Muir of Dinnet celebrates reserve’s 40th birthday with free family events

There will be lots of games, crafts and activities for all family at the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) reserve. Events include a treasure hunt across the reserve: 40 small tickets will be hidden across the reserve. Those who find a ticket can claim a fantastic hand lens to take a close look at nature.

Other activities include facepainting, bird-box making, a mini-beast stall, and sessions by local storyteller Pauline Cordiner. There will also be crafts, including mini-oil lamps, natural necklaces and design your own bag.

Catriona Reid, Muir of Dinnet reserve manager, said, “We’re really excited to celebrate the reserve’s 40^th birthday this year, and to start the festivities with our Fun Day, a treasure hunt and all kinds of family activities. We hope to see lots of people come along!”

Fun Day takes place from 12 noon to 4pm at Burn O’Vat Visitor Centre. All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Muir of Dinnet NNR is a landscape shaped by retreating glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age around 15,000 years ago. The most striking feature is the 'Vat' - a giant pothole some 25 metres across formed by the glacial meltwaters. At the heart of the reserve are Lochs Davan and Kinord, with their near pure water, with bogs and fens providing ideal habitat for a wide mix of species – from rare water beetles to the elusive otter. During winter, the lochs are an important roost site, attracting migrating geese and other wildfowl.

Helping more people experience and enjoy nature in this way is one of the priorities of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

ENDS

MEDIA QUERIES - For more information, contact SNH press & public relations officer for Scottish Natural Heritage, Vicki Mowat on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk (Tues-Fri), or the main SNH press office on 01463 725 022 (Mon).