Newburgh Beach

Stretching along the mouth of the River Ythan, Newburgh Beach is a beautiful spot for a coastal walk, with sweeping views across the estuary and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.

The beach sits beside Forvie National Nature Reserve and the Ythan Estuary, an important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Look out for grey seals resting on the sands of Forvie Spit, as well as eider ducks, diving terns and oystercatchers around the estuary and coastline. The grey seal colony is one of the largest on mainland eastern Scotland, with numbers regularly reaching more than 3,500 in winter. A small number of seal pups are also born here each year.

Please enjoy the wildlife responsibly

If you’re visiting to see the seals, please keep your distance and view them from Newburgh rather than approaching the haul-out on Forvie Spit. Never attempt to get closer for a photograph or disturb resting seals.

Drones can disturb seals and other wildlife, including the birds that use the Ythan Estuary. Please do not fly drones over or near the seal haul-out. Drone use in the area is restricted, with authorised research flights being the exception.

By giving wildlife space and observing from a respectful distance, you can help protect the seals, birds and wider wildlife that make the Ythan Estuary such a special place to visit.

Newburgh Beach is also a great starting point for exploring the surrounding coastline and enjoying the scenery of the Ythan Estuary.