St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve

Get close-up views of the feathered residents at this ‘seabird city’ from spectacular cliff-top vantage points.
Be awed by the dramatic cliffs overlooking crystal-clear waters.
Head inland to the Mire Loch in search of swans, ducks, damselflies and butterflies.
Discover more about the wildlife, geology and history of St Abb’s Head at the Nature Centre.
Today’s Opening Hours
- Nature Reserve
- Open all year, daily
- Nature Centre
- Closed
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The rugged coastline at St Abb’s Head
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The tranquil waters of the Mire Loch
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Guillemots nesting on the cliffs at St Abb’s Head
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Sea pinks clinging to the cliffs
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A red admiral butterfly rests on yellow ragwort flowers.
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Nesting kittiwakes can be seen on the cliff face.
About this place
This cliff-top nature reserve has fresh sea air and rugged coastal scenery aplenty. It gives you the feeling of being somewhere really wild and remote, yet it’s just off the A1.
You can easily spend hours in the summer months watching and listening to the thousands of seabirds who nest in the high cliffs.
Away from the cliff’s edge a carpet of wildflowers spreads out among the grassland – look out for sea pinks, rock rose, wild thyme and purple milk vetch. The nature reserve also boasts a wealth of other wildlife, as do the surrounding waters.
For more information, download the property leaflet.
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