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The observatory's hide above the shore.
Argyll and Bute

Machrihanish Seabird / Wildlife Observatory

A sea-watching hide on the Atlantic shore of Kintyre, where migrating seabirds funnel past on wild days.

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Welcome

The Machrihanish Seabird and Wildlife Observatory stands on a low promontory at the southern end of Machrihanish Bay, on the Atlantic side of Kintyre about six miles west of Campbeltown, and it is built for one of the great joys of birdwatching: watching seabirds stream past on a wild day.

Its purpose-built sea-watching hide gives shelter in the worst weather, which is often the best time to watch.

When the wind and tide are right, migrating seabirds funnel through the bay, and more than 200 species have been recorded here, with regular rarities such as Leach's petrel, Balearic shearwater, grey phalarope and Sabine's gull. The observatory is run by a volunteer warden, who can help with identification and tell you what has been seen and what is being studied. It is free to visit. The hide suffered storm damage recently, and the observatory is raising money to make it watertight again, so check before a special trip.

A short drive awayCampbeltownA harbour town on Kintyre with a great whisky past, three working distilleries and Scotland's oldest working cinema.10 min by roadSee itVillas and yachts on Campbeltown's waterfront.
Before you go

The observatory is at the south end of Machrihanish Bay, about six miles west of Campbeltown.

It has recently suffered storm damage; check with the warden before a special trip.

Where
Machrihanish, PA28 6PZ.
Entry
Free.
Warden
07737 985874.
Where it is

Machrihanish, west of Campbeltown.

Close byAt Machrihanish.
  1. The stills in the Springbank stillhouse.Springbank DistilleryCampbeltown's family distillery of 1828, the only one in Scotland to floor-malt all its barley and do everything on site.6 miles10 min by road
  2. Glen Scotia distillery's white front on the street.Glen Scotia DistilleryOne of Campbeltown's three working distilleries, founded in 1832, with tours, tastings and a Victorian-style shop.6 miles11 min by road
  3. Heading out across Campbeltown Loch towards Davaar by boat.Davaar IslandThe tidal island at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch, reached by a shingle causeway, with a lighthouse and a crucifixion painted in a cave.8 miles16 min by road
  4. The long curve of Westport Beach running south into haze, the surf breaking.Westport BeachSix miles of sand on the Atlantic side of Kintyre, backed by the Machrihanish Dunes and loved by surfers.12 miles19 min by road
  5. The mouth of a sea cave at Keil, opening on grass and sea.Keil CavesSea caves at the foot of Kintyre, lived in from prehistory to 1881, beside the footprints said to be St Columba's.12 miles18 min by road
Directions
Villas and yachts on Campbeltown's waterfront.AttractionsCampbeltown5.8 miles
The sandy crescent of Dunaverty Bay under a grey sky.AttractionsDunaverty Bay13 miles
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