Bellie Wood

Wood, Forest in Morayshire

Scotland

Bellie Wood

Fochabers Roadworks, Spring 2011 A year into the job, and the new bypass is beginning to take shape. — Fochabers Roadworks, Spring 2011 Credit: Anne Burgess

Bellie Wood is a picturesque forest located in Morayshire, Scotland. Covering an area of approximately 2,500 acres, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor activities. The wood is situated on the eastern bank of the River Spey, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Bellie Wood is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it an ideal spot for wildlife enthusiasts. The forest boasts a rich variety of tree species, including oak, birch, and pine. These trees provide a habitat for numerous bird species, such as woodpeckers, owls, and finches. Visitors may also spot red squirrels, roe deer, and the elusive pine marten.

The wood features a network of well-maintained trails, enabling visitors to explore its beauty on foot or by bike. These trails lead to various points of interest within the forest, including a tranquil pond and a small waterfall. There are also designated picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

In addition to its natural beauty, Bellie Wood has historical significance. The wood was once part of the Bellie Estate, which dates back to the 17th century. Visitors can still see remnants of the estate, including an old walled garden and a historic icehouse.

Overall, Bellie Wood offers a captivating blend of nature, history, and outdoor recreation. Its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Morayshire.

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Bellie Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.622348/-3.1010495 or Grid Reference NJ3459. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fochabers Roadworks, Spring 2011 A year into the job, and the new bypass is beginning to take shape.

Fochabers Roadworks, Spring 2011

A year into the job, and the new bypass is beginning to take shape.

Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011 I wonder why the silt settles out of some ponds and puddles, but not others? This water was still the same opaque red colour two days later. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2381214">NJ3558 : Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011</a>.

Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011

I wonder why the silt settles out of some ponds and puddles, but not others? This water was still the same opaque red colour two days later. See NJ3558 : Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011.

Gordon Castle Farm A patch of dandelions by the roadside makes a bright foreground for the house and buildings at Gordon Castle Farm.

Gordon Castle Farm

A patch of dandelions by the roadside makes a bright foreground for the house and buildings at Gordon Castle Farm.

Small Burn at Whitegate The burn is named on the 1:25,000 map as Small Burn, and the name seems appropriate. It drains the glen through which the Winding Walks go, and after crossing under the road near Whitegate it joins the Wishart Burn near Gordon Castle Farm. It is almost hidden by new beech foliage.

Small Burn at Whitegate

The burn is named on the 1:25,000 map as Small Burn, and the name seems appropriate. It drains the glen through which the Winding Walks go, and after crossing under the road near Whitegate it joins the Wishart Burn near Gordon Castle Farm. It is almost hidden by new beech foliage.

Wishart Burn The burn drains the area of woods known as Deer Park, eventually reaching the River Spey.

Wishart Burn

The burn drains the area of woods known as Deer Park, eventually reaching the River Spey.

Deer Park There seems to have been some kind of road here, now almost vanished among the beech woods. It has been bypassed by a newer track which can be used to take out timber from the plantations nearby.

Deer Park

There seems to have been some kind of road here, now almost vanished among the beech woods. It has been bypassed by a newer track which can be used to take out timber from the plantations nearby.

Gordon Castle and Baxters Having had to turn back when the track I was following degenerated into a whin-overgrown bicycle-unfriendly path, I noticed that from the track there is a glimpse through the trees of the roof and tower of Gordon Castle, with the expanse of buildings at Baxters of Speyside in the distance.

Gordon Castle and Baxters

Having had to turn back when the track I was following degenerated into a whin-overgrown bicycle-unfriendly path, I noticed that from the track there is a glimpse through the trees of the roof and tower of Gordon Castle, with the expanse of buildings at Baxters of Speyside in the distance.

Clear Fell on Deer Park A section of the conifer plantation on Deer Park has been felled.

Clear Fell on Deer Park

A section of the conifer plantation on Deer Park has been felled.

Deer Park Part of the conifer plantation has been felled, but the broadleaved trees have been left alone.

Deer Park

Part of the conifer plantation has been felled, but the broadleaved trees have been left alone.

Beech Leaves At this time of year, the beech leaves are a bright shade of pale green which to me is one of the marks of spring.

Beech Leaves

At this time of year, the beech leaves are a bright shade of pale green which to me is one of the marks of spring.

Gordon Castle Garden This archway is the entrance to the walled garden which served Gordon Castle. Brick retains warmth, so is preferred for walled gardens because it helps to encourage fruiting of trees trained up the wall. Some such trees are visible on the right.

Gordon Castle Garden

This archway is the entrance to the walled garden which served Gordon Castle. Brick retains warmth, so is preferred for walled gardens because it helps to encourage fruiting of trees trained up the wall. Some such trees are visible on the right.

Sheds at Gordon Castle Garden Old sheds and stores outside the walled garden. It looks as if there is little use being made of them now.

Sheds at Gordon Castle Garden

Old sheds and stores outside the walled garden. It looks as if there is little use being made of them now.

Tree Stump by the Cross The stone pillar is the Cross of the old village of Fochabers. In 1776 the Duke of Gordon, wishing to remove the huddle of cottages which had developed too close to Gordon Castle, had a new village laid out further south, and the tenants were transplanted to the new village. Only the old Cross remains to mark the spot. Somewhere near it was a large and renowned tree known as the Duchess Tree, commemorated in a tune by the composer William Marshall, but it isn&#039;t know exactly where it was. I don&#039;t think it was this stump, though it must have been a very large tree too.

Tree Stump by the Cross

The stone pillar is the Cross of the old village of Fochabers. In 1776 the Duke of Gordon, wishing to remove the huddle of cottages which had developed too close to Gordon Castle, had a new village laid out further south, and the tenants were transplanted to the new village. Only the old Cross remains to mark the spot. Somewhere near it was a large and renowned tree known as the Duchess Tree, commemorated in a tune by the composer William Marshall, but it isn't know exactly where it was. I don't think it was this stump, though it must have been a very large tree too.

The Cross The stone pillar is what is left of the Cross of the old village of Fochabers. In 1776 the Duke of Gordon, wishing to remove the huddle of cottages which had developed too close to Gordon Castle, had a new village laid out further south, and the tenants were transplanted to the new village. Only the old Cross remains to mark the spot. At one time there were jougs attached to it. These are a sort of collar which was used to chain malefactors to expose them to public ridicule.

The Cross

The stone pillar is what is left of the Cross of the old village of Fochabers. In 1776 the Duke of Gordon, wishing to remove the huddle of cottages which had developed too close to Gordon Castle, had a new village laid out further south, and the tenants were transplanted to the new village. Only the old Cross remains to mark the spot. At one time there were jougs attached to it. These are a sort of collar which was used to chain malefactors to expose them to public ridicule.

Gordon Castle Lake The tranquil surroundings of the lake are even quieter now, because the direct access from the village has been cut off by the bypass roadworks. To reach the lake now means a detour longer than the walk round it when you get there. As a consequence there have been few people feeding the ducks, and the population today is markedly smaller than it used to be. The reflections of the beeches which lean down to the water are unchanged.

Gordon Castle Lake

The tranquil surroundings of the lake are even quieter now, because the direct access from the village has been cut off by the bypass roadworks. To reach the lake now means a detour longer than the walk round it when you get there. As a consequence there have been few people feeding the ducks, and the population today is markedly smaller than it used to be. The reflections of the beeches which lean down to the water are unchanged.

Fochabers Bypass This section of the new bypass looks almost complete. It is sad that the bypass was inadequate, and in the wrong place, before the first divot was cut for its construction. There is just room for a single carriageway here between Gordon Chapel and Gordon Castle Lake, so when the traffic, as it inevitably will, outgrows a single carriageway there will be no possibility of widening the road. There was almost complete agreement locally that the bypass should go south of the village, but the Powers That Be rejected this on grounds of cost.

Fochabers Bypass

This section of the new bypass looks almost complete. It is sad that the bypass was inadequate, and in the wrong place, before the first divot was cut for its construction. There is just room for a single carriageway here between Gordon Chapel and Gordon Castle Lake, so when the traffic, as it inevitably will, outgrows a single carriageway there will be no possibility of widening the road. There was almost complete agreement locally that the bypass should go south of the village, but the Powers That Be rejected this on grounds of cost.

Fochabers Bypass This section of the new bypass looks almost complete, for a short distance, at least. It is sad that the bypass was inadequate, and in the wrong place, before the first divot was cut for its construction. There is just room for a single carriageway here between Gordon Chapel and Gordon Castle Lake, so when the traffic, as it inevitably will, outgrows a single carriageway there will be no possibility of widening the road. There was almost complete agreement locally that the bypass should go south of the village, but the Powers That Be rejected this on grounds of cost.

Fochabers Bypass

This section of the new bypass looks almost complete, for a short distance, at least. It is sad that the bypass was inadequate, and in the wrong place, before the first divot was cut for its construction. There is just room for a single carriageway here between Gordon Chapel and Gordon Castle Lake, so when the traffic, as it inevitably will, outgrows a single carriageway there will be no possibility of widening the road. There was almost complete agreement locally that the bypass should go south of the village, but the Powers That Be rejected this on grounds of cost.

Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011 This is taken two days later than <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2380692">NJ3558 : Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011</a>, and shows that the red silt in the water has not settled out of suspension. I wonder why not?

Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011

This is taken two days later than NJ3558 : Fochabers Bypass Roadworks, Spring 2011, and shows that the red silt in the water has not settled out of suspension. I wonder why not?

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Bellie Wood is located at Grid Ref: NJ3459 (Lat: 57.622348, Lng: -3.1010495)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///forge.owls.ankle. Near Fochabers, Moray

Nearby Locations

Bellie Wood The Lake The Birks Bridge Pool

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.622348,-3.1010495

Crossing

Bicycle: yes

Crossing: traffic_signals

Mapillary: 1159276517819055

Survey Date: 2020-06-04

Tactile Paving: yes

Lat/Long: 57.6195823/-3.1046239

Barrier: bollard

Lat/Long: 57.6203984/-3.1068983

Crossing

Crossing: traffic_signals

Mapillary: 221358246119612

Survey Date: 2019-07-29

Tactile Paving: yes

Lat/Long: 57.6214903/-3.1080586

Bus Stop

Bus: yes

Public Transport: platform

Lat/Long: 57.6209978/-3.1072911

Fochabers Town

Historic Railway: station

Wikidata: Q42377570

Wikipedia: en:Fochabers Town railway station

Lat/Long: 57.6209452/-3.1086355

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Tothel Gill Forest Caithness

Pyat Brae Selkirkshire

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