Eden Estuary Nature Reserve

The Eden Estuary Nature Reserve 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.

The bulk of the reserve is made up of rich intertidal mud and sand flats, 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 also been known to venture into the estuary.

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 from conservation officer Dominic Rye on 07985 707593. The centre toilet won Gold in the 2018 National Loo of the Year Awards.

There are excellent bus links to Guardbridge, with it being on a main route to St Andrews. Visit Traveline Scotland to plan your trip.

Open 7 days:

9am – 5pm (Apr – Oct)

9am – 4pm (Nov – Mar)