Indeed, as the new title suggests, we've made our return to 'dry land' and have moved to our property in the heart of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
After over 16 delightful years living on the water aboard our narrowboat 'Quidditch', we've made the transition back to 'Terra Firma'. Why Scotland, and more precisely the North-East? It was always part of our long-term plan to settle back on land, with a preference for coastal proximity. For me, the primary draw is the prospect of birdwatching. Additionally, my wife is originally from Aberdeen, which made it a natural choice when the opportunity to return presented itself.
Aberdeenshire occupies most of the northeast corner of Scotland, encompassing a vast area with a range of habitats and a unique microclimate. This diverse environment, combined with Scotland's many speciality species, provides excellent birdwatching opportunities. The region features impressive granite and basalt cliffs that serve as nesting sites for various seabirds, making it one of the most remarkable birdwatching locations in the world.
MY NEW EXTENDED PATCH BY CAR
THE MOUNTAINS AND FORESTS (30-minutes)
The Cairngorm Mountains, along with their foothills and native forests, are just a 30-minute drive away. They provide an excellent opportunity to see some of Scotland's most cherished wildlife species, including the Scottish Ptarmigan (an endemic subspecies), Capercaillie (now quite rare), Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Crested Tit, Dotterel, and Ring Ouzel, among others.
THE COASTAL PASSAGE AREAS (30-minutes)
Beginning at the Girdleness peninsula, located just south of Aberdeen Harbour, and extending north to Peterhead, the coastline features several prime sea-watching spots that are worth visiting throughout the year, particularly during migration seasons. The Aberdeenshire coast acts as a sanctuary for numerous migratory birds and is home to a significant number of rare species. Northeast Scotland is renowned for recording the highest number of bird species observed in 24 hours in Scotland, second only to Norfolk in the entire UK.
YTHAN ESTUARY & FORVIE SANDS (30-minutes)
The Ythan Estuary & Forvie Sands has become a frequent destination for me. It is designated as a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area features an expansive estuary surrounded by diverse habitats such as sand dunes, heathland, farmland, reedbeds, and mudflats. Eiders reside here all year round, with breeding taking place at Forvie, across the river. Four tern species also breed at Forvie: Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and Little Tern.
COLLIESTON (Hot Spot)
MY LOCAL PATCH
BENNACHIE
A short distance from the house is Bennachie, a range of hills with multiple summits, the tallest being Oxen Craig at 528 metres (1,732 ft). Although not exceedingly tall relative to Scotland's other peaks, its prominence is due to its stand-alone position and the flatness of the nearby terrain, making it a striking feature in the landscape from various vantage points. Bennachie boasts a granite ridge amidst upland moorland, bordered by diverse woodlands, and encircled by agricultural fields at its base, presenting an intriguing habitat to explore.
RIVER DON
The River Don is just a five-minute walk from the house and provides excellent opportunities for riverside walks. Dippers can frequently be seen here, while the nearby arable fields host a large winter roost of Whooper Swans. Additionally, Pink-footed Geese also spend the winter in this area.
DALMADDILY PONDS
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| Aerial view of the Ponds ~ Photo from the Kemnay community page |
Just five minutes from the house are Dalmadilly Ponds, which were originally agricultural farmland. In 1993, work began to quarry the land for sand and gravel aggregates. After the extraction was completed, the quarried area was allowed to flood naturally according to the existing water table. The surrounding land has been restored to create a wildlife area for birds and a recreational space for walking and birdwatching. This has been achieved by planting hundreds of indigenous trees, forming footpaths around both ponds, and constructing two substantial bird hides, one at each pond.
This habitat offers great potential for observing rare species; however, the observation hides are impractical because the footpaths are located directly in front of them, and they remain permanently locked. The layout is rather unusual, suggesting that an early arrival is necessary to avoid the influx of local dog walkers. Unfortunately, since moving here in 2020, the ponds have become a popular spot for wild swimming and leisure activities involving plastic dinghies, which adversely affects the local wildlife. It is disheartening to report that the upkeep of the site has also declined, raising concerns about its continued status as a sanctuary for nature.
