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All the United Kingdom Scotland Aberdeenshire Burn O'Vat

Burn O'Vat

A glacial pothole was once a hideout for a notorious Scottish outlaw.

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Added By
mwebb63
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Burn O’Vat   Neil Williamson
Burn O’Vat   Neil Williamson
Entrance to the Vat   mwebb63 / Atlas Obscura User
Waterfall in the Vat   mwebb63 / Atlas Obscura User
Burn O’Vat waterfall   Nick Bramhall
Burn O’Vat   Nick Bramhall
The Vat   Richard Webb
At the Vat   Martyn Gorman
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Panorama inside the Burn O’Vat   Moun10Bike / Atlas Obscura User
Waterfall   Moun10Bike / Atlas Obscura User
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About

A loop trail through the Muir of Dinnet National Natural Reserve will treat hikers not only to a tranquil exploration of the Aberdeenshire countryside, but also to a geological curiosity that has attracted interest—innocent and nefarious alike—for hundreds of years.

Burn O'Vat was formed approximately 14,000 to 12,000 years ago by meltwater from a retreating ice sheet. Known locally as "The Vat," this glacial pothole is thought to have formed when a rock became lodged in the river bed causing a torrent of water to spiral around and carve out the underlying granite bedrock.

Measuring 13 meters (42 feet) deep and 18 meters (59 feet) wide with a sediment bed estimated at up to 7 meters (23 feet), the bowl is accessed via a narrow stream passage that suddenly opens up into a natural amphitheater.

The Vat has been a popular visitor attraction since the Victorian era, probably due to it's location on Royal Deeside. Local legend has it that the Vat provided sanctuary to the famous Scottish outlaw by Rob Roy Macgregor. While this is mere myth, it has been established that it was used as a hideout from authorities by notorious bandit Patrick Gilroy Macgregor, a 17th-century cattle thief and general roustabout.

The hike to the Vat also affords glimpses at a variety of flora and fauna, along with some other examples of glacial morphology.

Related Tags

Rivers Geology Geological Oddities

Know Before You Go

Easiest access is by car with ample free parking. The nearest public transport is the Stagecoach Bluebird service 201 which stops at Dinnet. The visitor centre is an hours walk. Access to the Vat is by path of varying standards, care to be taken accessing the Vat especially at high water.

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Community Contributors

Added By

mwebb63

Edited By

RHyzer, Moun10Bike, Collector of Experiences

  • RHyzer
  • Moun10Bike
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

November 28, 2016

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Sources
  • https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/muir-of-dinnet-national-nature-reserve-p254621
  • http://www.deesidewalks.com/2012/12/burn-o-vat-macgregors-cave.html
  • http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=5037
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn_O'Vat
  • http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/burn-o-vat.shtml
Burn O'Vat
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
United Kingdom
57.084789, -2.943708
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Corgarff Castle

Corgarff, Scotland

miles away

Garbh Allt Falls Bridge

Ballater, Scotland

miles away

CairnGorm Mountain Railway

Highland, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Places 5
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Corgarff Castle

Corgarff, Scotland

miles away

Garbh Allt Falls Bridge

Ballater, Scotland

miles away

CairnGorm Mountain Railway

Highland, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Places 5
Stories 1

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