Top 6 Lakes around Dundee

For families, Monikie Lochs within Monikie Country Park is an excellent choice, offering adventure activities like windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and a play park. Monikie Country Park also has BBQ facilities and accessible features. Clatto Reservoir in Clatto Country Park also features a play area and paths suitable for family strolls. Within the city, Balgay Loch and Gelly Loch both offer walking paths and nearby playgrounds.

Loch of the Lowes is an unparalleled destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It's a designated wildlife reserve famous for its breeding ospreys (visible from April to August), red squirrels, otters, beavers, and a wide variety of birds. You can find more information about the reserve and its wildlife at Wikipedia. Monikie Lochs and Clatto Reservoir are also good for birdwatching, with various ducks and diving birds present.

Yes, several lakes offer accessible paths. Monikie Country Park, home to Monikie Lochs, has accessible facilities and paths. Clatto Reservoir features a level path circling the reservoir, making it suitable for easy access. Additionally, Lake Wailes Park and Chain of Lakes Trail are highlighted as wheelchair accessible options, though these are further afield from Dundee.

Monikie Lochs at Monikie Country Park is a hub for water sports, offering windsurfing, sailing, raft building, kayaking, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP), with taster sessions and courses available. Clatto Reservoir also hosts organised water sports through Ancrum Outdoor Centre.

Both Monikie Lochs and Clatto Reservoir are popular spots for anglers, with permits typically required. Lintrathen Loch is also known for its trout fishing, offering a more rural setting for the sport.

Yes, many lakes offer easy walking trails. Monikie Country Park provides various walking trails. Clatto Reservoir has a level path circling the water, and smaller paths extend into Baldragon Woods. Balgay Loch and Gelly Loch within Dundee also offer peaceful walking paths suitable for leisurely strolls.

The lakes around Dundee can be enjoyed year-round. For wildlife watching, particularly ospreys, visiting Loch of the Lowes between April and August is ideal. Beavers are best seen from April to September. Generally, spring and summer offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities, while autumn provides beautiful scenic views. Monikie Country Park is open year-round.

Many of the country parks and lochs around Dundee are dog-friendly, provided dogs are kept under control, especially around wildlife and other visitors. Always check specific park rules for any restrictions, particularly in nature reserves like Loch of the Lowes, where dogs might need to be on a lead or restricted from certain areas to protect wildlife.

Yes, Monikie Country Park offers designated cycling routes around the Monikie Lochs. For more extensive cycling, you can explore the Road Cycling Routes around Dundee, which include options like the Lake Marion loop or Haines City half century loop. The Chain of Lakes Trail is also a nearly 5-mile asphalt trail suitable for cycling.

For a tranquil and scenic escape, Lintrathen Loch, located about 12 miles west of Dundee, offers stunning views of the water against a hilly backdrop. It's an excellent spot for picnics and quiet walks, particularly beautiful at dawn. Loch of the Lowes, while further afield, also provides a serene natural setting focused on wildlife.

Yes, Balgay Loch within Balgay Park offers a peaceful urban oasis right inside Dundee, perfect for leisurely walks. Gelly Loch, located in Dundee's Broughty Ferry neighborhood, is another calm retreat surrounded by parkland, conveniently close to Broughty Ferry beach.