Majestic glens and waterfalls, award-winning landscapes, free activities, world-famous tourist attractions and UNESCO World Heritage sites, you name it we’ve got it here in Scotland. This includes picturesque locations for birdwatching which, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, is an activity that saw a sharp rise here as we embraced post-pandemic life.
Thousands flock to Scotland for this as the country boasts a breathtaking variety of ecosystems and landscapes that allow bird enthusiasts to enjoy diverse locations all within a relatively small area. Plus, the British Psychological Society tells us that “seeing and hearing birds can have a positive impact on our (mental) wellbeing.”
With both native and migratory birds on offer over glistening lochs, wind-battered cliffs and luscious forests, here are our 21 top picks for birdwatching spots in Scotland with help from the The Scottish Ornithologists' Club.
With both native and migratory birds on offer over glistening lochs, wind-battered cliffs and luscious forests, here are our 21 top picks for birdwatching spots in Scotland with help from the The Scottish Ornithologists' Club.
. Sumburgh Head
Sumburgh Head can be found on the southern tip of the Shetland Mainland. Aside from puffins and other seabirds, you can find birds like oystercatchers, house sparrows, wrens, wheatears and starlings. Photo: via WikiCommons
. Ailsa Craig
Ailsa Craig or “Paddy’s Milestone” is an island that rests approximately halfway in the sea between Glasgow and Belfast. It is said to have the third largest Gannet colony in Britain as well as Guillemot, Razorbill and Kittiwake, Fulmar, Shag, Gulls, Black Guillemot and Puffin. Photo: via WikiCommons
. Scottish Seabird Centre
The Scottish Seabird Centre defines itself as “a conservation and education charity with a 5-star visitor centre, in the beautiful coastal town of North Berwick.” Their selection includes puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and shags. Photo: Karen Bryan
. Gretna Green
Gretna Green is a village in the southern council area of Dumfries and Galloway, about 90 miles away from Glasgow. At dusk, hundreds of thousands of starlings flock to the parish in an event known as the “Starling murmuration”. Photo: Walter Baxter
. Isle of Rum
Rum is the largest of the Small Isles scattered throughout the west coast. It is also a Special Protection Area for rare bird species including merlines, red-throated divers and kittiwakes. Plus, it is the site where white-tailed sea eagles were reintroduced to Scotland. Photo: Manakin
. Scottish Owl Centre
The Scottish Owl Centre can be found in Polkemmet Country Park (Whitburn) which is about halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Visit Scotland reports that the “Scottish Owl Centre houses over 100 owls from around the world.” Photo: a-arrow on Canva Pro
. Loch Garten Nature Reserve
The RSPB describes this reserve as “ancient, wild and immeasurably special – a place so extraordinary that it can feel like another country.” They also report that the location has seen over thirty species of wading birds on its grounds. Photo: Marika Reinholds
. Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest one in the United Kingdom, nestled in the heart of the Highlands near Aviemore. Beautiful birds on display here include Grey Herons, Kingfishers, Goldeneyes, Oystercatchers, Slavonian Grebes and Tufted Ducks. Photo: Karen Bullock Photography
5. Isle of Rum
Rum is the largest of the Small Isles scattered throughout the west coast. It is also a Special Protection Area for rare bird species including merlines, red-throated divers and kittiwakes. Plus, it is the site where white-tailed sea eagles were reintroduced to Scotland. Photo: Manakin
6. Scottish Owl Centre
The Scottish Owl Centre can be found in Polkemmet Country Park (Whitburn) which is about halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Visit Scotland reports that the “Scottish Owl Centre houses over 100 owls from around the world.” Photo: a-arrow on Canva Pro
7. Loch Garten Nature Reserve
The RSPB describes this reserve as “ancient, wild and immeasurably special – a place so extraordinary that it can feel like another country.” They also report that the location has seen over thirty species of wading birds on its grounds. Photo: Marika Reinholds
8. Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest one in the United Kingdom, nestled in the heart of the Highlands near Aviemore. Beautiful birds on display here include Grey Herons, Kingfishers, Goldeneyes, Oystercatchers, Slavonian Grebes and Tufted Ducks. Photo: Karen Bullock Photography