Montrose Basin Visitor Centre
A vibrant estuary teeming with birdlife and seals, offering excellent viewing opportunities through telescopes and hides.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pink-footed geese spectacle
Montrose Basin Visitor Centre
Best Time
Pink-footed geese spectacle
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant estuary teeming with birdlife and seals, offering excellent viewing opportunities through telescopes and hides.
"Incredible place for bird and seal watching, with helpful staff and great viewing facilities."
🎯 Check Entry Fees First
Be aware of the entry fee; some visitors find it a bit steep for the exhibition.
🔭 Utilize the Telescopes
The telescopes offer incredible views of wildlife. Ask staff for tips on what to look for!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Birdwatching Through Telescopes
Visitor Centre Viewing Areas
Observe a diverse array of bird species, including kingfishers, geese, and ducks, through powerful telescopes.
Pink-Footed Geese Roost
Montrose Basin
Witness the impressive spectacle of thousands of pink-footed geese roosting on the basin, especially during autumn and winter.
Seal Spotting
Montrose Basin
Keep an eye out for seals basking on the mudflats or swimming in the waters of the basin.
Kingfisher Sightings
Montrose Basin
Catch a glimpse of the vibrant kingfisher, a resident bird known for its territorial disputes and stunning colours.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Entry Fees & What's Included
Best Times for Wildlife Sightings
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Check Entry Fees First
Be aware of the entry fee; some visitors find it a bit steep for the exhibition. +1
🔭 Utilize the Telescopes
The telescopes offer incredible views of wildlife. Ask staff for tips on what to look for!
☕ Coffee & Biscuits Available
Enjoy a warm drink and snack while birdwatching from the viewing areas. Vegan options available.
🗺️ Ask for Directions
If you plan to visit the various bird hides, ask for clear directions as maps can be confusing.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Check Entry Fees First
Be aware of the entry fee; some visitors find it a bit steep for the exhibition. +1
🔭 Utilize the Telescopes
The telescopes offer incredible views of wildlife. Ask staff for tips on what to look for!
☕ Coffee & Biscuits Available
Enjoy a warm drink and snack while birdwatching from the viewing areas. Vegan options available.
🗺️ Ask for Directions
If you plan to visit the various bird hides, ask for clear directions as maps can be confusing.
👨👩👧 Kid-Friendly Play Area
There's a nice play area for children, making it a good spot for families.
📸 Photography Opportunities
Bring your camera for excellent chances to photograph birds and other wildlife.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Montrose Basin Visitor Centre for its incredible wildlife, particularly the diverse bird species and the chance to see seals. The helpful staff and the availability of telescopes and refreshments are frequently highlighted as positives. However, some guests feel the entry fee is a bit high for the exhibition offered, and navigation to external hides can be confusing.
"What an incredible place it is! Have been there 3 or 4 times, each times spent several hours, watching birds and seals. The staff there is so helpful, they showed us different kinds of birds, explain about their migrations and which birds you can see throughout different times of the year. I was so happy to see Kingfisher for the fist time, and overall, I think I've seen around 20 different birds species. Nice bonus - you can get coffee with biscuits, and also there's a nice play area for children where our son played. The book we got there about Scottish birds is now one of my son's favorites. So much want to go there again!"
Veronika Nuretdinova
"Very polite girl on the desk but very strange set up. You could view the gift shop and look out of the window but you could not look through a scope or explore the rest without paying. We were told. At that point we just asked to use the loo and looked around the gift shop. Probably the only wildlife venue we have been to where you had to pay. Most places you get invited to look through a scope etc. I guess we should have asked how much but in all honesty just could not be bothered at that point. Funny really the best way to get people interested is to let them see what it’s all about and the best way to sell a scope is to let people look. They are hardly going to wear it out ! Just my thoughts !"
Matt Hart
"Entry is £5.50 per adult, varying prices for children and concessions. The centre is open from 10.30m to 5pm from March to October. Winter hours are a bit different, closing at 4pm and only open Friday - Monday. There are tea, coffee and biscuits available (with vegan milk options) which you can take to a window and have while you use the telescopes at the viewing areas. The toilets are lovely and clean. There is lots to see here and lots of information to read. The girl on the desk was really nice too and told us about the swallows which have begun nesting on their fire escape! We had a lovely time photographing the local birds here and saw a buzzard, beautiful collared doves, robins, tree sparrows, chaffinches, gorgeous greenfinches, yellowhammers as well as redshank, eider ducks and oystercatchers from the hide onsite. We did get a bit lost trying to find our way to the other various bird hides on the basin map when we left and ended up at places where we felt we couldn't leave the car. We'll try again another day. We should have asked at the visitor centre for extra directions, not being from here we didn't know the area well enough."
Vicky Dunbar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Montrose Basin Visitor Centre is located near Montrose, Angus. It's accessible by car, with parking available. Public transport options might involve local bus services to Montrose town centre, followed by a short taxi ride or walk.
Yes, there is parking available at the visitor centre, which is convenient for those travelling by car.
While there are bird hides on the basin, some visitors have found it a bit confusing to navigate to them from the visitor centre. It's advisable to ask for clear directions.
During winter, the visitor centre has different hours, typically closing earlier at 4pm and may only be open Friday to Monday. It's best to check their official website for the most up-to-date winter schedule.
Yes, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre makes for a great day trip from Dundee. The drive is relatively short, and you can easily spend a few hours exploring the wildlife.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry fees apply, with prices around £5.50 for adults and varying rates for children and concessions. Some visitors have expressed that the cost might be high for the exhibition offered. +2
The entry fee typically grants access to the visitor centre, viewing areas with telescopes, and a small exhibition. It's worth clarifying with staff what is included to ensure you get the most value. +1
You can view the gift shop and look out of the window without paying entry, but access to the viewing scopes and further exploration requires admission.
Yes, there are varying prices for children and concessions, so inquire at the desk for specific rates.
It's generally not necessary to book tickets in advance, but it's always a good idea to check the official website or call ahead, especially during peak seasons or for group visits.
🎫 🔭 Onsite Experience
You can see a wide variety of birds, including kingfishers, geese, ducks (like eider and teal), oystercatchers, and woodcock. Seals are also frequently spotted in the basin. +6
Yes, the visitor centre is equipped with telescopes in its viewing areas, allowing for close-up observation of the wildlife on the basin. +1
Yes, there is a nice play area for children, making the visitor centre a family-friendly destination.
Absolutely! Montrose Basin offers excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, with many species visible from the visitor centre and hides.
The viewing areas with telescopes and the various bird hides around the basin offer great vantage points for photography.
🍽️ ☕ Food & Dining
Yes, you can get tea, coffee, and biscuits at the visitor centre. They also offer vegan milk options.
While there are facilities for purchasing refreshments, it's generally acceptable to bring your own snacks, especially if you plan to spend a longer time exploring the outdoor areas. Check with staff for designated picnic spots.
Yes, the visitor centre offers vegan milk options for their tea and coffee, and biscuits are also available.
Montrose town centre is a short drive away and offers a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants for more substantial meals.
While not explicitly stated, it's likely there are areas suitable for picnics, especially if you are exploring the wider basin area. The visitor centre itself focuses on light refreshments.
📸 📸 Photography
Early mornings and late afternoons often provide softer light and more active bird behaviour, making them ideal for photography.
You have a great chance to photograph a variety of species, including kingfishers, cormorants, various ducks, geese, waders, and smaller garden birds. +5
A telephoto lens is highly recommended to get close-up shots of birds and other wildlife, especially from the visitor centre's viewing areas.
While the visitor centre has viewing areas with telescopes, there are also various bird hides around the basin that offer excellent, discreet photography opportunities.
Lighting varies throughout the day. Mornings and late afternoons offer warmer, softer light, while midday can be harsher. Consider the position of the sun relative to your subject.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While there's an entry fee, the telescopes offer a fun way for kids to get a closer look at wildlife. The staff are often noted for being friendly and informative, which can help make the experience more educational and enjoyable for the whole family. Consider bringing snacks, though refreshments are available.
🐦 Birdwatching Enthusiasts
+1Utilize the telescopes and bird hides to their full potential. Don't hesitate to ask the knowledgeable staff for tips on what species are currently present and where to best spot them. The chance to see iconic birds like the kingfisher and the spectacle of thousands of pink-footed geese makes it a prime destination.
📸 Wildlife Photographers
Bring your telephoto lens to capture close-ups of birds and seals. The bird hides provide discreet vantage points, while the visitor centre's telescopes allow for detailed observation. Early mornings and late afternoons often offer the best light for stunning shots.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Wildlife Wonders of Montrose Basin
+2Beyond the geese, the basin is a prime location for spotting kingfishers, with their vibrant colours and darting flights. Other notable bird sightings include various ducks like eider ducks and teal, waders such as oystercatchers and redshank, and smaller birds like bullfinches and sparrowhawks. Seals are also a common sight, often seen basking on the mudflats or swimming in the water.
The visitor centre's telescopes and viewing areas provide excellent opportunities to observe these creatures without disturbing them. For those keen on a more immersive experience, there are also bird hides located around the basin, offering different perspectives and a chance to get closer to nature. The staff are often knowledgeable and can provide insights into bird migrations and seasonal sightings.
Navigating the Basin: Tips for Visitors
The entry fee is a point of discussion among visitors. While it grants access to the viewing facilities and a small exhibition, some feel the cost is a little high. However, for dedicated birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, the opportunity to see such a variety of wildlife through the provided telescopes is often considered worthwhile. The centre also offers refreshments, including coffee and biscuits, with vegan options available, allowing you to enjoy a warm drink while observing the wildlife.
For families, the presence of a children's play area makes Montrose Basin a more engaging destination. The staff are generally praised for being helpful and informative, often sharing details about the local wildlife and their habits. This community-backed advice suggests that engaging with the staff can significantly enrich your visit.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit