Just minutes from Montrose town centre, this unique wildlife attraction combines the sights and sounds of birds, such as kingfishers, ducks and geese, mammals including seals and otters, with a host of child-friendly activities within the 4-star Visitor Centre. Montrose Basin is an enclosed estuary of the South Esk of international importance and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), covering 750 hectares. A daily tidal cycle brings in a rich soup of nutrients which attracts more than 50,000 birds during the winter months. These can be viewed from the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Visitor Centre, or from 3 other hides around the reserve.
An excellent couple of hours spent here. A well set up viewing room with plenty of binoculars and scopes. Plus plenty of information and volunteers on hand to assist with finding and identifying wildlife. Many thanks to Eileen in particular for her assistance and advice. Would highly recommend a visit.
Entry is PS5.50 per adult, varying prices for children and concessions. The centre is open from 10.30m to 5pm from March to October. Winter hours are a bit different, closing at 4pm and only open Friday - Monday. There are tea, coffee and biscuits available (with vegan milk options) which you can take to a window and have while you use the telescopes at the viewing areas. The toilets are lovely and clean. There is lots to see here and lots of information to read. The girl on the desk was really nice too and told us about the swallows which have begun nesting on their fire escape! We had a lovely time photographing the local birds here and saw a buzzard, beautiful collared doves, robins, tree sparrows, chaffinches, gorgeous greenfinches, yellowhammers as well as redshank, eider ducks and oystercatchers from the hide onsite. We did get a bit lost trying to find our way to the other various bird hides on the basin map when we left and ended up at places where we felt we couldn't leave the car. We'll try again another day. We should have asked at the visitor centre for extra directions, not being from here we didn't know the area well enough.
Very friendly and welcoming staff. As well as some information boards and children's displays, the main attraction are the windows overlooking the basin with fantastic scopes and binoculars to view the wildlife. Lots of birds close by, depending on conditions seals visible (saw some resting in a raft). Was told there are also bird hides along the bank too. If at all interested in nature watching I recommend checking it out. Entrance does cost.
Excellent, definitely recommend spending the entrance fee too use their telescopes all day for a sheltered watch, with very knowledgeable staff. Also a Nice gift shop.
It's a very nice place for birdwatching you can find out different kinds of birds, ducks and seals here, but during the low tide, you have more probability to see the seals here.
Absolutely AMAZING place to visit, especially with children! Absolutely loved it. Don't have photos as it was a few years ago. Just passing on the train and it reminded me!
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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An excellent couple of hours spent here. A well set up viewing room with plenty of binoculars and scopes. Plus plenty of information and volunteers on hand to assist with finding and identifying wildlife. Many thanks to Eileen in particular for her assistance and advice. Would highly recommend a visit.
Entry is PS5.50 per adult, varying prices for children and concessions. The centre is open from 10.30m to 5pm from March to October. Winter hours are a bit different, closing at 4pm and only open Friday - Monday. There are tea, coffee and biscuits available (with vegan milk options) which you can take to a window and have while you use the telescopes at the viewing areas. The toilets are lovely and clean. There is lots to see here and lots of information to read. The girl on the desk was really nice too and told us about the swallows which have begun nesting on their fire escape! We had a lovely time photographing the local birds here and saw a buzzard, beautiful collared doves, robins, tree sparrows, chaffinches, gorgeous greenfinches, yellowhammers as well as redshank, eider ducks and oystercatchers from the hide onsite. We did get a bit lost trying to find our way to the other various bird hides on the basin map when we left and ended up at places where we felt we couldn't leave the car. We'll try again another day. We should have asked at the visitor centre for extra directions, not being from here we didn't know the area well enough.
Very friendly and welcoming staff. As well as some information boards and children's displays, the main attraction are the windows overlooking the basin with fantastic scopes and binoculars to view the wildlife. Lots of birds close by, depending on conditions seals visible (saw some resting in a raft). Was told there are also bird hides along the bank too. If at all interested in nature watching I recommend checking it out. Entrance does cost.
Excellent, definitely recommend spending the entrance fee too use their telescopes all day for a sheltered watch, with very knowledgeable staff. Also a Nice gift shop.
It's a very nice place for birdwatching you can find out different kinds of birds, ducks and seals here, but during the low tide, you have more probability to see the seals here.
Absolutely AMAZING place to visit, especially with children! Absolutely loved it. Don't have photos as it was a few years ago. Just passing on the train and it reminded me!
