:

  • English
  • Español
  • Italiano
  • Deutsch
  • Nederlands
  • Français
Navigation generated at 2026-2-7 19:20:8
    • All Places to go

      Cities

      • All Cities
      • Aberdeen
      • Dundee
      • Dunfermline
      • Edinburgh
      • Glasgow
      • Inverness
      • Perth
      • Stirling

      Popular Places

      • Ben Nevis
      • Glencoe
      • Loch Lomond
      • Loch Ness

      Towns

      • All Towns
      • Aviemore
      • Dumfries
      • Fort William
      • Kirkwall
      • Lerwick
      • Oban
      • Peebles
      • Pitlochry
      • St Andrews

      Islands

      • All Islands
      • Isle of Arran
      • Isle of Islay
      • Jura
      • Lewis & Harris
      • Mull
      • Orkney
      • Outer Hebrides
      • Shetland
      • Skye

      Regions

      • Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
      • Argyll & The Isles
      • Ayrshire & Arran
      • Dumfries & Galloway
      • Dundee & Angus
      • Edinburgh & The Lothians
      • Fife
      • Glasgow & Clyde Valley
      • Loch Lomond, Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley
      • Highlands
      • Perthshire
      • Scottish Borders
    • All Things to do

      Attractions

      • All Attractions
      • 20 Top Attractions
      • Ancestry
      • Arts & Culture
      • Castles
      • Free Attractions
      • History & Heritage
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Rainy Days
      • TV & Film Locations

      Outdoor Activities

      • All Outdoor Activities
      • Cycling
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Mountain Biking
      • Sailing
      • Ski & Snowsports
      • Walking & Hiking
      • Watersports

      Food & Drink

      • All Food & Drink
      • Beer & Breweries
      • Gin Tours & Tastings
      • Whisky & Distilleries

      Landscapes & Nature

      • All Landscapes & Nature
      • Beaches
      • Ben Nevis
      • Lochs
      • National Parks
      • Northern Lights
      • Standing Stones
      • Wildlife Watching

      Tours, Routes & Trails

      • All Tours, Routes & Trails
      • Islands & Island Hopping
      • Itineraries
      • Scotland's UNESCO Trail
      • Tours
      • Walking Trails

      Events

      • All Events
      • Edinburgh's Summer Festivals
      • Highland Games
      • Music Festivals
    • All Accommodation

      Hotels & Lodgings

      • B&Bs & Guesthouses
      • Budget Hotels
      • Hostels
      • Hotels
      • Luxury Hotels
      • Restaurants with Rooms & Inns

      Caravan & Camping

      • All Caravan & Camping
      • Campervan, Motorhome & Caravan Holidays
      • Glamping
      • Wild Camping

      Self Catering

      • All Self Catering
      • Cabins & Lodges
      • Cottages
      • Flats & Apartments
      • Hot Tubs
      • Large Groups

      Unique Places

      • All Unique Places
      • Boats, Barges & Boathouses
      • Brochs & Blackhouses
      • Castles
      • Churches

      Other Accommodation

      • Accessible Accommodation
      • Eco Accommodation
      • Exclusive Use Venues
      • Luxury Accommodation
      • Pet Friendly Accommodation
      • Romantic
      • Wedding Venues
    • All Travel & planning

      Travel to Scotland

      • From England & Wales
      • From Europe
      • From Ireland
      • From North America
      • From Other Continents

      Travel in Scotland

      • Air
      • Bus & Coach
      • Ferry
      • Train

      Driving in Scotland

      • All Driving in Scotland
      • Car Hire
      • Driving Routes
      • Electric Vehicles

      When to visit

      • All When to visit
      • Spring & Easter
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter, Christmas & New Year

      Practical Information

      • Eco-Travel
      • FAQs
      • Holiday Carbon Calculator
      • Passes & Offers
      • Passports & Visas
      • Weather

      Ideas & Advice

      • Outdoor Safety Information
      • Travel Blog
      • Travel Newsletter

      Holiday Types

      • Accessible Holidays
      • Beauty Spots
      • Budget-Friendly Holidays
      • Countryside Breaks
      • Family Holidays
      • Farm Stays
      • Off the Beaten Track Holidays
      • Solo Travel
      • Weekend Breaks
      • Wellness Retreats
  • Map of Scotland

BETA: The search and map are new features with further enhancements planned. VisitScotland is not responsible for the content of external links and accepts no liability for any reliance on these.

Your feedback will help improve the site
  1. Home
  2. Things to do
  3. Landscapes & Nature
  4. Wildlife Watching
  5. Birdwatching in Scotland

Birdwatching in Scotland

There are many stunning bird species and birds of prey in Scotland to spot. From huge predators prowling the skies to vast seabird cities thriving on coastal cliffs, there are some incredible bird watching experiences to enjoy in Scotland.

Puffin on the Isle of May, Fife

What birds can I see?

Scotland has some exceptional habitats which support an exciting range of birds and other wildlife.

Capercaillie

© Neil McIntyre

Our country is a feeding station for migrating birds, a winter haven for ducks, geese and shorebirds, and a summer home for nesting seabirds.

Our most special birds include:

  • Scottish crossbill (the UK’s only endemic bird)
  • Sea eagle and white-tailed eagle
  • Capercaillie
  • Corncrake
  • Osprey
  • Wintering geese

Puffins at Sumburgh Head

Seabirds

Scotland is one of the best places in the UK to see seabirds. We’ve got thousands of miles of coastline including rugged sheer cliffs and pristine beaches, as well as over 700 islands.

Our seabirds include:

  • Puffins
  • Guillemots
  • Storm petrels
  • Manx shearwaters

Avian Influenza (bird flu)

  • Avian flu is a virus that mainly affects birds. Migratory birds, especially water birds, carry different strains of the virus along their migration routes.
  • Like many countries across Europe, avian flu is currently affecting birds in coastal areas around Scotland.
  • The risk to human health is very low but visitors are advised to not touch or pick up any sick or dead birds and to keep dogs on a lead in affected areas.

For further information and advice, visit NatureScot

How to birdwatch in Scotland

Arctic Tern on the Isle of May

Where can I see birds?

Scotland has over 140 sites that are so important, they’re protected by international designations.

Here are just some key sites for birdwatching in Scotland.

  • Isle of May
  • Isle of Staffa NNR
  • RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre
  • SWT Montrose Basin Visitor Centre
  • Argaty Red Kites
  • WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre

More ways to birdwatch in Scotland

Learn more about birds in Scotland with these experiences.

Scottish RSPB Bird Reserves

Find an RSPB reserve for your trip and get information about what you might spot.

Scottish Seabird Centre

Situated in the beautiful coastal town of North Berwick, learn more about seabirds with interactive live camera, exhibitions and more.

Boat charter & wildlife cruises

See what you can spot on Scotland’s coastline with these wildlife boat tours and cruises.

Where to watch birds in Scotland app

See over 580 birdwatching sites with practical info including directions, and what birds to see and when.

Bird of Prey Trail

Follow this self-guided tour around 13 locations in the Outer Hebrides to see some of Scotland’s most iconic predators.

A beginner's guide to Scottish wildlife

Pink-footed Geese at Loch Leven

Pink-footed Geese at Loch Leven

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Check out our guide

We asked experts about wildlife in Scotland, and went birdwatching!

  • A beginner's guide to Scottish wildlife

Exploring Scotland's islands responsibly

Visiting Scotland's islands? Check out this advice from Biosecurity for Scotland.

Staffa Island and Fingal's Cave

Many of Scotland’s seabird islands are free from invasive species such as rats, mice, mink and stoat, which eat seabird chicks and eggs. These predators can reach seabird islands as stowaways in bags and on boats.  Simple actions help safeguard seabirds breeding on islands:

  • Pack bags on the day of travel
  • Don’t leave rucksacks open or unattended on the quayside. 
  • Store food in sealed containers and dispose of any rubbish responsibly.
  • Report any suspicious sightings on the Biosecurity for Life website.
  • Sail with an accredited Predator Free Certification operator

Practical advice for birdwatching

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Explore Scotland's outdoor land responsibly by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which applies to most land and inland water.

Wildlife guides from RSPB

Identify a bird you’ve spotted or browse the A-Z of birds to find out more.

Bird information by NatureScot

Find out more on Scotland’s habitats and birdlife from Scotland’s nature agency.

A guide to outdoor safety in Scotland

Scotland's scenery can be stunning but also wild and rural. Be prepared with the correct clothing and equipment.

Share on

Facebook
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Twitter
Email

Other things you might like

Category: Places to go

Scotland's national parks and natural heritage sites

Category: Things to do

Scotland's gardens & country parks

Category: Things to do

Frequently asked questions about Scottish wildlife

Category: Things to do

Wildlife webcams in Scotland

Category: Things to do

Scotland's landscapes, scenery & nature

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Feedback & Complaints
  • Submit an event

Our other sites

  • Business Events
  • Business Support Hub
  • Travel Trade
  • Asset library
  • Corporate
  • Scotland is Now

Find us on

Find us on

  • About us
  • Accessibility
  • Acceptable use
  • Cookies
  • Environmental policy
  • Privacy
  • Social media
  • Terms of use
Brand Scotland

© 2026 VisitScotland. All rights reserved.