St Cyrus Nature Reserve

Woodston Fishing Station is located in the ‘heart of Scotland’, near Aberdeen, Dundee, Stonehaven, Inverbervie, Johnshaven, Laurencekirk and Banchory. Our accommodation is in the Nature Reserve, and has direct access to the beach, with incredible sea views.

St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve is conveniently ‘tucked away’, with its beauty and unspoilt protected landscapes, yet within an imaginary one hour circle, there is ‘by far’ to many ‘places of interest’ & ‘spectacular scenery’ to mention; including castles, heritage trail, whiskey trail, coastal trail, shopping, mountain ranges and so forth.

Over the years we have accumulated a wonderful array of comments in our ’visitors book’ and thank you letters whilst involved with B&B, nearly all would have preferred to stay longer , indeed many have hence returned. We would like to continue with our self catering launch and guide you to the stunning scenery & places of interest that Scotland has to give within our area.

NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE AND MONTROSE 10hrs

Casually enjoy the morning, have breakfast in your bedroom, whilst overlooking the spectacular sea and scenery directly below.

Depart the house and discover the beauty of the St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve, including a leisurely walk along the waters edge, find semi precious stones, waterfall, original fishermen’s bothy’s, with rabbits everywhere. During season watch the fisherman catching salmon before your very eyes at low tide. Meander down to the south side of the reserve and visit Kirkside graveyard, with scull and crossbones and discover why the famous son of St. Cyrus blew out his brains for love. Enjoy a coffee at the Kirkside café and then perhaps visit the Reserve information centre, leisurely return to Woodston Fishing Station, taking the path at the top of the cliffs enjoying the panoramic views.

Once returned and with good appetite, head into Montrose (15 minutes) to enjoy a good meal, antique shops and so forth. The tourist information centre can provide you with the local history and other ‘places to visit’ other than stated below. For instance, the internationally acclaimed Montrose wildlife basin, Aviation museum, Angus folk museum, Barry Water Mill and so forth.

Our favourite however is the House of Dun, Gardens and Estate, designed by William Adam. This beautiful house overlooks the Montrose basin, built in 1730, contains superb plasterwork, paintings, many mementos with royal associations. A guided tour is available.
Follow the A935 towards Brechin for signage. Returning to Woodston Fishing Station later to relax.

GRAMPIAN MOUNTAINS AND GLAMIS CASTLE 10hrs

Casually depart the house at approximately 9.00am, take the B1920 to Laurencekirk and then travel South on the A90 until you see the signs for Glamis Castle, (35minutes) As you approach the Castle, which truly portrays a ‘fairy tale’ resemblance; park and arrange for a guided tour. This provides you with a wonderful insight into the History and the current lives of the Royal Family. Glamis was the Queen Mothers castle and has often, still is, used for family gatherings. Suits of armour and antiquities are abundant. Italian and rose gardens can be viewed thereafter.

If you fancy a delve back in time to rural life of day’s gone by, then make a point of visiting the Angus folk museum. Situated at Kirkwynd, Glamis, by Forfar – a stone’s throw away from the grounds of Glamis Castle.

After Glamis castle, travel on the A928 to Kirriemuir, the smallest of the Angus burghs and one which is fast becoming known as the ‘Gateway to the Glens’. Mention of Kirriemuir conjures up images of “Peter Pan” and “Never Land”, and that’s not surprising for the town is the birthplace of the famous novelist J.M.Barrie, author of that very famous children’s tale. Then onto the B951 towards Kingoldrum and thus into ‘Gods country’ through the ‘Glens’. From here some of the most breathtaking scenery in the whole of Scotland awaits, head up towards the A93 and then turn right towards Braemar. Take a late lunch at Braemar and enjoy the highland shopping and sites continuing from Braemar through Ballater and Banchory, small bridges, rivers and forests galore. At Banchory look for the B974 towards Fettercairn, B1920 back to Laurencekirk and then returning to Woodston Fishing Station to relax.

COASTAL TRAIL AND DUNNOTTAR CASTLE 10hrs

Casually depart the house at 10.00am, take the A92 North. Within a few miles you may visit the Benholm Mill, a fully restored water-powered meal mill, ultimately ahead the villages of Johnshaven and Gourdon which offer a flavour of the glory days of traditional sea fishing. You can buy fresh-caught fish, including huge crabs and lobster. Sit on the harbour walls and wander the fascinating lanes of the old parts.

Just north of Gourdon lies Inverbervie, a Royal Burgh no less, just past the Grassic Gibbon Centre, dedicated to one of Scotland’s greatest writers. The centre is a memorial to the life and work of Lewis Grassic Gibbon and allows visitors to become acquainted with the area and its history.

A couple of miles up the coast is Kinneff, whose Old church was the hiding place for the Scottish Crown Jewels during the time of Cromwell. The coastline between Kineff and Stonehaven is a haven to millions of sea birds, and at Fowlsheugh Reserve, you can see puffins, guillemots, fulmers and many more at close quarters. Boat trips are run in the summer months. At Todhead point the smallest lighthouse within the British isles stands.

Further North stands one of Scotland’s best known landmarks – the iconic Dunnottar Castle. The dramatic setting and brooding presence of Dunnottar ensures thousands of people visit each year. An unforgettable experience, it has been a fortified and holy place for centuries. It was sacked by William Wallace in the 13th century and was the hiding place for Scotland’s crown jewels from Cromwell’s Roundhead troops. Mel Gibson’s Hamlet was filmed at Dunnottar.

Stonehaven, the biggest town in the Mearns, boasts a unique art deco open air swimming pool, picturesque harbour and beach. The harbour area now boasts hostelries serving drinks and meals, as well as a seafood restaurant located above the Tolbooth museum. The 15th century building is thought to be one of the oldest in Stonehaven and you can find out about its intriguing history in the museum itself.
From Stonehaven follow the A90 south to the pretty village of Fettercairn to see its well known whiskey disillery.

Nearby, Fasque House, family home of Vicorian prime minister William Gladstone, is open to the public, providing a fascinating glimpse of life “upstairs and downstairs” in a 19th century country house. If time allows, it is well worth taking a drive up the Cairn o’ Mount to see the breathtaking panorama of the Mearns from the 455 metre-high viewpoint.

Return to Woodston Fishing Station to relax.

AND SO MUCH MORE

The above three tours have only really ‘touched’ on the subject of the history, attractions, places to visit, scenery within the area, there is of course Balmoral Castle for instance. However we do recognise that ‘time’ perhaps maybe short and as such Edinburgh and Inverness await as the next ‘point of call’. We look forward, if required, in helping you reach those destinations with our ultimate knowledge and personal experience.

Sporting Activities

Sporting activities are of course abundant in Scotland. Immediate local activities include, for instance golf, Montrose has the 4th oldest golf course in the world. Salmon fishing, the North Esk, was at one time the most predominant salmon fishing river in the world. Sea fishing.

We are also in the process of arranging lobster fishing catches + history + meals. Loch fishing, Trout fishing, Rough shooting, Driven shooting, Deer stalking, Paragliding from the cliffs of St. Cyrus and so forth. Our determination to offer the best will always continue and please therefore do not hesitate to ask for advice, for indeed, perhaps the realm of the impossible is possible at Woodston Fishing Station.