Blackwater Forest

Downs, Moorland in Banffshire

Scotland

Blackwater Forest

Dorenell Wind Farm A controversial new wind farm on the hills between Glenlivet and the Cabrach, viewed from Carn na Glascoill about 6km. away.
Dorenell Wind Farm Credit: Alan O'Dowd

Blackwater Forest, located in Banffshire, is a picturesque and diverse natural landscape that encompasses both downs and moorland. Situated in the northeast of Scotland, this vast forest covers a vast area, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience in the heart of nature.

The forest is characterized by its stunning downs, which are expansive areas of rolling hills covered in a lush carpet of grasses and wildflowers. These downs provide a tranquil and scenic setting, perfect for leisurely walks, picnics, and enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Adjacent to the downs, the forest seamlessly transitions into moorland, which is characterized by its extensive stretches of open, rugged terrain covered in heather and scattered with peat bogs. Moorland is a haven for various wildlife species, including red deer, mountain hares, and a wide array of bird species, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Blackwater Forest is crisscrossed by a network of walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its diverse landscape at their own pace. These trails range from leisurely strolls through the downs to more challenging hikes across the moorland, catering to all levels of fitness and experience.

The forest also offers camping facilities and designated picnic areas, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings. Whether it's exploring the downs, marveling at the panoramic views, or spotting wildlife on the moorland, Blackwater Forest offers a truly memorable and rejuvenating experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Blackwater Forest Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.339475/-3.1183374 or Grid Reference NJ3228. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dorenell Wind Farm A controversial new wind farm on the hills between Glenlivet and the Cabrach, viewed from Carn na Glascoill about 6km. away.
Dorenell Wind Farm
A controversial new wind farm on the hills between Glenlivet and the Cabrach, viewed from Carn na Glascoill about 6km. away.
Dorenell Wind Farm These are just a few of the 59 turbines that make up the Dorenell Wind Farm. For information about the wind farm see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.edf-re.uk/renewables/dorenell" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.edf-re.uk/renewables/dorenell">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Dorenell Wind Farm
These are just a few of the 59 turbines that make up the Dorenell Wind Farm. For information about the wind farm see LinkExternal link.
Dorenell Wind Farm Dorenell Wind Farm is EDF Renewables' largest onshore wind farm. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.edf-re.uk/renewables/dorenell" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.edf-re.uk/renewables/dorenell">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Dorenell Wind Farm
Dorenell Wind Farm is EDF Renewables' largest onshore wind farm. See LinkExternal link.
Curious Patterns We thought the upper grooves could have been caused by water running off, but we are puzzled to account for the indentations in the loose material at the bottom.
Curious Patterns
We thought the upper grooves could have been caused by water running off, but we are puzzled to account for the indentations in the loose material at the bottom.
Unnamed Burn The obvious hollow, and the bog vegetation, reveal the presence of an unseen watercourse that joins the Black Water at the foot of the slope. On the far hill is the course of the Little Steplar Burn.
Unnamed Burn
The obvious hollow, and the bog vegetation, reveal the presence of an unseen watercourse that joins the Black Water at the foot of the slope. On the far hill is the course of the Little Steplar Burn.
Black Water Mostly, when the map shows a ford, it's either shallow enough to cross on stones, or there's a footbridge. Not here, however. There is no option here; you have to wade. My companion opted to get her boots wet. I opted to take mine off and cross barefoot. This is the view downstream from the ford, with part of the Dorenell Wind Farm in the background.
Black Water
Mostly, when the map shows a ford, it's either shallow enough to cross on stones, or there's a footbridge. Not here, however. There is no option here; you have to wade. My companion opted to get her boots wet. I opted to take mine off and cross barefoot. This is the view downstream from the ford, with part of the Dorenell Wind Farm in the background.
Ford on the Black Water My companion had walked straight across with her boots on. I had stopped to take mine off, and she snapped me enjoying the cool water on my bare feet as I paddled gently across. In the background are some of the 59 turbines in the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Ford on the Black Water
My companion had walked straight across with her boots on. I had stopped to take mine off, and she snapped me enjoying the cool water on my bare feet as I paddled gently across. In the background are some of the 59 turbines in the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Black Water Looking upriver from the ford where the Steplar Road crosses the Black Water.
Black Water
Looking upriver from the ford where the Steplar Road crosses the Black Water.
Little Steplar Burn To be more precise, the dip containing the Little Steplar Burn, which is not actually visible. It looks as if there has been a good deal of slumping of the far bank, perhaps as a result of being undercut by spates. On to the top of the hill is a line of grouse butts.
Little Steplar Burn
To be more precise, the dip containing the Little Steplar Burn, which is not actually visible. It looks as if there has been a good deal of slumping of the far bank, perhaps as a result of being undercut by spates. On to the top of the hill is a line of grouse butts.
Black Water Looking upstream as the track approaches the river. In the distance are some of the turbines in the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Black Water
Looking upstream as the track approaches the river. In the distance are some of the turbines in the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Grassy Track Looking back towards the Cabrach on the track we have just walked down. The Black Water is on the left.
Grassy Track
Looking back towards the Cabrach on the track we have just walked down. The Black Water is on the left.
Burn of Runnywaar A solitary Rowan tree stands on the bank of the Burn of Runnywaar just before it joins the Black Water.
Burn of Runnywaar
A solitary Rowan tree stands on the bank of the Burn of Runnywaar just before it joins the Black Water.
Burn of Runnywaar The Burn of Runnywaar occ upies the gully in the foreground. It flows into the Black Water beside the single tree, which I think is an Alder.
Burn of Runnywaar
The Burn of Runnywaar occ upies the gully in the foreground. It flows into the Black Water beside the single tree, which I think is an Alder.
Glacial Meltwater Channel From here it's evident that the Black Water occupies the floor of a glacial meltwater channel, with a flat floor and u-shaped profile. The Dorenell Wind Farm is in the background.
Glacial Meltwater Channel
From here it's evident that the Black Water occupies the floor of a glacial meltwater channel, with a flat floor and u-shaped profile. The Dorenell Wind Farm is in the background.
Black Water Looking downstream to one of the meanders of the Black Water.
Black Water
Looking downstream to one of the meanders of the Black Water.
Whins by the Black Water For some reason there is a large patch of Whins (Gorse) on just one slope beside the Black Water. To its left is the first glimpse of Blackwater Lodge, and beyond that is part of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Whins by the Black Water
For some reason there is a large patch of Whins (Gorse) on just one slope beside the Black Water. To its left is the first glimpse of Blackwater Lodge, and beyond that is part of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
A Bank of Whins For some reason there is a large patch of Whins (Gorse) on just one slope beside the Black Water. In the background are some of the turbines of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
A Bank of Whins
For some reason there is a large patch of Whins (Gorse) on just one slope beside the Black Water. In the background are some of the turbines of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Bridge over the Black Water The track crosses the Black Water on a sturdy-looking new bridge. The road leads to Blackwater Lodge, and beyond it are some of the 59 turbines of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
Bridge over the Black Water
The track crosses the Black Water on a sturdy-looking new bridge. The road leads to Blackwater Lodge, and beyond it are some of the 59 turbines of the Dorenell Wind Farm.
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Blackwater Forest is located at Grid Ref: NJ3228 (Lat: 57.339475, Lng: -3.1183374)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///divisible.hers.dawn. Near Dufftown, Moray

Nearby Locations

Blackwater Forest

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.339475,-3.1183374
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Output Electricity: 3 MW
Generator Source: wind
Generator Type: horizontal_axis
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 57.3397079/-3.1180895
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Output Electricity: 3 MW
Generator Source: wind
Generator Type: horizontal_axis
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 57.3377791/-3.1241942
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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