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Information about Monikie Country Park

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FACILITIES AT THE PARK PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE WEBMASTER Please call, email or write directly to -

The Ranger Centre

Monikie Country Park

Panmure Road

Monikie

Broughty Ferry

DUNDEE

DD5 3QN Telephone - (01382) 370202

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE WEBMASTER

The CONTACT LINK BUTTON above is for general matters regarding the design and content content of this whole website, not particular pages like this one, which have their own contact details.

Click the logo for the official park webpage by Angus Council, who run the park for public benefit.

. . and now, please read on for more information ABOUT the park.

How to get there.

From Dundee - Take the A92 towards Arbroath, look out for signs and turn left (North) on to the B962 at Ardestie Junction. Follow the B962/B961 signs to the park.

From Arbroath - Take the A92 towards Dundee, look out for signs and turn right (North) on to the B962 at Ardestie Junction. Follow the B962/B961 signs to the park.

From Forfar - Take the B9128 signposted towards Carnoustie, look out for signs and turn right on to the B961 at Crombie crossroads. Pass the entrance to Crombie Country Park (unless you also wish to visit) and follow signs for Monikie Country Park.

By bus -

Service Number 78/79, to and from Dundee, serves the South and North Gates of the park, and on Sundays, buses (are supposed to) visit the MARKED BUS STOP in the park, but poor car parking control can make this difficult. Otherwise, contact Strathtay Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. at Seagate Bus Station, Dundee (01382 614550) for details of services. Timetable should be available HERE on Angus Council website.

Service Number 81 by JP Mini Coaches of Forfar ( 01307 461431 ) travels from Carnoustie via Newbigging, and passes by the South and North Gates of the park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on its way to and from Forfar. Timetable should be available HERE on Angus Council website.

The main entrance is situated to the west side of the park, from Panmure Road, Monikie, 100 yards on the right, past the signs shown in the photograph, below at the entrance to the village. Ample chargeable (why?) parking is available but no tickets or proof of payment normally given. Other than here and at Crombie Country Park, parking elsewhere in Angus Council car parks is free.

There are alternative routes to the park, most of which are signposted. In general, if you miss the first sign there will be another further on where you can approach Monikie from an other direction, click here for maps.

Management of the Park. The park was formerly owned and operated by Tayside Regional Council. As a result of Local Government reorganisation in Scotland, Tayside Regional Council ceased to exist from 31st March 1996 and responsibility for this park passed to Angus Council, County Buildings, Forfar, Angus, on 1st April 1996. This page is provided free of charge in the interests of visitors to the village of Monikie. It is believed that Monikie and nearby Crombie parks are the only council car-parking facilities which incur a charge.

The history of the Park.

Dundee's first clean water. The supply of fresh, clean water for both domestic customers and industry is today often taken for granted. However, in the early 19th Century Dundee's townsfolk had to depend on pump wells and water carts for their water supply.

Disease spread easily because of the often, appalling living conditions of most of the population, not helped by the poor, often contaminated, condition of the water. The rapid growth of industries, such as the jute mills, also meant that the water requirements were insufficient for their needs. The influx of a great number of workers to the town also increased the demands on the existing system of the supply of water.

The Monikie Reservoirs. In 1836 a water consultant, George Buchanan, was sent to explore the possibility of constructing a reservoir that could supply the City of Dundee with water. The catchment area that he looked at was an area of high ground, within the parish of Monikie, about 8 miles north-east of Dundee. After the survey, Buchanan advised against the project. His verdict was, that although the water was of excellent quality, the Monikie Burn would provide an insufficient supply of water. The local millers agreed, as the plan, if implemented, would draw away their water. Opposition also came from the Dundee water caddies who sold water from carts.

The plan was eventually adopted in 1845 by the Dundee Water Company, and so the construction finally began. Hundreds of Irish labourers were employed and the work was hard and badly paid. The workers were accommodated in rough bothies and occasionally there was trouble among them. In 1847 one of the labourers was found dead from the effects of drink, another was found to have been murdered by one of his fellow workers. (Records from the Monikie Old Parish Registers records several deaths of the workers at "Dundee Water Works - look HERE and search the page for 'water'.) The ponds at the reservoir were formed by building earthen embankments and lining them with clay. This sealed the bottom of the ponds and thereby retained the water. The clay was spread by "puddling" which involved the labourers and their cattle pounding the clay with their feet.

Stone pitching, quarried at Crombie, nearby, was then laid to prevent the erosion of the banks. Two ponds were built initially and work started on the third, North Pond in 1853. The three ponds are capable of holding over 500 million gallons of water and were able to supply three million gallons a day. That, however, soon became insufficient to meet the increasing demand. In 1866 work started on constructing a dam at Crombie Den, about 2 miles east of Monikie. The reservoir there provided a further 158 million gallons of water which was piped to Panmure nearby, and Monikie, before being piped to Dundee.

Creating the North and Island (or South) Ponds caused the existing road layout to be altered. The road now under the North Pond was effectively in line from Hillhead Road (in Monikie Village) to Monikie Point, near Monikie Primary School. The road under the Island Pond followed the line from Monikie War Memorial Hall (not there in 1800s) to the same, Monikie Point. For a short period around 2004 the Island Pond was drained for maintenance and the line of the flooded road became clear to see. HERE is a larger version of the same photograph, both courtesy of Google Earth, a highly recommended download. The latest version shows the pond filled again but viewing the historical versions will allow access to older views.

The Country Parks. In 1981 work was completed at Lintrathen and Backwater, being the main reservoirs for Dundee and a large surrounding area. The reservoirs at Monikie and Crombie were no longer required to provide a water supply. This allowed Monikie to be developed into a Country Park and was officially opened on 6th August 1981. Crombie reservoir last provided a public water supply in April 1981 and was also opened as a Country Park in 1983.

Facilities at the Park.

Monikie Country Park, with its reservoirs, woodland and grassland, is an ideal location for a visit to the countryside. It offers many opportunities to enjoy scenic surroundings and a pleasant countryside atmosphere at any time of the year.

Why not enjoy a visit to the Café Byzantium in the building shown below, opposite the Main Lodge. Read more HERE .

The Country Park is open during most daylight hours. Opening Times are displayed at the main entrance, or telephone the Ranger Service - TOP OF PAGE.

The Ranger Service can provide 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 rangers are easily recognised in the park by their uniform which carries the National Ranger Symbol (seen as the "watermark" of this document). The Ranger Service runs a varied programme of events and activities throughout the year. The Country Park Diary, available from the Park and elsewhere, gives full details of summer events, including water-sports and special activities for children. Look out, also, for the winter programme of events.

Wildlife. Whatever 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 Monikie are an important nesting site for the Great Crested Grebe. The woodlands too are home and shelter for the 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 Red Squirrel and Stoat are often seen.

To help you get the most from your visit the Rangers offer a programme of Guided Walks and other Environmental Activities.

Schools. The Country Park is fortunate in having a variety of habitats which provide opportunities for environmental studies. In addition, a nature conservation area has been developed, with schools particularly in mind.

Groups can visit at any time of year. Countryside Rangers are available to work with classes and provide advice and assistance to teachers. They are also available to visit schools and help to plan visits or assist with project work. For further advice or information please contact the Ranger Service at the park.

Persons with Special Needs. We try to cater for all visitors, but if in doubt please contact the Ranger Service for help or advice.

Watersports. The pleasant surroundings and safe access to placid water make the Park ideal for water-sports. The Ranger Service runs a programme of courses from May to September, catering mainly for beginners. Full details can be found in the Country Parks Diary.

Sailboards, sailing dinghies and kayaks are available for hire from May to September. It is recommended that all beginners take advantage of the courses on offer before hiring equipment. Rowing boats can also be hired at certain times during the summer. A permit must be obtained from the Ranger Centre if you wish to launch your own craft.

The Young Naturalists Club meets on alternate Saturday mornings. This, and other clubs can enjoy guided walks and other activities arranged for groups at the Park.

Fly Fishing from boats is managed by Monikie Angling Club. Bookings and enquiries should be referred to the Bailiff (April to October) at (01382) 370300.

Please note the following; Dogs are restricted to certain areas of the park - see notices in the park for details. Please take care of the countryside - leave all creatures and plants undisturbed. Take extra care near, and on the water. The water is deep and the bank sides are steep and can be slippery. Plankton is to be found on the ponds and can cause skin irritation to some people. The park is closed on 25th and 26th December, also 1st and 2nd January.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about facilities please DO NOT contact the Webmaster.

Please contact -

The Ranger Centre

Monikie Country Park

Panmure Road

Monikie

Broughty Ferry

DUNDEE

DD5 3QN

Telephone - (01382) 370202

Several other webpages can be found on the Internet mentioning the park. Try using a search engine such as WWW.GOOGLE.COM to find the word "MONIKIE", but check the source dates of the pages as many are out-of-date.

Click this logo for the 'official' park webpage by Angus Council, who run the park for public benefit.