Carnie Woods, on the edge of Westhill, 8.5 miles west of Aberdeen, includes a wide range of habitats, trees and plants. The site includes conifer woods, mixed woodland, a rowan orchard, heathland, grassland, and fen.
There are a number of set pathways leading around the woodlands and in various locations along the northernmost path, you will find a series of feeding stations for birds and also for red squirrels, which Carnie Woods has become most famous for.
This site is a must for anyone who wants a definite sighting of a red squirrel – especially if visiting Scotland on holiday, but is also great for a day out from the city too, or just for taking the dogs for a walk.
CAUTION
There are some old peat cuttings full of Sphagnum (bog moss), as well as ditches and very boggy areas that you will sink in if you walk through them. Some of the board walk can be quite slippery when wet but the countryside ranger service is working with volunteer teams to repair and replace meshing on the boardwalks in order to improve grip.