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A rocky cliff face in Aberdeenshire crowded with nesting seabirds above the sea.
Aberdeenshire

Troup Head

RSPB cliffs east of Gardenstown rising more than 90 metres from the sea, home to Scotland's largest mainland gannet colony and over 50,000 seabirds each summer.

Welcome

Between Gardenstown and Pennan, the Banffshire coast rises to a great headland of cliffs, more than ninety metres high, and from spring to late summer their ledges are crowded with nesting seabirds.

Troup Head holds the largest gannet colony on the Scottish mainland.

From the clifftop path you look straight down on the ledges, packed with gannets, white with gold-washed heads, squabbling, preening and landing in a clatter of wings, while hundreds more wheel over the sea below. Among them nest thousands of kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills, and puffins tuck into burrows in the grassy slopes: more than 50,000 seabirds in all. Out to sea, porpoises, dolphins and even minke whales are sometimes seen.

The RSPB looks after the reserve. The car park is small and there are no facilities, and the cliff edges are sheer, so keep well back and take binoculars.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Before you go

Free, at any time; the seabirds are on the cliffs from spring to late summer.

A small car park holds about twenty cars, and a path runs to the clifftop. The cliff edges are sheer and unfenced.

Where
East of Gardenstown, off the B9031, by Northfield Road.
Parking
About twenty spaces; no facilities.

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Did you know

A gannet perched on a rocky ledge above the sea in Aberdeenshire.
Did you know

Scotland's mainland gannets.

Troup Head holds the largest gannet colony on the Scottish mainland.

A steep Aberdeenshire cliff face crowded with nesting gannets above the sea.
Did you know

Over 50,000.

More than 50,000 seabirds nest on Troup Head's cliffs each year.

Seabirds scattered over dark water beside a rocky Aberdeenshire cliff.
Did you know

Ninety metres.

Troup Head's cliffs rise more than 90 metres from the sea.

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Where it is

On the Banffshire coast between Gardenstown and Pennan, off the B9031.

Close byThe Banffshire coast.
  1. Cullykhan BayCullykhan BayA small sandy cove west of Pennan below Castle Point, where the site of Fort Fiddes looks over the sea and the blowhole of Hell's Lum.3 miles 8 min by road
  2. Narrow rocky gorge with moss-covered floor cutting through grassy hillsideHell’s Lum near Cullykhan Bay3 miles 8 min by road
  3. CrovieCrovieA single row of cottages on a ledge above the sea.3 miles 10 min by road
  4. GardenstownGardenstownA fishing village of 1720 stacked up the cliffs.3 miles 10 min by road
  5. The grey timber front of Bumble and Brae in Gardenstown, green trim and hanging baskets by the door.Bumble and BraeA cosy family café in the cliff village of Gardenstown, with good coffee and home bakes.3 miles 10 min by road
  6. PennanPennanA single street of cottages below the cliffs, and the phone box of Local Hero.3 miles 7 min by road
Directions
The whitewashed row of Pennan below the cliffs, the red phone box by the inn.RestaurantsThe Pennan Inn3.2 miles
Woman standing beside the Coastal Cuppie kiosk with its chalkboard menuCafeCoastal Cuppie3.2 miles
Dark rocks and reef along the shore at Aberdour Beach, the sea beyond.AttractionsNew Aberdour Beach6.7 miles
Visitors walking towards a glass-fronted blue building beneath a rocky overhangAttractionsMacduff Marine Aquarium9.6 miles
Fishing boats moored in the basin of Macduff harbour under a clear sky.AttractionsMacduff Harbour9.7 miles
An old ship's anchor set above Macduff harbour and the sea.CafeThe Platform and Annie's Cakery9.9 miles
The stone front of an old Banff building, its tall windows with carved surrounds.AttractionsBanff and Macduff Heritage Trail11 miles
Symmetrical stone mansion with twin staircases and tall corner chimneys, set on open lawnAttractionsDuff House11 miles
Small boats in Rosehearty harbour at low water, the breakwater behind.AttractionsRosehearty Harbour11 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cliffs, and when each is next free.

A single-storey lodge with a slated roof sits behind a stone wall and clipped hedge, mature trees shading the curving drive.Gate Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from Troup Head
Check datesA triangular timber cabin stands behind a wooden gate and post-and-rail fence, bare trees framing the entrance.Midpark
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from Troup Head
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and a blue front door, climbing roses in pink and white flanking the porch.Butlers Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from Troup Head
Free 11–14 DecA grey stone cottage with dormer windows and a black front door, climbing roses either side, set behind a lawn.Bailies Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Rothiemay
  • 19 miles from Troup Head
Free 1–4 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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