A day at the beach
Did you know that Aberdeen and the shire boasts over 200 kilometres of coastline? We have everything from dramatic rocky shores to golden sands. There’s a beach for everyone no matter what their interests, from flying a kite, to water sports, spotting wildlife, bouldering, swimming, picnicking, guddling about in rock pools or just going for a paddle.
For nature loving kids, the nature reserve at Forvie near Newburgh combines a dune system that covers almost a thousand hectares with the opportunity to see thousands of sea birds including eider ducks, wildfowl, waders and a seal colony. The trails are well marked. If you go to the south side of the river Ythan, you can watch the seals haul themselves out of the sea.
The bird breeding season lasts throughout August, so some areas are cordoned off so the chicks can be raised in peace. Dogs should be leashed. The dunes are not only home to birdlife, but also the ruins of Forvie Kirk, the only visible remnants of the village that was buried in the 15th century.
The car park at Newburgh Beach is closed till 25th July for resurfacing, so the alternative is the Waterside carpark. There’s a visitor centre and toilets on the nature reserve and the Waulkmill hide at Bridge of Forvie offers good views of wading birds over the estuarine mudflats.
Balmedie borders Forvie to the south and offers dunes, clean golden sand and ribbons of wetland vegetation. There are 1700 metres of boardwalk, toilets, a visitors’ centre, picnic areas and a children’s playground, all of which make it a good choice for younger kids or those in buggies.
If something more dramatic appeals, then Collieston’s cliffs and rocky bays, combined with the almost alien atmosphere of the dune system and a history of smugglers and shipwrecks could be a good bet. Collieston is great for older kids and teenagers, as it has a network of sea caves, small coves and shingle beaches.
Further north, Cruden Bay is great for families, with two miles of soft pink sand accessed over a bridge.
The city’s beach boasts six miles of sand, complete with walkways, breakwaters and sheltered spots that are ideal places to set up for an afternoon. It stretches from the picturesque little cottages of Footdee all the way to Bridge of Don. If you don’t fancy walking on the sand, there’s a two level promenade so it’s a good choice for a brisk walk, cycling, rollerblading or trying out a new scooter. That said, a trip to the beach in Aberdeen can work out as an expensive affair once you’ve factored in the attractions of the cinema, the fairground and amusements and the tempting cafés along the seafront.
To the south, Stonehaven Beach is a good choice with a mix of sand and shingle and plenty of rock pools to explore. There’s a boardwalk and a series of metal statues and mosaic artwork, as well as a few places to get ice cream, old-fashioned sweets or fish and chips to eat in the car before
heading home.
