Best lakes around Carnoustie are found in the surrounding area, offering diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. While Carnoustie is known for its coastal bay, the nearby region features several notable freshwater bodies. These include man-made reservoirs and natural lochs, providing varied environments for visitors. The area's geography supports a range of habitats, from woodlands to wetlands.
Last updated: June 29, 2026
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Try the harbour cafe, excellent cake and coffee. Open every day and run by volunteers.
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Definitely a very nice waypoint on the cycle route that's worth a pause for that photo.
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A worthy waypoint on a ride. Worth the wee detour off the main road for a photo opportunity and maybe take a somewhat scenic break for refreshments.
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Enjoy the little oasis that is Trottick Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve. The reserve is situated in the Trottick area of Dundee and is home to two small ponds that were built almost 200 years ago. The reserve is home to some diverse wildlife including birds, frogs, swans, water voles and the wonderful otter.
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Monikie Country Park is a beautiful public space situated near Dundee in Scotland. The park features two large freshwater reservoirs and invites visitors to fish, sail, walk, and just generally enjoy this refreshing outdoor space.
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A good spot to watch the small boats coming in and out. Decent cafe and pub options too.
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Tayport has a lovely harbour on tha banks of the River Tay. It's a nice place to stop and watch the boats as they travel towards the River Eden. Tentsmuir Forest lies to the east of the harbour.
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Picturesque harbour on cycle route to an from Tentsmuir Forest.
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For exceptional wildlife viewing, visit Morton Lochs, part of the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve. It's known for over 113 bird species, including kingfishers and teal, and you might spot red squirrels. Trottick Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve also offers diverse wildlife, such as swans, herons, water voles, and even otters.
Yes, Monikie Reservoirs in Monikie Country Park is ideal for families, offering an adventure play area, picnic spots, and water sports like windsurfing, sailing, and kayaking. The Angus Aqua Splash inflatable water park is also a popular attraction. Crombie Loch also provides various trails suitable for family strolls through the forest.
The lakes offer a variety of outdoor activities. At Monikie Reservoirs, you can enjoy walking, cycling, angling, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding. Crombie Loch features various trails for walking through its surrounding forests. For more extensive cycling or running, explore the nearby routes available in the region, such as those found in the Road Cycling Routes around Carnoustie or Running Trails around Carnoustie guides.
Yes, Morton Lochs offers easy, accessible paths suitable for walking, cycling, and wheelchairs. Similarly, Trottick Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve is known for its easy and accessible paths, making it popular with walkers and families.
The lakes can be enjoyed year-round. For birdwatching, Morton Lochs is particularly significant in winter when hundreds of teal gather. During warmer months, Monikie Reservoirs is a hub for water sports and outdoor recreation.
Yes, Monikie Reservoirs were originally built in the 19th century to supply water to Dundee. Trottick Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve features two ponds constructed over 200 years ago to provide water for the Claverhouse Bleach Works, a linen production mill.
At Monikie Reservoirs, located within Monikie Country Park, you'll find a café, picnic areas, toilets, and a ranger information service. Crombie Loch also has benches for picnics.
There is a small car park beside Morton Lochs. For Crombie Loch, parking is available, with a fee of approximately 2.80 GBP for the whole day (as of May 2020).
While specific mountain biking trails directly around the lakes are not detailed, the wider Carnoustie area offers various MTB trails. You can explore options in the MTB Trails around Carnoustie guide, which includes routes like 'From East Haven to St Vigeans Ancient Village loop'.
Trottick Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve is a popular spot for walkers, families, and school groups due to its easy and accessible paths. It's an excellent location for wildlife observation, home to birds like swans and herons, as well as frogs, newts, water voles, and even otters. The reserve has also been awarded a Green Flag for its high maintenance standards. For more details, you can visit the Dundee City Council website.
Yes, Monikie Reservoirs is a popular spot for angling, particularly for brown and rainbow trout. Equipment hire and lessons are often available at the park.
Crombie Loch, located within Crombie Country Park, offers a choice of four different trails of varying lengths. These trails provide fantastic strolls through the surrounding forests and offer splendid views of the loch.


Still not found your perfect lake around Carnoustie? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.