Loch Davan

Loch Davan is a small, triangular freshwater loch in Aberdeenshire, northeast Scotland. It lies inside Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, within Cairngorms National Park, about 8 km northeast of Ballater. Loch Kinord, a separate and larger loch, sits immediately to the south, and walking paths link the two.

What is Loch Davan?

The loch is roughly 1.2 km long and fills a hollow left behind when a block of glacial ice melted into the ground, a type of basin known as a kettle hole. Reeds, rushes and willows line the shore and shelter nesting birds. The water is shallow and quiet, so the place suits birdwatchers and walkers rather than anyone after water sports.

What will you see here?

Bring binoculars. Bird hides stand at both Loch Davan and Loch Kinord, and watchers report ospreys, greylag geese and curlews among many other species. In spring, willow warblers sing from the scrub. The wider reserve is known for its wildfowl.

Next door at Loch Kinord you can see an Iron Age crannog, an artificial islet that once carried a timber dwelling, and a carved Pictish cross stands beside the path. The trails run through birch and aspen woodland and heather moor.

The reserve is also home to the Burn o' Vat, a deep granite basin carved out by glacial meltwater. A short walk of about a kilometre leads from the visitor centre to its viewpoint.

How do you get there and where do you start?

The trails begin at the Muir of Dinnet visitor centre, beside the A93 between Ballater and Aboyne. The centre is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00, from Easter to October. Four waymarked routes are on offer, from a half-hour stroll to a half-day outing. Sources give the Loch Kinord circuit as anywhere from about 5.5 km to just over 6 km, and you can extend it north towards Loch Davan.

When should you visit and what should you know?

Spring and early summer are best, when birds are nesting and singing. Loch Davan is too small for boats or kayaks without disturbing wildlife, so it is closed to water access. On Loch Kinord, water-borne activities are banned from 1 March to 31 August. Waterproof footwear helps, as paths can be muddy.

Frequently asked questions

Are Loch Davan and Loch Kinord the same loch? No. They are two separate lochs in the same reserve. Loch Davan is the smaller one, lying north of Loch Kinord.

Can you kayak on Loch Davan? No. The loch is too small to use without disturbing wildlife, so water access is not permitted.

Which birds can you see? Ospreys, greylag geese, curlews and many other waterbirds and woodland species. Hides are available at both lochs.

How long should you plan for? A relaxed walk round one loch takes roughly 1.5 to 3 hours. Add the Burn o' Vat and some time in the hides, and a half-day is sensible.