Thieves Den

Valley in Morayshire

Scotland

Thieves Den

Burn of Corries This is a headwater of the Burn of Corries, the gap alongside it offering a view of one of the turbines in the Rothes I wind farm. — Burn of Corries Credit: Anne Burgess

Thieves Den, located in Morayshire Valley, is a picturesque and historically significant landmark nestled in the heart of Scotland. This natural wonder is a hidden gem, surrounded by lush greenery and awe-inspiring mountains that captivate the senses and leave visitors in awe.

Thieves Den derives its name from the intriguing tales of thieves and outlaws who sought refuge in this secluded valley many centuries ago. Today, it has become a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and history buffs alike.

The valley is characterized by its rugged terrain, with steep cliffs and cascading waterfalls that add to its dramatic charm. As visitors explore the area, they are greeted by an abundance of wildlife, including red deer, eagles, and otters, making it a haven for nature lovers.

In addition to its natural beauty, Thieves Den also boasts a rich historical heritage. Ruins of ancient castles and forts can be found scattered throughout the valley, providing glimpses into Scotland's turbulent past. These remnants offer a fascinating insight into the lives of the people who once called this valley home.

Visitors to Thieves Den can embark on various trails and paths that wind through the enchanting landscape, offering breathtaking views at every turn. The valley's tranquility and serenity make it an ideal spot for relaxation and contemplation, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Thieves Den, Morayshire Valley, represents a harmonious blend of natural beauty and captivating history. Its unique charm and allure make it a must-visit destination, leaving visitors with memories that will last a lifetime.

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Thieves Den Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.539939/-3.334541 or Grid Reference NJ2050. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Burn of Corries This is a headwater of the Burn of Corries, the gap alongside it offering a view of one of the turbines in the Rothes I wind farm.

Burn of Corries

This is a headwater of the Burn of Corries, the gap alongside it offering a view of one of the turbines in the Rothes I wind farm.

Conucopia? My eye was caught by the sheer number of cones on this one Sitka Spruce. None of its neighbours had anything like such a huge crop.

Conucopia?

My eye was caught by the sheer number of cones on this one Sitka Spruce. None of its neighbours had anything like such a huge crop.

Looking towards the Glen of Rothes For some reason there&#039;s an unplanted area beside the track here, although the map show it as forest. The gap offers a fine view towards the distant Glen of Rothes.

Looking towards the Glen of Rothes

For some reason there's an unplanted area beside the track here, although the map show it as forest. The gap offers a fine view towards the distant Glen of Rothes.

An Open Area in the Forest For some unknown reason the foresters don&#039;t seem to have planted this area, with the result that there&#039;s a view through the gap towards the eastern edge of the Rothes II wind farm.

An Open Area in the Forest

For some unknown reason the foresters don't seem to have planted this area, with the result that there's a view through the gap towards the eastern edge of the Rothes II wind farm.

Track on Mannoch Hill This was the most enjoyable, and possibly most picturesque, part of our route today. It was dry but form underfoot, the sun was shining, and the trees provided shelter from the wind but were not too close to the track.

Track on Mannoch Hill

This was the most enjoyable, and possibly most picturesque, part of our route today. It was dry but form underfoot, the sun was shining, and the trees provided shelter from the wind but were not too close to the track.

Road Quarry A small quarry conveniently close to the Mannoch Road, and to the access to the Cairn Uish wind farm.

Road Quarry

A small quarry conveniently close to the Mannoch Road, and to the access to the Cairn Uish wind farm.

Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) I was surprised to see a few of these in full bloom today, because they are normally at their best in early summer; however the book does say they bloom until october.

Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)

I was surprised to see a few of these in full bloom today, because they are normally at their best in early summer; however the book does say they bloom until october.

Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) The Bell Heather plants here are evidently unaware that the book says they flower from May to September. Despite the lateness of the season, there were several bright patches of flowers beside the track.

Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)

The Bell Heather plants here are evidently unaware that the book says they flower from May to September. Despite the lateness of the season, there were several bright patches of flowers beside the track.

Stripe of Loan The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. &#039;Stripe&#039; often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking upstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe.

Stripe of Loan

The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. 'Stripe' often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking upstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe.

Stripe of Loan The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. &#039;Stripe&#039; often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking downstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe, and offers a view towards the Cairn Uish wind farm.

Stripe of Loan

The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. 'Stripe' often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking downstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe, and offers a view towards the Cairn Uish wind farm.

Bridge over the Stripe of Loan This simple bridge carries the Mannoch Road over the Stripe of Loan.

Bridge over the Stripe of Loan

This simple bridge carries the Mannoch Road over the Stripe of Loan.

Mannoch Road From the bridge across the Stripe of Loan, the Mannoch Road climbs north towards Red Taingy, which is in the conifer plantation.

Mannoch Road

From the bridge across the Stripe of Loan, the Mannoch Road climbs north towards Red Taingy, which is in the conifer plantation.

Mannoch Road Fortunately, the plantations are set a few metres back from the road here, making this a very pleasant walk on a sunny day.

Mannoch Road

Fortunately, the plantations are set a few metres back from the road here, making this a very pleasant walk on a sunny day.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) This has a much shorter flowering season than either <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644586">NJ2151 : Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)</a> or <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644593">NJ2150 : Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)</a>, but there were still a few spikes with a touch of colour left.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

This has a much shorter flowering season than either NJ2151 : Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) or NJ2150 : Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), but there were still a few spikes with a touch of colour left.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Though most of the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644671">NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris)</a> is over, I did find one or two spikes with flowers still in full bloom. Notice the fine strands of cobweb glinting in the sun. Each of these flowers is just three of four millimetres across, yet in the season these tiny flowers are so abundant that they can turn the whole landscape purple.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Though most of the NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is over, I did find one or two spikes with flowers still in full bloom. Notice the fine strands of cobweb glinting in the sun. Each of these flowers is just three of four millimetres across, yet in the season these tiny flowers are so abundant that they can turn the whole landscape purple.

Fungi These two fungi, which I am unable to identify, are about two or three centimetres in diameter. I did not realise until I saw the image just how fragmented the caps are.

Fungi

These two fungi, which I am unable to identify, are about two or three centimetres in diameter. I did not realise until I saw the image just how fragmented the caps are.

Colourful lichen These were growing in a grass-free patch beside an old pallet lying by the track, and I wondered if the pallet had previously shaded this patch, so that the lichens and fungi were not outcompeted by coarse grass, though I have no idea who might have moved it and why. They are at most a couple of centimetres tall. My thanks to Val P who suggested that they might be Jelly-ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), and Lairich Rig who confirms that it is a lichen of the genus Peltigera, but doesn&#039;t think it can be identified from this image alone.

Colourful lichen

These were growing in a grass-free patch beside an old pallet lying by the track, and I wondered if the pallet had previously shaded this patch, so that the lichens and fungi were not outcompeted by coarse grass, though I have no idea who might have moved it and why. They are at most a couple of centimetres tall. My thanks to Val P who suggested that they might be Jelly-ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), and Lairich Rig who confirms that it is a lichen of the genus Peltigera, but doesn't think it can be identified from this image alone.

Withered Heather Unlike <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644671">NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris)</a>, which still retains some of its characteristic purple colour, this clump of Heather is well and truly over, and has turned pale brown. The dead flowers usually stay on the plants for a good part of the winter.

Withered Heather

Unlike NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris), which still retains some of its characteristic purple colour, this clump of Heather is well and truly over, and has turned pale brown. The dead flowers usually stay on the plants for a good part of the winter.

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Thieves Den is located at Grid Ref: NJ2050 (Lat: 57.539939, Lng: -3.334541)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///mostly.finger.lakeside. Near Rothes, Moray

Nearby Locations

Thieves Den Red Taingy

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