St Combs to Rattray Head

Extending south from St Combs is a vast system of dunes and a huge sandy beach, stretching all the way to Peterhead. The southern stretch is backed by a major gas terminal, but as far as Rattray Head the hinterland is the Strathbeg Nature Reserve; it makes a great one-way walk.

Terrain

Most of the distance is across sandy beach, with a detour inland across dunes and beside a lagoon which can be wet.

Public Transport

St Combs has a bus service, but there is none to or from the end of the walk at Rattray Head.

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Start

St Combs. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.5km/5.75 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 46m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NK057629

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Explorer 427 - Peterhead
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a small parking area on the outskirts of St Combs just before you reach the Tufted Duck Hotel. Where the main road through St Combs turns a right angle near St Columba's church, turn off following the signs for the Tufted Duck and there is a parking area on the left in front of a building. From here return along the road to St Combs and turn right to pass the church and then turn right down Church Street. There are public toilets a short distance down this road, however before these are reached and just before the cemetery, turn right along a grassy track alongside the high cemetery wall. This grassy track heads downhill to join another track, continue straight ahead behind the dunes until a rough parking area is reached with clear access to the beach.

Stage 2

Unless there is a very high tide, head onto the sand and continue walking south. The dunes on this section are impressive and can be seen stretching away into the distance all the way to the lighthouse at Rattray Head - which can look dispiritingly far away.

Stage 3

Eventually a gap in the dunes is reached where the outflow from the Loch of Strathbeg reaches the sea. Here it is necessary to head inland around the edge of the lagoon formed by the slow moving water - a great habitat for wading birds. Follow this around the curve of the lagoon and climb up the dunes on the far side to pick up a path along the top. Follow the path to work around the lagoon and river. Watch out for rabbit holes which litter the area underfoot. The path follows an occasional line of substantial wooden posts and the Loch of Strathbeg can be seen ahead.

Stage 4

Continue, crossing a footbridge over a drainage canal. On the far side pass through a gate and then cross the grassy field to the left to reach another larger bridge, this time across the main outflow of the Loch of Strathbeg. On the far side turn left back downstream towards the beach once more. The direct route back to the sand is however blocked by a lagoon; when the flat grassy area is reached bear right (south), following the bottom of the sandy bank. Many birds can often be seen on the tidal lagoon between here and the main dune system.

Stage 5

Follow faint grassy tracks, sometimes a little wet underfoot, for almost a kilometre until it is possible to cross the ground towards the dunes safely without getting your feet wet. A faint sandy vehicle track then eases the passage over the dunes (good views back over Loch Strathbeg) and back down onto the beach. Now continue along the beach, which is truly magnificent on this stretch. The lighthouse at Rattray Head goes out of sight around a corner and three kilometres pass below the huge dunes before the corner is rounded and the lighthouse is seen again, now at closer quarters.

Stage 6

It stands on a giant plinth, well out amongst the waves except at the very lowest of low tides. When almost level with the lighthouse look for a gap in the dunes on the right where a sandy route heads inland. This soon becomes a track and leads to the former lightkeepers cottages behind the dunes, now operating as a hostel. The walk as described ends here, where hopefully a sympathetic driver is waiting. If not then there is no public transport here; the only options are either to return the same way all the way back to St Combs, or a 5km walk along the track to reach the A90 where it may be possible to get a bus.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.