Forvie National Nature Reserve

With some of the largest sand dunes in Britain, Forvie is one of Scotland's most dramatic stretches of coast. The mud flats of the Ythan Estuary provide a fast food refueling stop for many passing birds and the mouth of the estuary is a year-round haul out for seals. Please follow the signs for Newburgh and Beach Road car park, then walk to the beach where you can view the seals without frightening them.

The wind and the tide are in charge here, and it's a great place to blow the cobwebs away with the chance of seeing some spectacular wildlife. With the constant shifting of the dunes, layers of history have been hidden and then revealed, where the remains of a 12th century church stand firm in an ever-changing landscape.

Bird life is plentiful at Forvie and you can watch the summer acrobatics of diving terns or flocks of eider ducks resting on the shore. A short, easy access trail with wheelchair-accessible picnic tables leads onto the reserve from the Forvie Centre, which has a classroom for educational use.

There is also a bird hide at Waulkmill, cycle racks at the main car parks and additional parking along the estuary. Large vehicles and camper vans can park at Waterside and at the Forvie Centre. Waymarked paths varying in length from 1 to 3.5 miles, 1.5 to 6 km can also be found at the reserve.

Please enjoy the wildlife responsibly

If you’re visiting to see the seals, please keep your distance and view them from Newburgh rather than approaching the haul-out on Forvie Spit. Never attempt to get closer for a photograph or disturb resting seals.

Drones can disturb seals and other wildlife, including the birds that use the Ythan Estuary. Please do not fly drones over or near the seal haul-out. Drone use in the area is restricted, with authorised research flights being the exception.

By giving wildlife space and observing from a respectful distance, you can help protect the seals, birds and wider wildlife that make the Ythan Estuary such a special place to visit.

Newburgh Beach is also a great starting point for exploring the surrounding coastline and enjoying the scenery of the Ythan Estuary.