Information origins from:
"The Story of Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve”
(http://www.snh.org.uk/nnr-scotland/)
Muir
of Dinnet
The Muir of Dinnet is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lying mid-way between Ballater
and Aboyne. It contains a fascinating mixture of both flora and
fauna. An area of some 2300 acres surrounding two lochs (Loch
Kinord and Loch Davan) which consists of extensive Birchwood,
wetlands and heather moor, provides a winter home for thousands of
geese.
The landform is a result of ice movement during the last
glaciations. About 22.000 years ago there was an approximately
1000m thick ice layer covering Muir of Dinnet. Then 15,000 years
ago, the climate warmed rapidly, and by 14,000 years ago the ice
was largely gone.
The melting water contains silt, sands, gravels and rocks creating
the landforms at Muir of Dinnet.
More Info:
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
Burn O’ Vat
At the
end of the last Ice Age, a huge meltwater river followed
today’s course of the Burn O’ Vat. By the force of
water with all its debris a 20m large bowl was created over the
years. The Vat probably formed where an area of harder bedrock
caused an obstruction to the water flow and created a whirlpool
behind it. The swirling waters then carved the circular pothole.
Today, the Vat lies above the water level and is large enough to
walk into despite the bottom half of the Vat being full of sand and
rocks.
The Burn O´ Vat is carved out of pink and grey granite. There
is a running waterfall to one side with a hidden cave.
The Burn O´ Vat was famed during the 17th Century due to the
infamous bandit, Gilderoy Macgregor who used the cave as a hideout
for a number of years.
This famousity even attracts Prince Charles to visit this site:
Prince Charles in the entrance crack.
Geological Aspects
Landform
This site in the Dee valley is set in a complex area of morainic
landforms and granite hills.
At Muir of Dinnet you find metamorphic rock, known as
‘Dalradian’ rock, is mostly pale and dark striped
‘gneiss’. The remainder of the Reserve is underlain by
pink-coloured granite.
Granite and Gneiss
Granite is an igneous rock is coarse-grained. It is formed when
magma is forced between other rocks in the Earth's crust. It cools
and crystallizes deep underground. As it cools slowly large
crystals are formed. It has homogeneous arrangement of minerals and
therefore an evenly distributed optically appearance. The size of
the crystals ranges between 1mm and many cm. Normally you can see
all crystals with the naked eye.
Granites can be pink to dark gray or even black. The colour depends
either on the way of solidifying, environmental conditions,
chemistry and mineralogy.
Granites often form large intrusions in the core of mountain
ranges, and they are usually surrounded by zones of metamorphic
rock (gneiss).
Gneiss has same mineralogical features but shows a parallel texture
in most cases due to the altering (by heat or pressure).
The Visitor Centre & The VAT Trail
There is an excellent visitor centre at the Burn O' Vat, to help
you make the most of your visit.
The visitors centre is located next to the car park, and gives
detailed information about the formation of the Vat, local history
and a comprehensive guide to what bird and wildlife to look out for
in the area. There are also toilets next to the car park. There are
many well marked fine circular walks through the NNR, passing by
such features as abandoned settlements and an ancient Celtic
cross.
In times of high water level, the route into the VAT may be
slippery, and therefore dangerous. If in doubt, please check with
the attendant of the Visitor Centre. It is good to wear waterproof
boots.
From
the car park follow the path past the Visitor Centre. Both walks
are well sign posted along the way with wooden pillars. Continue
over the first footbridge and along the gravel path. You will soon
reach a second footbridge, do not cross this but continue past it.
Here you will discover a large rock face with a large vertical
crack facing you, this is the entrance to Burn o' Vat. Use the
rocks underfoot as stepping-stones to aid your entry. The opening
is quite narrow and makes an exciting entrance for children and
dextrous adult. The burn runs through the crack so be sure not to
slip or you'll get wet feet! As you clamber through, you will hear
the waterfall at the far side of the vat and soon be faced with a
huge chasm opening to the sky.
Retrace
your steps back through the crack to rejoin the path and the
footbridge. Cross over the water and continue up the hill. This is
stepped to ease the climb and soon begins to level out. At the path
junction turn right towards the viewing point. Through the trees on
your right, you will catch glimpses of Loch Kinord. From the wooden viewing platform, continue down the path to return to the car park.
Do not forget to search
GC1FKP6–Burn O' Vat and
GC1728Z
– Kinord View.
More Trails:
www.visitdeeside.org.uk
Have fun, enjoy the view and take care.