Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

The coastline of the Tentsmuir NNR is constantly changing, extending in places by up to 16ft a year, while elsewhere, the dune edge is being eroded away. Because the reserve is continually evolving, you can witness the ongoing battle between habitats as they change from bare sand to heather-covered dune heaths. Common and grey seals haul themselves out of the water to bask in the sun, while inland, the hidden gem of Morton Loch with its fringing fen vegetation and woodland, is home to birds like the shy teal, which dabbles at the water’s edge. Winter visitors include whooper swans and eider duck,while the mudflats provide rich pickings for birds like the elegant bar-tailed godwit. There’s a dazzling mix of wildflowers in the slacks, including bird’s foot trefoil, grass of parnassus and northern marsh orchid.

Location

Leuchars

About the area

This 20-mile wide peninsula between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay is an ancient kingdom, once the home of Scotland’s kings and saints. Despite its modern bridges it still seems curiously detached from the rest of the country.

Explore Fife

Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve

Sign up to our travel newsletter

Get the latest insider tips and recommendations to make the most of your next trip

Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve

Sign up to our newsletter

Join over 4,000+ travelers who are getting the most out of their trips