culbin sands

seamusagleann · #1 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 08:38 PM

just back from a visit to big bill's back garden, called cuibin sands. this is a recreation site cared for by the forestry commission scotland. it has an amazing road network, emphasise on the maze!! there is a suprise around each corner,a dragonfly pond,a gravel pit pond,a tower viewpoint,even an Otter pool(sightings not guarenteed!). getting around is no problem walk or cycle and you can navigate using the numbers on the juctions . further info can be got at Forestry Commission Scotland - Culbin forest and shore, Morayshire, Scotland - Homepage .

RobSutton · #2 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 08:49 PM

Is that where Donald Trump wants to build his golf course?

seamusagleann · #3 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 08:51 PM

noo!!! thats more near aberdeen ,this place is deffinatlly not for sale!!!!

ron1863 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 11:13 PM

Been to Nairn lots of times in my youth when we played golf on the fantastic course, camped on the beach drinking beer and whisky and swam in the sea. A place well worth a visit.

big bill · #5 (**permalink**) 25-06-2008, 10:28 AM

Hello Guys sorry missed you on Monday Seamus but as I said went to Tummel Valley for the week complete wash out came home last night .
Like the link you posted with your post I honestly did not know there was that much to see and do in Culbin Forest thanks a lot.
Managed to get some picks will post when I get thru processing went to Loch of Lowes OK for watching birds but useless for photography so was disappointed ,catch you all later

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 09:50 PM

You really need a bike for Culbin Forrest. I've tramped around there several times and it's pretty tedious on foot - a seemingly endless network of landrover tracks. The waymarking isn't very clear and you really need a GPS to get back to the car park (I used one)!

Jim

PMG · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 03:08 PM

I've been once...... and no real desire to go again! No thats not like me I know - but it was a very, very hot day with no breeze - the sun beats down and reflects off those endless dusty tracks - I felt like I wouldn't get out alive.

We were keeping an open mind and eye for Wildcats and coralroot orchid and anything else that took our fancy. I was having an off day (always do when its hot weather) ..... we wandered at will and looked at this and that and photographed some of the lovely lichens (and all the while I just wanted a dark cold space to open up and suck me in - see I even lose my fear of dark confined spaces once I am too hot to cope!)

So there I am emerging back onto the track when I look down and can't see any trace of my boots cos they were covered with ants

and the swarm had just arrived at the end of my short socks and were making themselves felt on my legs ......... so I did something I very rarely do - I screamed like a little girl

My husband looked at me with surprise and disgust and said 'Stamp your feet and RUN you silly woman'..........Hmmmm........ He got told he could keep his orchids and Wildcats and everything else - and off I went back to the campervan

Its a few years ago and were still married but I'm in no rush to go back to Culbin

Pauline

Jim Ford · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 01:49 PM

If thousands of 70 year-old-or-so Corsican and Scots Pines layed out on a grid are your thing then fine - but I found it pretty dreary! The waymarking isn't very good and so much of the tracks are similar, that you really need a compass or GPS to get back to the car park.

In all, I've spent three long days looking for Coralroot and Lesser Twayblade Orchids in Culbin without luck. I reckon if you don't have local expert knowledge, you could spend the rest of your life looking for them.

Culbin is big - very big! I would say that if you wanted to cover all the tracks in the forest by foot, you would need 2, possibly 3 full days to do so - and by then the clegs would have sucked you dry to a husk!

Jim

PMG · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim Ford

if Thousands Of 70 Year-old-or-so Corsican And Scots Pines Layed Out On A Grid Are Your Thing Then Fine - But I Found It Pretty Dreary! The Waymarking Isn't Very Good And So Much Of The Tracks Are Similar, That You Really Need A Compass Or Gps To Get Back To The Car Park.

In All, I've Spent Three Long Days Looking For Coralroot And Lesser Twayblade Orchids In Culbin Without Luck. I Reckon If You Don't Have Local Expert Knowledge, You Could Spend The Rest Of Your Life Looking For Them.

Culbin Is Big - Very Big! I Would Say That If You Wanted To Cover All The Tracks In The Forest By Foot, You Would Need 2, Possibly 3 Full Days To Do So - And By Then The Clegs Would Have Sucked You Dry To A Husk!

Jim

:d:d:d:d its doing it again - those should have been big green grin icons LOL! LOL!