Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve

Glen Tanar (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Tanar) is a glen in Aberdeenshire, eastern Scotland, through which the Water of Tanar flows. Near the mouth of the glen, at Tower o' Ess, the Water of Tanar flows into the River Dee. This flows through Deeside into the North Sea at Aberdeen. Glen Tanar contains the third largest area of Caledonian Forest in Scotland, and is of national and European importance. It lies 29 km east from the British royal family's private residence of Balmoral Castle. 42 km2 of the glen is designated by NatureScot as a national nature reserve (NNR). Most of the area remains under private ownership as part of the Glen Tanar Estate. However 182 ha is owned by NatureScot, being designated as the "Strict Reserve Zone" of the NNR. Glen Tanar lies within the Cairngorms National Park, and is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), and a Special Area of Conservation. The NNR is designated a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Glen Tanar provides the northern walking route to Mount Keen, Scotland's most easterly Munro. Starting at the car park at the end of the public road, walkers follow the glen through the native Caledonian Forest into open moorland before crossing the river to begin the ascent.