Scotstown Craig

Island in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Scotstown Craig

Eight minutes to low tide I got here 30 minutes before the expected low, and had to wait in a biting cold wind sweeping up the coast. Gradually the sea went out, but not without the occasional huge wave running up to 20 metres inland, making my life difficult — Eight minutes to low tide Credit: Peter Aikman

Scotstown Craig is a small island located off the coast of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Situated in the North Sea, it lies approximately 3 miles east of Peterhead. The island is part of the Scotstown Head Nature Reserve, which encompasses the surrounding coastal area.

Scotstown Craig is a rocky outcrop, measuring around 1.5 acres in size. It is known for its diverse bird population, with many species nesting on the island's cliffs and ledges. Visitors to the reserve can observe colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars, among others.

Access to Scotstown Craig is strictly regulated to minimize disturbance to the wildlife. Only licensed boat operators are permitted to transport visitors to the island during specific times of the year, usually between April and August when the birds are nesting. Visitors are advised to check for availability and book in advance.

The island itself does not have any permanent structures or facilities. It is primarily visited by birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and researchers interested in studying the avian population and marine ecosystem. The rocky terrain offers limited opportunities for exploration, but the breathtaking views of the North Sea and the chance to observe rare bird species make Scotstown Craig a unique and valuable natural asset.

In conclusion, Scotstown Craig is a small island off the coast of Aberdeenshire, known for its diverse bird population and its role as part of the Scotstown Head Nature Reserve. Access is restricted, and visitors must book through licensed boat operators. The island offers stunning views and the chance to observe various bird species in their natural habitat.

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Scotstown Craig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.557142/-1.8019038 or Grid Reference NK1151. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eight minutes to low tide

I got here 30 minutes before the expected low, and had to wait in a biting cold wind sweeping up the coast. Gradually the sea went out, but not without the occasional huge wave running up to 20 metres inland, making my life difficult

Peter Aikman

Seven minutes to low tide

This one has my footprint to prove that I was there !

Peter Aikman

Still seven minutes till low tide

Shall I be able to get further out ?

Peter Aikman

Six minutes till low tide

That's good enough for me - I don't think much more "dry" land is going to appear, and I'm off to try and catch the low tide at square NK 12 51

Peter Aikman

Sea spray on the rocks at Scotstown Head

This was a complete mess-up on my part. Having hared down about 1/2 mile from NK1153 while the tide was still low, I misread my GPS on the rocks, and failed to get myself into square NK1251. Only to read my error when I got home. So this is a supplemental. Do you think that I could get about 15 metres further east ? I'll have another try another day.

Peter Aikman

Heavy seas at Scotstown Head

Another failed attempt to get this rock as a Geograph. This time justified by the heavy sea, and although I was there around low tide, the waves were just too big to risk the last 10 metres east that I needed to go.

Peter Aikman

Colliding waves at Scotstown Head

I only needed to go 10 metres east to claim a Geograph, but didn't risk it. Never mind, I'll try again.

Peter Aikman

More sea-spray at Scotstown Head

Peter Aikman

Rock, sea and seals at Scotstown Head

A third visit at low tide on a windless day gives me the chance of getting to the end of Scotstown Craig rocks at Scotstown Head. The seals were not at all put out by my appearance. The nearest one remained the boldest during my half hour of wandering about and sitting in the sun.

Peter Aikman

Scotstown Craig rocks at Scotstown Head

Looking east of south. Peterhead is in the right-hand distance.

Peter Aikman

Cormorants or shags at Scotstown Head

About to fly to the sea as I approached

Peter Aikman

The beach at Scotstown

Looking towards Rattray Head.

David Purchase

Disused track at Scotstown

The Explorer map (sheet 427) implies that this is the line of a disused canal, although this does look rather unlikely. The St Fergus Gas Terminal is in the distance.

David Purchase

Approaching St Fergus from the east

David Purchase

Puddles on Scotstown beach

Peter Moore

Scotston - awaiting redevelopment

Peter Moore

Bales, Scotstown, Aberdeenshire

Looking towards the St Fergus Gas Terminal. Scotstown is spelled as Scotston on some maps. I've used the spelling which appears on the current (at the time of uploading) OS map and was recorded in the OS Name Book and thus appears on the first edition map. The OS have recently revised the spelling as on the 2017 edition of the map it has the other version.

Claire Pegrum