Visit our nature reserves

Visit and be inspired by the amazing landscapes and wildlife of our reserves across Scotland.

Dune ridges and old sea cliffs, going down to the beach and sea.

Small Copper butterfly on yellow flowers.

NatureScot’s National Nature Reserves

Explore our National Nature Reserves

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are some of the best places for everyone to enjoy the magic and beauty of Scotland’s nature. These reserves help protect an amazing range of wildlife and landscapes, including many rare species and habitats of international importance.

You can find out more about the NNRs NatureScot manages on this page. If you would like to explore NNRS managed by partner organisations, you can find information on all of them on the Scotland’s National Nature Reserve website.

Our NNRs are well set up for visitors and you can find information on what you can see and do, and what facilities they have on the individual sites below.

Abernethy NNR

Visit Abernethy NNR for year-round access to stunning forests and wildlife.

Ariundle Oakwood NNR

Visit Ariundle Oakwood for tranquil walks in a native wood, home to a huge diversity of plants, butterflies and birds.

Beinn Eighe NNR

Visit Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree Islands NNR all year round and enjoy some of the best scenery.

Ben Wyvis NNR

The broad hulk of this mighty mountain looms over its surroundings, but offers a fragile home to some rare wildlife.

Blawhorn Moss NNR

Blawhorn lets you soak up the magic of one of Scotland's best preserved lowland peatbogs.

Caerlaverock NNR

Caerlaverock is vast expanse of mudflats and saltmarsh, providing a precious habitat for many important species.

Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR

Stunning views, purple heather and windswept grassland combine in the seemingly remote wilderness of this granite hill.

Clyde Valley Woodlands NNR

The Clyde Valley boasts the hidden world of a rugged steep-sided gorge clothed in ancient woodlands.

Corrie Fee NNR

Visit the internationally important Corrie Fee NNR. Gateway to the Cairngorms, its breathtaking corrie and glacial landforms are a haven for alpine plants.

Craigellachie NNR

Visit Craigellachie NNR for with peaceful woodland habitats and amazing views of the Cairngorms.

Creag Meagaidh NNR

Visit Creag Meagaidh NNR for one of the ultimate Highland experiences – combining spectacular wildlife with rugged mountain landscapes.

Flanders Moss NNR

Visit Flanders Moss NNR to experience an internationally recognised landscape that has hardly changed for thousands of years.

Forvie NNR

Visit Forvie NNR to enjoy an amazing array of hardy plants and wildlife in a glorious coastal setting.

Glasdrum Wood NNR

In a beautiful setting by the side of Loch Creran, the wild wood of Glasdrum is a rich reminder of how much of Scotland would once have looked.

Glen Roy NNR

Visit Glen Roy NNR to see internationally famous tell-tale signs of glaciation that have an important place in the history of geology.

Hermaness NNR

Hermaness is a real treasure trove of wildlife at Britain's northern tip, with bird cries, sea smells, myth and mist.

Invereshie & Inshriach NNR

Visit Invereshie and Inshriach NNR for an amazing range of birds and wildlife in sheltered pinewoods and some serious hillwalking in the Cairngorms.

Isle of May NNR

Visit the Isle of May NNR – a haven for nesting seabirds in a spectacular setting at the mouth of the Firth of Forth.

Knockan Crag NNR

Visit Knockan Crag NNR for a fascinating geological snapshot of Scotland’s remote past – easily accessible even in this spectacular mountain setting.

Loch Fleet NNR

Take your pick from a tidal loch with rich mudflats, flower strewn sand dunes or a scented stretch of coastal pinewood.

Loch Leven NNR

Visit Loch Leven NNR – a refuge for vast numbers of birds and a spectacular and tranquil place to see wildlife.

Loch Lomond NNR

Visit Loch Lomond NNR and help us to protect the wildfowl, wetland habitats and native oakwoods.

Moine Mhor NNR

Explore Moine Mhor NNR – a precious fragment of bogland habitat in the shadow of the ancient stronghold of Argyll.

Muir of Dinnet NNR

Explore Muir of Dinnet NNR – it’s a magical place with tranquil woods, diverse wildlife and a spectacular remnant of Scotland’s Ice Age past.

Noss NNR

A dramatic island with soaring cliffs, Noss is home to an amazing array of nesting seabirds, forming a vibrant community of vertical living.

Rum NNR

The towering dark mountains of Rum are an awe-inspiring backdrop on this island sanctuary brimming with wildlife.

St Cyrus NNR

Visit St Cyrus NNR for an amazing array of plants and wildlife in a glorious coastal setting.

Taynish NNR

Visit Taynish NNR – it’s a magical place to explore and a vital woodland habitat for many of Scotland’s most iconic species.

Tentsmuir NNR

Visit Tentsmuir NNR for endless opportunities for watching wildlife, invigorating coastal walks and ever-changing scenery.

Our Frequently Asked Questions provide information about what you can and can’t do on reserves.

Enjoyed your visit? Make a donation to support nature and visitor facilities on our NNRs.

If you would like to know more about, or are considering putting a site forward for the National Nature Reserve accolade, there is information in our protected area pages.

If you have an enquiry about any of the Nature Reserves on this page please email [email protected].

NatureScot’s Nature Reserves

Explore our Nature Reserves

You are welcome to visit any of our nature reserves. These sites have limited facilities: there are small car parks at Achanarras Quarry, Keen of Hamar and Kirkconnell Flow.

All our reserves are protected for nature, they are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and some are European Natura sites

Achanarras Quarry NR

A geology interpretive panel at Achanarras Quarry

Discover the world-famous fossil fish of this former quarry. A huge lake covered the area 380 million years ago.

Claish Moss NR

See one of Britain’s best examples of a raised bog. Claish Moss has evolved over the last 8,000 years.

Cragbank Wood NR

Marvel at this native woodland, which clings to and carpets the steep slopes of a gorge in the Scottish Borders.

Keen of Hamar NR

It may look like a barren moonscape, but Keen of Hamar’s bare, stony scree supports a unique collection of plants.

Kirkconnell Flow NR

An impressive example of an ancient raised bog.