Aberdeenshire

RSPB Scotland Fowlsheugh

RSPB cliffs south of Stonehaven where more than 115,000 seabirds nest from spring to midsummer, the largest mainland seabird colony on Scotland's east coast.

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Welcome

South of Stonehaven, from the little car park at Crawton, a path runs north along the top of the sea cliffs, and in late spring the air above it is full of wings and noise.

This is Fowlsheugh, an RSPB reserve, and from May to early August its cliffs hold more than 115,000 nesting seabirds: the largest mainland seabird colony on the east coast of Scotland.

Guillemots and razorbills crowd shoulder to shoulder on the narrow ledges, kittiwakes call from nests stuck to the rock, fulmars glide past at eye level, and a few puffins stand at their burrows in the turf. Grey seals and dolphins are sometimes seen in the sea below. At the end of the trail, a small shelter looks straight across to the busiest ledges.

The path runs for about three kilometres along the coast and makes a fine walk at any time of year. The car park is tiny and there are no toilets, so come early.

A short drive awayThe Carron Fish BarThe Stonehaven chip shop where, the story goes, the deep-fried Mars bar was first fried, in 1992.8 min by roadSee it

The white front of the Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven with its sign about the deep-fried Mars bar.

Before you go

Free, at any time; the seabirds are on the cliffs from May to early August.

The car park at Crawton holds only twelve cars, so come back another day if it is full rather than park on the verges. There are no toilets; the nearest are in Stonehaven.

Where: Crawton, off the A92 south of Stonehaven, AB39 2TP.
Seabirds: May to early August.
Parking: Twelve spaces; no toilets.

Where it is

On the cliffs north of Crawton, off the A92 about three miles south of Stonehaven.

Close byThe Mearns coast.