Spey Bay is a beautiful coastal reserve with the largest shingle beach in Scotland. Constant changes caused by the river create a succession of habitats, from bare shingle to coastal grasslands, brackish saltmarsh and wet woodland.
Why visit?
Highlights include:
- Large numbers of wildfowl offshore
- Wildflowers and butterflies
- Breeding terns at river mouth
- Dolphins
Best time to visit?
- Spring to summer for butterflies
- Winter for ducks and divers
- All year for dolphins
Visit for:
- birdwatching
- woodlands
- wildflowers
- coasts
- geology
- scenery
- mammals
- archaeology
- butterflies
Other information
In summer, breeding terns fill the skies and bottlenose dolphins are regularly spotted at the mouth of the estuary.
The iconic river Spey flows through the centre of the reserve. On the Kingston side is an enjoyable 2.5-mile circular walk which leads along the coast and back through peaceful woodland and grassland. From the Tugnet side you can enjoy a walk along the Speyside Way to the viaduct and back through alder woodland. Look out for seals, otters, deer, terns, waders and ospreys.
The National Cycle Network passes close to the reserve. A combination of high tides and prevailing weather conditions means that the reserve and access roads to the reserve are occasionally flooded by the sea.