St Cyrus National Nature Reserve

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Wild and wet

The windswept, storm-battered dunes of St Cyrus might National Nature Reserve (NNR) seem a little inhospitable. Winter storms and salty winds wreak havoc along the coastline. But natural barriers of inland cliffs and a seaward ridge of sand dunes protect the St Cyrus grasslands from the ravages of the weather. The result is a small strip of warmth nestled on the north-east coast.

This is one of the richest and most diverse reserves in Britain. In summer it’s awash with wildflowers and a haven for insects. There are many species of breeding birds, including meadow pipit, stonechat and skylark. In winter, large numbers of waders, ducks, geese and swans visit the estuary. And native Scottish cattle breeds graze the reserve from April to October.

Whether your interest is birds, botany or butterflies and moths, you’ll find plenty of interest at any time of year. Or just come for a walk and enjoy the sea views. One of the best ways to see the reserve is to explore the paths or walk along the extensive sandy beach.

Find out more about visiting St Cyrus NNR.

Top attractions

  • See a huge range of birds at any time of year.
  • Follow our trails to explore the sand dunes and enjoy the flower-rich grasslands.
  • Look out for peregrine falcon, raven and buzzard overhead.
  • Enjoy the butterflies, singing grasshoppers and elusive lizards among the grasslands.

Follow St Cyrus NNR on Instagram or Facebook. Share your photos with us #StCyrusNNR

What’s on?

Visit our Events page to see what upcoming events you can get involved in at this reserve.
Contact

Reserve manager: Therese Alampo

Old Lifeboat Station
Nether Warburton
St Cyrus
Montrose
DD10 0AQ

Telephone: 01674 830736
Email: [email protected]

Further information

St Cyrus NNR is a member of VisitScotland.

Our visitor centre is rated Gold under the GTBS (Green Tourism Business Scheme).

Enjoyed your visit?

  • Make a donation to support nature and visitor facilities on our NNRs.
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Discover more about why Scotland’s National Nature Reserves were created and the partners who manage them.

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