Ythan Estuary and Forvie Sands, near Newburgh

Summary

This fine circular heads out along the bird-rich Ythan Estuary and through the dunes of the Forvie National Nature Reserve. It has a long beach section and also visits the ruins of Forvie Church - all that remains of a village destroyed by the sands. Dogs must be kept on leads and ensure you do not get too close or disturb any seals or ground-nesting birds - obey any signs.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked dune paths and sandy beach; care needed to stay on route in the dunes.

Getting there

Start

Parking area just north of A975 bridge over the Ythan.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NK003269

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 40m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

There is a small car park off the east side of the A975 just north of the bridge over the River Ythan. This route follows the circuit and is waymarked in blue, apart from the section over the sand dunes. Begin by following the track south through the plantation and continue straight ahead as it emerges from the trees

Stage 2

On the right is a shelter looking out over the estuary of the River Ythan The tidal reaches of the river extend seven kilometres inland and make a fine habitat for shelducks and terns; they are designated as an SSSI. There are good views across the river to Newburgh as the route continues beside the estuary. Continue along the path, which eventually becomes unsurfaced.

Stage 3

Eventually a marker post indicates the point at which the route climbs up through a dip onto the top of the dunes and then turns left inland across the dune area. Do not continue along the beach as between April-August the area is restricted due to seals and nesting terns. If you want to see the seals the best place to view them is on the opposite side of the river - turn left at Newburgh Inn and use the parking on Beach Road and walk the short distance to a spot opposite where the seals haul out.

Stage 4

The dunes are an important habitat, part of the Forvie Sands National Nature Reserve. Follow the marked route across the sand, through there are long gaps between the marker posts. Eventually the route aims just left of a promnent tern marker atop a high dune, and then slopes down onto the huge sandy beach. Turn left and continue across the beach.

Stage 5

After a little over kilometre a small burn runs out onto the beach, below a salmon marker atop the dunes. Immediately after crossing the burn turn left to leave the beach and head inland, passing a derelict building which was a base for salmon netting as recently as the 1980s. A junction is then reached; although the main route continues ahead, it is worth detouring to the right here around the site of the buried village of Forvie. A series of information posts tells the story of Forvie, a village obliterated by the sands in the 1400s. A local legend tells of three sisters who were driven to sea in a leaky boat to deny them their inheritance. The sisters reached land and laid a curse on the village, whereupon a storm raged for 9 days until it was buried under the sands.

Stage 6

Follow the trail to the ruin of the old church. From here a red waymarked route to the right leads eventually across the Forvie Sands to Collieston; to complete our route turn left instead, following the path over a footbridge until it rejoins the main route - here turn right. The track now continues inland through the dunes. Bear left at a junction (waymarker) and continue until the outward route is rejoined by the plantation. Turning right here leads back to the start.

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