This reserve protects a diverse range of habitats, including saltmarsh, mudflats, and freshwater wetlands, which support a wide variety of wildlife. The loch is an important stopover for migratory birds, with thousands of geese, ducks, and waders visiting each year. The surrounding hills and woodlands are home to red squirrels, roe deer, and a variety of bird species, including ospreys and peregrine falcons. The reserve's trails offer scenic views of the loch and surrounding countryside, and its hides provide opportunities to observe wildlife without disturbance.
We pulled up to watch the sunset to our left. I had some bramble liqueur I wanted to try. A few snacks and sips later I saw the most amazing and astonishing group of seals bobbing their heads up and down, and resting in their banana shape on the shore. We must of sat there for easily 2 hours or more just in awe. I couldn't stop watching, the most magnificent thing I have ever seen in my life. Truly beautiful. We got there around 8pm and left just after 10pm.
Loch Fleet and Littleferry. Absolutely stunning places to stop for a picnic, to admire the views to break up a long journey to Inverness or The Highlands or part of a day out in the area. Loch Fleet is near Dornoch/Embo. It is a huge sea loch with a beautiful mountain back drop. Great place to see seals and a variety of wild birds. Seals can be seen swimming in the waters or basking on the sand banks when the tide is out/incoming. Lots of wading birds, oyster catchers, ducks, geese, curlew, gulls etc. Just over the Dornoch Bridge is a turning to Littleferry. This is the other side of the Loch where an old water mill is situated and a small dock where ferries used to run from. The drive will take you through a long stretch of wooded area until you reach the end. No vehicle access to the Mill but I think you can walk it on foot (private road). Littleferry has a small white beach and gorgeous blue waters. Very tropical looking. It is nestled into a small area of houses hidden away. No facilities here either. We did try fishing here but were robbed of our bait, fishing rod and reel by a passing seal. That was an expensive trip out that day. Along Loch Fleet there are several parking areas (please don't park in the passing places as it's a single track road) and an area with a couple of benches and bins (please put your rubbish in them or take with you). It is kept clean and tidy and a lovely place to stop. Does get very busy with motorhomes and camper vans though. The road is very busy so be careful if you have small children. NO facilities here (no toilets or shops), nearest are in Embo. No fishing, wild swimming, kayaking or collecting ragworm etc here as it's a protected area RSPB. There are also the Castle Ruins of Skelbo. (Skelbo Castle is a ruined 14th century keep, located near Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland. The remaining wall is best preserved at the northern side of the castle. The remains are protected as a scheduled monument). Well worth a stop off. There have not been many occasions whereby I have not seen a seal.
Drove to the viewpoint parking and saw the seals at low tide + wading birds. Wonderful! Signage could be better, we did not see one by the first road choice and our GPS led us down a very bumpy gravel road. But once we got there there was good information about the animals and space to both park and turn. Only wish we'd had binoculars along
I have visited this area a few times. It is always worth stopping to see what you can see. On this day I saw a seal swimming coming up and then disappearing. I saw plenty birds mostly geese, great to see them fly in formation. The other thing is the views towards The Mound and Littleferry are really quite special. There is also Skelbo Castle which is a ruin and best viewed from the main road. If you come you will need good shoes/footwear, remember your binoculars, come prepared because the weather can change quickly and there is no shelter.
A beautiful area to walk around. There are seals that live in the area and are regularly swimming or sunbathing. There are lots of rocks of different kinds along the beaches. Be careful because they can be quite wet and mossy so bring shoes you don't mind getting dirty or wellies. The sunset here is amazing and it gets really quite at night time.
Amazing nature place, a great place to see seals and wild geese
Hiking
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
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We pulled up to watch the sunset to our left. I had some bramble liqueur I wanted to try. A few snacks and sips later I saw the most amazing and astonishing group of seals bobbing their heads up and down, and resting in their banana shape on the shore. We must of sat there for easily 2 hours or more just in awe. I couldn't stop watching, the most magnificent thing I have ever seen in my life. Truly beautiful. We got there around 8pm and left just after 10pm.
Loch Fleet and Littleferry. Absolutely stunning places to stop for a picnic, to admire the views to break up a long journey to Inverness or The Highlands or part of a day out in the area. Loch Fleet is near Dornoch/Embo. It is a huge sea loch with a beautiful mountain back drop. Great place to see seals and a variety of wild birds. Seals can be seen swimming in the waters or basking on the sand banks when the tide is out/incoming. Lots of wading birds, oyster catchers, ducks, geese, curlew, gulls etc. Just over the Dornoch Bridge is a turning to Littleferry. This is the other side of the Loch where an old water mill is situated and a small dock where ferries used to run from. The drive will take you through a long stretch of wooded area until you reach the end. No vehicle access to the Mill but I think you can walk it on foot (private road). Littleferry has a small white beach and gorgeous blue waters. Very tropical looking. It is nestled into a small area of houses hidden away. No facilities here either. We did try fishing here but were robbed of our bait, fishing rod and reel by a passing seal. That was an expensive trip out that day. Along Loch Fleet there are several parking areas (please don't park in the passing places as it's a single track road) and an area with a couple of benches and bins (please put your rubbish in them or take with you). It is kept clean and tidy and a lovely place to stop. Does get very busy with motorhomes and camper vans though. The road is very busy so be careful if you have small children. NO facilities here (no toilets or shops), nearest are in Embo. No fishing, wild swimming, kayaking or collecting ragworm etc here as it's a protected area RSPB. There are also the Castle Ruins of Skelbo. (Skelbo Castle is a ruined 14th century keep, located near Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland. The remaining wall is best preserved at the northern side of the castle. The remains are protected as a scheduled monument). Well worth a stop off. There have not been many occasions whereby I have not seen a seal.
Drove to the viewpoint parking and saw the seals at low tide + wading birds. Wonderful! Signage could be better, we did not see one by the first road choice and our GPS led us down a very bumpy gravel road. But once we got there there was good information about the animals and space to both park and turn. Only wish we'd had binoculars along
I have visited this area a few times. It is always worth stopping to see what you can see. On this day I saw a seal swimming coming up and then disappearing. I saw plenty birds mostly geese, great to see them fly in formation. The other thing is the views towards The Mound and Littleferry are really quite special. There is also Skelbo Castle which is a ruin and best viewed from the main road. If you come you will need good shoes/footwear, remember your binoculars, come prepared because the weather can change quickly and there is no shelter.
A beautiful area to walk around. There are seals that live in the area and are regularly swimming or sunbathing. There are lots of rocks of different kinds along the beaches. Be careful because they can be quite wet and mossy so bring shoes you don't mind getting dirty or wellies. The sunset here is amazing and it gets really quite at night time.
Amazing nature place, a great place to see seals and wild geese
