Waters of Philorth
Where the Philorth river meets Fraserburgh's dunes: reed bed, salt marsh and birds.
The Waters of Philorth reserve lies at the eastern end of Fraserburgh Bay, where the River Philorth wanders out through the dunes to the sea.
It takes in the estuary and a stretch of the great sand dune system that backs the bay, with reed bed, salt marsh and mud flats around the river mouth.
The mix of habitats is what brings the birds, and the reserve is known for them, waders on the mud and small birds in the reeds. Away from the open beach the dunes are sheltered and full of flowers: marram grass on the crests and, in the hollows, lady's bedstraw, northern marsh orchids and cowslips in their season.
It is open at any time. There is a small car park reached by a surfaced track off the B9033 between Fraserburgh and Inverallochy, or it can be walked to along the beach from Fraserburgh, or along the coast from Cairnbulg. Combine it with a walk on Fraserburgh beach and a look at the lighthouse at Kinnaird Head.
Open at any time.
Car park off the B9033 between Fraserburgh and Inverallochy, or walk along the beach from Fraserburgh.
- Where
- East end of Fraserburgh Bay.
- Parking
- Off the B9033.
Fraserburgh.
Nooks & Crannies3 miles5 min by road
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses3 miles7 min by road
Kinnaird Head Castle and The Wine Tower3 miles6 min by road
Sandhaven Meal MillAn early nineteenth-century meal mill on the Buchan coast with every piece of its machinery intact.5 miles9 min by road
Rosehearty HarbourOne of the oldest seaports in Scotland, now a quiet harbour of small boats and rocky shore.7 miles14 min by road
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.