Wild coastal walks: Forvie National nature reserve

Think there are no wildernesses left on our coast? Here are seven walks that let you taste the cream of the wild coastlands - moody, offbeat and inspiring - and see why these islands are so satisfying to explore. Set in Forvie National Nature Reserve, this walk along the Aberdeenshire coast promises beautiful solitude

The dunes that buried a village

Forvie National Nature Reserve, Aberdeenshire

This walk leads you through 1,800 acres of outstanding wild coastal country - moorland, heath, sea, estuary beaches, cliffs heaped with 5,000-year-old sand dunes, and the ruin of Forvie Kirk, a fishing town buried by medieval sandstorms.

 
Wilderness rating: splendid isolation

The remnants of sand-smothered Forvie Kirk bear witness to the power of nature here, where seals are spotted and terns breed on the empty beaches, and wild flowers spatter the dunes and heaths.

 

Way to go: From Stevenson Forvie Centre, follow the Moorland Trail, Coastal Trail and Estuary Trail circuit, returning via the Coastal Trail.

 

Time and effort needed: It's a seven-mile trek (so allow three to four hours), involving fairly level walking throughout.

 

Refuel at: The Udny Arms in Newburgh (01358 789444, www.udny.co.uk), for a cup of tea.

 

Getting there: Take the 264 bus from Ellon or Cruden Bay (Thursday and Friday) or the 263 from Aberdeen or Peterhead via Cruden Bay.

 

Sleep at: Erroll Schoolhouse, Cruden Bay (01779 813355, www.scotland2000.com/erroll) - a pleasant B&B a little way north. Doubles from £45.

 

OS Maps Landranger 38; Explorer 421. Click here for the Ordanance Survey Get a Map service.

 

For more info Aberdeen TIC (01224 288828, www.visitscotland.com).

 

Click here for our next wild coastal walk... 

 

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