St Cyrus National Nature Reserve
With its towering volcanic cliffs, swathes of beautiful beach, breathtaking displays of wildflowers and an unbelievable variety of insects and birds, St Cyrus is one of the richest and most diverse nature reserves in Britain.
The natural barriers of inland cliffs and a seaward ridge of sand dunes protect the St Cyrus grasslands from the ravages of the weather. In summer, the reserve is awash with colour and life, from the intense purple of the clustered bellflower to the constant movement of countless butterflies and moths. Soaring above all this, peregrine falcons circle high in the air, waiting for an opportunity to dive on their prey.
You may also be lucky enough to see common and grey seals, which occasionally bask on the sand banks at the mouth of the river, while dolphin, porpoise, minke, humpback and killer whales have all been sighted offshore.
Spring and summer is the best time to visit to see plants and breeding birds, whilst in winter you can spot wading birds. Admire the excellent views from the clifftop at the village end.
There is an excellent visitor centre located in the old lifeboat station, with information on the history of the area and what to look out for. The visitor centre has been awarded Gold status through the Green Tourism Business Scheme. There are also toilets next to the visitor centre, including accessible toilets. These are open daily from April to October and Monday to Friday from November to March.
