ABERDEENSHIRE

THe bottlenose dolphins in

ABERDEEN HARBOUR are among the largest in the world, growing up to 13ft in length, and one of the best places to see them frolicking and feeding is from Torry Battery at the harbour mouth.

The RSPB has DOLPHINWATCH staff on hand at Torry Battery car park each Thursday-Sunday, 11am-6pm until August 20, and they will bring telescopes and binoculars with them.

You’ll find FORVIE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE on the east Grampian coast, just along from the village of Collieston. It’s the ideal place for a relaxing stroll along the beach and shifting dunes and the reserve is renowned for its remarkable birdlife – eider ducks, terns, wildfowl and waders and for the remains of a 12th century kirk half-buried in the sands. The YTHAN ESTUARY, by Newburgh, is only 13 miles from Aberdeen but a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is a popular haul-out for seals who usually bask on the north bank and as a result, sightings of these wonderful creatures are very common. Listen for their unusual song and calls.

The estuary is also a popular breeding spot for eider ducks, shelducks, terns and oystercatchers and is a great place for a gentle walk.

Learn about the amazing underwater world of the Moray Firth at

MACDUFF MARINE AQUARIUM on the north Aberdeenshire coast. See the fish, crustacea and other marine wildlife that make the Moray Firth their home.

Hold starfish and small crabs in the touch pools, listen to daily talks and make sure you see one of the regular feeding shows.

This is a fantastic hidden gem which offers a fantastic family day, or half-day out.