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Walk, run, cycle, horseback, there are many ways to enjoy the
country park. The circular route around the loch is 4 kilometres
(2.5 miles) long and is suitable for all abilities. The route forms
part of the larger Forfar Path Network.
A wide variety of wildlife makes the country park its home.
Pause on your way round, take in your surroundings, and you
never know what you might see or hear. Kingfisher, fox, otter
and roe deer are among the regularly-spotted park residents.
Look out for fishing osprey during the summer months.
The history of Forfar Loch
At the end of the last ice age, a melting glacier left behind a line of
lochs in the Forfar area, of which Forfar Loch is the most westerly.
The other lochs in the chain from east to west are Balgavies, Rescobie,
Fithie and the now drained Restenneth, site of the historic priory.
Pitch
& Putt
Crazy Golf
Outdoor
Fitness Zone
Leisure Centre
Ranger Centre
Play Park
Lochside
Caravan Park
St. Margaret’s Inch
Lochside Burn
Outdoor
Fitness Zone
Inchmacoble
Burn
Dean Water
Ha’ Penny
Burn
Sylvies
Burn
Outdoor
Fitness Zone
While still part of Strathmore estate, Forfar Loch itself was partially
drained in the 18th Century to enable the extraction of shell marl.
This greyish clay-like material is formed from the remains of
freshwater shellfish and was used historically to improve soil fertility.
Although still a substantial body of water, before drainage, the loch
was about 1.5 kilometres longer and 5 metres deeper.
The ground occupied by the Forfar Sailing Club is part of a natural
gravel ridge which extends westward into the loch. Now a peninsula,
it was formerly an island and is considered to be the site of a
medieval chapel founded around 1234. In 1605 it was recorded as
being formerly the site of "The Chapel of the Holy Trinity" and has
been known as St. Margaret’s Inch since at least the 1590s.
The Dean Water at the south-western corner of the park is the
loch’s outlet and is part of the River Tay’s catchment. After heavy
rain, your eyes are not deceiving you, the flow of the Dean can
reverse. This is due to the in spate flow of the Kerbet Water which
joins the Dean 3 kilometres downstream causing its water to back
up. However, according to folklore the real cause is a resident
Kelpie, an ill-natured water horse, which rejoices in floods and
swims upstream pushing water back into the loch.
Forfar Loch
Country Park
the countryside on your doorstep
Forfar Loch is one of three country parks
managed by Angus Council Ranger Service.
The Service runs a year-round event
programme, details of which can be found
online, in our events diary and on park
notice boards.
Rangers are available all year to visit schools
and community groups throughout Angus. In
addition groups are welcome to visit the park.
We offer a variety of talks and activities which
can be adapted to meet the needs of a
particular audience.
Volunteers of all ages play a vital role in
helping manage the park. If you are
interested in volunteering please get in touch.
Forfar Loch Country Park is located on the western edge of the
historic burgh of Forfar. Visitors can escape to the countryside
yet be only a five to ten minute walk from town centre facilities.
Angus Council Ranger Service
Ranger Centre
Forfar Loch Country Park
Craig o’ Loch Road
Forfar
DD8 1BT
T: 01307 461118
E. forfarloch@angus.gov.uk
http://archive.angus.gov.uk/leisure/rangerservice.htm
Canmore Angling Club manage angling on
the loch and a permit is required for fishing.
Forfar Sailing Club meets regularly from
Spring to Autumn.
For further information about any of the
above please contact us at the Ranger Centre.
COUNTRYSIDESERVICES
cover photo by Stan Simpson