Wildlife at The Bennachie Centre Car Park

Bennachie
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
Chapel of Garioch is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: NJ 698 216

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This car park is set in Scots pine woodland which surrounds the Information Centre (The Bennachie Centre). Several footpaths start from the car park and take you onto Mither Tap and also through the woods, including an all ability walk. Sculptures are set in the woods along some of the paths.
The Bennachie Centre
Winter hours 9.30am - 4.00 pm
Summer hours 10.30 - 5.00pm
CLOSED MONDAYS

Mammals: Early morning and dusk is an ideal time to see mammals such as red squirrel and roe deer. Close to the centre you will see lots of cones that have been nibbled by red squirrlels. We have information about Red squirrel and Roe deer

Birds: The centre staff keep an updated list of birds seen in the woods and on the hill.
In the conifer woodlands, birds such as crossbills, goldcrests, wrens, blackbirds, thrushes and chaffinches can be heard or seen.
Jays and Great Spotted woodpecker are often seen too, flying through the woodland.
On the open moorland, meadow pipits and grouse nest in the heather. Birds of prey such as buzzards or in the summer an occasional osprey can also be seen flying over the hill.

Insects and reptiles: Summer is an excellent time to see many insects feeding on the heather slopes of Bennachie. Common Lizards can sometimes be seen sunny themselves on the granite rocks.

Habitats: The Scots pine trees around the centre are approx 55 years old and in the past the woodland has been heavily thinned to allow for natural regeneration of the woodland. Plants seen include blaeberry, chickweed wintergreen and the little creeping orchid called Creeping Lady's tresses. We have information about Pinewood

How to get there:
Travel on the A96 north past Inverurie. Approximately 2 miles beyond Inverurie take a road on the left sign posted to Chapel of Garioch. At Chapel of Garioch turn left (sign posted to the Bennachie Centre). Follow this road for 2 miles. The car park is on your right.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

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Facilities:

	The centre is run by Aberdeenshire Council Ranger service, which provides useful information about Bennachie and its history, wildlife and legends. The Bennachie Centre telephone number is 01467 681470 or email bennachie.warden @aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

Activities

	Esson's Walk to Donview Goukstane walk Mither Tap walk Summit to Back O'Bennachie Pine walk Larch walk The Gordon Way Colony walk			Please only ride on the forest roads. The paths on hill are not suitable for horses.
	Displays in the centre			Course changes regularly. Two courses - easy and harder. Maps at the Centre.
	Pictish fort on Mither Tap.			Aberdeenshire Council and the Forestry Commission Scotland regularly run activities which start from the Centre.

Other places to go in Bennachie
Back O'Bennachie Car Park
Donview Car Park

Contact:
Liz Wallace

01466 794161
e-mail: liz.wallace@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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