Ultimate Guide to Seal Spotting at St Abb’s Head
St Abb’s Head in the Scottish Borders is a spectacular coastal nature reserve featuring stunning cliffs, rocky beaches and fantastic views out over the North Sea.
Aside from its beautiful natural location, St Abb’s is also famous for playing host to tens of thousands of seabirds each summer who nest in the rocky outcroppings and dazzle visitors with their sheer numbers.
However, once the birds leave for warmer climates and the nights start to draw in, something even more breathtaking happens.
For just a few brief weeks each November and December, thousands of seals make their way to the sheltered beaches to give birth to their pups.
The steep cliffs at St Abb’s Head mean that the seals can give birth safely, away from human interference while at the same time allowing you to get amazing views of them from above.
Watching something in real life that usually you’d only see on a nature documentary is a surreal experience and makes you feel so much closer to the natural world.
How to get there
Car
Arriving by car is by far the simplest way to access St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve due to its relatively remote location.
Although you can’t park directly at the cliffs, there is a visitor centre and pay & display car park close by that is managed by the National Trust. Although if you have a National Trust membership then you will get free parking!
The reserve is only a one-hour drive from Edinburgh and just 20 minutes from Berwick-upon-Tweed making it the perfect day trip from either spot.
Public Transport
Although arriving by car is the easiest way to get here, using bus and trains is also possible.
From Berwick you can jump on a direct bus which will take you all the way to the town of St Abb’s however just ask the driver to stop once you reach the Nature Reserve car park as it is en route. The same can be done from Edinburgh however there is no direct route.
The closest train station to St Abb’s Head is actually in Berwick so if you are coming from far away your best option will be to travel there and then get a bus to the reserve.
How to find the seals
St Abb’s Head is a large bit of land so finding the exact spot for the seals can be a little tricky, unless you know what you are looking for.
When you arrive, your ultimate goal is to head to the beaches surrounding Pettico Wick Harbour which are on the north side of the site.
There is a large map at the car park which you can use to plan your trip which also points out some other cool spots like the St Abb’s Lighthouse.
The spot we had most success with was a beach just a few minutes west from Pettico Wick Harbour. To get here we had to go through a small field and climb over a stile but when we did we were welcomed by an awesome view over the hundreds of seals that were resting on the beach.
Best time to go
While St Abb’s Head is beautiful all year round, if you want to see the seal pups then your window of time can narrow to just a few weeks.
The seals tend to arrive around mid-November and stay around until mid-December – although if you are lucky they may stick around until January.
Please remember that the seals follow their own clocks so don’t expect the timing to be 100% exact. To save yourself disappointment and a long trip, always check the reserve’s official Facebook page as they post often once the seals arrive.
What to bring
The Scottish outdoors is magnificent, mainly due to how rugged and natural it is. However, many people have been caught out when going on a just a quick walk so to avoid any dangers and make the most of your time there, consider bringing:
- Warm, waterproof clothing – The weather in Scotland, especially by the coast, can change at any time. Be prepared for strong winds and rain even if the forecast says it’s going to be nice.
- Sturdy shoes – The paths around St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve can be quite muddy especially after a bit of rain so we don’t wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty. Plus, to get to the best viewpoint you will have to walk through a small field so sturdy shoes will definitely come in handy.
- Binoculars – Although not completely necessary, a decent pair of binoculars will allow you to get up close and personal with your furry friend without bothering them.
Top tips
- Don’t get close to the seals. There are plenty of great viewpoints you can use without getting close to the seals and scaring them.
- Keep your dog on its lead. As soon as you enter the reserve make sure your dog is on it’s lead. Not only for the sake of the seals but also because there are wild sheep in the area.
- The car park at the nature reserve is pay and display however if you are a member of the National Trust then you can park for free.
