Crombie Country Park Loch Circuit
Angus
Crombie Country Park, inland from Carnoustie in Angus, was opened in 1983 around Crombie Loch, a reservoir built between 1866 and 1868 to supply Dundee. With no farm livestock here, a calm dog can be off the lead on the level paths, though it is worth staying close near the wildlife hides. It supplied its last drinking water, to Carnoustie, in 1981. Today the loch is ringed by mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland. This 4.3km circuit from the car park follows a surfaced path past an oak leaf sculpture to the outflow, crosses the bridge and loops along the western shore on good woodland paths, with yellow thistle markers pointing to interpretation boards. A side path climbs steps to a wildlife hide where roe deer and red squirrels are often seen. Beyond a gap in a drystone dyke, benches look over the loch, and a short detour visits a cist, a stone burial chamber built by the Beaker people around 4,000 years ago. The path passes Hairy Nicol's cottage, the grebe hide and the Visitor Centre, then returns along the drive past the grassy dam. It is almost completely level, with just 23 metres of climbing.
This dog friendly country park is an easy, sheltered walk for dogs of any age, with shade throughout and no farm livestock. A calm dog can be off lead on the woodland paths, but keep it close near the hides and the water, where waterfowl and roe deer are the main attraction for other visitors. There is a parking charge from April to September.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.3 km (2.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Rangers' Visitor Centre with information and picnic tables; wildlife hides. Toilets not confirmed.
- Parking
- Crombie Country Park car park, well signed, parking charge from April to September.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Crombie Country Park Loch Circuit, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in AngusFrequently Asked Questions
Is Crombie Country Park Loch Circuit dog friendly?
Crombie Country Park scores a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why. The 4.3km loch circuit is almost completely level, well shaded by mixed woodland throughout, and there's no farm livestock — making it a relaxed outing for dogs of any age or fitness level.
Can dogs be off lead at Crombie Country Park Loch Circuit?
Calm, well-behaved dogs can enjoy off-lead time on the woodland paths here, which is a real bonus. That said, it's worth keeping your dog close near the wildlife hides and the water's edge, where waterfowl and roe deer are a draw for other visitors — and potentially very interesting to your dog.
What should I know before visiting Crombie Country Park Loch Circuit with my dog?
The main practical thing to be aware of is that there's a parking charge at Crombie Country Park car park from April to September, so it's worth having payment ready. Toilets aren't confirmed on site, though there is a Rangers' Visitor Centre with information and picnic tables if you want a rest stop mid-walk.
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