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Outing to:
St Abbs Sunday 7th June 2026 Leader: Kevin McCormick |
 Yellowhammer, St Abbs © David Palmar
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BOOKING: Please use this online form to book your place.
DATE: Sunday 7th June 2026
PRICE: Free, but note for non-National Trust for Scotland members, there is a £5 car park charge. If you are a member, don't forget your parking sticker!
TIME: 10:00 - 15:00 (approx.), but you are free to leave earlier.
LEADER: Kevin McCormick who grew up near by and knows the site well.
VENUE:
Meet at 10am at the National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre [NT 91313 67408 ] (outside of St Abbs) for a 10.15 start.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head/planning-your-visit
(Note - this is not the St Abbs Visitor centre).
Google Maps Link
What3Words: ///broke.perfumed.constrain
The plan is to spend the morning walking the path to the lighthouse at St Abbs Head, which allows views of the ‘seabird city’ from vantage points on the walk, we’ll check the lighthouse garden and maybe do some sea-watching from the lighthouse which offers fabulous views. We will then return to the cars, via the Mire Loch.
There is a café near the car park, but depending on the weather, what we see and where we go, it is recommended that you bring a packed lunch.
If time allows, and depending on what’s been seen recently, we may visit a coastal site in East Lothian on our way back to Glasgow.
BIRDS WE HOPE TO SEE: Seabirds including Kittiwake, Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet and possibly Puffin, as well as raptors like Kestrel, Peregrine and other species like House Martin, Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer. We may find the rare Northern Brown Argus butterfly too, depending on the weather.
TRAVELLING:
Public transport is unlikely to be a practical option.
By car from Glasgow, leave 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes for the journey. After Cockburnspath, turn off the A1 on to the A1107, (signposted Coldingham and Berwickshire Coastal Route), then in Coldingham, turn left (B6438 High St, signposted St Abbs). After 1 1/2 miles, follow the brown sign, turning left to St Abbs Head Nature Reserve.
The National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre has a car park. Non NTS members need to pay £5 for parking. NTS members should ensure they display their free parking car sticker.
There is limited parking further on (at Pettico Wick Bay and at the lighthouse) if the proposed walk to the Mire Loch and the lighthouse (3.7 miles with some hilly bits for the round trip) is too long for some people. In that event, further car sharing at this point would be a good idea.
TERRAIN: Mostly quiet roads and footpaths, which may be muddy in places. Note there are hilly bits as part of this walk. Walking boots advised.
OPTICS: Binoculars essential for passerines. Telescope will be useful for seawatching.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots and suitable outdoor clothing for the time of year and location. A check of the weather forecast beforehand is advisable.
NB: May be postponed due to poor weather. Check this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on BlueSky in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Toilets available at the Nature Centre, and next door is the Old Smiddy café which should be open.
DATE: Sunday 7th June 2026
PRICE: Free, but note for non-National Trust for Scotland members, there is a £5 car park charge. If you are a member, don't forget your parking sticker!
TIME: 10:00 - 15:00 (approx.), but you are free to leave earlier.
LEADER: Kevin McCormick who grew up near by and knows the site well.
VENUE:
Meet at 10am at the National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre [NT 91313 67408 ] (outside of St Abbs) for a 10.15 start.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head/planning-your-visit
(Note - this is not the St Abbs Visitor centre).
Google Maps Link
What3Words: ///broke.perfumed.constrain
The plan is to spend the morning walking the path to the lighthouse at St Abbs Head, which allows views of the ‘seabird city’ from vantage points on the walk, we’ll check the lighthouse garden and maybe do some sea-watching from the lighthouse which offers fabulous views. We will then return to the cars, via the Mire Loch.
There is a café near the car park, but depending on the weather, what we see and where we go, it is recommended that you bring a packed lunch.
If time allows, and depending on what’s been seen recently, we may visit a coastal site in East Lothian on our way back to Glasgow.
BIRDS WE HOPE TO SEE: Seabirds including Kittiwake, Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet and possibly Puffin, as well as raptors like Kestrel, Peregrine and other species like House Martin, Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer. We may find the rare Northern Brown Argus butterfly too, depending on the weather.
TRAVELLING:
Public transport is unlikely to be a practical option.
By car from Glasgow, leave 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes for the journey. After Cockburnspath, turn off the A1 on to the A1107, (signposted Coldingham and Berwickshire Coastal Route), then in Coldingham, turn left (B6438 High St, signposted St Abbs). After 1 1/2 miles, follow the brown sign, turning left to St Abbs Head Nature Reserve.
The National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre has a car park. Non NTS members need to pay £5 for parking. NTS members should ensure they display their free parking car sticker.
There is limited parking further on (at Pettico Wick Bay and at the lighthouse) if the proposed walk to the Mire Loch and the lighthouse (3.7 miles with some hilly bits for the round trip) is too long for some people. In that event, further car sharing at this point would be a good idea.
TERRAIN: Mostly quiet roads and footpaths, which may be muddy in places. Note there are hilly bits as part of this walk. Walking boots advised.
OPTICS: Binoculars essential for passerines. Telescope will be useful for seawatching.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots and suitable outdoor clothing for the time of year and location. A check of the weather forecast beforehand is advisable.
NB: May be postponed due to poor weather. Check this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on BlueSky in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Toilets available at the Nature Centre, and next door is the Old Smiddy café which should be open.
Please note:
Participants are reminded that the Club, its branches and individual leaders of outings cannot accept responsibility for any injury suffered by individuals taking part in these outings, or any loss or damage to their property.
Participants are reminded that the Club, its branches and individual leaders of outings cannot accept responsibility for any injury suffered by individuals taking part in these outings, or any loss or damage to their property.