Country Parks/Countryside Ranger Service
Aberdeen City Council Countryside Ranger Service is committed to working for a biodiverse, best value and socially inclusive future for all the City's countryside resources. It will work in partnership to offer quality environmental education and recreational opportunities for all:
- based at Lochinch Farm, Redmoss Road, Nigg (near Loirston Loch)
- manages 31 countryside sites throughout the City including 4 Local Nature Reserves and 2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
- offers many educational opportunities for all ages
- runs a walks and events programme during the summer months
- promotes biodiversity in the City
Events
Lochinch Farm
Lochinch Farm is the base for the Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service. It is just to the south of the City near Cove and Loirston Loch. The easiest way to get to Lochinch Farm is from the southbound A92 Stonehaven Road from the Bridge of Dee. About 2 miles south of the Bridge of Dee take the exit for Aberdeen Harbour A956. As you join the A956 turn immediately left, if you get to Loirston Loch on your left you have gone too far. After about ½ mile turn right, signposted to Nigg, Lochinch Farm is just along here on the right.
Click to see the Location map.
What is there at Lochinch Farm?
Lochinch Farm is the Countryside Ranger Service base and an outpost of the City Council’s Doonies Farm at Nigg. At most times of the year there is a selection on rare or unusual breeds of farm animals including shorthorn cattle, Gloucester cattle and many breeds of sheep.
During the summer many of the fields are not grazed but are used to grow a hay or silage crop for the winter feed for the animals. These fields then become a haven for insects, birds and wildflowers.
The Ranger Service is based in a converted granite barn – the Lochinch Countryside Interpretation Centre. The majority of the downstairs area of the building is a large classroom/visitor centre which is open by arrangement and is available for visiting groups to use as a base and indoor facility for educational visits. If the Rangers are on site they always welcome visitors to see the displays.
In addition to the fields there are pleasant walks alongside Loirston Loch where there are also bird hides overlooking the loch. In winter you may be lucky to see large flocks of ducks and geese on the water, and during the summer the lochside vegetation is alive with small birds and insects. In the middle of the Farm there is a small pond which is popular with visiting school groups for a spot of pond dipping, there is easy access to the water from boardwalks.
Other facilities
- Car park
- Children’s play area
- Toilets (available to groups using the visitor centre)
- Ranger led educational visits by arrangement
- Plenty of space for picnics and informal games
Dogs must be kept on a lead to avoid worrying the farm animals on site.
Educational Opportunities
Lochinch Farm makes an ideal base for an educational group visit. The Rangers can lead a wide range of activities for all ages from pre-school to university students and beyond. Popular subjects are pond dipping, minibeast hunts, birdwatching, and tree study. Other subjects could include drama, mathematics, English, or anything else you would like to suggest we will consider!
The Rangers have a good supply of equipment available for visits including pond nets, sweep nets, pooters, an assortment of plastic containers and magnifiers, TV and video facilities, slide projection equipment and much more. With the Lochinch Farm Countryside Interpretation Centre available as a base or indoor area what more could you need! All this is available free of charge at present.
The Ranger Service will also lead environmental educational visits to any of the other 30 City Council owned countryside sites listed below.
Scottish Natural Heritage may be able to offer grant aid to schools to help with transport costs, please ask the Rangers for more information.
Sites managed by Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service
- 1. Auchmill Community Woodland
- 2. Brimmond Hill
- 3. Carnie Woods
- 4. Coastal Footpath from Cove to Nigg
- 5. Cove Community Woodland
- 6. Cove Shelterbelt
- 7. Danestone and Woodside
- 8. Deeside Walkway from Duthie Park to Peterculter
- 9. Den Burn
- 10. Den of Cults
- 11. Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve
- 12. Donmouth Local Nature Reserve
- 13. Eastwood Croft
- 14. Elrick Hill
- 15. Four Hills Walks (Brimmond, Elrick, Kirkhill, & Tyrebagger hills)
- 16. Hazlehead Park
- 17. Hilton Woods
- 18. Howes Road
- 19. Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve
- 20. Kingswells, in partnership with the Community Council
- 21. Lochinch Farm, Ranger base
- 22. Nigg Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest
- 23. Northfield to Brimmond Hill Link
- 24. Ord Dam
- 25. Pot Heugh
- 26. River Dee Walk
- 27. River Don Walk
- 28. Scotstown Moor Local Nature Reserve
- 29. Torry Walkway
- 30. Tullos Hill and Community Woodland
- 31. Walker Dam
Local Nature Reserves
Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service manage four Local Nature Reserves around the City. Each was selected as a local nature reserve for their locally significant wildlife, educational opportunities and community involvement. There is a management committee for each reserve made up of local people with an active interest in the site and specialist advisors.
The Local Nature Reserves are:
- Donmouth Local Nature Reserve
- Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve
- Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve
- Scotstown Moor Local Nature Reserve
Donmouth Local Nature Reserve
Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve
Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve is on the western edge of Aberdeen just off the B9119 Skene Road near the Aberdeen Crematorium.
Habitats at Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve
Den of Maidencraig Local Nature Reserve is located in the valley of the Denburn, one of the larger burns which drain from the surrounding countryside and eventually joins the River Dee in the centre of the City.
There are three main habitat types at Den of Maidencraig, grassland, woodland and fresh water.
Grassland:
Much of the site is made up of relatively improved grassland which is managed with a single cut in late summer. The species mix has been enhanced with the planting of wildflowers in several areas. The grassland is an attractive habitat for a wide range of insect and birds, listen out for the musical song of the skylark from high over head on warm summer days.
Woodland:
The majority of the woodland is coppiced hazel and rowan. The traditional method of managing coppice woodland is to cut the trees to just above ground level and then allow them to regrow for 7-15 years before harvesting another crop. In this area the coppice has not been cut for a considerable time but during 2002 the first area was cut to restore this habitat to its former glory. The woodland will be divided up into compartments and one cut every year or other year. The resulting variation in age structure will improve the habitat value of the woodland.
Freshwater:
The Denburn flows through the valley though it is not very accessible along most of its length. The burn feeds a man made pond which attracts a ranges of insect and bird life. In several places there are areas of interesting marsh plants particularly in the wooded area where the marsh is crossed by a boardwalk.
Ranger led activities at Den of Maidencraig:
During the summer months the Rangers organise a range of public events at Den of Maidencraig. The Ranger Service will also lead activities such as pond dipping and minibeast hunts for groups booked in advance.
Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve
Scotstown Moor Local Nature Reserve
Contact(s)
- Rangers
Ranger Service
Aberdeen City Council
1st Floor
Balgownie 1
AECC
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8AQ
Phone: 01224 897400
Fax: 01224 894069
Email: lochinch@aberdeencity.gov.uk
