Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve Management Plan – 2024 - 2034
Contents
- Foreword
- Our Vision for Muir of Dinnet NNR
- Protected areas and features
-
Management for Natural Heritage
- Objective NH1
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH1:
- Objective NH2
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH2:
- Objective NH3
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH3:
- Objective NH4
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH4:
- Objective NH5
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH5:
- Objective NH6
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH6:
- Objective NH7
- Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH7:
- Management for People
- Management for Property
- Document properties
Foreword
Muir of Dinnet is one of a suite of National Nature Reserves (NNR) in Scotland. Scotland’s NNRs are special places for nature, where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are managed. Every NNR is carefully managed both for nature and for people, giving visitors the opportunity to experience our rich natural heritage. Like all habitats, it will be subject to the vagaries of climate change and a challenge for the next plan period is to ensure that a healthy ecosystem is maintained on the site.
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve (NNR) was designated as an NNR in 1977. Located in the heart of Deeside, Aberdeenshire within the Cairngorms National Park. The NNR is comprised of 1166 hectares (ha) of native-mixed woodland, lochs, raised bogs, heaths and mires. The reserve sits just north of the iconic River Dee and extends almost 600m in elevation towards the top of Culblean Hill. The reserve itself is defined by a landscape of ridges, hummocks and depressions left behind after the last glaciation, when this part of Scotland was covered by ice up to 1,000 metres deep. These features are nationally important examples of glacial landforms and they provide the foundations for the variety of habitats and species found at Muir of Dinnet today.
At the heart of the reserve lies Loch Kinord and Loch Davan. Loch Kinord is fed solely by the Vat Burn, running approximately 3 kilometres up to the high slopes of Culblean. The Vat Burn flows down to the 'Vat', a huge pothole carved by the forces of glacial meltwaters and the debris they carried. Loch Davan is fed by the Red Burn and the larger Logie Burn, which run from the slopes of Morven through low-lying agricultural land. The lochs are home to wintering and breeding wildfowl, important in an international, European and national context. As well as supporting important populations of invertebrates and otter.
Native woodland covers much of the NNR. We are lucky to have an expansive area of regenerating aspen woodland, the biggest in North-East Scotland. Birchwood surround the lochs and low-lying areas of the reserve and Scots pine dominates as the woodland extends up the hill. The woodlands are a haven for common, scarce and rare species alike.
To the north-east corner of the reserve, important fen and raised bog habitat are found at Ordie and Black Moss. Our heathlands of European importance are situated on the southern end of the reserve. The Muir of Dinnet area also has a rich cultural heritage, with archaeological remains telling an interesting story of times gone by.
Muir of Dinnet welcomes upwards of 80,000 visitors each year. We ensure that there is a harmonious balance between outdoor access and conservation. During the breeding season we ask ‘paddlers’ to keep off Loch Kinord and Davan to protect the nationally important breeding bird assemblage. This is done through the continuation of our local access guidance which will be continually reviewed. The Burn O’ Vat visitor centre is open throughout the year and provides information on the reserve and its wildlife.
Our Vision for Muir of Dinnet NNR
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is special; the aim is to keep it that way. The Reserve Plan 2024 - 2034 sets out our vision for the reserve describing how we would like the reserve to be in 2034. The management we describe in this plan has been framed with the current vision in mind.
Vision
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is a place thriving with biodiversity. Our mosaic of habitats are ecologically sound and our iconic wildlife is flourishing. Scots pine and various species of native broadleaf are naturally regenerating in the wooded areas of the reserve. The aspen wood is continuing to expand and is regenerating towards the shore of Loch Kinord. The health of the woodland and other habitats is protected through active, sustainable deer management.
The bog, fen, mires and heath of the reserve are in good condition. Black Moss and Parkins Moss have been sensitively managed and are supporting specialist species. Our dragonfly population has continued to increase and threatened species such as the Northern damselfly has a stronghold here.
Our breeding bird population continues to thrive, with species like goldeneye, redstart, red kite, water rail and common sandpiper breeding in abundance.
Our management of the reserve has helped to halt the biodiversity crisis. Common, threatened, and scarce species thrive here through our use of successful visitor and habitat management. Rare species like Kentish glory moth, chocolate-tip moth, Aspen-bristle moss, green-shield moss, capercaillie and Scottish crossbill are present. Visitors enjoy the wonders of the reserve responsibly and appreciate the tranquillity and richness of the site.
Visitors from all backgrounds visit the reserve for educational and informative purposes. Local communities and international tourists alike use the reserve to connect with nature.
The reserve is climate resilient, our wetlands are alleviating floods, retaining water and sequestering carbon. Our habitat communities are providing shelter for wildlife.
The glacial landforms have been safeguarded and the water quality of the lochs is high. The continued monitoring of the macrophytes show that they are abundant and the lochs are full of life.
We have worked together with partners and landowners to implement landscape scale conservation safeguarding threatened species and habitats across the NNR and beyond. As a result neighbouring landowners and the local community are proud of the NNR.
Protected areas and features
The reserve has numerous designations which reflect its national and international importance, although the boundaries of the designations differ.
These are:
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a European habitat and/or species designation which covers the lochs, bog and heath areas of the site.
- Special Protection Area (SPA), a designation protecting the bird interest on the site.
- Ramsar site - it is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, (commonly known as a Ramsar site).
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), part of the UK network of protected areas; the national SSSI designation underpins the international designations.
The features of these protected areas are listed below. A number of these overlap but with some, the designation areas are different. They are linked to Sitelink, where full information on these designations can be found.
Projects NH4.1, NH5.3, NH6.1, NH6.4, NH6.5, NH7.4, NH7.5 and VM1.2 of this management plan may require further Habitat Regulation Assessments conducted once more information is available and before any specific management takes place.
Muir of Dinnet SAC
- Otter
- Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels
- Dry heaths
- Very wet mires often identified by an unstable 'quaking' surface
- Degraded Raised Bog
River Dee SAC
- Otter
- Atlantic Salmon
Muir of Dinnet SPA
- Greylag goose, non-breeding
- Waterfowl Assemblage, non-breeding
Muir of Dinnet RAMSAR
- Greylag goose, non-breeding
Muir of Dinnet SSSI
- Greylag goose, non-breeding
- Breeding bird assemblage
- Invertebrate assemblage
- Dragonfly assemblage
- Oligo-mesotrophic Loch
- Lowland dry heath
- Hydromorphological mire range
- Quaternary of Scotland
Management for Natural Heritage
Objective NH1
Restore and maintain bearberry heath ensuring important heath communities are retained whilst also looking at alternative methods of heath management.
Our existing SAC bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) heath is species rich. It hosts associated plants such as petty whin, intermediate wintergreen and bitter vetch, as well as rusty fork moss. It has previously been managed by rotational muirburn. Heathland management will encourage the bearberry and scarce plant species to flourish by reducing the heather that can dominate the heath and impede their growth. Along with bearberry and the associated plant species, we have a suite of notable insects that depend upon the heath and these include netted mountain moth, both blaeberry and broken-belted bumblebees and the bearberry case bearer moth.
We will undertake an adaptive approach to management of the bearberry heath. Muirburn has traditionally been accepted as the most effective management technique for the conservation of the bearberry heath (Rodwell, J. S. (1991). British Plant Communities Volume 2: Mires and Heaths. Cambridge: CUP). However, we will also explore alternative methods of managing the heath; this might include grazing or cutting. We will evaluate their effectiveness and modify our management accordingly.
Tree cover has expanded into areas that were previously open heath. We will establish baseline condition of the heath including mapping current extent and condition, including analysis of soils if required. Using survey data to guide our management, our approach will initially be to focus on maintaining existing habitat in good condition, to ensure no further loss of habitat extent and highlighting those areas where restoration is required. Monitoring the impact of management on both bearberry and associated plants in open habitats and under regenerating woodland to establish extent in developing woodland.
Gorse has encroached onto the northern area of bearberry heath; this will continue to be controlled and hopefully will be eradicated by the end of the plan.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH1:
NH1.1: Map heath extent baselines and establish a monitoring programme to record management and habitat condition, including an assessment of bearberry heath re-establishment post management.
NH1.2: Maintain existing bearberry heath by rotational muirburn.
NH1.3: Explore and evaluate effectiveness of alternative methods of bearberry heath management.
NH1.4: Remove gorse from the bearberry heath and control future spread.
NH1.5:Pursue consents and authorisations required to implement trial of habitat restoration on areas of heath negatively impacted by tree colonisation.
Objective NH2
To maintain and improve the mire and bog habitats on the reserve so that they are in favourable condition.
The condition of our mire and bog habitats has been improved over the course of the last plan, this will continue. We will continue the restoration of Black and Parkins Moss by removing trees and using dams or bunds to block ditches and hold back water.
Using satellite imagery, we can observe changes on Black and Ordie Moss and act accordingly through a phased approach of habitat management.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH2:
NH2.1: Establish current scrub cover at Black Moss using satellite imagery and use this to develop a phased approach to scrub removal and habitat improvement, through tree felling and ditch damming.
NH2.2: Maintain the existing dams on our wetlands and look for other areas on wetlands to put in new dams.
NH2.3: Maintain Parkin's Moss free from scrub encroachment & remove further trees from potential bog habitat.
NH2.4: Use monitoring to inform management of Ordie Moss and intervene with further measures if necessary.
Objective NH3
Maintain our diverse woodlands and improve the age structure, whilst maintaining suitable habitat for important woodland animal and plant communities.
Grazing pressure has increased over the course of the last plan, we are now seeing fewer broadleaf trees regenerating across the reserve. We will write a deer management plan, and phase in deer control in areas of high grazing pressures. This will be continually reviewed, and grazing pressures will be evaluated using herbivore impact assessments and other scientific survey results.
Whilst not a statutory designation, the importance of our Aspen woodland has been recognised in its registration as a Genetic Conservation Unit. We will work to ensure that our aspen wood continues to regenerate successfully. This will be done through effective deer management and sustainable tree tubing.
Bracken has become dominant in some areas and could be having an impact on woodland regeneration. Bracken is an important habitat, and we don’t want to eradicate it completely, but will reduce its dominance through varying techniques. This in turn could have a positive impact on our pearl bordered fritillary population as highlighted on objective NH5.3.
Rhododendron has largely been eradicated from the western end of the reserve, although encroachment from the surrounding area is likely, and we will continue to monitor and control its spread. We will encourage neighbouring land managers to remove rhododendron in the area around the reserve to reduce the potential for spread onto the reserve. Non-native tree species, such as Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and Douglas fir are sparsely populated around the upper parts of the reserve, we will continue to control these trees to limit the seed source around the NNR.
Increasing woodland cover/structure through deer and bracken management would help with Objective 7 through carbon sequestering and enhancing biodiversity.
Our management of the site will not damage any of the geomorphological features of the site.
We will focus on areas of woodland with little deadwood and create deadwood through ringbarking to increase woodland biodiversity.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH3:
NH3.1: Implement deer management through a deer management plan to ensure healthy woodland regeneration throughout woodland habitats on the NNR, outwith the SAC. Review and monitor herbivore pressure throughout course of the plan.
NH3.2: Investigate and introduce bracken management techniques to further enhance woodland condition.
NH3.3: Continue work to eradicate INNS species across the reserve. Rhododendron and non-native tree species. Work with partners and neighbours to implement a landscape/catchment scale approach to INNS management.
NH3.4: Implement woodland structure improvement management through the creation of deadwood.
Objective NH4
To maintain the lochs in favourable condition whilst ensuring suitable habitat for wetland species are also maintained.
Partners such as James Hutton Institute and SEPA have been involved in collecting water quality data and carrying out macrophyte surveys on Loch Kinord and Davan. Use outputs and recommendations from these partners to inform any future management.
Himalayan Balsam is present on the Logie Burn, we will continue with our annual control on the NNR and work with partners to try and eradicate it from the Logie Burn catchment.
We undertake our annual Icelandic Goose Census and facilitate monthly Wetland Bird Survey counts on the lochs in partnership with the British Trust for Ornithology. We carry out weekly waterfowl monitoring counts on Loch Kinord and Loch Davan, the data collected from these surveys can support other aspects of reserve management such as the continual reviewal of Local Access Guidance.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH4:
NH4.1: Use findings of research by partners to inform adaptive approach to site management.
NH4.2: Carry out annual geese and weekly waterfowl monitoring, including collating WeBs data.
NH4.3: Control INNS on the water courses within the reserve and work with partners on areas upstream.
Objective NH5
Maintain the diversity and distribution of heath, lochs, mires, bogs and woodland habitats for important invertebrate species across the reserve.
Muir of Dinnet is a stronghold for the Kentish Glory moth, which has a requirement for young birch. On the heath we will manage birch to maintain a suitable age range for Kentish Glory removing trees that are too mature for them and allowing regeneration of small stands to come through to continue the cycle.
Bracken is important for the threatened pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. We will continue to cut clearings for their habitat requirements and hope to continue to see this butterfly thrive on the NNR.
Our dragonfly assemblage has increased over the course of the last plan, with the addition of blue-tailed damselfly and common darter. We will continue with our restoration of bog habitats and look to further enhance habitats in wet areas like Bogingore for the benefit of dragonflies.
There are areas of species-rich grassland on the NNR which are now becoming dominated with rank grasses. We will look at managing these grasslands through grazing or cutting and collecting to enhance species diversity and locally boost pollinator populations.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH5:
NH5.1: Maintain Kentish Glory moth habitat by leaving small patches of birch scrub to develop to approximately 3-4m in height before felling on rotation.
NH5.2: Continue to cut bracken patches near New Kinord for pearl-bordered fritillary.
NH5.3: Continue to manage for dragonfly by exploring options to create and enhance habitat around the NNR.
NH5.4: Investigate and introduce appropriate meadow management techniques to enhance the wildflower fields around Old Kinord.
NH5.5: Continue with the monitoring of invertebrate populations through national schemes such as UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and BeeWalk.
Objective NH6
Maintain the diversity and distribution of heath, lochs, mires, bogs and woodland habitats for important breeding bird species across the reserve.
We implemented Local Access Guidance in June 2021 in response to significant changes in visitor numbers, use of the reserve and potential impact on breeding birds. Our Local Access Guidance was put in place to manage disturbance for a variety of nesting species on Loch Kinord. We ask paddlers and other water users to keep off Loch Kinord at certain times of year. This will be continually monitored to ensure that our actions are justified, and we will assess its impact on the breeding interest of Loch Kinord by collecting data on nesting species.
Many wader species are in decline, and on the reserve, we have a small number of breeding wader species. We will look to enhance wader habitat through the creation of scrapes. We will also highlight areas where waders are breeding to encourage visitors to avoid these.
Recording presence and creating a short breeding report for key species such as goldeneye, great-crested grebe, red kite, water rail, redstart etc. will help us with understanding our local populations and can guide tailored conservation management. Continuing with bird box creation for species such as goldeneye, redstart and pied flycatcher and recording usage will assist in providing good breeding data for the NNR.
In the past, black-headed gulls have bred on the reserve. Vegetation has become less suitable for them over the years, but by providing an artificial nest island we could potentially encourage a breeding population. There is also the possibility of other species utilising this, such as great-crested grebe.
The technique of ‘laying’ shoreline willow into lochs provides a great habitat for duck broods to shelter and feed in. If feasible, we will implement this on the shoreline of Loch Kinord and Davan.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH6:
NH6.1: Create additional scrapes and habitat for breeding waders if options for management are available.
NH6.2: Record annually or at least bi-annually presence of key breeding bird species and create short report.
NH6.3: Continue with breeding waterfowl brood surveys, ageing and recording each brood from hatching to fledging.
NH6.4: Maintain and increase abundance of bird nest sites throughout the reserve through the provision of nest boxes/artificial raft and record usage.
NH6.5: Create good brood habitat by ‘laying’ areas of shoreline willows into the lochs.
Objective NH7
Ensure that the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is climate resilient and will play its part to halt the biodiversity crisis.
2024 – 2034 will be a key time-period for mitigating the climate and biodiversity crisis. We will ensure our habitats remain in favourable condition, that biodiversity and outdoor access work harmoniously together and that we facilitate research on the reserve with a focus on biodiversity and climate.
We will explore options for collaborating with neighbouring landowners and land managers to create greater habitat connectivity and biodiversity provision on a larger scale.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH7:
NH7.1: Ensuring that wetland habitats are maintained or improved so that they are in favourable condition and can help alleviate flooding, retain water and sequester carbon.
NH7.2: Working to ensure that all habitats are ecologically sound and that adaptive habitat and/or visitor management will be implemented for threatened or scarce species if required.
NH7.3: Facilitate research projects on the NNR with a particular focus on climate or biodiversity.
NH7.4: Work with local land managers and the Cairngorms National Park Authority to manage for certain species and habitats on a landscape scale e.g. managing for threatened woodland species with Forest and Land Scotland Cambus O’ May, RSPB Crannoch and Tulloch.
NH7.5: Explore options to manage or acquire land adjacent to the NNR for the provision of breeding birds, biodiversity enhancement and/or habitat creation. Perhaps expanding the boundary of the NNR if possible.
Management for People
Objective VM1
Provide a high-quality visitor experience for at least 70,000 visitors.
Over the course of the last plan, visitor numbers have more than doubled here. We need to ensure that every person who visits Muir of Dinnet NNR has an enjoyable experience and gets to have that connection with nature. It is important that there is a balance and that nature is also flourishing with our enhanced visitor numbers. We will work with partners such as the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to promote responsible visitor access in-line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) and believe this will be key in creating a harmonious balance. Safeguarding our designated features by continuing to promote, monitor and review our Local Access Guidance in relation to breeding/wintering birds and recreation on Loch Kinord.
The lower Burn O’ Vat path was washed out 4 times during the course of the last plan, and this is becoming a much more frequent occurrence. We will explore options to create a more sustainable path network along the Vat to ensure that it is climate proof and can withstand heavy spate events.
The terrain at Muir of Dinnet is challenging in places, but when lengths of path are repaired or upgraded it will be made as accessible as is practicable. We will explore options for improving the reserve infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience for all.
Social media is now a part of everyday life, and we will keep our social media pages updated with regular blogs and information on the reserve.
We will continue to provide a host of guided walks, educational groups and events tailored to the interests of the reserve, biodiversity, and conservation. Working with local catchment schools, people, groups and exploring options to work with health centres to promote green initiatives. This includes ensuring that up to 25% of events are located at the visitor centre for inclusivity and that these events are tailored to all ages and interests, and that at their core there are principles of conservation, biodiversity and the importance of the reserve.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective VM1:
VM1.1: Working with partners like the CNPA to ensure that there is a harmonious balance between recreation and conservation.
VM1.2: Explore options to ‘climate-proof’ lower Burn O’ Vat trail while still ensuring a positive visitor experience.
VM1.3: Work with access colleagues to ensure regular accessibility audits to identify and implement actions to improve accessibility and facilities on the reserve.
VM1.4: Working with NatureScot communications team optimise our use of social media to promote responsible access on the reserve and in the wider countryside. Use these channels to educate and inform people about the reserve, the work of NatureScot and to receive visitor feedback.
VM1.5: Provide or support a range of inclusive events and guided walks during the lifetime of the plan.
VM1.6: Maintain and collate data from people counters and share with others if requested.
VM1.7: Facilitate educational visits on the NNR. Focusing on catchment schools and tertiary education.
VM1.8: Encourage people to travel sustainably to the reserve by providing and maintaining appropriate infrastructure and travel information.
VM1.9: Ensure that opportunities are made for people who cannot access the NNR. i.e. by providing online talks.
Objective VM2
To engage the local communities and support volunteering.
Continuing with our volunteer programme will be a key part of the next plan. We will continue to provide a regular volunteer programme for local people to undertake a variety of tasks on the reserve. These tasks will include practical habitat management, reserve maintenance and regular bird and invertebrate surveys during the summer months. We will continue to recruit volunteers to help us collect important data by conducting weekly bird counts, Icelandic Goose Census, adder surveys, and regular pollinator surveys including national projects like BeeWalk and Butterfly transects.
We will also provide inclusive volunteer opportunities to encourage a wider pool of volunteers to get involved. If resources allow we will provide a mix of individual day and regular volunteer opportunities to make it feasible for more people to join in.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective VM2:
VM2.1: Continue with our volunteer programme in which we involve regular, local volunteers to undertake practical habitat management, reserve maintenance and species surveys.
VM2.2: Provide inclusive volunteer opportunities to involve a wider pool of volunteers, organisations or work parties for larger scale habitat management works i.e. sapling pulling or bracken bashing.
Management for Property
Objective PM1
To manage the reserve property responsibly following best practice.
We will continue to maintain a high standard of visitor infrastructure, and ensure that trail structures, boardwalks and signage are maintained in good, safe condition. We will continue to work with Dinnet and Kinord estate with regards to the Nature Reserve Agreement which will be due for renewal during the course of the plan. We will look at ways to cut our carbon footprint and undertake property enhancement to progress NatureScots’ Net Zero plan. We will ensure that historical structures are preserved through active management.
Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective PM1:
PM1.1: Maintain the reserve and all visitor infrastructure (trails, car park, visitor centre, toilets, viewpoint etc.) in good condition for visitors.
PM1.2: Carry out quarterly safety and condition assessments of all visitor areas and infrastructure. Ensure accurate records are kept and appropriate remedial action taken.
PM1.3: Ensure the property is maintained and conforms to Health & Safety Regulations including risk assessment and fire plan reviews.
PM1.4: Ensure payments made for Nature Reserve Agreement and other annual payments.
PM1.5: Led by our property section undertake property enhancements to progress the organisational drive towards Net Zero through our Net Zero Plan.
PM 1.6: Ensure legal responsibilities of owners of scheduled monument sites within the NNR are adhered to.
PM1.7: Clear bracken and trees from the hut circles and lime kiln annually for the purposes of preservation.
Document properties
Author: Simon Ritchie
Editor: Neil Mitchell
Approved by: Graham Neville
Date: 5 March 2025
Last updated:
