Fowlsheugh RSPB Reserve
A seabird reserve on the cliffs south of Stonehaven, where tens of thousands of kittiwakes, guillemots and puffins nest on the cliff face in summer.
Fowlsheugh is managed by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). It lies about 5 km south of Stonehaven, beside the village of Crawton, on red conglomerate sea cliffs more than 60 metres high. Every spring and summer, over 100,000 seabirds breed here, including kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars and a small number of puffins. From the car park at Crawton, walk the clifftop path, which has several viewpoints for close views of the bird colonies. Admission is free. The best time to visit is late April to mid-July, as the birds leave after August. In summer, boats leave Stonehaven harbour for bird-watching trips, offering a more dramatic view of the cliffs from the sea. There are no barriers at the cliff edge, so take care. It can be combined with Dunnottar Castle on the same day.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Dunnottar Castle
- Stonehaven
- Gordon Highlanders Museum
- Drum Castle
- Duthie Park & David Welch Winter Gardens
- Union Street & Castlegate
- Aberdeen Art Gallery
- Kirk of St Nicholas