Balloch Wood

Wood, Forest in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Balloch Wood

Forest Harvester This ingenious machine fells a tree, strips off the bark and side branches, and cuts it into the required lengths, all in a matter of seconds.
Forest Harvester Credit: Anne Burgess

Balloch Wood is a picturesque forest located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It covers an area of approximately 50 hectares and is situated on the eastern slopes of the River Dee valley. The wood is known for its rich biodiversity and stunning natural beauty, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The forest is predominantly composed of native trees, including oak, birch, and pine, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. These trees provide a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including red squirrels, roe deer, and various bird species such as woodpeckers and owls. The wood is also home to a number of rare and endangered plants, adding to its ecological significance.

There are several well-maintained walking trails that wind through Balloch Wood, allowing visitors to explore its enchanting landscape. These paths offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby hills and the winding River Dee. The wood is also intersected by a small stream, which adds to its charm and tranquility.

In addition to its natural beauty, Balloch Wood has historical significance as well. The remains of a prehistoric fort can be found within the forest, providing insight into the area's ancient past. This, coupled with its natural wonders, makes Balloch Wood a truly remarkable destination for those seeking both natural and cultural exploration.

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Balloch Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.527357/-2.8768229 or Grid Reference NJ4748. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forest Harvester This ingenious machine fells a tree, strips off the bark and side branches, and cuts it into the required lengths, all in a matter of seconds.
Forest Harvester
This ingenious machine fells a tree, strips off the bark and side branches, and cuts it into the required lengths, all in a matter of seconds.
Forest Pond The pond, formed by damming a small burn, contains some interesting water plants.
Forest Pond
The pond, formed by damming a small burn, contains some interesting water plants.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) The classic toadstool. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3689145">SP9207 : Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) group</a> for additional information about this species.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
The classic toadstool. See SP9207 : Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) group for additional information about this species.
View of a junction A simple junction taking you to either the car or the hill
View of a junction
A simple junction taking you to either the car or the hill
Meikle Balloch Hill Summit A Marilyn of 366m
Meikle Balloch Hill Summit
A Marilyn of 366m
Twisty path through the forest The path back down from the Summit.
Beware mountain bikes.
Twisty path through the forest
The path back down from the Summit. Beware mountain bikes.
Entrance to Balloch Car Park A good size car park for the Balloch
Entrance to Balloch Car Park
A good size car park for the Balloch
No Way! The path up from the car park is comprehensively obstructed by trees blown down during Storm Arwen. Fortunately this is just a popular short cut, and the slightly longer way round by road is clear of fallen trees. No doubt Forest and Land Scotland will eventually get round to clearing it, once the higher priority work has been done.
No Way!
The path up from the car park is comprehensively obstructed by trees blown down during Storm Arwen. Fortunately this is just a popular short cut, and the slightly longer way round by road is clear of fallen trees. No doubt Forest and Land Scotland will eventually get round to clearing it, once the higher priority work has been done.
Dwarick House The house stands in an elevated position with a broad view across Strath Isla and Keith, which is towards the right.
Dwarick House
The house stands in an elevated position with a broad view across Strath Isla and Keith, which is towards the right.
Wester Herricks A farm with a view, on the slope of The Balloch. These day the view takes in the pale scar of Blackhillock Quarry, on the left; the vast Blackhillock electricity transformer in the middle distance, with its attendant power lines; and the wind turbines in the Drummuir wind farm on the skyline.
Wester Herricks
A farm with a view, on the slope of The Balloch. These day the view takes in the pale scar of Blackhillock Quarry, on the left; the vast Blackhillock electricity transformer in the middle distance, with its attendant power lines; and the wind turbines in the Drummuir wind farm on the skyline.
Ephemeral Foam Patterns The patterns in the foam in this ditch caught my eye because they look almost like the bones of some strange fish. When we returned a couple of hours later, they were gone.
Ephemeral Foam Patterns
The patterns in the foam in this ditch caught my eye because they look almost like the bones of some strange fish. When we returned a couple of hours later, they were gone.
Forest Ditch The ditch here has broadened into a pool, and the resulting gap in the trees offer a view across to the wind turbines at Newtongarry.
Forest Ditch
The ditch here has broadened into a pool, and the resulting gap in the trees offer a view across to the wind turbines at Newtongarry.
Mystery Objects We came across several of these. They are plastic tubes or pads filled with something heavy. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7173457">NJ4647 : Mystery Solved</a>].
Mystery Objects
We came across several of these. They are plastic tubes or pads filled with something heavy. See NJ4647 : Mystery Solved].
Mystery Solved See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7173455">NJ4647 : Mystery Objects</a>. The plastic tubes have been laid in the ditch so as to create a series of mini-dams, presumably to impede and slow down the run-off during heavy rain.
Mystery Solved
See NJ4647 : Mystery Objects. The plastic tubes have been laid in the ditch so as to create a series of mini-dams, presumably to impede and slow down the run-off during heavy rain.
Forest Pond This is the same pond as <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6941498">NJ4647 : Forest Pond</a>, looking rather less lush in its spring vegetation.
Forest Pond
This is the same pond as NJ4647 : Forest Pond, looking rather less lush in its spring vegetation.
Forest Pool The pool by the roadside was formed by damming the unnamed burn.
Forest Pool
The pool by the roadside was formed by damming the unnamed burn.
Felled Forest This black has been recently felled, and will look typically chaotic until either it is replanted or it regenerates naturally.
Felled Forest
This black has been recently felled, and will look typically chaotic until either it is replanted or it regenerates naturally.
Forest entrance near Wester Herricks
Forest entrance near Wester Herricks
Show me another place!

Balloch Wood is located at Grid Ref: NJ4748 (Lat: 57.527357, Lng: -2.8768229)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///webcams.dads.fired. Near Keith, Moray

Nearby Locations

Balloch Wood

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