Accessible bird watching experience
5
5
Date of visit: September 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, dexterity or coordination and moving around.
I use or have experience of: assistance dog, disabled toilet, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Excellent
I wasn't expecting very much from this visit. It was really just a stop-off on our way into Montrose. However, I really enjoyed it and we ended up spending several hours here. Accessibility in the main visitor centre is pretty good, though the grounds are hilly and access to the hides is not possible.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
It depends what you assess here. I used the visitor centre, which includes a panoramic viewing area over the basin with telescopes and binoculars provided. I never expected to go to the hides, which are not accessible by wheelchair. I found the visitor centre to be very accessible. I could access two of the telescopes and see right across the basin with them. The displays were higher than I would like but big and clear so I could still read them easily.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
We arrived by motorhome and the car park is quite small and on a hill. We struggled to find a good space to park and ended up taking several bays. However, it wasn't busy so my husband took a photo of our parking and went into the visitor centre to ask if it was okay. He said they were really lovely and said we were fine to be there and they showed him the facilities. He came back really positive and told me I would love it! The path down to the entrance is uneven and quite steep. Getting back to the motorhome after our visit, I did need some help.
Accessible facilities: Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Good
The toilet was easy enough to get in and out and it was clean and functional. The grab rails were secure.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
The staff were absolutely amazing! Nothing was too much trouble. They helped me get set up with a telescope and told us about different birds to look for and how to see them. They made my assistance dog very welcome.
Additional Information
We were really lucky to see 3 osprey during our visit. If you visit at the beginning of October, they usually have pink-footed geese in great numbers.
