Forvie Sands and the Ythan Estuary
Aberdeenshire
Dog friendly under close control, this Newburgh circular crosses the Ythan Estuary outflow, explores the Forvie Sands dune system and returns along a long section of firm empty beach backed by gorse and marram. The estuary is alive with seals, terns and eider, the dunes are dotted with the ruined Forvie Kirk, and the beach itself is one of the most open on the east coast.
Dogs must be kept on a short lead between April and August due to ground-nesting terns and eider, and the southern end of the reserve is fully closed to people and dogs from 1 April to 31 August to protect the ternery. Outside that window dogs can run on the beach under close control. There are no on-site facilities beyond the Waterside car park and the terrain is flat but soft going through the dunes. This is a wonderful walk from September through March, more restricted but still rewarding in summer.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- No facilities at the Waterside car park; cafes, shops and toilets in Newburgh village (5 minutes walk).
- Parking
- Free car park at Waterside, Newburgh (around 30 spaces); fills on sunny weekends.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forvie Sands and the Ythan Estuary dog friendly?
Forvie Sands and the Ythan Estuary is dog friendly, but with meaningful seasonal restrictions that affect how much of the reserve you can access. It rates 6 out of 10 for dog friendliness — outside the breeding season (September to March) it's a genuinely excellent walk, but summer visits are more limited due to protections for nesting birds.
Can dogs be off lead at Forvie Sands and the Ythan Estuary?
From September through March, dogs can run freely on the beach under close control, which makes for a wonderfully open run on one of the emptiest stretches of east coast beach in Scotland. Between April and August, however, dogs must be kept on a short lead throughout the reserve, and the southern end is completely closed to people and dogs during that period to protect the ternery.
What should I know before visiting Forvie Sands and the Ythan Estuary with my dog?
The walk is a circular route crossing the Ythan Estuary outflow, through the Forvie Sands dune system, and back along a long stretch of firm beach — the terrain is flat but the dunes are soft going, so factor that in. There are no facilities at the Waterside car park, though cafes, shops and toilets are just five minutes away in Newburgh village. The free car park holds around 30 spaces and can fill quickly on sunny weekends, so an early arrival is wise.
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