Muirhead
Woodland Trust wood group
Size:
52.63 ha (130.05 acres)
Grid reference:
NO341339
Map reference:
Explorer 380
OS Landranger 54
Teeming with wildlife, including the elusive red squirrel, Backmuir Wood is a gorgeous mix of ancient broadleaved woodland, conifer and open glades. With its breathtaking views, a rich variety of plants and fascinating fungi, this wood will appeal to all those who love exploring the natural world.
Made up of 56.9 hectares (140.6 acres), Backmuir Wood is between the villages of Muirhead and Liff, to the east of the Carse of Gowrie and around 4km (2.5 miles) north-west of Dundee.
From Dundee, take the A923 towards Muirhead, turning left onto Liff Road. There is a car park about 1km (0.6 miles) down Liff Road at the southern end of the wood.
The nearest train stations are Invergowrie, 5.8km (3.6 miles) from the wood, and Dundee, 11.3km (7 miles) away.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is Edward Place, on Coupar Angus Road (near the Post Office and opposite Liff Road). From here it's a five minute walk, all on pavements, down Liff Road to the nearest entrance of the wood.
Visit Traveline for more information.
The main entrance is from the car park at the southern end of the wood. There are other entrances off Liff Road, one entrance from the Coupar Angus Road (across a field and not signposted), and another from The Logan (a path to the west). Entrances are either pedestrian gates or squeeze gaps of at least 1.2 metres wide.
There is a network of over 8km (5.2 miles) of paths, including almost 4km (2.2 miles) of surfaced path which runs from the car park and the entrance nearest Muirhead on Liff Road to a seat on the western side of the wood. Some routes link to the wider Sidlaw Path Network.
Apart from the surfaced path, most trails are rough with exposed tree roots and stones, and may be muddy in places.
There is a free Woodland Trust car park with space for around 12 cars (with a height barrier of 2.1 metres) at the southern end of the wood.
There is also space for two cars in a lay-by at the sharp bend in Liff Road, as well as residential parking in Muirhead.
The nearest toilets with disabled facilities are at Camperdown Country Park, around 3km (1.9 miles) from the wood, in the direction of Dundee.
Stay quiet as you walk through the wood and you may spot red squirrels as they scamper up trees, or catch a glimpse of shy roe deer. Listen for the song of chiffchaff or the drumming of great spotted woodpecker in the treetops.
Look out for:
Backmuir Wood is perfect for budding botanists, with its weird and wonderful fungi, carpets of wild flowers, mighty trees, and lichens which cling to the mix of broadleaf and conifer trees in the wood. One of the wood's beech trees measures more than four metres in girth and is thought to be over 150 years old.
Look out for:
Backmuir Wood is a mix of ancient broadleaved woodland, conifer and open glades, making it the ideal place to find a wealth of diverse flora and fauna.
Explore:
The Woodland Trust acquired the main part of Backmuir Wood in 1996, thanks to funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Gannochy Trust and the local community.
Backmuir Wood was most likely planted in the 18th century to provide cover for game. This area was thought to be less suitable for cultivation than the rest of the surrounding land due to it being very wet and marshy in areas. This land then drained into the Loch of Liff, which was located where the big field in the elbow of the wood is now.
In 2000 the Trust purchased an extension called ‘Millennium Corner’, with funding from Homebase. We purchased a further seven hectares adjacent to Muirhead in 2009, thanks to local fundraising and a grant from Angus Environmental Trust under the Landfill Communities Fund.
This wood is one of more than 50 across the UK where it's possible to dedicate trees, benches or larger areas of woodland. Mark a special occasion or celebrate the life of a loved one with a meaningful gesture that lasts.
Choose a dedicationThere are geocaches to be found within the wood. For more information visit www.geocaching.com/play.
Follow the yellow arrows for a gentle walk through diverse woodland. Look out for the 'big beech tree' - a spectacular example of a notable beech tree It's the focal point of the wood and a great picnic spot
The route follows a firm, wide gravel path which is generally gentle with one moderately steep section.
The walk is 1 1/4 miles (2km) long and takes around 30 minutes.
This wood is just one of many to have been protected by gifts in wills, securing it for generations to come. Your legacy gift could also make a real difference to woods, trees and wildlife.
Learn what your gift could mean
