The Piles

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Banffshire

Scotland

The Piles

New Pond This is shown on some of the maps as a boggy area fed by Meg Proctor&#039;s Well to the north-east. The owners have dug it out to form two ponds with the intention of attracting wildlife. — New Pond Credit: Anne Burgess

The Piles, located in Banffshire, is a natural freshwater wetland area encompassing a lake, pool, pond, and a freshwater marsh. Spanning over a considerable expanse, this diverse ecosystem is teeming with various flora and fauna species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife admirers.

The lake at The Piles is a tranquil water body, surrounded by lush greenery and tall reeds. Its crystal-clear waters are home to an array of aquatic plants, such as water lilies and duckweed, providing a vibrant habitat for numerous water-dwelling species. Visitors can often spot ducks, swans, and other waterfowl gracefully gliding across the lake's surface.

Adjacent to the lake lies a pool, a smaller water body characterized by its shallow depth. It serves as a breeding ground for amphibians like frogs and toads, which can be observed during the mating season. The pool also attracts dragonflies and damselflies, adding a touch of color and activity to the area.

Further into The Piles, a serene pond emerges. Surrounded by a mix of water-loving plants and shrubs, the pond supports a thriving community of fish, including trout and perch. Its tranquil ambiance is enhanced by the gentle chirping of birds perched on nearby branches.

Finally, the freshwater marsh completes The Piles' diverse wetland ecosystem. This marshy area is characterized by its marsh grasses, sedges, and bulrushes. It serves as a vital habitat for an array of bird species, such as herons, bitterns, and reed warblers.

Overall, The Piles in Banffshire offers a picturesque and ecologically significant destination for individuals eager to explore and appreciate the wonders of a diverse wetland ecosystem.

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The Piles Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.506812/-3.1857062 or Grid Reference NJ2946. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

New Pond

This is shown on some of the maps as a boggy area fed by Meg Proctor's Well to the north-east. The owners have dug it out to form two ponds with the intention of attracting wildlife.

Anne Burgess

Field Gates

It looks as if one of the gates has met with a mishap, and neither gate has been much used recently.

Anne Burgess

B9102/A941 junction

The B road climbs hard away from the Spey, soon passing the Macallan distillery.

Richard Webb

Craigellachie Bridge

The southern approach to Craigellachie Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1814. Autumn colours are showing on the steep ground beyond.

Adam Ward

Sinuous Railing

The iron railing alongside the road on the left bank downstream from Craigellachie Bridge is still intact and seems to be in good condition.

Anne Burgess

Craigellachie Bridge

Designed by Thomas Telford, cast at Plas Kynaston in Wales, and erected in 1814. The bridge is a Category A listed building. See Link

and note that despite what the maps say its correct name is Craigellachie Bridge.

Anne Burgess

Hawk....

There is a large number of plants with dandelion-like flowers: Hawkweeds, Hawkbits and Hawksbeards. It requires greater expertise than mine to tell most of them apart.

Anne Burgess

The 'new' Spey bridge at Craigellachie

Built to replace Telford's cast iron bridge, it is itself now 50 years old.

Alan Murray-Rust

Plaques on Telford's Bridge, Craigellachie

Moved from the arch when the bridge was restored in 1964.

Alan Murray-Rust

Almost nowhere to go

The immediate more than 90 degree turn at the northern end of the bridge was no problem in the days of horse drawn vehicles, but very restrictive to modern vehicles.

Alan Murray-Rust

Bench mark, Craigellachie Old Bridge

This bench mark was used during the First Primary Levelling, Scotland (1844-60). It was included on the Fochabers to Bridge of Don line as "No. 22. Bolt in East face of round tower, at North End of Craig Ellachie Bridge ; 1.74 ft. above surface. (p300)" at 277.105 feet above Liverpool datum. See Link for location

Alan Murray-Rust

The old road, Craigellachie Old Bridge

Difficult to imagine this as an important A road as late as 1972, particularly with the dangers from rocks falling from the cliff. At this point also the road turned immediately at more than 90 degrees onto the bridge - a difficult manoeuvre for a standard bus or lorry of the mid/late 20th century. Now simply a footpath and cycleway.

Alan Murray-Rust

View from the Old Bridge, Craigellachie

Looking south west with Ben Rinnes NJ2535 in the distance. There is a benchmark Link at the base of the tower.

Alan Murray-Rust

The Old Bridge, Craigellachie

Panoramic view from the north east.

Alan Murray-Rust

Car park for the Old Bridge, Craigellachie

The old road from the old bridge in the foreground, with the embankment onto the modern bridge behind. There are car parks for visitors to the old bridge on either side of the modern road.

Alan Murray-Rust