Crans Wood

Wood, Forest in Banffshire

Scotland

Crans Wood

Field near Castlehill Looking southwards over a grassy field with Castlehill in the background amidst the trees. — Field near Castlehill Credit: Scott Cormie

Crans Wood is a picturesque forest located in Banffshire, Scotland. Covering an area of approximately 150 acres, it is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. The wood is situated on the southern slope of the River Deveron valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

The forest is predominantly composed of native tree species, including oak, birch, and pine. These towering trees create a dense canopy, providing a cool and shaded environment during the summer months. The forest floor is adorned with a rich carpet of mosses, ferns, and wildflowers, adding to its enchanting atmosphere.

Crans Wood is home to a wide variety of wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. Visitors may spot woodland birds such as woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds. Small mammals, including red squirrels and badgers, can also be observed within the wood.

The forest offers several well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its hidden treasures. These paths wind through ancient woodland and offer glimpses of the River Deveron as it meanders along the valley floor. The tranquil ambiance of Crans Wood makes it an ideal spot for picnics, photography, or simply immersing oneself in nature.

Managed by the local forestry commission, Crans Wood is well-preserved and cared for. The forest is easily accessible by car or foot, with parking facilities available nearby. Its proximity to nearby towns such as Huntly and Banff makes it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, seeking solace in the beauty of nature.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Crans Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.537417/-2.5794492 or Grid Reference NJ6549. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Field near Castlehill

Looking southwards over a grassy field with Castlehill in the background amidst the trees.

Scott Cormie

Ardreddie Hill

Looking up Ardreddie Hill from the roadside near Auldtownhill.

Scott Cormie

Fields near Carnousie

Looking southwards over countryside near Carnousie.

Scott Cormie

Aberdeenshire countryside

Looking west over fields near Craiglug.

Scott Cormie

Auldtown of Carnousie

The farm house, to the right, is dwarfed by extensive modern buildings.

Anne Burgess

Beech Avenue

One of the characteristics of this part of the country is that many of the minor roads are lined with mature trees, often beeches.

Anne Burgess

Near Carnousie

An impressive belt of beeches lines the edge of the fields just north of Auldtown of Carnousie.

Anne Burgess

Auldtown Hill

Presumably the hill is named for Auldtown of Carnousie, which is on its lower slopes.

Anne Burgess

White Hill

Looking towards the hill from just outside the steading at Mains of Carnousie.

Anne Burgess

Mains of Carnousie

The steading here is exceptionally fine, built in a square with arches to north and south. This is the decorative tower above the south arch. Sadly, the whole steading appears to be disused.

Anne Burgess

Carnousie Castle

Nigel Tranter, describing Carnousie in 1970, lamented the fact that the building was abandoned and had deteriorated sadly, part of it being used as a piggery. Since then it has been fully restored as an inhabited house, though the screen of trees makes it difficult to appreciate its features. It was probably built by Walter Ogilvy of Carnousie, because he sold his newly constructed fortalice in 1583 to his brother Ogilvy of Dunlugas. It was subsequently sold to the Gordons of Park. It is a Z-plan, with a circular tower to the north-west of the main block and a square tower to the south-east.

Anne Burgess

Mains of Carnousie

The steading here is exceptionally fine, built in a square with arches to north and south, the latter crowned with an elaborate tower. The south elevation is largely obscured by a modern lean-to for storing straw, but the east elevation gives an idea of how it originally appeared.

Anne Burgess

Mains of Carnousie

From here you can see the square of the original steading, with the roofs of additional buildings inside the square and a motley collection of modern structures outside it.

Anne Burgess

Craignetherty

Thanks to the lie of the land the 500 metres or so of land in this square isn't seen from here, and the eye is drawn across the river and into the next square to the farm buildings at Craignetherty. On the skyline at left is Clunie Hill. The name Clunie (or Cluny, Clunas) is fairly common and is from a Gaelic word meaning 'slope'.

Anne Burgess

Shargerwells

A prosperous-looking farm amid rolling fields of cereal crops, mainly barley.

Anne Burgess

Shargerwells

Barley is the most commonly grown cereal around here, but the foreground field in this view is planted with wheat.

Anne Burgess

Beech and Barley

A field of barley bounded by an avenue of beeches at Netherdale.

Anne Burgess

Netherdale

Sunlight on the fields, seen through the line of beeches at the field edge. It looks as if there has been some recent planting of young trees to fill the clearing.

Anne Burgess

Show me another place!

Crans Wood is located at Grid Ref: NJ6549 (Lat: 57.537417, Lng: -2.5794492)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East