Monikie Country Park
Parks & Gardens

The Ranger Centre
Monikie
DD5 3QN
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Telephone:	01382 370202
Website:	Monikie Country Park

A country park near the village of Monikie to the north of Monifieth in Angus. Occupying an area of 56.7 ha (140 acres) of open water that was formerly a reservoir, it also incorporates wildflower banks and woodlands. Its Island Pond is an important breeding site for Great Crested Grebes and rare wading birds canbe spotted on the Denfind Bird Sanctuary. Fly fishing is available and the Ranger Service operates watersports courses.

Past

In the early nineteenth century the rapidly increasing population in Dundee suffered an inadequate and contaminated water supply. This often led to disease, which killed many people. A clean and reliable supply of water was needed. A site for the new reservoir was found at Monikie and in 1845 the huge task of construction began.

Teams of labourers supervised by engineers dug the reservoirs by hand and raised the embankments. The reservoirs were lined with puddled clay and the banks strengthened with stone pitching.

Aqueducts and culverts were constructed and miles of underground pipes were laid to complete the system.

A further reservoir was later added at Crombie to supply more water.

Altogether, it took twenty years to complete the work.

During Victorian times, Monikie became popular with picnickers, although access was restricted to the Old Park.

By the late 1970s much larger reservoirs at Lintrathen and Backwater were supplying water to Dundee. The Monikie reservoirs became redundant as a water supply.

Developments took place, which led to the opening of the Country Park in 1981.

Present

The Park has become a popular site for recreation and education as well as a habitat for wildlife.

Sites are provided for picnics and barbecues. The large, open field (known as the Old Park) is recommended for sports and recreation. Close by, children can let off steam in the popular adventure playground.

For refreshments, including meals, visit the Byzantium Café Restaurant situated in the Pavilion. Telephone: 01382 370970 for opening times.

Woodland and lochside walks, orienteering and other trails are available at any time of the year.

Environmental education and watersports activities are a feature of the park.

Ranger Service

For information, help and advice, speak to the Countryside Rangers who care for the needs of the Park and its visitors.

The Ranger Centre is not continually staffed, but the Rangers are easily recognised by their uniform which bears the National Ranger symbol.

The Ranger Service runs a varied programme of events and activities throughout the year. The Country Park Diary, which is available to view online or from any Country Park Base, gives full details of events including watersports and special activities for children.

Wildlife

Whatever the time of year you visit the Park there is always something interesting to see.

The 140 acres of open water, banks and islands are an important home to a variety of water birds and a myriad of aquatic life.

The reservoirs at the Monikie are an important nesting site for Great Crested Grebe The Woodlands too are home and shelter for Tree Creeper, Long-Tailed Tit and other small birds. The reservoir banks and grassland sites support varied flora and insect life. The Park’s wildlife is abundant and the elusive Red Squirrel and Stoat can be seen.

Schools

The Country Park is fortunate in having a variety of habitats that provide opportunities for environmental studies.

Derived from the Gazetteer for Scotland with permission.

Information

Opening Times:

The Ranger Centre is open between:

9am – 5pm March, April, September and October;

9am – 4.30pm, November, December, January, February;

9am – 9pm, approx, May – August.