The Eden Estuary Nature Reserve is a Local Nature Reserve with global importance. It’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site.
The estuary is vast and is used for many different purposes, including recreational activities such as wildfowling (permit required), bird watching, walking and horse-riding.
The Trust maintain a small visitor centre that is the perfect spot for bird watching. There are also numerous other access points including a large parking area and interpretation at West Sands in St Andrews.
Rich intertidal mud and sand flats make up the bulk of the reserve and are home to millions of tiny plants and animals. Due to this wealth of food, the site supports a huge variety and volume of bird life. Notable birds include black-tailed godwit, grey plover, redshank, shelduck and red-breasted merganser. You might also have a chance of spotting interesting mammals including otter and common seal. Dolphins have ventured into the estuary on rare occasions.
The Eden Estuary Centre can be reached by heading to St Andrews on the A91 from Cupar then turning onto the A919 at Guardbridge. Shortly after this turn, the entrance to the small car park is on the right. The centre has room for a capacity of around 10 with well serviced disabled access. An access code to enter the centre is available (preferably during office hours) from conservation officer Dominic Rye on 07985 707593 or by phoning Harbourmaster’s House on 01592 656080.
There are excellent bus links to Guardbridge, with it being on a main route to St Andrews. Visit Traveline Scotland to plan your trip.
The Eden Estuary Centre is open 7 days:
9am – 5pm (Apr – Oct)
9am – 4pm (Nov – Mar)