil haven.

This is the perfect spot for bird lovers. You can expect to see crossbills, crested tits, goldeneye ducks, and even capercaillies. There are also regular nesting pairs of ospreys, which you may spot catching their supper, depending on the time of year.

In 1954, Loch Garten hosted the first breeding pair of ospreys since their extinction in 1916. This is where the story of the Abernethy Nature Reserve began. To protect the habitat of these incredible birds and other species, the RSPB bought Loch Garten and the surrounding area in 1975. They went on to buy a further 33ha of land, known as Lower Dell near Nethy Bridge, making the Abernethy Nature Reserve one of the largest in the UK.

From the parking area, it is not far before the path forks. Take the path on the left to Loch Garten. There is a convenient bench where you can sit and relax, but I encourage you to go to the banks of the loch and see if you can spot any of the many birds that frequent the area.

You can either return to the Loch Mallachie path or, if you are wearing sturdy footwear, walk along the banks of the loch. The advantage of sticking to the bank is the reflections in the loch, and there is a greater chance of spotting water birds.

Keep an eye out for red squirrels scurrying among the trees.

If you skirt the loch banks, you end up back on the path a short distance from Loch Mallachie. The roots of the trees spread along the ground like gnarly fingers, and the setting sun glimpses through the trees, casting long shadows.

This is my favourite spot to watch the sunset, especially on a still day when the water is like glass, offering perfect reflections in Loch Mallachie.

Remember, it gets pitch black once the sun goes down, so you may wish to take a torch or leave just before the sun disappears completely.

Unfortunately, I am not a wildlife photographer, but I am hoping one of the skilled Fabulous North team will be tempted to visit and capture some images that we can share on this page.

The circular walk is only 3km with virtually no elevation.

Follow the above route, or find it on OS Maps.