St Cyrus: Coast, Nature and Architectural History

St Cyrus combines a distinctive coastal landscape with opportunities to observe nature and explore architectural history. Different aspects can shape your trip: St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, the beach and two churches each represent a different side of the area. You can plan your visit around whether you are more interested in plants, geological features, birds or historic architecture.

Coast, Reserve and Landscape

St Cyrus National Nature Reserve lies between steep cliffs to the west and the North Sea to the east. It forms part of the larger Site of Special Scientific Interest “St Cyrus and Kinnaber Links”, which is divided by the North Esk River. St Cyrus lies north of the river, and Kinnaber Links to the south. The larger area therefore encompasses both sides of the river and extends beyond the individual reserve.

The reserve is one of the most botanically diverse areas on Scotland’s northeast coast. The seasonal Floorie Meads Trail offers a way to explore the flora of the dune grasslands. The reserve also has a bird hide overlooking the river estuary.

St Cyrus Beach is a sandy, shingle and rocky beach accessible from the road. At the foot of the cliffs on the beach, sediment-filled channels are visible in the volcanic rock. There are also small burrows in the sedimentary rock, traces left by some of the earliest land-dwelling arthropods. The walking route along the beach and cliffs is five kilometres (three miles) long.

Visitor Centre and Getting There

The St Cyrus National Nature Reserve visitor centre is usually open seven days a week: from 1 April to 31 October, 10 am to 5 pm, and from 1 November to 31 March, 10 am to 4 pm. Weather conditions and staff availability may affect opening hours; check the latest times before your visit.

Those using the section of National Cycle Network Route 1 between Montrose and Stonehaven leave the route and take a 2.5-kilometre single-track road to the visitor centre. From the direction of Montrose, the signposted access road leaves the A92 immediately after Northwater Bridge over the River Esk. The nearest bus stop is in the village of St Cyrus, 2.5 kilometres from the reserve, on the bus route between Aberdeen and Montrose. Check the timetable before travelling by bus.

Churches and Architectural History

The architectural history encompasses two distinct churches. St Cyrus Church is a Gothic ashlar church built in 1853–1854. Ashlar masonry is a building technique using stones cut into rectangular blocks; the term describes the type of masonry, while “Gothic” describes the style. The remains of St Cyrus Old Parish Church, by contrast, are from a late medieval church. Its south transept was later used as a burial place by the Porteous family. The remains are of national importance and are of interest for the study of the region’s ecclesiastical history, architecture and social history.

Discover more destinations: Johnshaven, Aberchirder, Strichen, Tarves, Ellon, Kemnay, Pitmedden, Plaidy

Return to the wider travel guide: Aberdeenshire.