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Konik ponies at the water's edge on the Strathbeg marshes, their reflections below them.
Aberdeenshire

RSPB Loch of Strathbeg

Tens of thousands of wild geese in winter, over a great dune loch on the Buchan coast.

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Welcome

The Loch of Strathbeg lies behind the dunes on the coast between Fraserburgh and Peterhead, a big, shallow loch surrounded by marsh, and the RSPB reserve around it is one of the great bird places in Scotland.

Its moment is winter, when thousands of wild geese, swans and ducks arrive, among them around 30,000 pink-footed geese that roost on the loch. At dusk they come in to roost, skein after skein, calling. In spring and summer there are terns, gulls and ducks raising their young, swallows over the water and sometimes an otter. A herd of wild Konik ponies grazes the marsh. Spring and autumn bring unusual migrants for the dedicated birdwatcher.

There are hides, walks down to the beach, and pond dipping for children. Entry to the visitor centre and the reserve is free, and dogs on leads are welcome. One hide has step-free access, and a stairlift reaches the upstairs viewing gallery in the visitor centre.

A short drive awayInverallochy and Whitelinks BayTwo old fishing villages gable-end to the sea, then the long sands of Whitelinks Bay.19 min by roadSee itA road running between green fields beside the golf course at Inverallochy.
Before you go

Entry to the reserve and visitor centre is free; dogs on leads.

One hide has step-free access and a stairlift reaches the upstairs gallery.

Entry
Free.
Dogs
On leads.
Best
Winter, for the geese.
Where it is

Crimond, near Fraserburgh.

Close byAround Crimond.
  1. The Water of Philorth winding through dunes and salt marsh to the sea.Waters of PhilorthWhere the Philorth river meets Fraserburgh's dunes: reed bed, salt marsh and birds.8 miles 17 min by road
  2. Afternoon tea on a lace cloth in the Nooks & Crannies courtyard.Nooks & Crannies9 miles 17 min by road
  3. Stone tower on a rocky headland, seen beyond rooftop chimneysMuseum of Scottish Lighthouses10 miles 19 min by road
  4. The Wine Tower on its rock above the sea at Kinnaird Head.Kinnaird Head Castle and The Wine Tower10 miles 19 min by road
  5. The blue front of Strichen Antiques under its sign.Strichen AntiquesTwo stores of the weird and wonderful in a Buchan village: curios, jewellery, salvage and taxidermy.10 miles 18 min by road
Directions
A road running between green fields beside the golf course at Inverallochy.WalksInverallochy and Whitelinks Bay6.7 miles
The bronze of Fisher Jessie with a child at her side on Marischal Street, Peterhead.AttractionsFisher Jessie10 miles
The orange lifeboat moored in Sandhaven harbour below the village.AttractionsSandhaven Meal Mill11 miles
The ruined walls of Pitsligo Castle standing over a green lawn.AttractionsPitsligo Castle12 miles
A cell hall in Peterhead Prison, galleries rising to the roof above a table-tennis table.AttractionsPeterhead Prison Museum12 miles
A costumed figure in a red gingham shawl and black bonnet among the displays of the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum.AttractionsAberdeenshire Farming Museum12 miles
A tall old tree in full summer leaf in the woodland of Aden Country Park.WalksAden Country Park12 miles
Small boats in Rosehearty harbour at low water, the breakwater behind.AttractionsRosehearty Harbour14 miles
The recumbent and standing stones of Aikey Brae Stone Circle in a clearing among dark pines.AttractionsAikey Brae Stone Circle14 miles
The Daily for 17 October, from Scotland with love. A wide waterfall churns over rock ledges, autumn trees lining the gorge.

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