About the Campaign
About the Waters of Philorth
The Nature Reserve at Philorth
The Waters of Philorth is one of Fraserburgh’s most important natural spaces a unique coastal landscape shaped by wind, sea, wildlife and generations of local use.
Located just south-east of Fraserburgh, the Local Nature Reserve is made up of sand dunes, reed beds, marshes, mud flats, river estuary and beach, creating a rich mix of habitats for wildlife and people alike.
For decades, local residents have used the area freely for walking, dog exercise, birdwatching, surfing and access to the sea. For many families in The Broch, it is simply part of everyday life a place tied closely to memories, routines and community identity.
The reserve was designated as a Local Nature Reserve because of the variety of habitats and species found there. The dunes are considered the youngest along Fraserburgh Bay, having developed gradually since the late 1930s as windblown sand became trapped by vegetation and natural coastal processes.
Today, the area supports a wide range of wildlife, including:
migratory wading birds such as redshank, dunlin and oystercatcher
reed bed species including sedge warbler and reed bunting
wildflowers such as northern marsh orchid, thrift and lady’s bedstraw
insects including the distinctive six-spot burnet moth and small copper butterfly
seals occasionally seen resting near Cairnbulg Point
The reserve’s dunes and wetlands are not only valuable habitats - they also help shape and protect the coastline itself. Historic changes to the river and dunes have created a constantly evolving landscape, making the site important both environmentally and historically.
The Waters of Philorth has also benefited from public investment over the years. Information published by Aberdeenshire Council notes that management of the reserve included support from the European Regional Development Fund.
Above all, the Waters of Philorth is valued because it remains open, natural and shared - a rare coastal space where wildlife, landscape and community life still exist side by side.
