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Home> Walks> Scotland> Aberdeenshire> Morrone Birkwood

Morrone Birkwood

Recommended by
Our view
"Circle Braemar by an ancient woodland and a royal river."
Walk directions

Cross the road down to the River Dee. Turn right, downstream, along the riverbank to where the Clunie Water flows in. Follow the bank over a slippery stone flood barrier and head upstream beside the Clunie. The path becomes quite narrow and awkward, particularly if trodden by cows. After 0.75 miles (1.2km), a footbridge leads across to a car park opposite the Invercauld Arms Hotel. 

Turn right towards Braemar village centre. Just before the bridge, Balnellan Road leads in a few steps to the ruins of the Old Braemar Castle. But this route takes the lane on the left just after the bridge, signed to the golf course. After 0.75 miles (1.2km) it crosses a cattle grid to a track on the right.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Tracks and paths, quite narrow on return through birchwood
  Landscape  - Riverside, village and open birchwoods
  Dog friendliness  - Keep on lead in reserve
  Parking  - Roadside pull-off on the Linn of Dee at the edge of Braemar
  Toilets en route  - Balnellan Road car park, Braemar centre
Walks in Aberdeenshire Dog-friendly walks in Aberdeenshire
About the walk
This is a walk of two halves: ancient birchwood and the great River Dee.  Dee Day No river in Britain has a more impressive beginning than the Dee. Its source, the Wells of Dee, stand at 4,000ft (1,220m) altitude on the slopes of Braeriach, our third highest mountain. It was once thought that the...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Visitors to Aberdeenshire with any kind of interest in history are in for a treat. There are more castles to the acre in Aberdeenshire than anywhere else in Britain.
Explore Aberdeenshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Guest Accommodation
The Auld Kirk
★★★★
awardaward
"Cleverly converted church with a blend of original features and contemporary design...."
  • Rooms 7
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Caravan & Camping
Ballater Caravan Park
★★★★
awardaward
"A perfect base to tour wonderful Deeside...."
Inn
Balmoral Arms
★★★★★
awardaward
"Good quality, high levels of service and hospitality in a village inn...."
  • Rooms 45
  • Satellite TV
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
Nearby places to stay
The Auld Kirk
This Victorian Scottish Free Church building has been carefully converted into a warm guest house and is now hosted by welcoming proprietors Helen & Kevin. Many original features of the...
★★★★    Rating
Ballater Caravan Park
Ballater Caravan Park is located in the heart of this delightful conservation village. Positioned in between the River Dee and the golf club this is a really well thought out and presen...
★★★★    Rating
Balmoral Arms
Formerly Deeside Inn, Balmoral Arms continues the tradition of attracting visitors to Royal Deeside, which has existed since Victorian times. Located in the Royal Deeside village of Bal...
★★★★★    Rating
Loch Kinord Hotel
Family-run, Loch Kinord Hotel is well located for leisure and sporting pursuits, and has lots of character and a friendly atmosphere. There are two bars, one outside and a cosy one insi...
★★★    Rating
Nethybridge Hotel
This popular tourist and coaching hotel enjoys a central location amidst the majestic Cairngorm Mountains. Bedrooms are stylishly furnished in bold tartans while traditionally styled da...
★★★    Rating
The Commercial
The Commercial benefits from a stunning location in the heart of Royal Deeside in the 'Howe O' Cromar'. Near to Aberdeen, the Grampian Mountains and the Cairngorm National Park, The Com...
★★★★    Rating
Douneside House
Douneside House provides an impressive range of facilities, with extensive grounds, fishing, spa and leisure facilities as well as stunningly beautiful gardens. Bedrooms come in a range...
★★★★    Rating
Blair Castle Caravan Park
Blair Castle Caravan Park is an attractive site set in impressive seclusion within the Atholl Estate, surrounded by mature woodland and the River Tilt. Although a large park, the variou...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Ghillies Bar
The Commercial
The Library at Douneside House
   AA Rosette Award
Knockendarroch Hotel Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Ghillies Bar
The Commercial
The Library at Douneside House
   AA Rosette Award
Knockendarroch Hotel Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Manse of Blair
   AA Rosette Award
Cairn
Kildrummy Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
View all
Route details
2hrs 15min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Gentle


Distance:
5.5 miles (8.8kms)

Ascent:
500ft (152m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Aberdeenshire
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Morrone Birkwood

Recommended by
Our view
"Circle Braemar by an ancient woodland and a royal river."
Walk details
2hrs 15min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Gentle
Distance:
5.5 miles (8.8kms)
Ascent:
500ft (152m)
Walk directions

Cross the road down to the River Dee. Turn right, downstream, along the riverbank to where the Clunie Water flows in. Follow the bank over a slippery stone flood barrier and head upstream beside the Clunie. The path becomes quite narrow and awkward, particularly if trodden by cows. After 0.75 miles (1.2km), a footbridge leads across to a car park opposite the Invercauld Arms Hotel. 
1 of 7

Turn right towards Braemar village centre. Just before the bridge, Balnellan Road leads in a few steps to the ruins of the Old Braemar Castle. But this route takes the lane on the left just after the bridge, signed to the golf course. After 0.75 miles (1.2km) it crosses a cattle grid to a track on the right.
2 of 7

Go up between caravans to a gate in a deer fence. A faint path leads up under birches, bearing right away from a stream. After a gate in a fence the path becomes quite clear, leading to a Scottish Natural Heritage signboard at the top of the birchwood. The path becomes a track with a fence on its right and, in 220yds (200m), reaches a junction.
3 of 7

Here bearing right past a viewpoint cairn is a short-cut to Point 7. The main route keeps ahead, signposted 'Birkwood Circular'. In 50yds (46m) a smaller track bears left and contours through birchwood with juniper. After a mile (1.6km), it reaches a gate with a ladder stile alongside.
4 of 7

Don’t cross into the plantation ahead, but turn sharp right on a small path with a ‘Circular Route’ signpost. It stays close to the plantation fence for 100yds (91m), then bears right for the same distance. Now it bends right again and passes a damper area on the right, which is grass not heather. Opposite this green patch, two smaller paths turn up to the left. They soon join together at the top of a low knoll and continue down towards the Dee across slabs of bare rock, a fine viewpoint and picnic place.
5 of 7

Continue down a slight spur, passing a small pool in the trees on the right. The path now runs level, with the Dee Valley down on its left. Soon the main ‘Circular Route’ path rejoins from the right and you cross another stream with stepping-stones. The path is wide and clear now to a kissing gate in a deer fence, then a track junction in open heather.
6 of 7

Keep straight ahead, passing the duck pond and its car park, to tarmac Chapel Brae. Go down the lane for 350yds (320m). Turn left past a large larch, and keep left down to the lower road at the walk start.
7 of 7
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Tracks and paths, quite narrow on return through birchwood
  Landscape - Riverside, village and open birchwoods
  Dog friendliness - Keep on lead in reserve
  Parking - Roadside pull-off on the Linn of Dee at the edge of Braemar
  Toilets en route - Balnellan Road car park, Braemar centre
Walks in Aberdeenshire Dog-friendly walks in Aberdeenshire
About the walk
This is a walk of two halves: ancient birchwood and the great River Dee.  Dee Day No river in Britain has a more impressive beginning than the Dee. Its source, the Wells of Dee, stand at 4,000ft (1,220m) altitude on the slopes of Braeriach, our third highest mountain. It was once thought that the...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Aberdeenshire
Visitors to Aberdeenshire with any kind of interest in history are in for a treat. There are more castles to the acre in Aberdeenshire than anywhere else in Britain.
Explore Aberdeenshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Guest Accommodation
The Auld Kirk
★★★★
awardaward
"Cleverly converted church with a blend of original features and contemporary design...."
  • Rooms 7
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Caravan & Camping
Ballater Caravan Park
★★★★
awardaward
"A perfect base to tour wonderful Deeside...."
Inn
Balmoral Arms
★★★★★
awardaward
"Good quality, high levels of service and hospitality in a village inn...."
  • Rooms 45
  • Satellite TV
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
Nearby places to stay
The Auld Kirk
This Victorian Scottish Free Church building has been carefully converted into a warm guest house and is now hosted by welcoming proprietors Helen & Kevin. Many original features of the...
★★★★    Rating
Ballater Caravan Park
Ballater Caravan Park is located in the heart of this delightful conservation village. Positioned in between the River Dee and the golf club this is a really well thought out and presen...
★★★★    Rating
Balmoral Arms
Formerly Deeside Inn, Balmoral Arms continues the tradition of attracting visitors to Royal Deeside, which has existed since Victorian times. Located in the Royal Deeside village of Bal...
★★★★★    Rating
Loch Kinord Hotel
Family-run, Loch Kinord Hotel is well located for leisure and sporting pursuits, and has lots of character and a friendly atmosphere. There are two bars, one outside and a cosy one insi...
★★★    Rating
Nethybridge Hotel
This popular tourist and coaching hotel enjoys a central location amidst the majestic Cairngorm Mountains. Bedrooms are stylishly furnished in bold tartans while traditionally styled da...
★★★    Rating
The Commercial
The Commercial benefits from a stunning location in the heart of Royal Deeside in the 'Howe O' Cromar'. Near to Aberdeen, the Grampian Mountains and the Cairngorm National Park, The Com...
★★★★    Rating
Douneside House
Douneside House provides an impressive range of facilities, with extensive grounds, fishing, spa and leisure facilities as well as stunningly beautiful gardens. Bedrooms come in a range...
★★★★    Rating
Blair Castle Caravan Park
Blair Castle Caravan Park is an attractive site set in impressive seclusion within the Atholl Estate, surrounded by mature woodland and the River Tilt. Although a large park, the variou...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Ghillies Bar
The Commercial
The Library at Douneside House
   AA Rosette Award
Knockendarroch Hotel Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Ghillies Bar
The Commercial
The Library at Douneside House
   AA Rosette Award
Knockendarroch Hotel Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Manse of Blair
   AA Rosette Award
Cairn
Kildrummy Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby