Print pageFacilities
Facilities
- Visitor centre
- Information centre
- Car park
: The car park has two cycle racks. There are no height restrictions.
- Toilets
- Disabled toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Picnic area
- Group bookings accepted
- Guided walks available
- Remote location
- Good for walking
Viewing points
Three hides, plus an observation room in the visitor centre.
Tower Pool Hide offers a panoramic view of the main goose roosting and feeding areas and is open from dawn until dusk. This is a 10 minute walk from the visitor centre.
You can access the Fen and Bay hides via the Crimond Airfield every day from dawn to dusk. From the Visitor Centre, drive back to Crimond and turn left on the A90 (towards Peterhead) then take the first left (signposted 'Crimond Airfield').
On arriving at the airfield, cross the cattle grid to the left of the barrier and follow the RSPB signs. Please note that the speed limit is 20mph except the new raised section marked by the white stones, where the limit is 5mph. There are several rows of large wooden bollards along the track. These can all be passed through safely - look for the signs or highlighted areas to pass each row.
Nature trails
The reserve has three trails, from Starnafin Visitor Centre to Tower Pool Hide (about 0.4 mile or 700 m); from the Loch car park to Fen Hide (400 m) and from Loch car park to Bay Hide (250 m). At the moment, none of these trails are suitable for wheelchairs; the route to Tower Pool is usable by some pushchairs.
All trails will be upgraded and will be suitable for both wheelchairs and pushchairs. For more information, please contact the reserve.
For a chance to explore some of the wilder areas of the reserve, drive to St Combs and park in the village. Follow the track behind the Tufted Duck Hotel, which leads into the north end of the reserve. You can walk the entire length of the reserve through the fields or along the dunes and beach to look for some of the special coastal wildlife including minke whales and skuas in the summer or grey and common seals all year round.
Refreshments available
Educational facilities
There is a field-teaching facility for local schools and youth groups. Contact the reserve office for details.