Tentsmuir Nature Reserve

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Dirty Donkey

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Ian
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Hi
Thinking of visiting Tentsmuir, South of Dundee early next week. As its a two hour drive and covers 50 sq miles, does anyone know the best place to park to start and which areas or routes are best to cover the area.
Reasonably fit but not much of a walker!
Any other hints and tips on this location would be great.
Many thankings
 
It's a while since I've been to Tentsmuir. In fact, I was heading that direction last weekend but the monsoon to the west of Fife (and north) put me off so I went to Loch Leven instead and had a fine day!

Can I ask what it is you want to see / shoot at Tenstmuir and perhaps I can give better advice knowing this?
 
Roaming herds of wilderbeasts????

Seriously, thinking seascapes, coastal, estuary type shots.
Not really a bird watcher, but if one lands in front of me... and I presume the forest is, like... full of trees?
from the map I was thinking of the visitor centre, walking North along the coast and looping past the Morton Lochs. do you think this would be too much to try to fit in?
Or do you think visitor centre to the wind pump and back slightly inland might be enough, maybe driving to the lochs to get sunset.
Know its difficult to estimate someone elses expectations and shooting speed (spent two hours at a stone circle yesterday!) and really appriciate your input.
Also might try for a sunrise at Tay bridge first.
Can always go back another time, only two hours away.
Many thanks
Ian
 
Hi Ian. Yes, there's a few trees at Tentsmuir! However, it's more like Balmedie Beach with a forest behind the dunes. Lots of Fifers with kids on a sunny Sunday and the seascapes are no better than what you'll find closer to home. The fact that they can include St Andrews or the Angus coast may or may not be a boon to that.

There's a lot to be said for the coast down from Stonehaven with the likes of Dunnottar, Caterline, St Cyrus & Montrose. In fact, I reckon St Cyrus is a fantastic beach because it's like Balmedie but has cliffs at the back of it.

Don't let me put you off Tenstsmuir though. It may have just what you're looking for. Note that once you are over the Tay Bridge the roads are not as great as you might think they should be! ;)
 
I love Tentsmuir, although when I went it was throwing it down.

Basically its lots of this:

Tentsmuir Forest by Sarky., on Flickr

If you're lucky you may see some seals on the beach, there weren't any when I went. The dunes are interesting, you find a lot of washed up items from further up the coast which can be interesting subjects.

I think the best place to park would be the generic Forestry Commission car park, baring in mind its £2 entry but well worth it. Gives you the best access to the forest, facilities and dunes.
 
You know John, been thinking about your comments and your right, there are plenty locations nearer home. Just sometimes just think I've done them to death! But often a different light or a different mood changes the perspective.
Suppose Tentsmuirs not any better than Forvie.
Think I'll drive to Tayport for dawn and work my way North, calling in at all these places.
Thank you also Sarky, info will not be wasted, I'll leave this for a week/long weekend B&Bing and do the full Tentsmuir, Crail, St Andrews, Pittenweem thing next month.
Really hekpful guys, and very much apprieciated.

Also John, you obviously have a good local knowledge, do you know of a circular church somewhere around St Cyrus? Sure I saw it as a kid but cannot find any info.

Many thanks again guys, off to Fittie for the tenth time this year!
 
Dirty Donkey said:
do you know of a circular church somewhere around St Cyrus? Sure I saw it as a kid but cannot find any info.
Click to expand...
Nothing I know of about St Cyrus, but the only thing that springs to mind as having any sort of circular nature is the church on the road between Auchenblae and the Clattering Brig (Cairn o'Mount). A quick web-check says it's a Gothic structure known as St Palladius South East Episcopal Church or Drumtochty Episcopal Church. From the road, it has a very circular appearance but there is (much) more of a building behind the circle itself.

See more info with pictures here

:thumbs:
 
Thanks John, but thats not it I know St Palladius well, (done that to death too!)
Sure its East of the A90, somewhere! Maybe not, you know how kids memories are.
Thanks anyway.
 
I do know the area fairly well and I've been racking my brains about this all afternoon now! I just can't think of one between Aberdeen and Dundee.

As you say, childhood memories can be a bit skewed......

Have you ever been to Islay by any chance? Or how about slightly south of Angus at Leuchars? There is a circular part of a church there - you can pass it on the way to Tentsmuir!!;)
 
Not Islay and cant find the Leuchers one on google maps!
Wondering if I'm not imagining a graveyard and a 'normal' church built on a moot hill.
This is driving me nuts!
Quite enjoy visiting graveyards and churches and disappearing down 'wee roadies' so no hardship to do a bit of exploring. (except price of fuel!)
Just wish I could narrow it down a bit.
Many, many thanks for your help, and if you think of something else......!
 
Dirty Donkey said:
cant find the Leuchers one on google maps!
Click to expand...
Try CoS St Athernase. It's quite a building and has a circular bell tower in the end of the east side.;)

Don't imagine this is your particular memory though. If I think of anything else....:thinking:
 
Wow! that is so close! From some angles that could be it!!
Seem to remember it being on its own.
May well go down for a look, looks worth a visit anyway!
Cheers.
 
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