Loch of Strathbeg Walks
This walk visits the beautiful Loch of Strathbeg near Rattray and Crimond in Aberdeenshire. It's a nice place for an easy stroll with views across the freshwater loch to the reserve's wetland, dunes and grassland.
You can start the walk from the RSPB car park and visitor centre at Starnafin. From here you can pick up footpaths heading towards the boardwalks and bird hides next to the loch. At the site you can look out for a variety of waders and wildfowl with the pink-footed geese one of the highlights. Other species include Konik Ponies, Lapwing, Grey Heron and The Great White Egret.
Just to the west of the site you can pick up the Formartine and Buchan Way. This shared cycling and walking trail follows a dismantled railway line from Dyce to Fraserburgh.
Postcode
AB43 8QN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Loch of Strathbeg Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Loch of Strathbeg Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Loch of Strathbeg OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Loch of Strathbeg Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
On the eastern side of the loch you can explore the coast around Black Bar and Rattray Head. There's a nice beach and fine views towards the old lighthouse here.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Wild life pond at the Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve.
In October, the loch, the fields, and at times the sky, are filled with many thousands of wintering geese and waders. The tower is the base of an old windmill, built for drainage, and on the post just to its right sits a currently-resident White-tailed Sea Eagle.
The pool in front of the Starnafin centre
Approaching the Fen Hide, Loch of Strathbeg
Loch of Strathbeg. This is taken from the Bay Hide which overlooks the natural islands in the loch.
Although shown on the map as marshy ground, the north side of the peninsula, marked on older maps as an island, is much firmer ground than the neck of the peninsula, which cannot be crossed dryshod.
Boathouse and Loch of Strathbeg.
Old Rattray at the southern end of the loch. Old cottages and farm buildings, with part of a large flock of Curlews feeding in the foreground.