(122) Finzean Water Mills-Feughside Ramble (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
A short walk in a beautiful rural environment. Initially, there is a gradual ascent through open woodland, followed by a descent to the banks of the fast-flowing Water of Feugh. The water mills at the walk start/end are an interesting reminder of previous times in the valley.

Duration: 1.75 hours.

Route Overview
Duration: 1.75hours.
Transport/Parking: No public transport nearby. There is a small parking area at the walk start/end point.
Length: 5.280 km / 3.30 mi
Height Gain: 103 meter.  Height Loss: 103 meter.
Max Height: 193 meter.  Min Height: 126 meter.
Surface: Moderate. Mainly a mix of good forest roads and grassy riverside paths. There are three small sections on quiet single track tarred access roads. The complete circuit is not suitable for off-road mobility scooters due to high steps to the bridge and boardwalk at Waypoint 7 (and fallen trees after Waypoint 8). Instead, return to the start from Waypoint 7 along the tarred road.
Difficulty: Easy.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance and overall ascent.
Dog Friendly: Yes, keep dogs on lead near to farm animals (see note at Waypoint 8).
Refreshments: We can recommend the Finzean Farm Shop and Cafe.

Description
This is a very pleasant walk in the valley of the Water of Feugh at Finzean. The first part of the route is gently uphill in open pine forest at Perciemuir Wood, with naturally seeded silver birch and other native trees complementing the agreeable woodland environment. Descending to the valley floor again, the second part of the walk is in open countryside and broad-leafed woodland along both banks of the tumbling Water of Feugh. The walk starts and finishes in beautiful surroundings at the Finzean Water Mills. The Birse Community Trust has preserved three watermills for woodworking on the Water of Feugh, all that remains of over 40 mills that operated in the area at one time. In recent years the Sawmill provided oak floor boards for the Scottish Parliament. The Turning Mill once majored on making bungs for herring barrels, whilst the Bucket Mill specialised in buckets made with Scots Pine staves. The Sawmill and Turning Mill are still in occasional operation. The area around Finzean is renowned for its scenic beauty, and was the subject of landscape paintings by the celebrated 19thC Scottish artist, Joseph Farquarson (the “Painting Laird”). Finzean, on the banks of the fast-flowing Water of Feugh, is set in a wide valley comprised of a patchwork of fields and small woodlands, with scattered houses, farms and hamlets. A ridge of low hills, with their highest point at Tom’s Cairn (310 m), delineate the valley to the north, separating it from the River Dee. To the south and west, Finzean is sheltered by higher hills. Especially prominent in the views towards this aspect are the distinctive granite tor of Clachnaben (589 m) and the broad mass of Peter Hill (617 m). The Birse Community Trust (BCT) is a local charity that promotes the common good of the inhabitants of Birse Parish and wider public benefits. For more information see: https://www.birsecommunitytrust.org.uk/

Links:
Photos from walk
Download Route Guide (PDF with illustrated Waypoints)
Download GPX file (GPS Exchange Format)
Access Walk on OutdoorActive
Access Walk on OSMaps
Access Walk on Alltrails
Access Walk on Wikiloc