Nature & Wildlife in Aberdeenshire

Balmedie Country Park

Balmedie AB23 8XG
10 miles from Deeside

This Park has a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach behind sand dunes, great and small, to explore. A total of 1700 metres of boardwalk assist visitor access through the dunes.The park is within part of a dune system that stretches 14 miles from Aberdeen, to just north of the mouth of the River Ythan at Newburgh.

Aberdeen Beach

Aberdeen Beach, Esplanade AB24 5QA
9 miles from Deeside

A short distance from Aberdeen city centre, you might be surprised to find a mile long beach of golden sand.  As well as the beach this area of Aberdeen offers so much more. There is the Beach Leisure Centre, Linx Ice Area, cinema, a family fun fair and a range of cafes, restaurants.

Stonehaven Beach

Stonehaven Beach, Stonehaven AB39 2BD
10 miles from Deeside

Stonehaven is a popular sand and shingle coastal resort beach, which is well used by water sports enthusiasts.  The area designated is Stonehaven bay which is approximately 1.1km in length, bound by the overflow of River Cowie to the north and the River Carron to the south by the salmon lane.

Forvie Nature Reserve

Collieston, Ellon AB41 8RU
29 miles from Deeside

With some of the largest sand dunes in Britain, Forvie is one of Scotland's most dramatic stretches of coast. The mud flats of the Ythan Estuary provide a fast food refueling stop for many passing birds and the mouth of the estuary is a year-round haul out for seals.

Falls of Feugh, Banchory

Bridge of Feugh, Banchory AB31 6NL
11 miles from Deeside

The stunning Falls of Feugh are located just a short walk from the centre of Banchory. There is a stonebuilt Bridge of Feugh footbridge spanning the river which is popular with visitors who watch salmon climb the natural leap as they make their way up the Falls during spawning season.

*image courtesy of Garry Roper Photography

RSPB Fowlsheaugh

Crawton, Stonehaven AB39 2TP
15 miles from Deeside

The spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh are packed with more than 130,000 breeding seabirds during the spring and summer months. These include guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes, along with some puffins and fulmars too. If you're lucky, you might also spot grey seals and dolphins in the water here.  

Glen Tanar Estate Safaris

Aboyne AB34 5EU 
26 miles from Deeside

Glen Tanar offer driven guided tours taking you into the heart of the estate where you might spot a golden eagle soaring high above, herons fishing over the secluded trout loch, or red squirrels darting between the ancient scots pines. The trip includes binoculars and refreshments but don’t forget your camera!