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A layered sea cliff in Aberdeenshire, waves breaking below and seabirds circling above.
Aberdeenshire

RSPB Fowlsheugh

Welcome

Owned and managed by the RSPB since 1976, Fowlsheugh is a spectacular site to view seabirds in the summer months.

Situated on Scotland’s east coast, just south of Stonehaven and a 30-minute drive from Aberdeen, the location makes for a wonderful walk year-round, but for the added bonus of 130,000 breeding seabirds, May to August is the best time to visit. The seabird cliff colony consists of kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, puffins and fulmars. Out at sea there may also be dolphins, minke whales and grey seals.

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The Daily for 14 November, from Scotland with love. A red kayak beached on a loch shore beneath sunlit rocky hills, Sutherland

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Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Aberdeenshire

This high-cliffed RSPB reserve plays home to the largest mainland seabird colony on the east coast, but there’s more to spot than kittiwakes, fulmars, guillemots et al. If your luck’s in, you might spy seals, dolphins and even minke whales. It’s a few miles south of Stonehaven.

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Close by
  1. RSPB Scotland FowlsheughRSPB Scotland FowlsheughUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. Crawton WaterfallCrawton WaterfallUnder a mile 1 min by road
  3. Dunnottar CastleDunnottar Castle3 miles 7 min by road
  4. The white Creel Inn at Catterline with its sign, a lobster creel on the terrace.The Creel Inn3 miles 8 min by road
  5. Rowing boat "The Gray Starling" sits among wildflowers overlooking a rocky sea stackCatterline Bay3 miles 9 min by road
  6. The white front of the Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven with its sign about the deep-fried Mars bar.The Carron Fish BarThe Stonehaven chip shop where, the story goes, the deep-fried Mars bar was first fried, in 1992.5 miles 8 min by road
Directions
Small boats moored in Stonehaven harbour beneath rows of white waterfront housesAttractionsStonehaven4.6 miles
Connie & Ruby's shop interior with a red counter and colourful trinketsRestaurantsMy Beautiful Caravan4.6 miles
The white front of the Marine Hotel on the harbour at Stonehaven.BarsThe Marine Hotel4.7 miles
The white front of the Ship Inn on Stonehaven harbour.BarsThe Ship Inn4.7 miles
Plated chicken with tagliatelle and artichoke on a white-clothed restaurant tableRestaurantsTolbooth Seafood Restaurant4.9 miles
Man in chef's cap leans from serving hatch at thebayfishandchips.comRestaurantsThe Bay Fish & Chips5.1 miles
The ice-cream counter at Aunty Betty's under its painted ceiling.CafeAunty Bettys5.1 miles
Swimmers and sunbathers round Stonehaven's open-air pool on a sunny day.AttractionsStonehaven Outdoor Pool5.2 miles
ShoppingSillyflatt Farm Shop7.7 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near RSPB Fowlsheugh, and when each is next free.

A stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.No 4 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Strachan
  • 15 miles from RSPB Fowlsheugh
Free 15–16 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 15 miles from RSPB Fowlsheugh
Free 15–16 NovAn aerial view shows a white harled farmhouse with multiple chimneys set beside a gravel courtyard and stone outbuildings.The Coach House
  • Sleeps 12
  • In Strachan
  • 15 miles from RSPB Fowlsheugh
Free 15–16 NovA mint-green sitting room has a cobalt-blue velvet sofa with orange and green cushions, two floor lamps with teal shades either side, a rustic wooden coffee table, and framed abstract and sunset prints on the wall above.The Corner House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 15 miles from RSPB Fowlsheugh
Free 15–16 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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