Accessibility
Getting here
Forvie NNR is on the east coast of Scotland approximately 26 kilometres north of Aberdeen.
By public transport and walking
The X63 Stagecoach Bluebird bus runs between Aberdeen and Peterhead (via Cruden Bay) and is the nearest bus service to get to Forvie NNR. It runs Mon-Sat but there is no bus service north of Newburgh on a Sunday. There are several different places where you can access the reserve.
To get to the best seal viewing spot, get off the bus at the Newburgh Inn in Newburgh village, follow Beach Road to the car park at the end and then go through the sand dunes to the estuary - it's an approximately 15 minute walk. There’s an all-abilities boardwalk to the seal viewing platform.
For the south end of the reserve, ask to get off the bus at ‘Waterside car park’. This is a request stop and is the main entry point to the south end of the reserve. You can walk along the estuary and do the ‘Dune Trail’ from here.
For Forvie visitor centre and the north end of the reserve, ask to get off the bus at the 'Collieston Cotehill Crossroads’. It's a 20 minute walk from the crossroads to the visitor centre.
By car
Head north out of Aberdeen on the A90, turning onto the A975 to Cruden Bay. There are three main entrances to the reserve with car parks.
Car parks
Newburgh: follow Beach Road at Newburgh Inn, AB41 6BY. This is the closest car park to the beach and the best place to view seals.
Waterside car park: 1.5 kilometres north of Newburgh.
AB41 6AB is the nearest postcode.
Visitor centre car park: 5 kilometres north of Newburgh. Turn right at the Collieston crossroads, and follow the signs to the centre.
AB41 8RU is the nearest postcode.
Waulkmill hide: turn left off the A975 opposite the Collieston junction.
AB41 8RL is the nearest postcode.
There are also a number of lay-bys just off the A975. These offer good views across the NNR.
